BMW Tire Size: Why do BMW have different sized tires front and rear

BMW tire size: Firstly, it is beautiful! Therefore, wide tires can be selected in the configurator even for the newest model range – the BMW 318d sedan, the most affordable version of the BMW 3 Series.

However, all BMW M cars, as well as emphasized sports models like the BMW Z4 or the BMW 8 Series Coupe, are equipped with multi-sized tires in all trim levels, of course, not only because of the aesthetics.

This decision positively affects the dynamic properties and controllability. Moreover, for example, on the latest X3 M and X4 M super crossovers, rear tires are wider than the front by only one centimeter – but even such subtleties make sense.

With intense acceleration – and the X3 M and X4 M gain a “hundred” in just 4.1–4.2 seconds – the car crouches on the rear axle, transferring most of the weight to it.

Wider tires, especially if they are high-end tires of the Ultra High Performance (UHP) class, allow you to realize more traction without slipping, pulling, triggering traction control, and other undesirable phenomena.

For someone who is driving, it looks like a car instantly breaks down. Wide rear tires are effective on BMW rear-wheel drive or on all-wheel drive cars where the focus of traction is shifted to the rear axle. That is – on most BMW models.

In this case, narrower front tires are selected so that the outer diameter is the same as that of the rear tires. Making them equally wide is harder.

The front wheels must be rotated during maneuvers, which requires a place in the wheel arches – the wider the tire, the more space.

In addition, front tires are more responsible for aquaplaning. Narrow to “float” on the water requires a higher speed, which means they are safer. With wide tires, steering wheel feedback and road stability can also deteriorate.

Do not forget about the handling in a fast turn: the ratio of the width of the tires is selected so that the car pleased the driver, but at the same time remained safe.

See the BMW best tires list on Amazon

6 thoughts on “BMW Tire Size: Why do BMW have different sized tires front and rear”

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