Must Read for Handling Improvement!

[shanecarmaster1]

Not that I'm some amazing expert that is stating the unknown, but check your tire pressures! I went from the recommended 41psi (or is it 42?), to a more stiff 44psi all around on my 2001 740i Sport. Oh. my. God. - it drives similar to my E90 3 series. Yes the ride is a little firmer, but it's a nice compliant and connected type of firm. The car "rotates" (not powerslide, but the actual handling characteristics) really nicely on curves now, while turn in is extremely sharp and accurate. It's not as wishy washy as it is even at the recommended pressure, and it's still smooth. It acts much more like a 3 series now.

Try 44 psi all around and see how you like it - it really transforms the car. :redspot

[Edwin NL]

LOL read the door jam for pressure

[Stu735iL]

Gidday.

What's your tyre/wheel combo and brand/make of tyres?

I can see Edwin's advice, but I have to run my tow car's V6 18" bad boy Falkens at 44, up from 32 psi on the door for 15" setup, because they are a very square tyre with a good alignment for adequate toe, camber and thrust settings.

My handbook's recommendation for the 18" fronts is working on a slightly wider tyre but I have Nitto Invo on the back, again a square tyre that can tolerate higher pressures on the centre of the tread to get a max contact patch that doesn't kill the tyre.

A good tyre dealer will recommend a pressure for a particular tyre that optimises the contact patch and tyre life.

Like alignment settings, you can fiddle with tyre pressures to get what you want without killing your tyres, the ride or the consumable parts (the rubber bits) on your suspension.

-Stu

[shanecarmaster1]

I have M Pars on Continental all season tires on recommended tire sizes. It seems to be a consistent thing about how the Conti's come to life after pumped up to a certain pressure, which really made me start enjoying the car in a major way. I know it's nothing spectacular, but it was a nice surprise!

[Kiyoskia]

Read the tires for pressure.

[jac1d]

Read the tires for pressure.

Umm you do know that the only figure on the tire itself is the max pressure? That is not the recommended running pressure, only the highest that you should inflate it. This is a common mistake and often leads to premature tire failure...

As others have said, the door jamb and the manual have the recommended tire pressure for regular and heavy loads for your car. The Internet can help if you don't have access to the first two sources.

-Jeff

[THANKS]

I heard that JAC1D

[KGB7]

Wait till late spring time when the weather is much warmer. Your 44psi will hit +60psi and your tires will go BOOM.

The ride might be better but eventually you will kill the tires.