07 328i needs new tires, which to get (Non-RFT)

Hello,

I just purchased an 07 328i and I am having a hard time wrapping my head around BMW's and how different they are from other cars. Normally I would just go to Discount Tire and pick out the tires I want and have them put them on with no worries but I have a feeling with BMW that is not the case.

The original owner has 225/45-17 in the front and 225/40-17 in the back when tire rack says 255/40-17 needs to be in the back. Is this okay? I do know that my speedometer is off by 3-5mph, wonder if it is due to this.

I do not want RFT's because I feel the extra expense is not worth it considering I have only had 1 flat in my entire life, I'll just get it towed if I have an issue so I am electing to go with a normal non RFT.

First off when I go to TireRack to choose my tires I am not sure if I have the 328i sedan sport package or base model, is there an easy way to know the difference?


I have found several tires for around $400-582.
I do not plan to be running around racing it so I figure these should be okay as I've seen some for $1000 and I don't think that is quite necessary.

Looks like I am going to choose between these tires

All are 225/45ZR17 in Front and 255/40ZR17 in rear

Let me know what you guys think, I am kind of leaning towards the Sumitomo's or the Yokohamas

BF Goodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2 $522
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0Valve%20Stems

BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2 $582
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0Valve%20Stems


Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport $582
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0Valve%20Stems


Sumitomo HTR Z II $402
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0Valve%20Stems


Yokohama S Drive $510 (had these on my 04 Acura RSX-S and I liked em)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0Valve%20Stems

www.tires.com is Discount's website.
Hard to say whether you have sport package or not - original owner could have ordered special rims. Check width of rims front & rear; wider in rear means sport pack. If so, they will handle 255 width.

You can go either 225/45R17 all round, or the wider 255/40R17 in the rear. Cheaper is square setup.

Don't ignore Costco/Walmart - their prices are comparable to tirerack/discount, and sometimes a bit cheaper.

Don't forget that you need to retain the valve-stems, as that is what the TPMS sensors are attached to. The installer often wants to charge a "re-build" fee for the sensors (basically battery replacement).

Many people like Continental Contact DWS. The Bridgestones are almost OEM and are good. You can save a few dollars by buying H-rated tires rather than Z - you're not going to be going 150 mph.

Thank you for your advice! I might look into those H-rated tires! Hrmm, I will definitely talk to them when I get the tires changed about keeping the valve-stems. Also need to do some research myself about that I guess. The valve stems come off and they have to put them on the new tires? Not quite sure how that works, surely they will know though.
Maybe I will check walmart out as well, I just usually use Discount because of their great warranty. I've had 2 tires replaced for free because I ran over something and it was not repairable.

I think maybe I do not have the sport package since the original owner has 225 all the way around and not 255 on the rear. I'll probably do the same as he did then.

what are your priorities for tires?
grip?
tread life?
ride comfort?

if your car has an extendable thigh bolster on the front of the seat, you have the sport package.

are your valve stems rubber or silver metal?

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

what are your priorities for tires?
grip?
tread life?
ride comfort?

if your car has an extendable thigh bolster on the front of the seat, you have the sport package.

are your valve stems rubber or silver metal?

There is an extendable thigh bolster thing on both driver and passenger front seats.

I am really going for trade life the most, and ride comfort would come in 2nd place.
Price is also a big factor here.

I went and messed with them and I can bend them and they are black so gonna go with rubber.

ok, so you dont have sensors to worry about. you have a pre 3/07 build car.

i would say the conti dws or the kuhmo ecsta 4x would fit your criteria best. all season tires will have a much longer treadlife than summer tires.


both have 40K mile treadlife warranties. both have included mfr road hazard coverage.
the contis will run you about 500 for the set. the kuhmos 378 after rebate:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

I went with the Michelin pilot sport plus a/s from Discount Tires. Been running them for three months. Softer, more comfortable ride with plenty of stickiness and grab. Louder than the Conti SSRs and my gas mileage has dropped by 2 MPGs. All in all I like them better than the RFTs. And they look better...more aggressive.

I'd suggest the potenzas. I only use those on customers cars when they want non rft's. Either way dont buy and chinese or korean tires(Kuhmo, Toyos). These I see last on average about 45k which is decent and I know these customers aren't driving like my grandma. I put them on my car, Y speed rating too.

I bought a set of 18" RE970AS, the new king in category on TR, and they are just great and slightly better rated than the DWS. Check the rating for 'Cornering stability' (9.2 vs 8.2 for the DWS); this is one aspect I don't like with the DWS.

Don't ignore Costco/Walmart - their prices are comparable to tirerack/discount, and sometimes a bit cheaper.

I bought there and it was then the best all-around price.

Originally Posted by Morketh

There is an extendable thigh bolster thing on both driver and passenger front seats..

Then you have the sport package.

Originally Posted by Morketh

I am really going for trade life the most, and ride comfort would come in 2nd place.
Price is also a big factor here.

Conti DWS for best combination of tread wear, ride, handling & price.

Tom

Just put Continental Contact DWS on the car when the run flats wore out. The difference is night and day! I live in Denver so I need something that can be used in the winter. I got the spare tire kit and put it in the trunk. Very happy with the tires.

I got rid of my RFT @ 36,000 and replaced with DWS. I am @ 60,000 now and have never looked back.

U sure I can put those 225 45s all the way around?
The guy at ntb said it was not a good idea.
Replacing the 2 back tires which were 255 40 with tires that are 225 45

Originally Posted by Morketh

U sure I can put those 225 45s all the way around?
The guy at ntb said it was not a good idea.
Replacing the 2 back tires which were 255 40 with tires that are 225 45

You'd have to get new rims to put 225's on. They're more than 1" narrower

Sent from my WX435 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by Morketh

U sure I can put those 225 45s all the way around?
The guy at ntb said it was not a good idea.
Replacing the 2 back tires which were 255 40 with tires that are 225 45

Check the size of your rims - they are probably 8.5".
If they are 8.5", most of those tires will fit. To ensure this, go back to tirerack, click on the "Specs" tab and check the "Tire Rim Width" column to ensure 8.5" is in the accepted range.

Well they showed me, the wheels in the back are definitely wider than the wheels in the front. They said the 225 45 would not fit on them and I had To go ahead and buy the 255 40s

Originally Posted by Morketh

Well they showed me, the wheels in the back are definitely wider than the wheels in the front. They said the 225 45 would not fit on them and I had To go ahead and buy the 255 40s

False.

I have 225/45/18 all around and although the margin error is a bit high at 3.4%, I would do it again in an hearbeat. This is the 18" size of the F30, BTW

Never ever the 225/40 or the equivalent - 90mm tire height. It did cost me a lot to learn this.

Originally Posted by Saintor

False.

I have 225/45/18 all around and although the margin error is a bit high at 3.4%, I would do it again in an hearbeat. This is the 18" size of the F30, BTW

Never ever the 225/40 or the equivalent - 90mm tire height. It did cost me a lot to learn this.

I'd like to see a pic of this wheel and tire combo. There's no way you went from 255 to 225

Sent from my WX435 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by rubberismoney

I'd like to see a pic of this wheel and tire combo. There's no way you went from 255 to 225

Sent from my WX435 using Bimmer App

Unless you got a higher aspect ratio tire.

Sent from my WX435 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by Saintor

False.

I have 225/45/18 all around and although the margin error is a bit high at 3.4%, I would do it again in an hearbeat. This is the 18" size of the F30, BTW

Never ever the 225/40 or the equivalent - 90mm tire height. It did cost me a lot to learn this.

Why?

255 x 35% is the same tire height as the 225 x 40%.

Here is my E90*with 225/45/18. Will never go back to 225/40.

I'm not 225 40, it is 255 40.
They put the 225 45 wheel up next to the 255 40 wheel and showed me the difference. It was definitely wider

I have 225 45 in front and 255 40 in rear

So you guys are saying 100% that the 225 45 17 will go on the same wheel where the 255 40 17 is?
I already getting the 255 40 on there but I will know for next time




Btw I asked them if they reset the tire pressure sensor and they said they don't have anything to reset it with, it will reset on its own after I drive it for a while is this correct?

According to the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO):
225/45R17 may be mounted on: 7.0" through 8.5" rim width.
255/40R17 may be mounted on: 8.5" through 10.0" rim width.

The rim diameter doesn't matter.

This is not to imply that these are correct fitments, as I haven't checked.

The ETRTO also shows the "design" overall diameter as follows:
225/45R17: 644mm
255/40R17: 636mm
(a good match for overall diameter)

Nevertheless, the European standards for "diverting" from OE tires is 1% from OE tire diameter...more "liberal" in the U.S., but without any "standard," as each time maker has its own standard varying from 1% to 3% generally speaking. The E.U. is much more strict.

Morketh,

Unless, I am missing something, nobody has directly addressed the speedo discrepancy, so I will. Don't worry about it. It's consistent on all our 3er's because it is programmed to read 3-4% high per an EU standard/law that the speedometer never reads more than the actual speed of the car. Therefore, BMW has elected to make all our 3er speedo's read higher than we are actually going. It's something you adjust to, but it's not all related to your tire issue. If you have the sport package, as demonstrated by the seats you describe, then the staggered wheels/tires are correct for your car and all is good. Go with Tire Rack's recommendations.

Thank you guys, next time I will see more into getting 225 45 all the way around.

How do I go about resetting this tire pressure sensor? It is still showing the red warning sign that the tire is low