Over on the Beemer forum is this good advice???
Discussion
I'll admit I'm new to bmw. But I've spent a few evenings on different BMW forums and over in the BMW section on ph. As with any marque there's a wealth of knowledge and answers for any problems. But I've really noticed 1 bit of advice that to me sounds like rubbish, but it always pops up. What do you on ph think?
Basically, if anyone asks about handling issues of any kind on an e46 3series, the same answer comes up. Now I know there's many, many bushes, rubbers, mounts, suspension components which can and do fail, causing less than perfect handling or road holding. But someone will always suggest making sure all 4 tyres are matched and of good quality.
If my cars wandering or feeling sloppy, I would check my pressures yes. But change tyres? No. I'd be keeping my money for the more realistic bush/ mount replacements.
So am I wrong, can matching tyres really make a difference, I know it may feel slightly better if everything else is spot on. But can it actually damage a cars handling or road holding. And why is it only bmw owners who seem to think this.
Basically, if anyone asks about handling issues of any kind on an e46 3series, the same answer comes up. Now I know there's many, many bushes, rubbers, mounts, suspension components which can and do fail, causing less than perfect handling or road holding. But someone will always suggest making sure all 4 tyres are matched and of good quality.
If my cars wandering or feeling sloppy, I would check my pressures yes. But change tyres? No. I'd be keeping my money for the more realistic bush/ mount replacements.
So am I wrong, can matching tyres really make a difference, I know it may feel slightly better if everything else is spot on. But can it actually damage a cars handling or road holding. And why is it only bmw owners who seem to think this.
Is the question you're asking - Will a car on mismatched tyres handle poorly?
Yes. Different tyres, whether it's the model, brand or dimensions will respond differently during limit handling and in every way up to the limit. If you drive at no more than 50% of the vehicle ability you'll probably not notice, if you go above this you'll start to experience handling characteristics outside of the manufacturer's expectations.
Yes. Different tyres, whether it's the model, brand or dimensions will respond differently during limit handling and in every way up to the limit. If you drive at no more than 50% of the vehicle ability you'll probably not notice, if you go above this you'll start to experience handling characteristics outside of the manufacturer's expectations.
rufusgti said:
I would check my pressures yes. But change tyres? No. I'd be keeping my money for the more realistic bush/ mount replacements.
Changing tyres JUST so they all match is crazy talk. You're right to save your money for more realistic mods. You can save a few £ by staying away from that fully synthetic oil and using Halfords regular oil at £5/barrel. 
Absolutely, yes! I recently bought an X reg 330ci that had mismatched tyres on the back, n/s was a two thirds worn mid-range tyre and the o/s was a brand new event ditchfinder. The car always felt a little twitchy and nervous, which I had put down to the humongous 18" M6 reps the previous owner had fitted and the fact that the n/s wishbone had been recently replaced by the dealer (which almost certainly meant it hasn't seen a proper 4wa machine since). The DSC also seemed way too sensitive, which I put down mainly to the difference in circumference between the rear tyres, so I decided to change both rears at once (took me ages to convince the tyre fitter that yes, I did want to replace the almost brand new event s
tpiece and throw it in the bin and no, I did not want to take it with me as a spare especially as it wouldn't fit the comedy spacesaver!).
Well, after fitting the new rear tyres and getting them worn in a bit, the whole car feels transformed! It feels far less nervous, doesn't tramline anywhere near as much as it did before and I've hardly seen the DSC lamp light up since! I had expected the DSC problem and rear traction to improve, but not the improvement I felt to the rest of the car, and although I would certainly gain some benefit from a proper 4 wheel alignment it no longer feels an urgent matter.
tpiece and throw it in the bin and no, I did not want to take it with me as a spare especially as it wouldn't fit the comedy spacesaver!). Well, after fitting the new rear tyres and getting them worn in a bit, the whole car feels transformed! It feels far less nervous, doesn't tramline anywhere near as much as it did before and I've hardly seen the DSC lamp light up since! I had expected the DSC problem and rear traction to improve, but not the improvement I felt to the rest of the car, and although I would certainly gain some benefit from a proper 4 wheel alignment it no longer feels an urgent matter.
rufusgti said:
I'll admit I'm new to bmw. But I've spent a few evenings on different BMW forums and over in the BMW section on ph. As with any marque there's a wealth of knowledge and answers for any problems. But I've really noticed 1 bit of advice that to me sounds like rubbish, but it always pops up. What do you on ph think?
Basically, if anyone asks about handling issues of any kind on an e46 3series, the same answer comes up. Now I know there's many, many bushes, rubbers, mounts, suspension components which can and do fail, causing less than perfect handling or road holding. But someone will always suggest making sure all 4 tyres are matched and of good quality.
If my cars wandering or feeling sloppy, I would check my pressures yes. But change tyres? No. I'd be keeping my money for the more realistic bush/ mount replacements.
So am I wrong, can matching tyres really make a difference, I know it may feel slightly better if everything else is spot on. But can it actually damage a cars handling or road holding. And why is it only bmw owners who seem to think this.
I'm guessing this is in reference to my post in the BMW section. A few people have now mentioned at least having the same tyres on each axle. Its not my car so its up to my mate whether he wants to spend the money but if it was mine I would be looking to the bushes and/or tracking before spending money on tyres.Basically, if anyone asks about handling issues of any kind on an e46 3series, the same answer comes up. Now I know there's many, many bushes, rubbers, mounts, suspension components which can and do fail, causing less than perfect handling or road holding. But someone will always suggest making sure all 4 tyres are matched and of good quality.
If my cars wandering or feeling sloppy, I would check my pressures yes. But change tyres? No. I'd be keeping my money for the more realistic bush/ mount replacements.
So am I wrong, can matching tyres really make a difference, I know it may feel slightly better if everything else is spot on. But can it actually damage a cars handling or road holding. And why is it only bmw owners who seem to think this.
Studio117 said:
I would be wary of buying a car with mismatched tyres as it shows the owner is Incompitent/lazy/careless.
Hit the nail on the head.I wouldn't even begin to entertain ANY car with sh!te tyres.
One of the very first questions I asked when I bought my Jag was what tyres are on it.
If you don't match tyres across an axle, you may get an asymmetrical grip level, this could cause the car to pull to one side under heavy braking or acceleration. In wet conditions, if one tyre clears water better then the other, again, the car might pull to one side.
Even if tyres are matched across the axle, if you fit X to the front and Y to the rear, you can affect the manufacturer's intended handling balance. The car may understeer or oversteer more.
You should always match tyres - preferably they should be the same manufacturer all round.
Even if tyres are matched across the axle, if you fit X to the front and Y to the rear, you can affect the manufacturer's intended handling balance. The car may understeer or oversteer more.
You should always match tyres - preferably they should be the same manufacturer all round.
Studio117 said:
Would you wear two different shoes at the same time?
I would be wary of buying a car with mismatched tyres as it shows the owner is Incompitent/lazy/careless.
You are correct of course, but in my case the dealer had fitted the crap tyre and replacement wishbone to get it through the mot. The other 3 tyres were the same brand, so I assumed the previous owner cared about the car but chose not to replace the worn rear tyres as he was about p/x it. I would be wary of buying a car with mismatched tyres as it shows the owner is Incompitent/lazy/careless.
Anyway, the car was cheap, I needed another car urgently as my previous p+j had died suddenly and this car tickled my happy gland!
Certain cars are very sensitive to tyre choice.
MX5's particularly are, I like T1Rs on mine but had to buy some Avons when I had an MOT due and the front washed out with them on so I stuck them on the back - it was like driving on ice - after 300 miles I sold them on Ebay and bought some more T1Rs and it's balance was restored.
Heavy BMWs less so but they certainly make a difference particularly between Chinese crap and premium makes and that can be made much worse by mixing tyres too.
MX5's particularly are, I like T1Rs on mine but had to buy some Avons when I had an MOT due and the front washed out with them on so I stuck them on the back - it was like driving on ice - after 300 miles I sold them on Ebay and bought some more T1Rs and it's balance was restored.
Heavy BMWs less so but they certainly make a difference particularly between Chinese crap and premium makes and that can be made much worse by mixing tyres too.
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