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Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Sedans
12657 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 6:14 PM
You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: tayl0rd (Oct 02, 2007 8:55 am) Does the manual get worse mileage than the auto?
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Replying to: topspin628 (Oct 02, 2007 1:30 pm) Just the opposite. Crazy world. Regards, Jose |
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I recently ordered a 2008 535i, and I'll be putting snow tires on it. I'm getting rid of a Lexus GS300 which I have snow tires for, and I could use those tires on the 535, but I'm not sure if that would be the best move. The tires I have now are Dunlop WinterSport M3's (love 'em) in 225/50-17. This is also the standard tire size on the 535. I'm getting the sport package on the 535, which gives me 245/40R-18 front and 275/35R-18 rear. I can get the Dunlop WinterSport M3's in this setup, but would I get better traction using the 17 inch tires? From what I understand, the smaller tire gives better traction due to the increased pressure on the smaller contact patch. Is this true? As I see it, here are my options: 1) Use 225/50-17 at all four corners, and enjoy better traction. Would also have to get another 17 inch tire to use as a spare since the 'space saver' that comes with the SP is 18 inch. 2) Use the 245/275 setup, and enjoy better performance when dry but suffer with loss of traction in snow. Would not need another tire as spare. I'll be buying new rims for either setup, so that isn't a factor. Is my understanding correct? Are there any other options I'm missing? |
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Replying to: bdkinnh (Oct 02, 2007 1:39 pm) I decided to prioritize traction and go w the narrower, smaller diameter tire because I live atop a long steep hill. (225-55-15 Blizzaks) If you live in a relatively flat area and do most of your driving on roads like I-93 and I-495 you could be alright on 245-40-17 but if you find it neccessary to be on secondary roads in bad weather you should go with the "traction" setup IMO. In no case would I consider a 275 size tire for your driving wheels. I really think you're asking for trouble w something that wide. 
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Replying to: andys120 (Oct 02, 2007 2:50 pm) Thanks for the feedback! 15 inch for you, huh? The stock setup with the 535 is 225-50-17. I'm no tire expert - can I pick anything in the 225-50 range, like 225-50-16, or 225-50-15? If so, am I losing anything by going with the smaller size?
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Replying to: bdkinnh (Oct 02, 2007 4:38 pm) e39 528 models had smaller brake rotors than the later 530, which used 540 set up and can't use anything less than 16 inch wheels. Yours may have the same limitation, so I'd definitely check with tirerack. |
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Replying to: tayl0rd (Oct 02, 2007 8:55 am) Hmmm....double check this as the guzzler tax MAY be on all 550's with SP's.
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Replying to: bdkinnh (Oct 02, 2007 1:39 pm)  As a general rule, go with the 225 section width tires mounted on the smallest wheels you can get to fit around your brakes (which are 16s). No one has mentioned this, and I assume you already know it, but I feel I need to point this out, the wheels from your GS300 are guaranteed NOT to fit your 535i. As I see it, you have two options: 1) Buy a complete new set of wheels and tires (225/55 R16 mounted on 16x7 or 16x7.5 wheels) and peddle your set for the GS. 2) Buy a new set of 17x7.5, 17x8.0 or 17x8.5 wheels and mount the Dunlops from the GS on them. Then you can peddle just the wheels from the GS. Keep us posted. Best Regards, Shipo
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Replying to: bdkinnh (Oct 02, 2007 1:39 pm) |
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Replying to: shipo (Oct 02, 2007 5:05 pm) >"the wheels from your GS300 are guaranteed NOT to fit your 535i." Yep - knew that, but thanks for making sure. I never bought an extra set of wheels for the GS, so they have to stay where they are. I'm sure when I Lemon the car they'll want it with wheels. >"Buy a complete new set of wheels and tires (225/55 R16 mounted on 16x7 or 16x7.5 wheels) and peddle your set for the GS." That's probably what I'll end up doing. I'm still in the process of building my tire kung-fu, so I have a question: what does the 7 or 7.5 in 16X7/16X7.5 represent? I know all the other numbers, but not this one. Can either one be used with a 225/55 tire?
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