Tire size/rim size quandry?

The car is the M3 (e36) track rat. The wheels at my disposal are:

• 1 set stock '98 M3 wheels; 7.5 + 8.5 x 17 (currently mounted - Pilot Sport PS2s 225+245)

• 1 set stock '95 M3 wheels; 7.5 x 17 (currently mounted - 235/40-17 Toyo RA1s, 25% left)

• 1 set Kosei K1s; 8.5 x 17 (currently mounted - Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs 245/40-17, 30% left)

I found Toyo RA1s in 235 and 255 at crazy blowout prices. Ideally they get mounted on 9" wheels, but it's not unheard of to run 'em on 8.5s. They'll clear everything with a bit of rear fender lip rolling, and the car has the spring rate. damping and roll stiffness to take advantage of the grip.

What would you do?

Easy answer. Get a set (235's or 255's or staggered) and put them on the K1's

K1's in 235 all the way around. That way you might get by without rolling the lips. Also not running staggered will allow you to rotate if needed.

I don't think you'll notice to much size difference between 235's and the 245's you currently have mounted on those wheels.

Care to share who's blowing them out?

Soon as I order a set...

Ok. I ordered the 255s. I'll probably do something irresponsible and order a set of 17x9 ARC 8s as well. What's a little fender rolling once you're removed much of the interior and have a roll bar and 6-point harnesses...

Whatever. 'Man only lives so long anyway - may as well have mad grip while I'm here.

(As an aside, once these are mounted I'll have 4 sets of wheels for this thing, and they keep getting bigger. Anyone need a set of 7.5" '95 M3 wheels with usable 235 RA1s on 'em?

So I promised to divulge the source once I ordered:

tiresdirect.net.

I'd never heard of them either but they seem legit. We'll see.