4.8is Tire Sizes & hey from Australia

[davewatson]

Hey Guys,

I need some experienced opinions with regards to tire sizes.

I have an 06 4.8is, which to my understanding I can only get 18's onto as the smallest rim due to the brakes.

My aim at this stage is to use the car on Fraser Island (which to those who don't know is the worlds largest sand island) - So i want the smallest rim, most rubber I can get..

I have read mixed reports about upping rubber - I have read people who have fitted 275/60/18's without issues, but can't find this size tire available.

I know fairly confidently that 255/55/18 will fit, but would like to go bigger so that I can lower the pressure and balloon out the tires as much as possible.

Any advice would be great on what people have without rubbing etc, would be great!

Thanks guys!

Oh and some pics of my new car

[TwinTurboGTR]

Welcome and nice looking 4.8! As far as tires, if you got the OE wheels that belong to a 4.4i, I think the alternate size is 255/60/18. The taller sidewall will allow just that extra bit of tread. I just don't know how far you can take it on stock wheels without getting into spacers and all that fancy stuff. So I am assuming since you mentioned island it is all smooth pavement right?!? Haha. Umm there was someone on here that took their X to the shore and redid their wheel configuration and worked pretty well, but their name is escaping me at the moment. Try doing a search, in the meanwhile I am sure the Experts will chime in shortly!

[davewatson]

Cheers!

The island is entirely sand - the highway is actually the beach & landing strip for aircraft.. All other roads are sand too

I don't know my chances of getting a set of OE rims here in aus - happy to go aftermarket 18's at this stage though.. what is the stud pattern on the x?

Im kinda hoping to get a little bigger than 255/60/18's - as its 100% sand, i want some sidewall to actually balloon the tires out and deflate to fairly low.. its more the scrubbing and things that I'm worried about - as to how far I can go..

[davewatson]

Also just noticed you've had a couple of 300's - I literally just sold my 94 NA - was thinking about seeing if the stockies (which i still have) would fit on (they have the extremely large brakes as well which will only clear very few rims aswell) thoughts?

[TwinTurboGTR]

Hmm I have no clue in the aftermarket arena so best to wait for someone with that knowledge. As far as z32 wheels, weren't the stock in 16's? Even my TTZ were staggered 16's not 18's.

[davewatson]

The staggered were only a non JDM/ADM thing - The non staggered wheels were standard here.

And yeah they are only 16's, but they had ridiculous clearance for the brakes (the factory zed brakes are about the same size as a brembo)

I don't think they will fit, but am very curious as to the thought of it..

[TwinTurboGTR]

Hmm even if they did clear, I wouldn't run em on the X. Plus I'm almost positive the bolt patterns aren't the same either. I just can't remember off the top of my head.

[davewatson]

yeah - more curiosity anyway - ill be buying a set of 18's - just need to sort the rubber!

[TriX5]

MB uses 285/50/18 on one of the early M-class AMG models. Those might be available and I think they would fit. They are a match size-wise as well.

When I went out on Fraser Island the ruts were phenominal. Not sure I'd put my 4.8 out there. Great fun, rented a Range Rover and we went all the way to the ship wreck and back. One of the best moments when we had a couple of weeks in Australia.

[Phr3d]

Can't speak to your specific need, but my recollection is that someone figgered up the OD of someone wanting to 24" wheel bling his ride at Thirty Inches.

As someone then showed his chebby with said 24" wheels and said there was little rub or problems (which was met with Much "yeah, right") I would guess that you have 28" OD to play with, if you're not entering into specialized balloon tires (which might be better for your purpose). Five inches rubber all-round will not do any of your computer stuff any favors and will wear your components, I'm sure - like any four-wheelin', this will Not be a good experience for the longevity of your 4.8.

I'll just presume that these are "gee-whiz, let's have sum fun" slap-on wheel-tire combo and you'll put the real ones back on after the fun is done? If that's the case, then you should be safe with most anything and should ask other sand-rippers there what rubber works best?

Decent BMW 18" OE's from a transmission-victim 4.4 at a boneyard should be a cheap date, and then re-finish 'em as you like.

and hi, wish I could come and watch..