Tired of Ultra-Low Profile Tires and Big Wheels

Just feel like whining a little today. Not only am I tired of the hard ride and looks of ultra-low profile tires, I'm tired of paying a premium for new tires. I'd like to see the trend move back to more sidewall soon. I probably sound like an old fart to some but I don't care.

I like the idea of a wide flat contact patch for good handling, but a little meat on the sidewall wouldn't hurt either. I'd like to see BMW square up the wheel/tire package to something like 245/55/17 or maybe even 245/60/17. With an 8" or 8.5" wheel, there should still be substantial grip with the added ability to take bumps.

There, I feel better. Prepared for some flak!

No reason you couldn't replace with the sizes you like. Only issue might be with too much hieght there may be a need to roll the fenders.

Originally Posted by tunachris

No reason you couldn't replace with the sizes you like. Only issue might be with too much hieght there may be a need to roll the fenders.

That's the problem. There's no way 55-60 ratio tires would fit the car under its current factory configuration. I'd have to roll fenders and other such nonsense. I'd like to see cars come from manufacturers with more meat taken into consideration. After all, lots of meat works for formula one cars...check out the link.

http://www.hunnyf1.com/2011/05/05/ho...-videogallery/

Looks of a car sell the car. Chunky wheels, higher-profile tires just won't satisfy casual on-lookers. The best you can do is the P205/55R16 wheels that come standard on the lower level BMWs.

Alternatively, buy another brand that doesn't insist on RFT and low-profile tires. I drove a VW Golf that is extremely fun and just as competent in the bends without any of the harshness like BMWs.

Frankly, it's tire fashion not utility which rules today. The public perceives that low profile tires mean you have a high performance car. Like big spoilers and racing stripes prove you have a high performance car. Yeah, right.
There's no reason that a more road friendly tire would not work for 100% of all street applications, and most roadrace courses as well. The thing is that if Audi has low profile tires and BMW does not, all other things being equal, the Audi must be a higher performance car! Low profile = higher performance, another truism.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Frankly, it's tire fashion not utility which rules today. The public perceives that low profile tires mean you have a high performance car. Like big spoilers and racing stripes prove you have a high performance car. Yeah, right.
There's no reason that a more road friendly tire would not work for 100% of all street applications, and most roadrace courses as well. The thing is that if Audi has low profile tires and BMW does not, all other things being equal, the Audi must be a higher performance car! Low profile = higher performance, another truism.

Exactly! Let's hope the fashion pendulum swings back since performance is not affected.

My last car was a 2008 G35X. It had 8 inch wide, 225-50-18 tires. I guess that's considered low profile, but still had more than enough sidewall to have a great ride. No worries about damage from impacts or potholes. I thought it was a perfect balance of ride and handling.

Side note: I realize the above completely disregards suspension differences

regretting my low profile tires right about now and not having the tire and rim insurance.

Originally Posted by gizmo jean

I like the idea of a wide flat contact patch for good handling, but a little meat on the sidewall wouldn't hurt either. I'd like to see BMW square up the wheel/tire package to something like 245/55/17 or maybe even 245/60/17. With an 8" or 8.5" wheel, there should still be substantial grip with the added ability to take bumps.

Small bulge at the wheel on my right front PS2....pothole....

Waiting for Donner Pass to clear so's Tirerack can deliver from Nevada -- Global Warming surely to blame for this year's frigid, snow inundated Spring. Curse Gore and his ilk!

~$250 installed.
.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Frankly, it's tire fashion not utility which rules today. The public perceives that low profile tires mean you have a high performance car. Like big spoilers and racing stripes prove you have a high performance car. Yeah, right.
There's no reason that a more road friendly tire would not work for 100% of all street applications, and most roadrace courses as well. The thing is that if Audi has low profile tires and BMW does not, all other things being equal, the Audi must be a higher performance car! Low profile = higher performance, another truism.

Ahhhhhhhhhh....relief was just a DSX away.

What's your recommendation?

If you're still using RFT's that's your first step to better riding is to ditch 'em. In Florida you hardly need All Seasons, but I put Continental DSW's on my 335i and the ride has never been better. Sure, turn in is not as quick and I can feel some unwelcome mush when taking exit ramps and corners at high speed. But then those moments constitute about .0001% of the time I spend driving my car and so I live with it.

Also look for Captain Audio's manifesto, err. . . I mean recommendations about Koni FSD's and what they did to alleviate pothole explosions.

My 335d with 17" Conti all seasons handles and rides very well. I swapped out the BS RFTs on my Z4 for a set of Yokohama ENVigor all seasons and am very happy.


Sent from my iPhone using BimmerApp

Originally Posted by gizmo jean

Just feel like whining a little today. Not only am I tired of the hard ride and looks of ultra-low profile tires, I'm tired of paying a premium for new tires. I'd like to see the trend move back to more sidewall soon. I probably sound like an old fart to some but I don't care.

I like the idea of a wide flat contact patch for good handling, but a little meat on the sidewall wouldn't hurt either. I'd like to see BMW square up the wheel/tire package to something like 245/55/17 or maybe even 245/60/17. With an 8" or 8.5" wheel, there should still be substantial grip with the added ability to take bumps.

There, I feel better. Prepared for some flak!

Low profile tires fall in that category of what I always call "luxury features that aren't..." Meaning, features that you pay extra for but eventually wind up detracting from the ownership experience.

Anyway, I thought your post was extremely well-said and you made a ton of sense.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Frankly, it's tire fashion not utility which rules today. The public perceives that low profile tires mean you have a high performance car. Like big spoilers and racing stripes prove you have a high performance car. Yeah, right.
There's no reason that a more road friendly tire would not work for 100% of all street applications, and most roadrace courses as well. The thing is that if Audi has low profile tires and BMW does not, all other things being equal, the Audi must be a higher performance car! Low profile = higher performance, another truism.

This BMW can generate over 3.5 Gs of cornering force.



CA

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

Low profile tires fall in that category of what I always call "luxury features that aren't..." Meaning, features that you pay extra for but eventually wind up detracting from the ownership experience.

Anyway, I thought your post was extremely well-said and you made a ton of sense.

I agree. Never understood the kids that lower and go 20". Looks goofy and ride is punishing. Usually tinted really dark too. To each his own.

Originally Posted by gizmo jean

That's the problem. There's no way 55-60 ratio tires would fit the car under its current factory configuration. I'd have to roll fenders and other such nonsense. I'd like to see cars come from manufacturers with more meat taken into consideration. After all, lots of meat works for formula one cars...check out the link.

http://www.hunnyf1.com/2011/05/05/ho...-videogallery/

I don't understand, doesn't the base 328 come with 16" wheels and 55 aspect ratio tires? Why do you say 55 ratio don't fit?

Originally Posted by johnc_22

If you're still using RFT's that's your first step to better riding is to ditch 'em. In Florida you hardly need All Seasons, but I put Continental DSW's on my 335i and the ride has never been better. Sure, turn in is not as quick and I can feel some unwelcome mush when taking exit ramps and corners at high speed. But then those moments constitute about .0001% of the time I spend driving my car and so I live with it.

Also look for Captain Audio's manifesto, err. . . I mean recommendations about Koni FSD's and what they did to alleviate pothole explosions.

Timely post. I switched from run flats two years ago. That was a good first step. But I just received my Koni FSDs from Tire Rack last week. The OEM shocks have 52k miles on them and are probably a little tired by now. Just haven't gotten around to getting them installed yet. I'll post results when they're installed.

Originally Posted by tagheuer

I don't understand, doesn't the base 328 come with 16" wheels and 55 aspect ratio tires? Why do you say 55 ratio don't fit?

I was responding to the poster who said I would probably have to roll the fenders and make some other adjustments to get them to fit. I didn't actually do any research. I just wanted to whine about it.

Any of you guys get rid of the run flats and/or low profile tires?

I may need to get rid of the low profile tires due to where i will be primarily living soon and i feel like dropping the run flats as well.

Costs?

And was there a major performance difference?

Big wheels are for idiots. Shame on BMW.

In the early 80's, many cars had 14" wheels. BMW and Saab were among a few who had 15" wheels to have larger brakes. This is great! Even 16-17" wheels are ok. Any larger and they are heavier and lousy. The ride is worse. The handling is not better. 20" wheels are crazy unless you have a truck and not low profile 20" tires.

Originally Posted by captainaudio

This BMW can generate over 3.5 Gs of cornering force.



CA

No doubt, but how many miles do those tires last?

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Ahhhhhhhhhh....relief was just a DSX away.

What's your recommendation?

Balloon tires. And a huge spoiler.

AAARGH!

Another undeletable entry in the annals of BimmerFest.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

What's your recommendation?

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Balloon tires. And a huge spoiler.

Let's get serious. What do I have to do to install Boggers?

No fear.


.

I think the standard 17's are a perfect balance of comfort and performance. I definitely don't want to go back to my dad's old 1988 Cutlass Ciera 15's with huge sidewalls that flexed all over the place on turns. Nor do I want to go to Aston Martin 21's that ride like you're on a Radio Flyer wagon..

BMW did a great job matching the tires with the suspension on the 3-series; the setup is great for 95% of road conditions. The one time it bottomed out was when I hit a pothole going 25 miles/hour. Wheel and tire still looks fine; I guess that's the benefit of RFT's also.