Can you run different tyre sizes front and back

[coolspot007007]

I was just wondering this as the front tyres on the wheels i just bought need replacing 215/40/16s, but they currently catch on full lock, so i was thinking if i went for 195/45/16 they might not catch any more, and its the correct profile for the wheel anyway. Plus i will want to go 195/45 all round eventually, but the rears are hardly worn.

 

[CS_Matt]

youll wanna go 35s then m8 if they catch on 40s
45s will be even worse

 

[BRUN]

not necessarily, it depends on the tyre

 

[coolspot007007]

i was thinking less width would be the answer instead of profile

 

[GR7]

coolspot007007, it must be possible for you to have different sizes because our Beemer has different sizes front and back! Someone here will let you know, probably BenR if he reads this.

 

[Nick Read]

Of course you can. Its up to you what you run as long as you dont mix radial and cross-ply ( a bit old school I know) and youve got tread on them.

 

[coolspot007007]

Ah Nick just the man! As you have 18s can you get full lock, or do they catch? If not did you trim the lip on the inside of the wing right back or something? Do you think me switching to 195/45 will sort the problem, as it does seem to be the lip thats the cause.I havent tried cutting it back yet though, gonna get a hot knife. And if i need to, is it ok to remove the splash gaurds or am i best to try and cut them where i think i need to?

 

[Nick Read]

Well without mods you cant even get round corners on 215/35/18!

As you probably know I had to remove the sh*tguards, angle grind the inner wing and cut not just the lip, but into the actual outer wing to get them to fit. But I can get full lock and no scrubbing at all so thats something, it makes them practical every day wheels.

The 215 profile is whats troublesome, I would say that a 215 tyre on a 16" wheel is over the top anyway, if you think that most people run 205/40/17 when they get 17s. Go for 195/45/16 and you should have no trouble. If you do just cut the lip out from underneath the arch. It will look no different from the outside but will give you the clearance you need. Another trouble spot is where the top of the front bumper comes into the arch. I just shaved the pointy edge off that and it gave me more room.

 

[BenR]

switch to 195s.....best solution.

But your rears will take ages to wear out!!! so you might go through another set of fronts before the rears are done.....
it will make the car understeer more as we all know a car steers (dynamically) through the rears.

So:
A-you can either fit he fatties to the fronts and wear them out quick! be warned handling will be a bit iffy.
b-you can put the 195s on the front, and wait till the rears wear out, be warned, the handling will be iffy!
c-burn out teh fatties ASAP so you can get 195s all round.

the handling wont be too noticeable, just when you get into a situation it will handle a bit diff.

just take care

 

[lofty]

the only problem you sometimes get is headlight alignment, but the differnce is minimal, and easily adjusted if needed,

195/45/16 will go nicely depending on your offset,

 

[coolspot007007]

the wheels are ET 35, ive also got 5mm spacers on the back as they catch the screws on the caliper