Tyre choice for 530d Touring
Discussion
What is the tyre of choice now for the 530d ? From new it had Michelin Pilot sport fitted, which seemed to grip and last fairly well, the only criticism was the fronts became noisy towards the end of their life. Last time they were replaced I specified the same tyre and although they were marked the same, the tread pattern was different. Even from new they have a very shallow tread at the outside edges and despite being correctly inflated all 4 have worn on the outside and inside edges far more than the center.
Pirelli Pzeroes seem about the same price as the Michelens or a set of Barum Bravuris (90 quid each )seem to be the cheapest and fairly well reviewed.
Pirelli Pzeroes seem about the same price as the Michelens or a set of Barum Bravuris (90 quid each )seem to be the cheapest and fairly well reviewed.
Steve
The tyres that were originally fitted to the car were probably the Pilot Sport 1's which had very deep tread pattern right to the edge of the tyres. Pilot Sport 1's were discontinued a few years back (although some dealers still have stock) and your newer tyres were probably the Pilot Sport 2's. The 2's are a much better tyre and a big improvement in grip over the 1's, and I would thoroughly recommend staying with these (I have them on an E46 M3)
The bit you mentioned about seeming to wear more on the edges - the 2's are designed with a shallower tread pattern on the shoulders and although they may look prematurely worn, I would be fairly confident in saying that this will not be the case if they have been run at correct inflation and the car's geometry is correct. The best way to check is to remove the wheel from the car and look across the tread face of the tyre, checking for run-out on the edges or tapered wear due to poor alignment or geometry. If your tyres have been correctly inflated and your wheel alignment isn't out, I would guess that the tyres would actually be quite alright even though the shoulders may have initially looked worn. I push the tyres on my M3 fairly regularly and the Pilot Sport 2's are standing up well to hard cornering.
All of this of course assumes that you don't drive like a complete nutter all the time!
The tyres that were originally fitted to the car were probably the Pilot Sport 1's which had very deep tread pattern right to the edge of the tyres. Pilot Sport 1's were discontinued a few years back (although some dealers still have stock) and your newer tyres were probably the Pilot Sport 2's. The 2's are a much better tyre and a big improvement in grip over the 1's, and I would thoroughly recommend staying with these (I have them on an E46 M3)
The bit you mentioned about seeming to wear more on the edges - the 2's are designed with a shallower tread pattern on the shoulders and although they may look prematurely worn, I would be fairly confident in saying that this will not be the case if they have been run at correct inflation and the car's geometry is correct. The best way to check is to remove the wheel from the car and look across the tread face of the tyre, checking for run-out on the edges or tapered wear due to poor alignment or geometry. If your tyres have been correctly inflated and your wheel alignment isn't out, I would guess that the tyres would actually be quite alright even though the shoulders may have initially looked worn. I push the tyres on my M3 fairly regularly and the Pilot Sport 2's are standing up well to hard cornering.
All of this of course assumes that you don't drive like a complete nutter all the time!
Yes you are correct about the Pilot Sport 1 and 2 I have had the geo checked a couple of times, and it always comes back within spec. I am currently having a new set all round and will keep a closer check on the pressures and check the calibration of my cheap and nasty gauge. The fronts have worn on the inside and outside edges so that the tread is just visible but there is a good 2 mm across the rest of the tyre. The rears have worn equally across the width. No I don’t drive the 530 like a hooligan (well not all the time) I reserve the TVR for doing that.
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