Welcome to the awesome world of M5 ownership.
This is culled from
www.bmwe34m5.com
September 1988 until February 1992 ;
8" rims with 235/45ZR17 tyres, wheels were "turbines"
OPTION: 9J*17 rims with 255/40ZR17 tyres at the rear
February 1992 untill summer 1994
8" rims with 235/45ZR17 tyres, wheels were "Throwing Stars"
Optional Nurburing Pack included 9" rims with 255/40ZR17 tyres at the rear ('throwing stars') as well as all the other stuff
Touring introduced with the 9" rears as standard ('throwing stars')
From reading various information on this site and others, you can put 245 on your 8" fronts at a push, and as you have the same at the rear then presumably 245 on there too.
The 255 needs the 9" wheel, you won`t get them safely on the 8".
If you buy the 9" wheels then you can get 265 on the back.
Please remember that all tyre manufacturers vary a little in the exact size of the tyre, even for the same measurement eg 235/45/17, so get your tyre bloke to check clearances, especially when putting bigger units on the front.
Yes, of course they cost more. I was quoted £150 for a 255 rear in Uniroyal, going up to £180-250 for really good tyres like Michelin Pilot, Yokohama AVS and Bridgestone SO2 or SO3.
As I understand it, the bigger the tyre;
1. More grip in the dry, but less warning when it decides to finally lose grip
2. Less grip in the wet, apparently as the pressure on the contact patch is spread over a wider, shorter area, and again the break is quick when it reaches the limit.
Also :
Over the standard 235 front and 235/255 back causes issues when BMW try to do a KDS aligning check, as their computer doesn`t like this. A good independent BMW or a BIG main dealer may be the people to ask. Please would anyone with exact knowledge please post their info.
Finally,
You don`t say how many months between build and sale?
I`ll check mine and see too. I think ours were just built and sold, whereas the E39 appear to be built to order.
Ivan.
PS. If you find anywhere that has a couple of 9" rears, get me a price as I am after two, as I want to arse about and try and get 255 front using 9" front and maybe a spacer, plus 265 on the 9" rear. Because I am a lunatic.
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