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eta. View Drop Down
Really Senior Member II
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-August-2005 at 02:21
Originally posted by tdc111 tdc111 wrote:

Reading the posts re tyres I couldn`t help but be boring and chuck a reply up.


My job is tyres (yawn) so I feel well placed to offer advice.


Firstly, do not detract from the manufacturers recomended tyre size, this is becouse the chassis, suspension and wheel/tyre combination have been designed together to provide optimal traction and handling abilities with the best braking performance.


If you change just one element of the design criterior you may just develope a problem


As for metric tyre, which someone mentioned, the only ones available are from Michelin and Dunlop, Michelin are on indefinate back order for all metric sizes and Dunlop only have a LIMITED number available in storage for emediate dispatch, some are available from independant wholesalers, but how old are they, I would not touch any tyre over 5 years old, even if you paid for it, not safe at all.


Then we come to Marshall tyres, I am sorry but I would not buy those things, even with your money, the shoulders are so weak they fold under on heavy cornering and the compound is very soft, it wears out quick, the tread pattern is very tight which promotes a lot of noise and they do not shift water very well due to the lack of minor sipes in the tread profile.


I run 7`s and for my money only pirelli p600p or continental ecocontact will do, they are both very, very good tyres which give good all round perfomance, and if you shop around you can get some good deals, I personaly would not put 2 tons of car on budget tyres, but that is just me I supose.


You might pay more for decent tyres but what is life worth, they are your only contact with the road, the only way of transmitting the go, and more importantly, the stop.


At the end of the day you could have a zillion horse power with the torque to match and a braking system which would stop the earth from rotating but if that little bit of rubber on the tarmac is crap, what is the rest of it worth?


Well I have said my bit and hope it is of some use


PS, I do not work for any major tyre manufacturer


 



Thanks for your professional input. Strangely enough, my shortlist was:-

Continental (often OE)
Perelli
Micelin

Continental would probably be my first choice. I do like a quiet tyre.

Picking up on your point about tyre size, I changed from metric to imperial. This was achieved using the BMW xspoke 15 inch alloy. My Tyre size is 215/60.

The BMW accesory list at the time my car was current lists a 6.5J 14 with 205/70.

My 15 wheels seem to fit fine and do not foul the body. The PAS is not as good as on e32's I have driven. Do you gents think the suspension/handling will be adversley affected by fitting non standard sized wheels/tyres?
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M3AG View Drop Down
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7 series & e36 m3 registrar! (Madness)

Joined: 17-October-2002
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Points: 1644 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-August-2005 at 03:51
I'm a fan of Conti's, had them on my M3, and they performed very well.
As for upsetting the balance Patrick, I think that depends on what you fit? I take it you've checked the pressures in the front tyres if the steering is a little on the heavy side?
we're the Sweeney son, and we ain't had our dinner.....
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eta. View Drop Down
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-August-2005 at 06:19
Originally posted by M3AG M3AG wrote:

I'm a fan of Conti's, had them on my M3, and they performed very well.
As for upsetting the balance Patrick, I think that depends on what you fit? I take it you've checked the pressures in the front tyres if the steering is a little on the heavy side?


Yep, pressures are correct. Can the steering pre-load be adjusted (you could do this on the 518/e28)?

I should have flagged up the comment about driving on tyres more than 5 years old. I would think we are all guilty of this especially with low mileage (pa) cars, or s/h tyres of unknown origin!!
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eta. View Drop Down
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-August-2005 at 15:03
Another thing, if my car should have 14 inch rims, what % effect does that have on MPH, MPG etc when fitted with 15 inch?
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Points: 37 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-August-2005 at 16:49
Patrick

As long as youu end up with the same overall diameter it doesnt matter.

ie your 15" have a lower profile to get the same rolling circumference.

http://www.toyo.co.uk/index.php?fuseaction=tyreconverter.w elcome

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

EDIT
Just found this one with metric
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html


Edited by webmasterz


Click here for the BMW7Resource Web site
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eta. View Drop Down
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-September-2005 at 14:44
Thanks Web, this is what the chart shows:-

Tire Size Comparison

METRIC
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference    Revs/km Difference
220/55-390        121mm   316mm     63 2mm        1985mm        504        0.0%
215/60-15        129mm   320mm     63 9mm        2007mm        498        1.1%

IMPERIAL
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/70-14        5.6in 12.6in    25.3in         79.5in        797        0.0%
215/60-15        5.1in 12.6in    25.2in         79.0in        802       -0.6%

I would be grateful if our tyre professional could interpret these figures for me. To recap the e23 was supplied with either 205/70-14 or, 220/55-390.

I am running 215/60-15. Is this OK? If I went to 205's, would the steering be a bit lighter at low speeds (it seems a tad heavy)?
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Points: 6941 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-September-2005 at 14:54

My 5 series has 15" BMW X spokes on it, with 225, 60, 15 tyres.

I've always used Uniroyal Rallye tyres, the so called "rain tyre".

I've not been dissapointed with them, they work out about £70 each, fitted balanced etc
Best Wishes

Nigel

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Points: 37 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-September-2005 at 16:13
Patrick

Try this one
http://www.tyretraders.com  then the tyre comparison calculator to show you the effects on speedo readings


Click here for the BMW7Resource Web site
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Points: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-September-2005 at 19:32

Hi Guys,

Firstly please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes, I`ve had a beer or 10

Ok, Tyre sizes explained, the boots on my 730 are "225/55r15 88w" so what does that mean, the 225 bit is the width of the actual tread pattern in millimetres, so far nice and easy.

The 55 is what is known as the aspect ratio, this is the height of the side wall measured from the outer edge of the bead sealing wall to the extreme edge of the tread pattern expresed as a percentage of the tread pattern width, so the side wall height is 55% of the tread width, this is also known as the profile.

The r denotes the tyre is a radial construction casing, which all tyres are these days, this is just the way in which the variouse plys are layed over each other in the building of the tyre.

In some cases this letter is replaced with a z or w, all this means is that the tyre is a dual rated tyre, we will get to that bit shortly.

The 15 is the diameter of the wheel rim measured at the base of the bead sealing wall, ths would also be the 390 bit of the metric wheel, which is actualy 15 11/16".

The 88 is the load carrying index, I can`t remember off the top of my head all the values but you only realy need to get worried about this bit on commercial vehicals.

And finaly the w is the speed rating of the tyre, this is the safe maximum speed the vehical can travel at within the load carying index of the tyre.

A dual rated tyre, where the r is replaced usualy by a z or w means that the tyre is rated at two speeds depending on load applied to it, there is a chart for this but I havn`t looked at it for years, the imortant one is the one after the load index, that is the higher rate.

As for changing sizes it is time to get the calculator out so as not to alter the rolling circumfrence too much, generaly you can go a maximum of two sizes up in tyre width, with two reductions in aspect ratio, any more than that and you will drasticaly alter the rolling radius, and your wheel arches .

Also worthy of note is if you are replacing your stock wheels with some fancy after market jobbies, make sure the bearing over center is correct, in other words the vertcal center of the wheel rim when fitted to the hub must be in line with the vertical center of the wheel bearing, if not you will over load one of the bearing races and cause premature failure which could be very costly.

Generaly speaking if you follow the two up two down rule when altering tyre sizes you should not have any real problems, go above or bellow and you will get a change in acceleration, top speed and accuracy of the speedo, not to mention fuel economy.

Well if I havn`t bored the pants off you all I will bid you good night and I will await the inevitable hangover which is going to greet me in the morning, not to mention the cold shoulder from her indoors OOPS

Tony
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eta. View Drop Down
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-September-2005 at 05:14
Originally posted by eta. eta. wrote:

Thanks Web, this is what the chart shows:-

Tire Size Comparison

METRIC
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference    Revs/km Difference
220/55-390        121mm   316mm     63 2mm         &nb sp;1985mm        504        0.0%
215/60-15        &nb sp; 129mm   320mm     ; 63 9mm         &nb sp;2007mm        498        1.1%

IMPERIAL
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/70-14        5.6in   12.6in    25.3in& nbsp;         7 9.5in        797        0.0%
215/60-15        5.1in   12.6in    25.2in& nbsp;         7 9.0in        802       -0.6%

I would be grateful if our tyre professional could interpret these figures for me. To recap the e23 was supplied with either 205/70-14 or, 220/55-390.

I am running 215/60-15. Is this OK? If I went to 205's, would the steering be a bit lighter at low speeds (it seems a tad heavy)?


Tony/Web and anyone else in the know, it looks like the 215/60/15 gives virtually the same ratios as the metric or imperial OE's that the e23 was supplied with.

Driving my 735 (e23) over the past few days, the steering does seem heavy (psi is correct). Therefore, if a 205 width tyre would improve the turning resistance, that would be attractive. The car is being used as a 'classic' with low annual mileage and not driven in what BMW used to describe as a 'sporting' manner. What are your thoughts on going 205?
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-September-2005 at 13:08
Anyone?
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Points: 1095 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-September-2005 at 15:02
Not in the wet, I have 205 and there good but a bit scechey in the wet, I am going to move on to some 215 or some 225 tyers.
Mark 735 se 1982
RED BARON A E23 is for life not just for x-mas
BMW e34 530 v8 Sport kit
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-September-2005 at 07:51
On the general forum, 'important topics' is a piece on tyres. This leads you on to Falken tyres - does anyone know about these?

Before I get flamed for looking at an apparent 'budget' tyre, I am only asking the question! I still have my shortlist of:-

Continental
Pirelli
Michelin

Finally, in surfing, I came across Black Circles site and they have a tyre test section which is interesting. It also tells you the OE tyres fitted by car manufacturer and models variants.

Finally, finally, would be grateful for your views on fitting 205's instead of 215's to improve turning resistance. Car is run as a low mileage/speed classic.

Edited by eta.
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Points: 1095 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-September-2005 at 12:40
I wiuld stick to 215 if you can, I have 205 and there like I said above. I am going to get 215 or 225 If I can.
Mark 735 se 1982
RED BARON A E23 is for life not just for x-mas
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30-September-2005 at 08:34
Phil, Andy, where are you?
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Points: 1425 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30-September-2005 at 08:58

Andy's been cycling round France for charity Patrick, here is the donations link:

http://www.extra-mile.org.uk/events.htm

you must make your own mind up about tyres as only you know your driving style and budget limits. We can't choose tyres or sizes for you.

If you seek personal subjective opinions, you might not get advice that fits in with your own views.

FWIW, I love my E23s on 16" rims with 225/55 rubber. 225/50 is also fine.

I am not as vehemently anti budget brand new tyres as Rob, as I've never had any trouble with them myself. If I was buying new I would buy the best tyre I could afford, for the reasons stated in many of the posts on this topic.

if your car's steering is too heavy you may have a PAS issue or the pre-load on the box may need adjusting. your garage will soon sort it out for you.

let us know your when you've made your mind up and lets see some pics of the new tyres in situ.
Philip
'86 E23 735iA SE - Polaris - The Silver Surfer
'85 E23 735iA SE - Cosmos Blue - VJ
'86 E28 528iA SE - Dia Black - Helga
'86 E23 728iA SE - Polaris - The CHAV mobile
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7 series & e36 m3 registrar! (Madness)

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Points: 1644 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30-September-2005 at 10:27
Patrick
Go buy some, its the only way you can satisfy yourself that they will work OK, as I doubt there's many e23's left running about in a similar condition to yours that you can try!
AG

Cheers for publishing the link Phil.

Edited by M3AG
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Points: 90 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30-September-2005 at 14:46
right, im NOT anti budget on the tyre situation, budget tyres for budget cars. im running a fiesta that has budget tyres on, its not a top of the range car, where a bmw e23 with its weight and so called performance does matter. 
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Points: 90 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30-September-2005 at 14:56
e23, well maybee ive been a bit over the top regarding budget tyres,
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Points: 90 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30-September-2005 at 15:42
colway tyres are suposed to be a good ride on a e23. very good prices, even cheaper if you buy a matching pair. they look good on the car as its being loaded onto a ford cargo or iveco using a hiab.
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