Tyres (or 'tires' for those across the pond)

RostokMcSpoons · 03-03-2006, 04:51 PM

I'm asking cos my new car is an ex-demonstrator, and there's not a huge amount of tread left on 'em... a good few millimetres, but they certainly aren't as-new.

My only problem with my beautiful car is the amount of tram-lining I can get: if I drive over painted lines under braking I can *really* feel the the wheels grabbing on and twitching the steering: the first time it happened to me was quite disconcerting (and I was glad I had both hands on the steering wheel!). Presumably this is a factor of the run flats I'm running on at the moment... plus the low profile and wide wheels (I've an M-Sport with 18" wheels)... ?

Now not only do they tram-line, but I'll bet a good few pints of my own blood they'll be stupendously expensive. Are there any recommendations for my next set of tyres??? Does the difference in front to back widths mean I should stick with run-flats (as I guess only a space-saver makes sense as a spare)?

Any hints very welcome!

(btw - can't remember which particular make / model of tyres I've currently got on my car - I'll try and add that info later)

LEDZEP · 03-03-2006, 04:54 PM

First: Welcome!

Are they the 17" summer tires? If so they don't last long. Also, I'm thinking that because your car was a demo it has probably been through some spirited test drives, etc. How many miles were on it when you purchased it?

Probably too late now, but I would have negotiated a full alignment/rotation/balance on purchase. Most likely it is out of alignment in addition to tire wear. When you brake, the wheel should remain straight on a level surface.

RostokMcSpoons · 03-03-2006, 05:02 PM

Hi LedZep,

It's got just over 6000 miles on the clock. 18" wheels, and I'd guess they're what you call 'Summer' tyres - I'm in the UK so they're general purpose - dry / wet/ very wet / hugely wet / Noah's Flood, The Sequel / occasional snow)

Yeah - it's had some spirited driving, well I didn't hold back when I test-drove it

As far as I can tell all the tyres are fairly equally worn, and it brakes perfectly straight on a clean road surface, it just seems to be the painted (ie. slippery) white lines that throw it a bit. The wheels will grab them a bit even when I'm not braking too.

I seem to remember seeing a review somewhere that mentioned tram-lining, but to be honest I never really knew what it meant - until now! But then I've never had a car with such wide wheels and low profile tyres on it either.

edit: Actually I've just googled on tram-lining, and what I suspected is true: low profile, wide tyres with stiff sidewalls, on a car with a sporty suspension and steering system, are inherently prone to tram-line.
Just to make it clear - it's not horrendous. It's caught me by surprise the first time, since then I just take a bit more care when I'm on poor road surfaces, or when driving on the painted lines. Nothing I can't handle though!

So , disregarding the tram-line issue - what tyres should I look out for that are

1) good
and
2) good value?

puck724 · 03-03-2006, 05:18 PM

i agree with led in that alignment might be iffy. ive noticed a liyyle tram lining with my non sport 330 but it hasnt been anything too bad. i couldve gotton used to it too.

LEDZEP · 03-03-2006, 06:17 PM

If you want to stick with run flats, the pickings are slim. This will change in the coming years, but market drives inventory so we're stuck with it. I have been very well served with Michelin Pilot Sports in the past, and they available in damn near every size in an all weather model. Not sure about RFTs yet though.

UK availability might also be quite different from the U.S. at this point. Telling you what to look for could only end in a debate on this thread about tire preferences, which I'd rather avoid for us all. You should consult a tire (sorry, tyre) professional locally and tell them how you drive and what you expect. Best of luck, and let us know if you find some good rubber!

E90Fleet · 03-04-2006, 04:44 AM

The OEM european 18" Runflats are

Bridgestone RE050
or
Michelin Pilot Sport 2 ZP

Paul330d · 03-04-2006, 04:52 AM

I am keeping my fingers crossed that they stick the Michelins on when they build my 330d in a couple of weeks.

E90Fleet · 03-04-2006, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

I am keeping my fingers crossed that they stick the Michelins on when they build my 330d in a couple of weeks.

Interestingly most pictures of 18" ive seen have Bridgestones

Dante · 03-04-2006, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Interestingly most pictures of 18" ive seen have Bridgestones

I think I've seen some here in Germany with Pirelli eufori@, all others were Bridgestone or a few Michelin.

Interesting fact: The magazine of my automobile club (ADAC) tested summer tires recently:

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A: Best tire, best results in wet conditions, highly recomandable.

Bridgestone Potenza RE050MO (OEM version for Mercedes Benz): Best results in tread wear, totally failed in wet conditions, not recommandable.

I wonder what BMWs OEM version would have ended. There were several threads about poor performance in wet conditions.

Why do they focus on best wear results but totally neglect wet performance?

E90Fleet · 03-04-2006, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante

I think I've seen some here in Germany with Pirelli eufori@, all others were Bridgestone or a few Michelin.

Interesting fact: The magazine of my automobile club (ADAC) tested summer tires recently:

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A: Best tire, best results in wet conditions, highly recomandable.

Bridgestone Potenza RE050MO (OEM version for Mercedes Benz): Best results in tread wear, totally failed in wet conditions, not recommandable.

I wonder what BMWs OEM version would have ended. There were several threads about poor performance in wet conditions.

Why do they focus on best wear results but totally neglect wet performance?

Not 100% about the E90 18" ones, but the but the E90 17" and the 6 Series 19" ones are "RE050A II "

EDIT: Checked some pictures and see the 18" ones say "RE050A"

LEDZEP · 03-04-2006, 06:14 AM

Interestingly, last time I was at my dealer and took a gander at the new E90s, many of them were wearing Continentals. I didn't even know there was a Conti RFT. Glad I didn't get those!

E90Fleet · 03-04-2006, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Interestingly, last time I was at my dealer and took a gander at the new E90s, many of them were wearing Continentals. I didn't even know there was a Conti RFT. Glad I didn't get those!

Conti make 16" Premium Contact and 17" Sport Contact 2 ( ony in 225/45/17 )

They have gotten some very good reviews here

Dante · 03-04-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Not 100% about the E90 18" ones, but the but the E90 17" and the 6 Series 19" ones are "RE050A II "

EDIT: Checked some pictures and see the 18" ones say "RE050A"

Fleet, you're right. BMW version is also named "RE050A", but marked with a star *.

All BMW OEM specification tires are marked with * .

03-03-2006, 04:51 PM	#1
RostokMcSpoons Private 59 Rep 97 Posts Drives: F30 LCI 320i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Tyres (or 'tires' for those across the pond) I'm asking cos my new car is an ex-demonstrator, and there's not a huge amount of tread left on 'em... a good few millimetres, but they certainly aren't as-new. My only problem with my beautiful car is the amount of tram-lining I can get: if I drive over painted lines under braking I can really feel the the wheels grabbing on and twitching the steering: the first time it happened to me was quite disconcerting (and I was glad I had both hands on the steering wheel!). Presumably this is a factor of the run flats I'm running on at the moment... plus the low profile and wide wheels (I've an M-Sport with 18" wheels)... ? Now not only do they tram-line, but I'll bet a good few pints of my own blood they'll be stupendously expensive. Are there any recommendations for my next set of tyres??? Does the difference in front to back widths mean I should stick with run-flats (as I guess only a space-saver makes sense as a spare)? Any hints very welcome! (btw - can't remember which particular make / model of tyres I've currently got on my car - I'll try and add that info later)
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03-03-2006, 04:54 PM	#2
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	First: Welcome! Are they the 17" summer tires? If so they don't last long. Also, I'm thinking that because your car was a demo it has probably been through some spirited test drives, etc. How many miles were on it when you purchased it? Probably too late now, but I would have negotiated a full alignment/rotation/balance on purchase. Most likely it is out of alignment in addition to tire wear. When you brake, the wheel should remain straight on a level surface. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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03-03-2006, 05:02 PM	#3
RostokMcSpoons Private 59 Rep 97 Posts Drives: F30 LCI 320i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Hi LedZep, It's got just over 6000 miles on the clock. 18" wheels, and I'd guess they're what you call 'Summer' tyres - I'm in the UK so they're general purpose - dry / wet/ very wet / hugely wet / Noah's Flood, The Sequel / occasional snow) Yeah - it's had some spirited driving, well I didn't hold back when I test-drove it As far as I can tell all the tyres are fairly equally worn, and it brakes perfectly straight on a clean road surface, it just seems to be the painted (ie. slippery) white lines that throw it a bit. The wheels will grab them a bit even when I'm not braking too. I seem to remember seeing a review somewhere that mentioned tram-lining, but to be honest I never really knew what it meant - until now! But then I've never had a car with such wide wheels and low profile tyres on it either. edit: Actually I've just googled on tram-lining, and what I suspected is true: low profile, wide tyres with stiff sidewalls, on a car with a sporty suspension and steering system, are inherently prone to tram-line. Just to make it clear - it's not horrendous. It's caught me by surprise the first time, since then I just take a bit more care when I'm on poor road surfaces, or when driving on the painted lines. Nothing I can't handle though! So , disregarding the tram-line issue - what tyres should I look out for that are 1) good and 2) good value? Last edited by RostokMcSpoons; 03-03-2006 at 05:23 PM..
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03-03-2006, 05:18 PM	#4
puck724 COLTS 4 LIFE!!! 99 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	i agree with led in that alignment might be iffy. ive noticed a liyyle tram lining with my non sport 330 but it hasnt been anything too bad. i couldve gotton used to it too. __________________ 2006 330i --sapphire black--black leather --alumminum trim --premium package --cold weather package --park distace control --automatic transmission --navigation with iDrive
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03-03-2006, 06:17 PM	#5
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	If you want to stick with run flats, the pickings are slim. This will change in the coming years, but market drives inventory so we're stuck with it. I have been very well served with Michelin Pilot Sports in the past, and they available in damn near every size in an all weather model. Not sure about RFTs yet though. UK availability might also be quite different from the U.S. at this point. Telling you what to look for could only end in a debate on this thread about tire preferences, which I'd rather avoid for us all. You should consult a tire (sorry, tyre) professional locally and tell them how you drive and what you expect. Best of luck, and let us know if you find some good rubber! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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03-04-2006, 04:44 AM	#6
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	The OEM european 18" Runflats are Bridgestone RE050 or Michelin Pilot Sport 2 ZP __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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03-04-2006, 04:52 AM	#7
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	I am keeping my fingers crossed that they stick the Michelins on when they build my 330d in a couple of weeks. __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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03-04-2006, 06:14 AM	#11
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Interestingly, last time I was at my dealer and took a gander at the new E90s, many of them were wearing Continentals. I didn't even know there was a Conti RFT. Glad I didn't get those! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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