BMW tyre dilemma...
Discussion
Hopefully, this will make sense...
A colleague of mine has a 2007 BMW 3 series, but somehow it has ended up with 235/35/19 tyres on the front and 265/30/19 on the rear. Both sets look like the wheels have a big black rubber band around them, I cannot imagine how awful the ride is...
Rear tyres are worn low, ideally, they want to get the rubber bands off and reinstate sensible tyres, but the front tyres are still quite new and my colleague is trying to save pennies where possible. So...
What tyres would "normalise" the rears without breaking the bank?
-and-
What should a 2007 3 series be wearing?
The rear tyres are wider, so the sidewall only being 30 on the rear, and 35 on the front will give them the same rolling radius.
The best thing to do would be to go on to confirm what size tyres and wheels it came with as if you changed the rears to 265/40/19, then the sidewall suddenly becomes 40% of the width of the tyre instead of 30% which could make a big difference to the rolling radius, and im not sure the legalities or the safety aspect of having a smaller rolling radius on the front than on the rear.
The best thing to do would be to go on to confirm what size tyres and wheels it came with as if you changed the rears to 265/40/19, then the sidewall suddenly becomes 40% of the width of the tyre instead of 30% which could make a big difference to the rolling radius, and im not sure the legalities or the safety aspect of having a smaller rolling radius on the front than on the rear.
Is your colleague unhappy with the ride, or do they just want to save some pennies? If it's the ride, are they sure it's the tyres and not suspension causing this?
All the info I can find says the 19" option on 2007 cars was 225/35r19 and 255/30r19.
So either it's already been upgraded a little to increase the profile, or someone's fitted the wrong tyres at some point.
Anyway, assuming they simply wants cheaper tyres...maybe going back to the standard size might bring some more/cheaper options into play?
The other alternative is to swap them with someone who's got compatible 18" wheels on 225/40r18 and 255/35r18.
All the info I can find says the 19" option on 2007 cars was 225/35r19 and 255/30r19.
So either it's already been upgraded a little to increase the profile, or someone's fitted the wrong tyres at some point.
Anyway, assuming they simply wants cheaper tyres...maybe going back to the standard size might bring some more/cheaper options into play?
The other alternative is to swap them with someone who's got compatible 18" wheels on 225/40r18 and 255/35r18.
Edited by mmm-five on Monday 30th November 16:35
Sterillium said:
Hopefully, this will make sense...
A colleague of mine has a 2007 BMW 3 series, but somehow it has ended up with 235/35/19 tyres on the front and 265/30/19 on the rear. Both sets look like the wheels have a big black rubber band around them, I cannot imagine how awful the ride is...
Rear tyres are worn low, ideally, they want to get the rubber bands off and reinstate sensible tyres, but the front tyres are still quite new and my colleague is trying to save pennies where possible. So...
What tyres would "normalise" the rears without breaking the bank?
-and-
What should a 2007 3 series be wearing?
ALL BMW alloys are here; along with the tyre specs as they should be from factoryA colleague of mine has a 2007 BMW 3 series, but somehow it has ended up with 235/35/19 tyres on the front and 265/30/19 on the rear. Both sets look like the wheels have a big black rubber band around them, I cannot imagine how awful the ride is...
Rear tyres are worn low, ideally, they want to get the rubber bands off and reinstate sensible tyres, but the front tyres are still quite new and my colleague is trying to save pennies where possible. So...
What tyres would "normalise" the rears without breaking the bank?
-and-
What should a 2007 3 series be wearing?
http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/
Have a look at the 3 series alloys and find the ones your pal has; marry them up with the tyre sizes etc
If they're as they should be, then so be it!
He can either stick with them, or drop to 18s and use thicker tyres and improve the ride
Is he on run flat tyres; if so, swap them out for normal tyres; makes a huge improvement!
d_a_n1979 said:
Sterillium said:
Hopefully, this will make sense...
A colleague of mine has a 2007 BMW 3 series, but somehow it has ended up with 235/35/19 tyres on the front and 265/30/19 on the rear. Both sets look like the wheels have a big black rubber band around them, I cannot imagine how awful the ride is...
Rear tyres are worn low, ideally, they want to get the rubber bands off and reinstate sensible tyres, but the front tyres are still quite new and my colleague is trying to save pennies where possible. So...
What tyres would "normalise" the rears without breaking the bank?
-and-
What should a 2007 3 series be wearing?
ALL BMW alloys are here; along with the tyre specs as they should be from factoryA colleague of mine has a 2007 BMW 3 series, but somehow it has ended up with 235/35/19 tyres on the front and 265/30/19 on the rear. Both sets look like the wheels have a big black rubber band around them, I cannot imagine how awful the ride is...
Rear tyres are worn low, ideally, they want to get the rubber bands off and reinstate sensible tyres, but the front tyres are still quite new and my colleague is trying to save pennies where possible. So...
What tyres would "normalise" the rears without breaking the bank?
-and-
What should a 2007 3 series be wearing?
http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/
Have a look at the 3 series alloys and find the ones your pal has; marry them up with the tyre sizes etc
If they're as they should be, then so be it!
He can either stick with them, or drop to 18s and use thicker tyres and improve the ride
Is he on run flat tyres; if so, swap them out for normal tyres; makes a huge improvement!
We can thank the e46 CSL for the 235 35 and 265 30 sizes. CSL style wheels are also a popular mod for the e9x platform.
So yes while these are not correct for a vanilla e9x they're hardly way off. My mate had an early e90 335d around 2010 with BMW dealer fit 19 inch wheels and correctly sized 225 35 and 255 30 fun flats and they were absolutely rubbish at anything car related except looking pretty.
I'd suspect the tyres mentioned by OP are already go flat because I'm not sure run flats are readily available in these sizes. I mean who would buy them?
I'm a serial hater of run flat tyres but I see this has been covered.
I had an e91 recently and switched from 18 inch run flats to 17 inch go flats. It made the car feel great. I'm currently running 17 inch wheels on my much much bigger 5 series. Ok its not that much bigger but the point is a 17 inch can handle the extra weight, size and power of a 5 series just fine. In fact I think its preferable.
I'm now de-tyre'ing all my cars.
Your mate could easily sell his trendy 19 inch wheels on ebay and you'll find people can't give away the 17 inch sets if you buy in auction. I see them selling regularly for 100 quid and that's for all 4.
The very best Goodyear 17 inch sport tyres are only 70 quid each in 225 45 17 size. You can use all 4 the same size just fine. If you really want to increase expense, induce understeer and lose the ability to swap wheels from front to rear then you can use 245 40 on the rear.
Edit black circles are showing £63 each for 225 45 17 Goodyear Eagles plus delivery.
So yes while these are not correct for a vanilla e9x they're hardly way off. My mate had an early e90 335d around 2010 with BMW dealer fit 19 inch wheels and correctly sized 225 35 and 255 30 fun flats and they were absolutely rubbish at anything car related except looking pretty.
I'd suspect the tyres mentioned by OP are already go flat because I'm not sure run flats are readily available in these sizes. I mean who would buy them?
I'm a serial hater of run flat tyres but I see this has been covered.
I had an e91 recently and switched from 18 inch run flats to 17 inch go flats. It made the car feel great. I'm currently running 17 inch wheels on my much much bigger 5 series. Ok its not that much bigger but the point is a 17 inch can handle the extra weight, size and power of a 5 series just fine. In fact I think its preferable.
I'm now de-tyre'ing all my cars.
Your mate could easily sell his trendy 19 inch wheels on ebay and you'll find people can't give away the 17 inch sets if you buy in auction. I see them selling regularly for 100 quid and that's for all 4.
The very best Goodyear 17 inch sport tyres are only 70 quid each in 225 45 17 size. You can use all 4 the same size just fine. If you really want to increase expense, induce understeer and lose the ability to swap wheels from front to rear then you can use 245 40 on the rear.
Edit black circles are showing £63 each for 225 45 17 Goodyear Eagles plus delivery.
ATM said:
We can thank the e46 CSL for the 235 35 and 265 30 sizes. CSL style wheels are also a popular mod for the e9x platform.
So yes while these are not correct for a vanilla e9x they're hardly way off. My mate had an early e90 335d around 2010 with BMW dealer fit 19 inch wheels and correctly sized 225 35 and 255 30 fun flats and they were absolutely rubbish at anything car related except looking pretty.
I'd suspect the tyres mentioned by OP are already go flat because I'm not sure run flats are readily available in these sizes. I mean who would buy them?
I'm a serial hater of run flat tyres but I see this has been covered.
I had an e91 recently and switched from 18 inch run flats to 17 inch go flats. It made the car feel great. I'm currently running 17 inch wheels on my much much bigger 5 series. Ok its not that much bigger but the point is a 17 inch can handle the extra weight, size and power of a 5 series just fine. In fact I think its preferable.
I'm now de-tyre'ing all my cars.
Your mate could easily sell his trendy 19 inch wheels on ebay and you'll find people can't give away the 17 inch sets if you buy in auction. I see them selling regularly for 100 quid and that's for all 4.
The very best Goodyear 17 inch sport tyres are only 70 quid each in 225 45 17 size. You can use all 4 the same size just fine. If you really want to increase expense, induce understeer and lose the ability to swap wheels from front to rear then you can use 245 40 on the rear.
Edit black circles are showing £63 each for 225 45 17 Goodyear Eagles plus delivery.
I've dropped from 18s on my touring back to 17s (albeit they're winters) and it's improved the ride so much better; I'll be sticking with 17s once winter is over!So yes while these are not correct for a vanilla e9x they're hardly way off. My mate had an early e90 335d around 2010 with BMW dealer fit 19 inch wheels and correctly sized 225 35 and 255 30 fun flats and they were absolutely rubbish at anything car related except looking pretty.
I'd suspect the tyres mentioned by OP are already go flat because I'm not sure run flats are readily available in these sizes. I mean who would buy them?
I'm a serial hater of run flat tyres but I see this has been covered.
I had an e91 recently and switched from 18 inch run flats to 17 inch go flats. It made the car feel great. I'm currently running 17 inch wheels on my much much bigger 5 series. Ok its not that much bigger but the point is a 17 inch can handle the extra weight, size and power of a 5 series just fine. In fact I think its preferable.
I'm now de-tyre'ing all my cars.
Your mate could easily sell his trendy 19 inch wheels on ebay and you'll find people can't give away the 17 inch sets if you buy in auction. I see them selling regularly for 100 quid and that's for all 4.
The very best Goodyear 17 inch sport tyres are only 70 quid each in 225 45 17 size. You can use all 4 the same size just fine. If you really want to increase expense, induce understeer and lose the ability to swap wheels from front to rear then you can use 245 40 on the rear.
Edit black circles are showing £63 each for 225 45 17 Goodyear Eagles plus delivery.
Handing is just as good, but the ride is smoother and quieter...
Back to how I bought it and how it came from the factory
d_a_n1979 said:
ATM said:
We can thank the e46 CSL for the 235 35 and 265 30 sizes. CSL style wheels are also a popular mod for the e9x platform.
So yes while these are not correct for a vanilla e9x they're hardly way off. My mate had an early e90 335d around 2010 with BMW dealer fit 19 inch wheels and correctly sized 225 35 and 255 30 fun flats and they were absolutely rubbish at anything car related except looking pretty.
I'd suspect the tyres mentioned by OP are already go flat because I'm not sure run flats are readily available in these sizes. I mean who would buy them?
I'm a serial hater of run flat tyres but I see this has been covered.
I had an e91 recently and switched from 18 inch run flats to 17 inch go flats. It made the car feel great. I'm currently running 17 inch wheels on my much much bigger 5 series. Ok its not that much bigger but the point is a 17 inch can handle the extra weight, size and power of a 5 series just fine. In fact I think its preferable.
I'm now de-tyre'ing all my cars.
Your mate could easily sell his trendy 19 inch wheels on ebay and you'll find people can't give away the 17 inch sets if you buy in auction. I see them selling regularly for 100 quid and that's for all 4.
The very best Goodyear 17 inch sport tyres are only 70 quid each in 225 45 17 size. You can use all 4 the same size just fine. If you really want to increase expense, induce understeer and lose the ability to swap wheels from front to rear then you can use 245 40 on the rear.
Edit black circles are showing £63 each for 225 45 17 Goodyear Eagles plus delivery.
I've dropped from 18s on my touring back to 17s (albeit they're winters) and it's improved the ride so much better; I'll be sticking with 17s once winter is over!So yes while these are not correct for a vanilla e9x they're hardly way off. My mate had an early e90 335d around 2010 with BMW dealer fit 19 inch wheels and correctly sized 225 35 and 255 30 fun flats and they were absolutely rubbish at anything car related except looking pretty.
I'd suspect the tyres mentioned by OP are already go flat because I'm not sure run flats are readily available in these sizes. I mean who would buy them?
I'm a serial hater of run flat tyres but I see this has been covered.
I had an e91 recently and switched from 18 inch run flats to 17 inch go flats. It made the car feel great. I'm currently running 17 inch wheels on my much much bigger 5 series. Ok its not that much bigger but the point is a 17 inch can handle the extra weight, size and power of a 5 series just fine. In fact I think its preferable.
I'm now de-tyre'ing all my cars.
Your mate could easily sell his trendy 19 inch wheels on ebay and you'll find people can't give away the 17 inch sets if you buy in auction. I see them selling regularly for 100 quid and that's for all 4.
The very best Goodyear 17 inch sport tyres are only 70 quid each in 225 45 17 size. You can use all 4 the same size just fine. If you really want to increase expense, induce understeer and lose the ability to swap wheels from front to rear then you can use 245 40 on the rear.
Edit black circles are showing £63 each for 225 45 17 Goodyear Eagles plus delivery.
Handing is just as good, but the ride is smoother and quieter...
Back to how I bought it and how it came from the factory
Some people might not want to hear this but you can feel the car wriggle around a bit if you throw it into a corner. Is that tyre wall flex or the car sliding a little. I dont know. I just know that it is good. I like it. Its almost as if the tyre gives you a clearer message that you're being silly or it just cant do that. But you dont fall off the road. With bigger fatter lower profiles tyres I never got any such feedback.
ATM said:
Exactly what I did. Switched to winters in this size first then thought they are just better.
Some people might not want to hear this but you can feel the car wriggle around a bit if you throw it into a corner. Is that tyre wall flex or the car sliding a little. I dont know. I just know that it is good. I like it. Its almost as if the tyre gives you a clearer message that you're being silly or it just cant do that. But you dont fall off the road. With bigger fatter lower profiles tyres I never got any such feedback.
It's the flex in the tyre wall...Some people might not want to hear this but you can feel the car wriggle around a bit if you throw it into a corner. Is that tyre wall flex or the car sliding a little. I dont know. I just know that it is good. I like it. Its almost as if the tyre gives you a clearer message that you're being silly or it just cant do that. But you dont fall off the road. With bigger fatter lower profiles tyres I never got any such feedback.
TBH I'm not really daft with my car; I know its capabilities and the roads around me are enough to test it...
But know what you're saying; although on winters it's like the tread blocks move a little too; squidgier than normal summer tyres etc
d_a_n1979 said:
ATM said:
Exactly what I did. Switched to winters in this size first then thought they are just better.
Some people might not want to hear this but you can feel the car wriggle around a bit if you throw it into a corner. Is that tyre wall flex or the car sliding a little. I dont know. I just know that it is good. I like it. Its almost as if the tyre gives you a clearer message that you're being silly or it just cant do that. But you dont fall off the road. With bigger fatter lower profiles tyres I never got any such feedback.
It's the flex in the tyre wall...Some people might not want to hear this but you can feel the car wriggle around a bit if you throw it into a corner. Is that tyre wall flex or the car sliding a little. I dont know. I just know that it is good. I like it. Its almost as if the tyre gives you a clearer message that you're being silly or it just cant do that. But you dont fall off the road. With bigger fatter lower profiles tyres I never got any such feedback.
TBH I'm not really daft with my car; I know its capabilities and the roads around me are enough to test it...
But know what you're saying; although on winters it's like the tread blocks move a little too; squidgier than normal summer tyres etc
I like to explain it as the tread is like a tooth brush's bristles. Of course they are therefore less direct. Everything feels a bit detached as a result. Some of the better designs still have slats but they are angled to form blocks of slats if that makes sense.
Anyway just look at the tread of a Cup2. It has 3 inches of slick rubber at the outer edge with zero slats. Obviously by comparison they feel super direct if the road is warm and dry.
Sterillium said:
What should a 2007 3 series be wearing?
My 2005 330i SE came with 17s fitted with 225/45 tyres all round, but I think Sport models had 18s - probably staggered with 225/40 fronts and 255/35 rears.But because mine still has run-flat tyres I wouldn't want anything bigger than 17s as the ride is still pretty stiff on those even with SE suspension.
My Z4M has 19" CSL Replicas with 235/35 fronts and 265/30 rears, but thankfully they aren't run-flats! Although I'm planning on
going to go back to OE 18s on it.
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