Optical Illusion?

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by dkl

Very True. But according to TireRack, the Kumho should have a tread width of approximately 1.5" wider than the Bridgestone.

Look at the measured rim widths, the Kumho was measured while mounted on a wider rim. This puts more contact patch shoulder radius on the ground.

Also you're compairing how a worn tire (as tread radius wears, contact patch width increases) looked, to a new tire with ZERO radius wear.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Look at the measured rim widths, the Kumho was measured while mounted on a wider rim. This puts more contact patch shoulder radius on the ground.

Also you're compairing how a worn tire (as tread radius wears, contact patch width increases) looked, to a new tire with ZERO radius wear.

Not sure I follow. Having a larger contact patch and the fact that the Kumho is mounted on the 19x10 wheel, it "should" look wider than the narrower Bridgestone mounted on 18x9 wheel on the coupe.

You've found another illusion. While the Kumho only got about 2k miles on it, the Bridgstone is also fairly new rolling just about 6k miles...so not entirely a new versus worn tires comparison.

[TiAgX5]

I was referring to your statement that the new X tires don't appear as wide as the worn out Pirelli Scorpion Assimetrico Zeros that were on the X, not the pic.

Just went back and looked at your #9 post. Thought it was comparing the old/new X tires. It actually showns the tires in the pic, my bad.

[powers1]

Originally Posted by dkl

All good explanations...thanks
I would think the opposite as the higher profile makes the tire bulges out more and therefore should look fatter?

Have to disagree!Have you seen an X5 with standard 235/65/17?.Well ,here is an old scanned pic of my M3 with 235/40/17!It even looks fatter than your 255/40/18!
Lower profile,smaller wheel will always look fatter than same "width " tyre on bigger wheel ..Looks even "bigger" sideways

[dkl]

Love e30M3's...my first love...for cars (other than those out of reached exotics). Do you still have it?

[powers1]

Originally Posted by dkl

Love e30M3's...my first love...for cars (other than those out of reached exotics). Do you still have it?

I know its off topic but you asked,so its polite to answer.
Had it from 1988 to 2005 and sold it as I hadnt use it for 10+ years and I got a good offer for it and the buyer had been looking for one specifically for years (or maybe saving up) ,so it went to a good home (2nd owner)..Had 25,000 kms and it was one of the first" special edition"(48/50) but not an evolution model !
Apart from the Hartge engine upgrade to 240bhp,exhaust,suspension,only thing I did to it was replace the stock 225/45/16 shod BBS wheels ,with BBS 17" and fit a grill spoiler to give it a more updated look.Heres some "small" pics,on the day I sold it,hope you like them

[dkl]

That is one great looking machine...Thanks for the pictures Wished I could afford one back then...would have driven it until the wheels fall off, which I'm planning to do with my Mcoupe

[powers1]

Originally Posted by dkl

That is one great looking machine...Thanks for the pictures Wished I could afford one back then...would have driven it until the wheels fall off, which I'm planning to do with my Mcoupe

You are welcome
Wish my M3 had the the engine power of your M coupe ,since it most definitely had the chassis to handle it