Replace 2 tires on 325ix?

[Xtraneous]

Hi Everyone,

I just bought an 89 325ix on Friday and the seller included a set of summer rims and tires (Pirelli P6000 195/50 R15 82V). Two of the tires are really worn - can I replace just two of the tires or do I need to do all four? Do I need to replace them with the same brand? Any brand suggestions?

Thanks!

[E30-325]

Always replace all 4 tires on an all wheel drive/4 wheel drive car

[Xtraneous]

That's unfortunate - what's the reasoning behind needing to do all 4 at once?

Also - any specific brand you'd recommend?

[E30-325]

Well i was taught that the older tires will have a smaller radius than the newer ones causing problems with the awd system. All of the tires won't be spinning at the same speed so the differential or the transfer case will always be working causing premature wear to the clutches and whatnot. I don't really know a lot about tire brands but i use bridgestone. They're cheap and work well from what i've used.

[533-3.8]

If you have to replace all four go to the stock size of 205/55/15 also do a search on this site, just put in"ix" and there is alot of info on this special model:)

[533-3.8]

If you have to replace all four go to the stock size of 205/55/15 also do a search on this site, just put in"ix" and there is alot of info on this special model:)

[Xtraneous]

If you have to replace all four go to the stock size of 205/55/15 also do a search on this site, just put in"ix" and there is alot of info on this special model:)

Will 205/55/15 tires fit on a wheel that's holding 195/50/15? (Sorry for all the noob questions! Gotta learn sometime... :D )

Also, what would the practical difference be in switching between the two tire sizes?

[prestige]

if you have stock rims then yes
and the 205 is how wide the tire is so the wider you go the more grip you have

[533-3.8]

Yes if you have the 15x7 stock rims then go with the 205's . The stopping distance decreases with these tires and this is the way it was engineered. Also these "shorter" tires will make it rev higher at cruising speeds thus lower gas mileage. But it will be slightly quicker of the start. :beerchug::beerchug:

[Xtraneous]

Awesome - I'm pretty sure these are stock rims. Here are the markings on them:
BMW e41
7jx 15h2
k2
1179 140
9 89

Should I post a photo?

[prestige]

Should I post a photo?

yes

btw welcome to the 'fest'

:hi:

[Xtraneous]

As requested

[prestige]

yep stock

and im about 90% sure you can put 225/50-15 on it
play with this (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) and tire rack has a few of the 225/55-15

[Ethrty]

yep stock

and im about 90% sure you can put 225/50-15 on it
play with this (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) and tire rack has a few of the 225/55-15

Lets not forget there are 195s on there atm! thats like an exta 30mm which is quite a bit! i thought the widest you could safely and practially go was 215 on an E30 or is the iX a bit different? we dont get iX's in NZ

[533-3.8]

205 is the width of the tread and 55 is the height off the edge of the rim and 15 is the diameter

[E30SaysWhat]

if you have stock rims then yes
and the 205 is how wide the tire is so the wider you go the more grip you have

Well to add to that statement thats a little vauge. The wider the tire the more accel grip you have but the less grip you have in a corner. So go to wide and you cant handle go to thin and you peel out all over heck. But since its a AWD peeling out is really not to much of an issue. So 205 will work nicely and last a bit longer on an awd (of course depending on brand and how you drive) but 195 if acceptable (but normally a bit more exspensive sometimes depending on the other dimensions)

In your position id still second getting some 205/55/15 tires.

[RaraRass]

I bought the Continental ContiExtremeContact tires from Tire Rack for my 1990 325ix, and they have worked like a dream. Plus Continentals are made in Deutschland! Sweet! I'm telling you, my car will almost climb trees in the winter with these all-seasons. I basically got a tire for free by going through Tire Rack instead of the local Big O too. Had them shipped straight to Big O, and they only charged $12 per wheel to put them on.