265/40R17 Tire Size

Yes - it's a legitimate track tire size, combining 10.4 inches of contact width with a 4.2-inch sidewall that limits lateral flex under cornering loads. It's most effective when paired with suspension properly set up for low-profile characteristics: stiff springs, sport dampers, and limited toe change under load.

On the track, it performs best on 9.5–10-inch wheels. For mixed street/track use, the 40-series sidewall is workable but rough roads take a toll on tire and rim condition faster than a 45-series alternative.

A 265/40R17 measures 25.3 inches tall and 10.4 inches wide, with a 4.2-inch sidewall. Circumference is approximately 79.5 inches - about 794 revolutions per mile. This is a wide, low-profile tire used on performance rear axles and staggered sport car setups.

At 10.4 inches of section width, this is near the maximum width that fits comfortably on a 17-inch performance car without major bodywork modification.

You'll find 265/40R17 as a rear fitment on the Chevrolet Corvette (2001–2004), and on performance configurations of the BMW 7 Series (E32, 1986–1994), BMW 8 Series (E31, 1990–1999), and BMW Alpina B10/B11/B12 (1988–1996). It's a heritage performance size tied to specific period-correct applications.

It remains in production for replacement and vintage-spec builds, and also appears on various aftermarket setups where a wide rear tire is paired with a narrower front.

The approved rim range is 9.0 to 10.5 inches, with 9.5 inches as the standard measuring width. This is one of the wider rim requirements among 17-inch passenger tire sizes - running a 265/40R17 on an 8.5-inch rim is outside the approved specification.

For a street-driven performance car, a 9.5-inch rim is the practical standard. At 10.5 inches, you're at the outer limit, producing a very flat footprint more suited to track than street use.

The closest alternatives within 3% diameter are 255/40R17 (25.0 inches, -1.3%) and 275/40R17 (25.7 inches, +1.2%). The 275/40R17 is the most common step up in width, requiring 9.5–11-inch rims. The 255/40R17 narrows things down to 10.04 inches, compatible with 8.5–10-inch wheels.

Going up a profile to 265/45R17 bumps diameter to 26.4 inches (a 4.1% increase) - well past the 3% limit. Never assume a 265/45R17 will fit where a 265/40R17 did without confirming clearance.