Tyre sizes

[Planman350i]

Couple of queries:

I have 205/50s on the front and 225/50s on the back. All are Bridgestone RE71. Looking to replace the back tyres - should I be matching the size with the fronts or is it ok to have wider boots at the back??

Am I likley to better £106 for Bridgestone S03s (mail order quote from mytyres.com)?

Any answers gratefully received.

Mark

[19560]

Hi planman. Your car has an odd set-up. Originally the car had 205/60s all round. The problem today is that the best tyres (ultra high performance - UHP - sector) are not made in profiles above 55 series and not many are made for 15" rims. I did ask John Ravenscroft about fitting 205/50s to my 350i but he said that the suspension wouldn't work properly because the angles would be wrong. Also with that combination front and rear the nose will be low. I run 225/50s at the rear with 205/55s at the front in the summer and 205/55s all round in the winter.

I think that the Goodyear F1 GS-D3s are the best at the moment and the Toyo Proxes are also well thought of. You should be able to get a full set for £300.

[shpub]

A 1988 350i could have almost anything fitted. The tyre choices changed more often than you would believe. The 205/50 size was quite common and the 390SE which was a 350i on steroids came with 215/50 and even 225/50. The suspension was not modded at all which makes Mr Ravenscroft comments a little strange especially as the suspension geometry is not adjustable and with zero camber, not that susceptible to wheel size changes. The reduction in profile would improve the handling at the expense of harshness.

A 225 on the back is not normal but would give better grip. The problem is that the tyre is at the extremities of the wheel width and on the front this can lead to duff handling caused by the tyre rolling of the rim. Probbaly less of a problem on the back and if the car feels fine then why not go for the same sizes.

As for the best deal.... try calling Micheldever.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[Planman350i]

Thanks for the advice guys I think i will stick with 225/50s on the back (they look good anyway and don't seem to catch). Fronts don't need changing but discovered they are 205/60 not 205/50- presumably this means my car is a bit lower (due to profile) at back...?

[19560]

Remember that this is a 350i question Steve. I have never known a UK 350i to have left the factory with anything other than 205/60s. The 390s came with 225/50s as standard all round which are the same rolling radius as the 205/55. Can anyone name a specific UK 350i which left the factory with a tyre differing from the 205/60? Even more difficult a 205/50: it would have to have a different speedo...

[shpub]

Well you could well be right. Checked through the library and I have references to both 205/50 and 205/60 with the 205/60 being more common. Question is why? Did they or was this a typo? The more I think about this, I am going down on your side.

Did find a TVR reference to the 390 going out with 215/50 tyres but was then updated to 225 so even that is not clear.

I have seen a lot of 350i with the 205/50 profile which is probably because they are easier to get.

[19560]

Fair enough. I thought that the 215/50 tyres were only fitted to cars destined for the continentbut I'm not digging my heels in on that one.

[Planman350i]

Been quoted £85 for 225/50 v rated Yokohamas fitted. Does anyone have any views on whether these are any good, and if it is a good price?

[350zwelgje]

Regarding the Continent. I think all 350i-s came with 205/60. I have just replaced all 4 on mine.
Chose Bridgestone Potenza RE 720 15" 205/60 V-rating (H is available as well, so spec the right type).
These should be fine. Until now (2000 km) I'm happy with them, but still have to find out the right tyre pressures (currently 1.9 bar front/ 2.0 bar rear). Paid 100 Euros a tyre in Belgium.

Rob, 350i 1987 (Belgium)

[19560]

£85 sounds good for a 225/50 but which Yokohama is it? I have a set of A539s (one of thier best road tyres.) They are good in the dry but less than average in the wet IMHO. Re: RE720s they are not a UHP (highest performing) tyre. It depends whether you want your car to be quick or really quick (including breaking.)

[TaSmania]

I had RE71's on the front of my 400 and S02's on the rear. I swapped them around (checking and correcting pressures) to see how they varied in terms of handling and for a bit of fun, they were like chalk and cheese. RE71's on the back made the car more lively and skitish. When I had my first 350 in 90 it had RE71's and they seemed good at the time!. Went to change all 4 on my 400 for SO3's at a performance tyre dealer and he didn't have a good word to say on them and said customers with Tiv's had been back with complaints!! So he recommended Toyo's (£106 balanced - each) Car has gone now and replaced by a SEAC which has got BFGoodrich - Profilers (235/40) which take a lot to unstick in the dry - awsome. My series 1 350i has 205/60 15's and are the Goodyear Eagles - can't remember what the're like as it's not been used for an age! IMHO get advice on the best tyre brand to use then shop around for the best price on them.
GB