Ben

This isn't on my 928, but on one of my Mercedes.

I have 8.5x18" rims to fit the back of my daily driver, which are in need of some new tyres. I've found a great deal on some brand new Pirelli 275/35 R18 - they are £100 for a pair (about $165 US!)
275/35 is perfect in terms of diameter (245/40 on the front)
I know 275 on a 9" rim is about the recommended maximum, but having googled, i've found people that have put 275/35's on an 8.5x18" rim without it looking too silly.
This also reminds me about reading on here that some people have used 245/40 R17's on 7.5x17 cup wheels, which technically shouldn't be fitted to rims less than 8" wide.

Now, I know that in extreme driving the tyre bulging slightly isn't the best thing to have, but this car is a mid 90's E class, with 3.0 litre diesel engine and 140ish hp, so it's no flying machine.

What does anybody think?

76FJ55

According to tirerack.com's specifications on pirelli 275/35s the fit rims 9-11" wide. not saying you can't get them on but they are not designed for that narrow of rim.

pcar928fan

Yea, I think 275 is really PUSHING it on an 8.5" rim...

Cosmo Kramer

I have them on the rear on a 10" rim and the fitment is pretty much perfect. I think 8.5 would be too narrow. 255 would work well.

Ispeed

I wouldn't

Ben

This is the picture I found - they are 19" rims, but still 8.5 inch wide with 275/35 tyre.

Imo000

Why are those tires so cheap? When were they made?

pcar928fan

That DOES NOT look like a 275 on an 8.5" rim FOR SURE!

Ben

Lol, I really dont know why they are so cheap - they are a current model, so can't be that old. The place selling them imports tyres direct from Germany, normally used tyres, but these Pirelli's are all brand new.

The fact that they are so cheap made me hope that they would work... but i'm not sure if I want to take the risk.

Here is another so called 8.5 with 275 tyre

Imo000

Check the manufacture code. Four didgit, first two are the week and the last two are the year of manufacture.
I was going ot say the same thing as James. Either the rim is wider than they claim or the tire is narrower than 275.

pcar928fan

Ben,

That second shot looks a little more like what I would expect to see with a 275 on a 8.5" but still looks pretty good... Again, if the recommendation is 9" rim minimum width for a 275, I sure wouldn't use an 8.5" and FOR SURE on a car that might be driven aggressively.

James Bailey

In Europe tires have a real drop dead date after which they cannot be sold six years as I recall . The US has not YET come up with a standard , doubtful that Canada has either. Most racing organizations will specify a maximum rim width for a class and you may run as wide a tire as you wish ! Too wide and they handle like crap and you go slower The range of widths that a tire can be fitted too is more about selling tires than anything else also note that that "width" is NOT TREAD WIDTH but the maximum of the bulging sidewalls when fitted to a certain rim width.

Jim Nowak

One of my Mercedes came with a 275 tire on an 8.5" wide rim from the factory.

the flyin' scotsman

Interesting post...............I've 275/35 tyres on 11" wide wheels and dont look much much different that the pics.

I'd be somewhat leary with a 8.5" rim.

Ben

Jim,
Are you sure it was an 8.5" rim? What car is it on?