Tire size and traction: ? to marc b (archive)

In a post below, you stated that 18" wheels/tires are at a disadvatage to 17" in straight line acceleration because of a decrease in sidewall flex. It sounds as if any handling advantage a "plus size" wheel/tire combination would have is offset by a disadvantage in straight line acceleration. (BTW, I'm not sure how to calculate it but, how much shorter is the sidewall on an 18" 255/40 than on a 17" 245/40?)

Do you think anybody will make an aftermarket 17" wheel tire combo for the E46? I know you can't just slap any old wheels/tire combo on it. You have to take into consideration the wheel offsets, brake clearances as well as the overall wheel/tire diameter for speedometer calibration. Do you think anyone will go to the trouble to make a "smaller" wheel and sell for its' enhanced straight line performance?

Here's another idea. Do you have any idea if the 17" wheels and tires on my '97 ///M3 will be interchangeable with the 18" wheels and tires on the E46 ///M3. If so, maybe I'll keep my current car until I take delivery of my '01 ///M3. Then I can swap out the wheels and tires before I sell it. I like the wheels on my current car (I think they're called M Contours) better than the ones on the new ///M3 anyway. And it may enhance the value of my E36 //M3 to put the "new" wheels on it. Just a thought. Thanks in advance.

Craig
'97 ///M3/2 Lux. 5 Spd.
Techno-Violet/Mulberry
#1 @ $tealer for E46 ///M3

Follow Ups:

Re: Tire size and traction Marc S 13:08 2/27/2000 (1)
- Thanks for the great info! Craig 13:23 2/27/2000 (0)
Re: Tire size and traction: ? to marc b marc b 20:29 2/26/2000 (0)
Re: Tire size and traction: ? to marc b Bruce 20:20 2/26/2000 (0)

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