Background:
I have Dinan 20" staggered wheels on my '13 Dinan 328i M Sport. The Dinan recommended tires for it was the Michelin PSS, but is now the PS4S in 245/30-20F and 265/30-20R. I went cheaper due to this being a commuter car and that fact that I don't need PSS/PS4S performance, so went with Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 in 245F/255R. The front Load Index for both the Michelins and Hankooks are 90Y. Been on the Hankooks since last spring (2016).
I bulged a front tire Tuesday night when I hit a monster pothole on the interstate doing about 85mph. It's a small bulge, but it's enough that I probably need to replace the tire.
Problem:
My normal independent shop is booked solid for almost two weeks, so I called Discount Tire. Discount Tire basically said they refuse to put the tires on the wheels because my car allegedly requires a 94 Load Index. Dafuq? Funny enough, I check my stock 18s with OE tires and those are 91Y fronts. So now I have to figure this crap out and I am trying to get my stuff fixed in a timely manner rather than switching back to stock wheel purgatory for two weeks.
What is the actual minimum load Index for the car? Does it change with it being 20" tires vs 18"? Or is Discount Tire just being stupid? Is 90Y safe?
Has nothing to do with your wheels. Discount Tire (and other mainstream/chain shops) have some chart that says that your car model requires a certain load index. Whatever it is, it's wrong. I read another thread recently where someone went through something similar at Sam's Club trying to get them to mount winter tires, which being winter tires had a lower speed rating than the OEM performance tires. These places don't know how to deal with performance tires and cars that aren't a Camry.
As you stated, the staggered OEM tires are 91F/94R and the square OEM tires are 91 same as your fronts. Rim diameter shouldn't change anything.
Take your car to a better specialty shop, or one who specializes in BMW's or high performance cars. I use a specialty alignment/suspension shop for my car who also sets up race cars and all kinds of exotics. They cost a bit more, but they do flawless work.
1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy
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