Driving with one R17 wheel & 3 r18 advice needed

positivenote

Hi all,
Got a flat today on my e39 2003 touring. It has r18 all around but the spare is r17. I have put it on the rear and need to drive around tomorrow looking for a replacement tyre (265/35/r18), will thus cause any damage being a different size to the other 3?
Also previously I found it difficult to get a tyre 265/35/r18 so would I be better off part exchanging in all 4 wheels for a set of 17's as they may prove less of a pain in the ass to source. I'm in blanch if anyone knows where might provide such a exchange
Thanks a million

Paddy@CIRL

Depends on the profile of the tyre on the 17-inch wheel, but you should be fine as a temporary measure. I'm not sure how sensitive the E39 is, but it might throw the ESP or ABS system awry.

positivenote

Paddy@CIRL wrote: »

Depends on the profile of the tyre on the 17-inch wheel, but you should be fine as a temporary measure. I'm not sure how sensitive the E39 is, but it might throw the ESP or ABS system awry.

Its 235/45/17 if this makes a difference

Paddy@CIRL

There's only 3mm in the difference of the rolling radius, but the tyre is around an inch narrower, so just be mindful. Should be fine, just get it sorted ASAP.

porsche boy

It will cause no damage. Your traction control light might come on as the rotational speeds of the wheels will be different but that's it.

Pkiernan

Move it to the front and put the one from the front at the rear.

SmartinMartin

Oponeo has a great choice of tyres in your size. https://www.oponeo.ie/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-weather/t=1/car/r=1/265-35-r18. Stick with what you have on the 4 and then you only have to find one 18 inch rim as opposed to finding four 17 inch rims.

positivenote

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Oponeo has a great choice of tyres in your size. https://www.oponeo.ie/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-weather/t=1/car/r=1/265-35-r18. Stick with what you have on the 4 and then you only have to find one 18 inch rim as opposed to finding four 17 inch rims.

Cheers, if I was to go with this site the turn around is 5 days... do you reckon I would be safe enough driving with the 17 on untill the tyres get delivered ?

SmartinMartin

I think you'd be fine. Don't forget if you buy from the likes of that site you'd have to find somewhere to fit them for you. I'd be amazed if advanced or fast fit didn't have a good selection.

_Kaiser_

I had this before on my previous A6.. it has 4x18's but the spare was a 17. Had to use it two/3 times but no issue (incl motorway driving) until I got the flat replaced a day or two later.

grogi

positivenote wrote: »

will thus cause any damage being a different size to the other 3?

Even two identical wheels have marginally different geometry, caused by different pressure etc. Nevertheless there is a bit of stress on the differential if driving with different size wheels. This is applicable especially to 4WD cars, but should be remembered when driving a 2WD too.

Just put the 17" in the front and keep same wheels at the powered axle. And don't test the traction until you have the wheels sorted.

Tazium

If you've good alloys be sure to tell the fitters to be careful, take pictures before fitting.