How much does a245/45 R18tyre cost?

245/45 R18 is the OE-fit on the upper-mid-trim executive segment. BMW 5 Series G30 M Sport. Audi A6 C8 S Line. Mercedes E-Class W213 AMG Line. Range Rover Velar entry. Jaguar XF. Volvo S90. The size has held this position since around 2015 as wheel diameters drifted upward across the premium-saloon class. The 245mm width gives the car a planted, wide footprint; the 18-inch rim signals the upper-trim differentiator; the 45-series profile balances the visual statement against ride comfort on UK roads.

The cost premium over the 225/45 R17 sibling size is roughly 30 to 40 per cent for the same brand and model. Three forces drive that gap. First, the wider 245mm section width uses about 9 per cent more rubber than a 225mm tyre. Second, 18-inch rims require more manufacturing material and tighter tolerances than 17-inch rims; tyre construction costs scale roughly 20 per cent per inch of rim diameter. Third, almost every car using this size needs the reinforced (XL) load rating because executive saloons sit at heavier kerb weights with full passenger and luggage loads. The XL construction adds cost on top of size and rim premium.

The XL mark matters at fitting time. Tyres without an XL mark cannot legally replace XL-rated OE tyres on cars that need them. A Volvo S90 D5 weighs around 1,860kg unladen and the load index requirement for the rear axle at typical UK use exceeds the standard non-XL rating. Fitting a non-XL tyre is a roadworthiness defect that an MOT inspector will flag. The XL premium over standard load rating is typically £8 to £15 per tyre. Always confirm with the fitter that the new tyres are XL-marked if the OE tyres were.

Run-flat is common on BMW 5 Series and Mini Countryman at this size. As with the smaller 225/45 R17 size, the BMW chassis is configured around the stiffer run-flat sidewall, and switching to non-RFT has the usual consequences: softer ride, retune of the tyre-pressure monitoring system, need to carry a spare wheel or repair kit. The saving from switching is real (typically £400 to £600 on a premium full set), but the complications are also real.

The best premium options in 2026 are the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Continental SportContact 7 and Pirelli P Zero. The Michelin tends to win on outright handling and lap-time. The Continental SportContact 7 is closely matched and usually slightly cheaper. The Pirelli has the firmest, sportiest character but tends to wear faster. For comfort-biased drivers, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is worth considering; it strikes a balance between sport feel and motorway calm that some drivers prefer over the more aggressive Michelin and Continental.

The best mid-range options are the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 (or Ventus S1 evo3 for slightly sportier feel), the Falken Azenis FK510 and the Toyo Proxes Sport. All three deliver acceptable performance at this size and weight class but with reduced wet-grip headroom and shorter tread life than premium. For a daily-driver executive that does not see track use or aggressive driving, the mid-range Hankook is a credible choice at roughly 35 per cent below premium pricing. For higher-performance variants (M Sport, S Line, AMG Line) where the chassis was tuned around premium tyres, the saving comes with a measurable handling drop-off.