Where should ONE replacement tire be installed? The front or rear?

[jaisonline]

I drive my '02 BMW 325xi over a "nice" pot hole the other day and had to purchase a new replacement tire (I have Continental ContiExtremeContact tires) and a rim for the pass. side front. I have the oem 16"x7" 7-spoke wheels. I'm driving with the full-sized spare (w/ the oem different Conti tire model) since the rim was damaged.

I bought the replacement tire from the Tire Rack. Tomorrow, I'm going to let my local BMW dealer install/mount/balance the new tire because I'm due for an state inspection, alignment fixing (pot hole related), and an oil change.


Anyway, where should the dealer install the new tire on my all wheel drive car? On a front or rear wheel? I have only about 11k miles on the 3 existing tires.

[Kaz]

IMO you really shoud have bought 2 new tires, and saved the extra used one as a spare. The difference is probably small enough that it's not going to matter whole lot, really. ANd even if it was a big diameter difference, the open diffs on the car wouldn't create an issue with any clutchpacks in the drivetrain.

Given a choice, I'd say back, just because you're going to want more even characteristics between the two wheels that steer the car.

[jaisonline]

I heard the replacement tire should be installed on a rear wheel but I just wanted to make sure.

[Kaz]

I heard the replacement tire should be installed on a rear wheel but I just wanted to make sure.

The same goes for a spare. You always want to have as ideal a condition as possible for the steering end of the car.

[Raffi]

Yup, rear.

[Gary@Tirerack]

I'm with Kaz and Raffi, two is best, but the lesser of two evils (front or rear) would be the rear.

[kyfdx]

I heard the replacement tire should be installed on a rear wheel but I just wanted to make sure.


If you have the spare, and you bought a new tire, then you already have two new tires. Put the spare and the new one on the back. A matched set.. Then move the one you take off to the spare.

[jaisonline]

If you have the spare, and you bought a new tire, then you already have two new tires. Put the spare and the new one on the back. A matched set.. Then move the one you take off to the spare.

hi,
makes sense but the tire on the spare is the oem one. my other/ newer tires are aftermarket conti tires i bought after the 4 oem's wore down.

[otto325ci]

hi,
makes sense but the tire on the spare is the oem one. my other/ newer tires are aftermarket conti tires i bought after the 4 oem's wore down.

I'd buy two new and sell the oem spare as almost new. leave the used one as the spare.