Is staggered really staggered?

Lots of debate about a staggered set up on an XI. May be my over active imagination or my mathematical mind (don't tease if I am wrong) but. When we talk "square" set up, we are talking about being able to draw a perfect square around all four tires (figuratively speaking of course). That is, outside of each wheel/tire are in line and/or equal distance from rotor/axle, right? And staggered would suggest that (in most cases) rear tires would sit farther out than fronts, right?

So heres my question. I run 225/40/18 (8.0) et47 fronts and 255/35/18 (8.5) et50 in the back. Is this not essentially a "square" set up? 1/2 difference in rim with translates into approx 1.0 difference in tire section width all partially accounted for by 3mm or 0.12 inches difference in offset. If I understand the balance difference 0.88 or 0.38 is biased to the middle of the car. So really is this not a square set up even though the back tires are marginally wider than the front? Is my math off? Is my thinking off?

Interested in all your opinions.

I think square commonly means all four corners (wheels and tires) are the same. So they can be rotated.

OP i think your just over thinking it.

Squared= all wheels are same diameter and width
Staggered= backs are wider than fronts

just my 2 cents

Originally Posted by motostu93

OP i think your just over thinking it.

Squared= all wheels are same diameter and width
Staggered= backs are wider than fronts

just my 2 cents

+1

...also, Staggered typically does not have the same front/back diameter either.

^^^^^^ +1

And don't overthink it. OEM allows a staggered setup within set parameters. Wheel diameter may be different, but difference is so small as to be moot.

I don't get staggered on an xi, even with the RWD bias.


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You think a 255 tire is "marginally" wider than a 225 tire? That's funny.

Either way it's not a square setup, will never be a square setup, and will never be as good as a square setup.

Well its not a dragster set up :-). I thought one inch was marginal enough. I don't track my car, really an everyday driver so its more about estetics for me like the 'staggered' look. Buddy of mine has a staggered set up on his X5 which looks pretty sick. Perhaps some day will swap out the fronts for another pair of 255/35/16 (8.5 et 50)'s for a truly square set up.

staggered + awd = tons of problems (yes there is a teeny tiny margin that they can be staggered and still be ok). awd cars are meant to have the same size wheels and tires because they are all pulling the car the same. when you start going around turns with a staggered setup its really going to screw with your car. and really really dont understand your math in the least bit, not trying to bash, just my 2 cents

I'll say it again: OEM allows staggered. If you like staggered for whatever reason and stay within OEM specs, you'll be fine.



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OEM set up is exactly what I am running 225/40/18 (8.0) et47 fronts and 255/35/18 (8.5) et50, rolling diameter is 25.0 and 25.1 inches respectively which is 0.4% difference. I'm good. Thanks for your support feddomw!

Originally Posted by loeppd1

OEM set up is exactly what I am running 225/40/18 (8.0) et47 fronts and 255/35/18 (8.5) et50

Mmmmmm . . . .understeeeeer.

lol. Well my last car was Lexus ES350, so performance and tight turning radius is not exactly what I am used to. If I were tracking, different story.........I hear you Kubica.