Tire selection help

[mjfeeney775]

I have a 1993 325i, and I have 17 X 7.5 M Contour Wheels all around plus a matching rim for the spare. For years, I have been buying non directional 235/40-17 tires, and rotating all 5 (including the spare) with great results.

It is time to buy tires again, and it appears that Tire Rack has severely cut back on the selection of tires in this size.

Also, I find myself driving using this car more as a daily driver these days, and I would like to get something with better tread life.

What should I do? Should I change to a 225/40-17 or a 245/40-17 on all 5 wheels so I can pick from a wider selection of tires? Any suggestions on a particular tire to increase my tread life?

[pbonsalb]

I would go 225/45/17 like BMW used from the factory on 17 x 7.5 M Contour wheels on the front of 96-99M3s. Only the 95 M3 used 235/40/17.

Pick a tire with a high treadwear rating, 300 or more, for longer life. I agree with sticking with non directional tires for rotatability.

[Jim@tirerack]

I agree with the 225/45R17 route. I will tell you that Tire Rack did not cut back on anything. The tire manufacturers stopped making the size. I really would not bother with rotating the tires on the 3 Series. BMW does not even recommend it. You can rotate in the 5th tire easier with a non directional tire and that would really be the only advantage.
Take a look at a tire like the Conti Extreme Contact DWS. They have a 50K mileage warranty with good handling and if you get any cold weather they can handle it.
If I can help let me know.

[mjfeeney775]

I suppose a 245 would be too wide for the front? It's already a tight fit in the spare tire well...

[SwissCheeseHead]

I agree with the 225/45R17 route. I will tell you that Tire Rack did not cut back on anything. The tire manufacturers stopped making the size. I really would not bother with rotating the tires on the 3 Series. BMW does not even recommend it. You can rotate in the 5th tire easier with a non directional tire and that would really be the only advantage.
Take a look at a tire like the Conti Extreme Contact DWS. They have a 50K mileage warranty with good handling and if you get any cold weather they can handle it.
If I can help let me know.

What!? Since when should you not rotate a square setup? Even front to back on directional tires to maximize treadlife. Are all salesmen like this? :mad

[crqflier]

What!? Since when should you not rotate a square setup? Even front to back on directional tires to maximize treadlife. Are all salesmen like this? :mad

Here's an idea: know what you're talking about before you rip on this "salesman". BMW clearly recommends against rotating - even in a square set up front to back - read the manual.

With that said, I've always rotated mine. But give the guy a break. He's right.

[Jim@tirerack]

Thanks crqflier, What I was saying is you can use 5 tires if you want to so they all wear out together. If you do that you obviously have to rotate the tires. The best way to do that is often at about 3 to 5K on tread life.

[Critter7r]

Here's an idea: know what you're talking about before you rip on this "salesman". BMW clearly recommends against rotating - even in a square set up front to back - read the manual.

With that said, I've always rotated mine. But give the guy a break. He's right.


+eleventybillion

Jim@TireRack is a great asset to this board. His idas are always sound, and he always gives ideas for the best options regardless of whether he stands to gain from them or not. He is not your garden-variety slickster salesman.

OP : Recommend that you go with 225/45s all around.

[mryakan]

And to add to this from a different perspective, I've found that over the long run, unless the tire rotation is free, it usually does not pay off. Thus I only do it now when switching seasonal tires.
Say over an 60k mile period, your rears wear every 20k and fronts every 40k. If you rotate, then each tire may last 30k, so you replace 2 full sets over that period (midway and at the end), so 8 tires in total. Without rotation, you replace 3 rear sets and 1 front, so again 8 tires, but with the fronts half worn at the end. If you pay only 20$ per rotation every 5k miles, you pay 240$ dollars over that time, not enough to offset the difference of half worn fronts for most typical tire setups.