Tyre sizes on standard 19" wheels

[lotus49]

I am about to buy a UK 2014 F10 M5 (about which I am very excited) but it has winter tyres on it so I am going to replace those with some Michelin Pilot Sport 4s as soon as I can.

The tyres on it at the moment are 255/40 R19 Y but when I have tried to look up the appropriate tyre size, I appear to get a choice. I have an electronic copy of the owner's manual which lists numerous different tyre sizes and I'm not used to having a choice (all my previous cars had a single size - there was no choice).

This may seem like a daft question but are these different sizes for different sized wheels? If I have the standard 19" wheels, am I bound to get 255/40 R19 or will other sizes fit?

[Dwaynos]

I have 20s but I think sizes for 19s are

Front: 265/40/19
Rear: 295/35/19

If you put 255s on the rear you will never ever get traction. I'm not sure if you can get 305 Michelin PS4S in 19". If not just go 295.

[lotus49]

Originally Posted by Dwaynos

I have 20s but I think sizes for 19s are

Front: 265/40/19
Rear: 295/35/19

If you put 255s on the rear you will never ever get traction. I'm not sure if you can get 305 Michelin PS4S in 19". If not just go 295.

I did wonder exactly that. When I took it for a test drive, traction control was activated in fourth. I partly put that down to the blockier tread pattern on the winter tyres but I did think the tyres looked a little small for such a powerful car.

I've ordered a pair of 295/35/19 and a pair of 265/40/19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4s which I hope will be much stickier than the winter tyres (which are Contis but I cannot remember exactly which). Sadly they won't arrive until next week so I'll have to drive my new car on winter tyres for a few days at least.

[Dwaynos]

You won't regret your decision to buy Michelin PS4S tyres. They are the only tyre, other than track tyres that actually get some grip.