[dmk08]

Originally Posted by metrickid

By the look of it the M2 hasn't got as much room. Compare the image below to your M3, quite aggressive offsets to be stock.

Yes definitely. Looks almost as aggressive as my m3 w/ aftermarkets...

[Pol]

Why should we go wider ? Only for the looks ?

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by Pol

Why should we go wider ? Only for the looks ?

Traction. Let's wait and see how big of an issue it will be.

[Bosozoku]

Originally Posted by gthal

10mm makes WAY less difference to grip than tread compound. I bet someone putting a 275 on the rear in the same tire as the 265 won't be able to tell the difference outside of a controlled and measured test. If someone is serious about grip, they will replace the OEM tire with a better compound tire and add 10mm Like the RE-71R.

I agree. But mounting 10mm wider tires is better than using F-ing spacers for "that stance."

[somer]

Hoping 19" BBS FI-R's fit

thinking 275/30 F and 295/30 R for sizes

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by kbc

Hoping 19" BBS FI-R's fit

thinking 275/30 F and 295/30 R for sizes

Yes, it it would be great if they would fit in the M4 sizes. They are about 10 mm more aggressive than the stock wheels so lowered they might be quite flush. But I think 275 up front might be a bit too much. I'm hoping they fit and would use a 255/35 front and a 285/30 rear or something like that.

[Mik3ymomo]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Excerpt from the CAR magazine interview with BMW M ("The M-pire strikes back: BMW M2 and M4 GTS"):

That chunkier [M2] body – 55mm wider front, 80mm rear – is essential to cover a wider track courtesy of M4 forged aluminium suspension components. "The track is the same, but the M4 tyres wouldn’t fit, so the tyres are 10mm narrower," says [M2 Project Manager] Isenberg. The Michelin Pilot Super Sports measure 245/35 ZR19 front, 265/35 ZR19 rear.

Haha "The M4 tires wouldn't fit"

Hey guys... You made the car; you knew what would fit in those wheel tubs lol.
You made the flares so you had full control.

This guy acts like he is in the aftermarket.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Mik3ymomo

Haha "The M4 tires wouldn't fit"
Hey guys... You made the car; you knew what would fit in those wheel tubs lol.
You made the flares so you had full control.
This guy acts like he is in the aftermarket.

Uhm, "this guy" is one of the lead engineers at BMW M who developed the 1M and M2.

[paradoxical3]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Uhm, "this guy" is one of the lead engineers at BMW M who developed the 1M and M2.

I think his point is that they could have made them fit with zero effort because they were designing the spec of the car.

The real reason is probably twofold:

1. Reduce traction on the car to enhance the feeling of "playfulness" relative to the M4.

2. Reduce traction on the car to slow lap times relative to the M4

The M2 is only 6 seconds slower around the ring than the M4. With equivalent tires that probably drops to 3-4 seconds. Too close for comfort, considering the $25k average price difference.

[monaliza23]

i think they looks great

[pruettfan]

When they launched the car back in October one of the engineers said that they had to put a narrower tire on to make the clearances. He said they made the car as wide as they could. I don't see it as an issue, I suspect the car has plenty of tire based on what I have read and watched from Laguna Seca.

[W///]

Originally Posted by paradoxical3

I think his point is that they could have made them fit with zero effort because they were designing the spec of the car.

The real reason is probably twofold:

1. Reduce traction on the car to enhance the feeling of "playfulness" relative to the M4.

2. Reduce traction on the car to slow lap times relative to the M4

The M2 is only 6 seconds slower around the ring than the M4. With equivalent tires that probably drops to 3-4 seconds. Too close for comfort, considering the $25k average price difference.

Exactly right. Much bigger wheels and tires does not equate to more fun.

I think it would be naive to think that they didn't test wider tires and this is what they felt was more suited to the M2's personality. Or maybe as you said, this is an artificial way to limit it from the M3/4. Could be both.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by DVC

Assuming they fit, I will be going with 10"x18" wheels square for track duty with this car.

This is an awesome setup on the 1M and should be awesome on the M2.
Being able to rotate all 4 corners really helps on wear and also the square setup help will have better grip and turn in and reduce understeer.

For track I would start with 275/35/18 square. I have run Hoosier, Continental, Maxxis in this size..
I MUCH prefer P285/30ZR18 using Briddgestone R1 however, so if you want to go big check them out as well.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by W///

Exactly right. Much bigger wheels and tires does not equate to more fun.

I think it would be naive to think that they didn't test wider tires and this is what they felt was more suited to the M2's personality. Or maybe as you said, this is an artificial way to limit it from the M3/4. Could be both.

I agree with you on the less is more concept except for on BMW turbo cars.

Traditionally.. smaller and lighter has been the way to go on BMWs when it comes to wheels. With all the torque of a turbo layout as well as "overboost" ... I am firmly convinced that on BMW turbo cars... more tire is better, **everywhere**.

Having more tire up front helps these heavier cars turn and not abuse their tires. Having more tire in the rear helps with actually putting all that M turbo power to the ground. The 1M and the M2 have MORE torque than the E92. Wheelspin at the rear is pretty much always gonna happen.

No need to go with small wheels to reduce weight.. there is plenty of overboost to turn those puppies..

Were smaller tires fit on the M2 to help with playfulness... yes.. likely so...
Will larger tires remove this playfulness ? hell no!

Were smaller tires fit to help keep performance vs the M4 down? Yes.. I would bet so... Particularly for the 0-60 time with DCT.
Want to see an M4 owner lose his head ..... would happen at every street light...

[OrangeCrush]

If you look at the specs for these sizes on tirerack, the bmw specs for the M2 tires are really only .1 inch narrower, front and back than the M4 tires. The main difference is that they are shorter. As an example, the Porsche spec PSS 265 is over a half inch wider (tread width) than the bmw 275 that comes with the M4.

[caycep]

Is this what they mean when the product blurb says "custom Michelin PSS" for the M2? Will it affect availability/cost of replacement tires? Sounds like you can just buy standard M3 tires when the current ones wear out

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by caycep

Is this what they mean when the product blurb says "custom Michelin PSS" for the M2? Will it affect availability/cost of replacement tires? Sounds like you can just buy standard M3 tires when the current ones wear out

When I replace my tires and if I am still on the stock wheels I will buy the non BMW spec 255 and 275. They are much wider than the BMW spec. Check them out on tire racks website.

[omasou]

According to the press release it was by design...

Made-to-measure wheels and tires.

In order to transfer the car’s dynamic potential to the road as effectively as possible, the development of specific tires for the all-new BMW M2 was incorporated into the axle construction from the beginning of its development. BMW M vehicle dynamics engineers know that a certain set of factors take priority whenever dealing with high-performance sports cars. For example, the front wheels have to cope with different types of forces in terms of lateral stability and directional stability, while providing optimal steering feedback and steering precision. Likewise, the rear wheels deliver optimal traction, lateral stability and directional stability. After thorough testing development, the BMW M vehicle dynamic engineers decided to fit the all-new BMW M2 with aluminum wheels with mixed-size tires.

The lightweight 19-inch forged wheels (front axle: 9J x 19, rear axle 10J x 19) substantially reduce rotating and unsprung masses. The exclusive 19-inch Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires measure 245/35 ZR 19 in the front and 265/35 ZR 19 at the rear. This set-up makes a considerable contribution to the outstanding dynamic properties of the all-new BMW M2 and, at the same time, ensures impressive everyday ride comfort.

[Bluenose-2er]

Originally Posted by masou

According to the press release it was by design...

Made-to-measure wheels and tires.

In order to transfer the car’s dynamic potential to the road as effectively as possible, the development of specific tires for the all-new BMW M2 was incorporated into the axle construction from the beginning of its development. BMW M vehicle dynamics engineers know that a certain set of factors take priority whenever dealing with high-performance sports cars. For example, the front wheels have to cope with different types of forces in terms of lateral stability and directional stability, while providing optimal steering feedback and steering precision. Likewise, the rear wheels deliver optimal traction, lateral stability and directional stability. After thorough testing development, the BMW M vehicle dynamic engineers decided to fit the all-new BMW M2 with aluminum wheels with mixed-size tires.

The lightweight 19-inch forged wheels (front axle: 9J x 19, rear axle 10J x 19) substantially reduce rotating and unsprung masses. The exclusive 19-inch Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires measure 245/35 ZR 19 in the front and 265/35 ZR 19 at the rear. This set-up makes a considerable contribution to the outstanding dynamic properties of the all-new BMW M2 and, at the same time, ensures impressive everyday ride comfort.

This matches what I have heard previously... it is not just the tread width it is a different sidewall design than the standard (non-BMW) counterpart.

I guess it comes down to whether you believe BMW would purposely crimp the performance of the M2 (to protect the M3/4 market) or whether they honestly want to get the best performance out of their car... and perform better against all other competitors.

I lean towards the latter. Plus, I think the difference would be pretty much unnoticeable off the track.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Bluenose-1er

This matches what I have heard previously... it is not just the tread width it is a different sidewall design than the standard (non-BMW) counterpart.

I guess it comes down to whether you believe BMW would purposely crimp the performance of the M2 (to protect the M3/4 market) or whether they honestly want to get the best performance out of their car... and perform better against all other competitors.

I lean towards the latter. Plus, I think the difference would be pretty much unnoticeable off the track.

I think there's probably a 3rd factor. Adding more tire doesn't necessarily make it more "fun". I'm completely guessing of course.

Think FRS/BRZ. They added skinny tires on purpose to make the car more playful.

[metrickid]

I don't see why you would want wider tires. The cars has great traction and steers where ever I point it with such nice precision and it doesn't tramline at all. It is bloody marvelous!

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by metrickid

I don't see why you would want wider tires. The cars has great traction and steers where ever I point it with such nice precision and it doesn't tramline at all. It is bloody marvelous!

I agree. Having said that, I want wider tires.