What are the best tyres for E46 minimal or no tramlining!???

[Prinny]

DarrenC87 said:

Right ive decided then... il be getting Conti contact 2's!.. could anybody point me in the direction to get these cheap?

Can I ask on a different topic quickly, where can i get a blacked out grill for my car??

LMGTFY
https://www.google.co.uk/search?source=hp&ei=j...

As for the black grille, they’re plastic & pop out in seconds, use a spray paint from halfords (or wherever), this is not rocket science!

[dhutch]

Prinny said:

As for the black grille, they’re plastic & pop out in seconds, use a spray paint from halfords (or wherever), this is not rocket science!

Or eBay. They do however look a bit naff imo.

[Prinny]

dhutch said:

Prinny said:

As for the black grille, they’re plastic & pop out in seconds, use a spray paint from halfords (or wherever), this is not rocket science!

Or eBay. They do however look a bit naff imo.

Oh, I agree. Personaly I think black grilles look awful, but it ain’t my car. (Mine would have 16” wheels too)
Just so long as there’s no //M stripes in the grille, I can live with the black/chrome change.

Anyone who puts the grille stripes in should be taken out back & shot. And then shot again, to make sure. And then buried. Head first. And then with cattle stampeded over the site to obscure it. When I’m in a bad mood, some torture first would be on the cards too.

[DarrenC87]

Thank you very much guys.

For all your help...

Is there anyone or should i make a new thread in seeing if anybody is selling any used Continental Contact 2's?

[ndg]

Have you replaced the rear trailing arm bushes? These can cause tramlining quite badly, but often get forgotten at the back of the car.

I've put PS4's on mine and very happy with them.

[vsonix]

I would consider whatever the current Kumho Ecsta offering is - good quality mid-price tyre, good in the wet, but it's only a 318i so no need for anything super-sticky.

[SebringMan]

After buying part-worns before in addition to buying cars with newly fitted part-worns I'd personally go new; the price difference won't be that much in the long run at all, especially if they haven't worn right, which is one reason why some tyres are sold on again.

If you must go part-worn go with this guide:

https://theleylandlegends.wordpress.com/2017/02/23...

https://theleylandlegends.wordpress.com/2017/03/20...

Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 24th January 14:13

Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 24th January 14:13

[technicalfoamboy]

Apologies for highjacking this thread but I just wanted your thoughts please.

Very similar postion as the OP, I have a E46 330CI 2004 Covertible. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 on all four corners. I've revamped the front and rear suspension (shocks, bushes etc). Drives near perfect on good ground but once I hit underlating or rutted road the car is tramlining quite badly.

I spoke with a guy from a nearby tyre shop and basically the conversation ended up with "you can't change the characterics of the car as it has low and wide profile tyres with sport suspension so tramilining is something you may have to put up with".

I don't want to disrespect the guy's comments but just wondered if changing tyres to a particular brand and model actually made a postive difference for anyone?

Been toying with Continental Sports Contact 5 as a replacement but don't want to spend that money if it doesn't change anything.

TIA

Edited by technicalfoamboy on Saturday 14th May 12:59

[E-bmw]

Unlikely to do much by changing tyres, the ones you have a re a good tyre. But getting your alignment checked & adjusted correctly could maker a major difference.

[technicalfoamboy]

E-bmw said:

Unlikely to do much by changing tyres, the ones you have a re a good tyre. But getting your alignment checked & adjusted correctly could maker a major difference.

Thanks E-bmw. Everything has been checked i.e. alignment, torque, new bushes, etc.

[d_a_n1979]

technicalfoamboy said:

E-bmw said:

Unlikely to do much by changing tyres, the ones you have a re a good tyre. But getting your alignment checked & adjusted correctly could maker a major difference.

Thanks E-bmw. Everything has been checked i.e. alignment, torque, new bushes, etc.

I'd get a second opinion re your set up, tracking & alignment and seek out a local motorsports specialist and ask them to re-do the tracking & alignment (as well as giving the suspension a good once-over)

My pal has such a business up here in Lancashire & the majority of set-ups/tracking & alignment jobs he gets in are because they've had it done somewhere else; been told that it's bang on, but they're still having issues and when checked, it's all to cock!

Bushes/arms incorrectly fitted can cause issues too; premature failure etc and some can't be seen until removed from the car

if your car is still tram-lining, you still have issues & it's not set up correctly

[LanceRS]

As above. There is a world of difference between someone who has the kit and someone who really knows what they are doing with it.

[technicalfoamboy]

Just a quick update.

Took the front wishbones off and noticed grease leakage from a couple of the ball joints. Both joints which bolt to wheel hub were split. They are Meyle HD fitted about 3 years ago. Ordered a new set.






Another quick question should the rubber insert inside the wishbone bushes be able to move? The movement is very very slight. I hope that this is designed this way to absorb movements of the wishbone. Pictures below. No signs of any damage or cracks whatsoever. They are original bmw bushes fitted only 12 months ago.

[d_a_n1979]

It's rubber so yes, there should be some compliance and movement, but not a lot!

If you're having to forcibly move it then its fine; if you're able to move it easily, then its failed

[technicalfoamboy]

d_a_n1979 said:

It's rubber so yes, there should be some compliance and movement, but not a lot!

If you're having to forcibly move it then its fine; if you're able to move it easily, then its failed

Thanks d_a_n1979 for the confirmation that they bushes are normal/fine.

I should receive the replacement wishbones tomorrow and after fitting them I'll go and get a Hunter wheel alignment done.

[dhutch]

technicalfoamboy said:

Took the front wishbones off and noticed grease leakage from a couple of the ball joints. Both joints which bolt to wheel hub were split. They are Meyle HD fitted about 3 years ago. Ordered a new set.

Not great that really is it, three years! Very mixed opinions of Meyle

[dhutch]

technicalfoamboy said:

Another quick question should the rubber insert inside the wishbone bushes be able to move? The movement is very very slight. I hope that this is designed this way to absorb movements of the wishbone. Pictures below. No signs of any damage or cracks whatsoever. They are original bmw bushes fitted only 12 months ago.

Sounds fine to me, and I would be amazed if genuine parts failed within a year, they should last ten times that with ease.

[d_a_n1979]

dhutch said:

technicalfoamboy said:

Took the front wishbones off and noticed grease leakage from a couple of the ball joints. Both joints which bolt to wheel hub were split. They are Meyle HD fitted about 3 years ago. Ordered a new set.

Not great that really is it, three years! Very mixed opinions of Meyle

Had issues with Meyle, Lemforder, OEM BMW (twice on my previous touring - arms and front top mounts) and TRW...

They're all made to a budget now; most of the time its sods law

One brand I've rarely had issues with is Moog and they offer a 2-5 year warranty; I tend to use them now TBH

[technicalfoamboy]

d_a_n1979 said:

Had issues with Meyle, Lemforder, OEM BMW (twice on my previous touring - arms and front top mounts) and TRW...

They're all made to a budget now; most of the time its sods law

One brand I've rarely had issues with is Moog and they offer a 2-5 year warranty; I tend to use them now TBH

Thanks d_a_n1979, I'll consider Moog next time I need a part.

[e21Keith]

Every e46 I've had or driven on 18's tramlines to some extent, been through suspension rebuilds, different tyres etc. all make a difference but it's always noticeable.

They drive really well on 16's or 17's but you need premium tyres particularly on the back.