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, most affordable version of BMW 3 Series.

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

This decision positively affects 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 X3 M and X4 M gain a “hundred” in just 4.1–4.2 seconds – 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 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 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 tire, the more space.

Showing the tire sizes for various BMW series models

BMW SeriesModelFront TiresRear Tires
1 SeriesF40 (2021)225/40R18225/40R18
2 SeriesF44 Gran Coupe (2021)225/40R18255/35R18
3 SeriesG20 (2021)225/45R18255/40R18
4 SeriesG22 Coupe (2021)225/40R19255/35R19
5 SeriesG30 (2021)245/45R18275/40R18
6 SeriesG32 GT (2021)245/45R19275/40R19
7 SeriesG11/G12 (2021)245/45R19275/40R19
8 SeriesG14/G15/G16 (2021)245/35R20275/30R20
X1F48 (2021)225/50R18225/50R18
X2F39 (2021)225/45R19225/45R19
X3G01 (2021)245/50R19245/50R19
X4G02 (2021)245/45R20275/40R20
X5G05 (2021)275/45R20305/40R20
X6G06 (2021)275/45R20305/40R20
X7G07 (2021)275/50R20275/50R20
Z4G29 (2021)255/40R18255/40R18

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 handling in a fast turn: ratio of the width of the tires is selected so that the car pleased driver, but at the same time remained safe.

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