Tread depth

[thebullettrain]

I’m buying a used BMW. I’m told the tyres “are ¾ over 3mm as per BMW standards’”.


What does that exactly mean in tyre talk?

[Scrump]

The UK legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm over the central 3/4 of the tyre.

I am guessing that it means the minimum tread depth on a BMW approved used car is similar to the UK legal minimum but with 3mm of tread instead of 1.6mm. It would give you 1.4mm of tread to wear before the tyres are illegal on the road.


ETA: see here where a PHer is selling his BMW and the dealer say they can’t retail a BMW with less than 3mm tread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Scrump on Monday 4th July 14:21

[Ian Geary]

Scrump said:

The UK legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm over the central 3/4 of the tyre.

I am guessing that it means the minimum tread depth on a BMW approved used car is similar to the UK legal minimum but with 3mm of tread instead of 1.6mm. It would give you 1.4mm of tread to wear before the tyres are illegal on the road.


ETA: see here where a PHer is selling his BMW and the dealer say they can’t retail a BMW with less than 3mm tread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Scrump on Monday 4th July 14:21

Specifically, less than 3mm across the middle 75% width of the tyre

Aka worn on the edges

Aka budget for a wheel alignment with the next set of tyres.

[Pica-Pica]

Ian Geary said:

Scrump said:

The UK legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm over the central 3/4 of the tyre.

I am guessing that it means the minimum tread depth on a BMW approved used car is similar to the UK legal minimum but with 3mm of tread instead of 1.6mm. It would give you 1.4mm of tread to wear before the tyres are illegal on the road.


ETA: see here where a PHer is selling his BMW and the dealer say they can’t retail a BMW with less than 3mm tread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Scrump on Monday 4th July 14:21

Specifically, less than 3mm across the middle 75% width of the tyre

Aka worn on the edges

Aka budget for a wheel alignment with the next set of tyres.

Not necessarily a wheel alignment issue, all front tyres become rounded at the edges, due to their steering usage.
As said, the legal minimum requirement is 1.6mm (that is down to the tread wear indicators) over the centre 3/4 of the tyre, and around the whole circumference. BMW are stating it has a 3mm minimum depth.