Tyre pressures
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=10272
Printed Date: 15-May-2024 at 11:04
Topic: Tyre pressures
Posted By: Jimbonic
Subject: Tyre pressures
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:01
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Since it seems quite common for the standard wheels and tyres to be replaced - particularly if like mine, they were metrics - what tyre pressures are people using? I was struggling around, so I thought I'd check mine. They were 27psi front and 33psi rear. I have upped these to 34/36 front/rear and the difference is very noticeable - as you might expect. I run 225/50 x 16 tyres, but I'm afraid I don't know the width of the wheel. These pressures seem to work nicely, although I haven't had rain yet... It occurred to me this morning as I was driving into work that this will contribute to the vague, wallowy steering/suspension so often complained of on this forum. So, I thought I'd provoke some opinion on the matter! ------------- Jimbonic 1989 535iSE Manual, Sport pack, Leather, Climate Control |
Replies:
Posted By: 520ian
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:11
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How old is your car? 225/60 R15 fitted to 535's should run 29 front and 34 rear. ------------- Ian. White Smooth and Damn Quick! |
Posted By: Jimbonic
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:16
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It's an '89, ie quite early. The tyres are 16", rather than 15". Also, I am quite an "enthusiastic" driver! ------------- Jimbonic 1989 535iSE Manual, Sport pack, Leather, Climate Control |
Posted By: 520ian
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:26
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pressures should still be set at 29 and 34. Go much more than that with just 1 or 2 people in and your in danger of more than just a few sideways moments in the damp on roundabout or bend!!! ------------- Ian. White Smooth and Damn Quick! |
Posted By: 520ian
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:29
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If your tyres are 225 then rim width is 7". ------------- Ian. White Smooth and Damn Quick! |
Posted By: Jimbonic
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 09:51
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The wheels are non-standard, so I would guess that the they could be 7", but who knows. I used to run 205/50x15s on 7" rims with great effect - OK it was a lighter car (kit car racer & Yoko A008Rs) - and phenominal grip. The rims I have look a little over-tyred to me - I prefer a straight, or slightly curved in, sidewall for rigidity and these bulge slightly. I'm going to play with pressures over the next few weeks, so I'll report back. The wheel/tyre combination is not covered in my owner's manual, so I am mostly making this up as I go along - with your (and others?) help. Do you run handbook pressures in your 520? I have always found the handbook pressure to be a little on the low side in whatever I have been driving! ------------- Jimbonic 1989 535iSE Manual, Sport pack, Leather, Climate Control |
Posted By: 520ian
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 10:10
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No i dont run handbook pressures, as you say, always a little on the low side. I have a copy of the autodata 2 cd and they give advice on the best pressures for the car and not what the manufacturer recomends. ------------- Ian. White Smooth and Damn Quick! |
Posted By: Jimbonic
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 10:24
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Excellent! Is that where you got the 535 pressures? If so, sounds quite a handy tool. Where mighht one acquire this? ------------- Jimbonic 1989 535iSE Manual, Sport pack, Leather, Climate Control |
Posted By: 520ian
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 10:32
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As far as i know autodata is sold to garages etc for roughly £599 plus a yearly subscription to allow you to continue using it! Needless to say i didnt pay any of that for mine!! No its not stolen!!! ------------- Ian. White Smooth and Damn Quick! |