tyres
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=26610
Printed Date: 19-May-2024 at 23:06
Topic: tyres
Posted By: 1billyboy3
Subject: tyres
Date Posted: 28-January-2006 at 20:20
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just wondering if it was ok to go with slightly narrower tyres than the standard size on the e34 x-spoke alloy or will it cause problems. currently running 225-60-15's considering 205-60-15's as the prices are better or get some 2nd hand wheels with tyres from EGAY ------------- 1990 E34 520I AUTO |
Replies:
Posted By: darkspirit
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 05:17
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Wouldn't advise it, the 5 is a large heavy car, with those narrower tyres you will be very under tyred and you will sacrifice grip! Tyres are an important safety area, not an area worth skimping on! ------------- '99 E39 528i SE Manual Scwartz black with Grey leather In the words of SPACEBALLS 'may the schwartz be with you...' :-) 
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Posted By: Doive
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 08:42
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My E28 is fitted with E34 cross spokes of exactly the same size as yours. Replaced one of the tyres the other day, and was expecting some horrendous bill but it only came to 45 quid + fitting. The last car had the dreaded metrics at 190 quid a corner, so I'm not complaining at that. The tyre was a fairly cheap Nankang, but the tread seems good and quite a lot of people seem to fit them. The only one small problem I have is the enormous amount of tramlining I now get with the wide tyres, which after driving a 1.4 Astra on 175 profile rubber is quite a lot! I'll get used to it though. I'd say if BMW specced the car with 225 rubber, they did it for a reason. Stick with it.
------------- 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: 1billyboy3
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 12:16
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the tramlining is what I get also. that is what I cant get used to, just thought I might be able to stop it with slightly narrower tyres. ------------- 1990 E34 520I AUTO |
Posted By: Doive
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 12:24
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For me it's really only bad on rough or badly surfaced B roads. If I cross the unbroken double white lines on an A road, the car does tend to pull across to the other lane, which was slightly unnerving the first time it happened! But I've got used to these things after just five days of ownership. The upside of the wider tyres is that the back end is difficult to lose, even on the wet roundabouts today (not that I was trying, officer). I'd keep the wider tyres, it isn't too hard to get used to the tramlining really. You could always get yourself a set of steels from a 518i or 520i, which are much narrower, but I reckon the cross spokes are by far the better looking wheels.
------------- 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: mmm-five
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 13:09
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If the tyres are narrower than standard then in the event of a crash your
insurance company may refuse to pay out - and you could be subject to criminal prosecution. While some tyres tramline more than others (in my case I found directional tyres to 'wander' more than asymetric), I rarely get tramlining on 245 width tyres so there is likely something else wrong - possibly a problem with tracking or alignment. ------------- |
Posted By: e34-520iSE
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 17:57
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My father in law has 195's on his BBS x-spokes. I would keep your 225's
on if I were you though, as you get much more grip in the wet. Mmm-five
is spot on here. If your car is tramlining you have a problem somewhere
else. I have 225's on and have no directional problems at all. The only
time I did was when the old pitman & idler arms were worn &
slack, causing slop in the steering. Your steering should be tight and
responsive, not wandering about. Hope that helps, Shaun ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |
Posted By: h3lter
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 18:39
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wots tram linning all about! man i kno f all! lol
------------- 
325 cab 1995 |
Posted By: stephenperry
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 18:41
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tramlining.... the term given to a car with wide tyres tendency to follow ruts in the road and white lines as if on rails like a tram.... hence tramlining ------------- 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
Posted By: stephenperry
Date Posted: 29-January-2006 at 18:49
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its usually caused by wide wheels, low profile tyres and lowered/stiffened suspension - some cars are more prone to its effects than others ------------- 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
Posted By: Nigel
Date Posted: 30-January-2006 at 03:25
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My original wheels on my first car were 195's Someone will have to check the data, but I seem to remember that you could have 195, 205, or 225 width, with the 225's being the "wide tyre option" When I upgraded from 195 to 225, the only difference I noticed was an increase in tramlining. Wider tyres do mean more grip in the dry ( if both sets of tyres are the same compound), but it can mean less grip in the wet, as you are spreading the weight of the car over a wider area, so you may induce aquaplaning earlier, and sit "on top" of any snow. ------------- Best Wishes Nigel |
Posted By: Nigel
Date Posted: 30-January-2006 at 03:33
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I've just checked my handbook : 520i & 524td 195 through to 225 (imperial) 220(metric) 525i 195 through to 225(imperial) 240(metric) 530i 205 through to 225(imperial) 240(metric) 535i 205 through to 225(imperial) 240(metric) the handbooks from a 1988 car ------------- Best Wishes Nigel |
Posted By: e34-520iSE
Date Posted: 30-January-2006 at 05:04
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I have the 5-series price list & specifications booklet from march
1990. It lists the 520i SE spec as having cross-spoke Alloy wheels 7J x
15 as standard, whereas they were a £1,314 option on the 518i &
520i. I would assume they were shod with 225 tyres. So if you car is a
520i without the SE kit, you can run 195's on steel rims no problem.
Pull the "birth certificate" out from under the rear seat (driver's
side) and give us the row of numbers next to "SA:". Then we can
see what your car had fitted when it left the dealer all those years
ago! Cheers, Shaun ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |