Speed ratings for metric tyres
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 6 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 6 Series (E24, E63 & E64)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=15046
Printed Date: 16-June-2024 at 09:43
Topic: Speed ratings for metric tyres
Posted By: spokey
Subject: Speed ratings for metric tyres
Date Posted: 01-March-2005 at 17:47
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I finally succumbed to the allure of metric alloys and tyres on the 635, just to see what all the fuss is about.
Hm. I think the Avon Turbospeed must have a new kind of Z rating: ZWT for Zero Wet Traction.  I'd heard all this malarkey about how the 635 is a handful, but on 16" alloys with Dunlop SP8000's, I had no trouble with the car at all. In fact, on a recent cruise, I was actually told the 635 was harder to follow than my Z1 because of the 635's enormous power. All that changed the moment I switched to the metrics. Powerslides in first, second and third; every junction is a new adventure, my life has never run on so much adrenaline before.
Every time I drive to Sainsburys, I feel like the cop in Basic Instinct, knowing that he's tied to the bed with a beautiful psychotic reaching for an ice pick...
Is it just me, is it just the Avons, or are metric tyres certifiable...? ------------- Ciao, Spokey 
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Replies:
Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 01-March-2005 at 18:04
They are useless on just about every surface. That's why I can only waft on them..... -------------   
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spokey wrote:Posted By: spokey
Date Posted: 01-March-2005 at 18:06
Waft on them? I'm not even sure I'd want to p*** on them. ------------- Ciao, Spokey
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Posted By: Sohlman
Date Posted: 02-March-2005 at 04:38
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I knew it was time to change to imperials when a new set of metrics on a wet road ensured some oposite lock action at tickover in second on a mini roundabout. I even had the back end moving by accident in the dry once with the dreded metrics. Once i went to 17's and then 16's my driving pleasure significantly increased and the car would only enter into a sideways moment when i wanted it to. -------------  Sunday 10th July Brooklands Sharkfest and Big Coupe Day. http://635csi.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ - Coupe Events
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Posted By: ian M635UK
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 06:51
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Yep. Sounds right. The Avons are suppossed to be much better than the Michelin TRX's!!!! I had trx's that were made in 1990 and "h" rated on my M635 before seeing the light and switching to 18's with 235/40/18 vredesteins on. A life changing experience. I had mine sideways at 90 degress in the wet in 4th on a straight dual carraige way. Not good. Do the honourable thing and bin them.
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Posted By: spokey
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 07:50
 Better?!
Yeah, I'm seriously considering fitting the 18" M-Parallels when I can afford some tyres. Can you refresh my memory -- are your 18s wider at the back? If so, what width are front and rear? Did you fit spigot rings or did they just go straight on?
I'll keep them in case a future buyer wants to go for originality. The fool. ------------- Ciao, Spokey
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Posted By: UKDaveJ
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 08:07
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Hmm, TRX's - scary stuff!! Probably the cause of more dead 6'ers than the dreaded rust!! I changed from metrics as fast as possible on my 84 chrome bumper to 17's, fortunately my 89 Highline came on 17's - saving me a job! When both mine need tyre replacement, I'll also be putting on Vredestein rubber, I've been most impressed with the Ultracs fitted to our 330d. Dave ------------- My 635's.  
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 08:09
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Well I had the back end out while the car was standing still with the engine switched off Seriously, how anybody thought these could handle 200bhp I don't know. No problems with 255/40 x 17's on the back!
------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Doive
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 08:13
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I've had my metrics sliding all over the place on a half throttle exit from a damp junction, but under other conditions they seem to be adequate for what I need. I have three good tyres on the car and need one replacement. I'd rather get a single new tyre than have to go through the whole bother of finding a set of suitable wheels, sorting out spigot rings etc and getting tracking and that sorted out. I will stick with the metrics for now. ------------- 1987 BMW 525e Lux Auto (sadly deceased) http://www.getfirefox.com - Get Firefox - Ditch Hopeless Inertnet Exploder http://www.doive.co.uk - www.doive.co.uk 
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Posted By: Sohlman
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 08:17
Had a similar exsperience with the Metrics. 5000rpm in third on a dry dual carrigeway and the rear wheels spun as if they were on ice/oil and leaves mixed together. Not pleasant, certainly one of the larger brown trouser moments the metrics have given me. The day i went to imperials was a great day. ------------- Sunday 10th July Brooklands Sharkfest and Big Coupe Day. http://635csi.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ - Coupe Events
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Posted By: johnny318is
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 08:45
I couldn't get up the ramp at the local multi-story last week, bit of rain and those bl**dy metrics  ------------- John Plymouth UK 96 E34 540i Individual 98 E39 523i SE 01 Renaultsport Clio 172 |
Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 18:35
...and I have borrowed the odd TRX or two from Dave's archive 
When the TRXs finally wear out, and Dave has no more stock, I can move on to other things. There is, however, one small problem. With the way I normally drive, the TRXs show no sign of wearing out this side of the year 2100.....  -------------
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Posted By: spokey
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 18:47
Now I'm really worried! ------------- Ciao, Spokey
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Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 04-March-2005 at 18:51
Not half as worried as when I got my '83 stuck in a muddy field at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex. I had to summon their Fire Brigade to come and drag me out. -------------
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Posted By: ian M635UK
Date Posted: 05-March-2005 at 05:57
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Can you refresh my memory -- are your 18s wider at the back? If so, what width are front and rear? Did you fit spigot rings or did they just go straight on?
I'll keep them in case a future buyer wants to go for originality. The fool. [/QUOTE]
18 inch by 8 inch all round. 9 inch wide 18's will fit in the rear. What you need are E38 7 series M style 18's as they are 8 inch front and 9 inch rear plus they have the same hub center and so they fit straight on This was one of the reasons I went for 18's as you will usually find that E39's come on 17's and not 18's whereas E38 come on 18's. E39 wheels require the hub centric rings as they have a slightly larger hub and will move about (vibrate) if you don't fit the rings. Happy hunting mine cost £750 all in with new rubber |
Posted By: spokey
Date Posted: 05-March-2005 at 06:29
Flipping heck! That's less than I'd pay for a set of new Michelins!  I already have the M-Parallels sitting in my garage, they are 8" wide in front and 9 1/2" wide at the back -- will they fit OK?------------- Ciao, Spokey
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Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 05-March-2005 at 08:34
9.5" rear is the absolute limit for a Six. 9"s would be better. I think you might just be pushing your luck. Still, always worth a try..... -------------
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Posted By: spokey
Date Posted: 05-March-2005 at 10:50
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Could be a bit of an expensive gamble! ------------- Ciao, Spokey
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Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 05-March-2005 at 11:46
Nothing, and I mean nothing, about a Six is cheap. But then you knew that anyway -------------
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Posted By: robs e23
Date Posted: 05-March-2005 at 12:53
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oh dear, oh dear. im looking forward to this. cant go out in the wet
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Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 05-March-2005 at 13:00
I've just been out in the wet.....  -------------
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Posted By: ian M635UK
Date Posted: 06-March-2005 at 03:05
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I would buy 1 tyre (size 255/35/18) and give it a go. You need to check if a 255 tyre can be fitted to a 9.5 inch rim though. They will look fantastic on a 6. Or do a search on the net for 18's fitted to other 6's to see if these have been fitted before. I'm sure they have as I am on the look out for some wider rears for mine in style 32 but I thought that the wider ones were 9 inch wide and not 9.5 inch. Ian
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