New Tyres

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:32 pm

Ok, written on my tyres I see the code...

205/40ZR17 84W

when buying new tyres, how much of the above code has to match?

cheers

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:52 pm

The first three bits are all quite important!
the first number is the tyres width, the second is its profile in % and the 3rd is the rim size.

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:55 pm

cool, so as long as I match those bits, ill be fine?

And from then, will I be able to just wander to a garage and ask them to fit the tyres for me?

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:57 pm

You want 205/40/17 with a speed rating of greater than H I think...

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:10 pm

whats the 84W part mean?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WDVW these are 80W

Cheers

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:15 pm

W is the speed rating, quite a high one too I think. Doesn't the number have something to do with the load rating?

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:19 pm

The 84 isn't important, the W is the speed rating which is equivelant to a Z rating, I don't know what's the lowest you should have on a E30 probably H. Z/W is a high speed rating and most 17" tyres come with this rating.

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:22 pm

H is 130mph, W is 168mph, V is 149mph and there's Z and Y too

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:42 pm

The 84 is the load rating. Not much use unless you have a van.

Just get a decent brand in the correct size and it'll be fine.

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:46 pm

Russ wrote:The 84 is the load rating. Not much use unless you have a van.

Not if you use your car like I do my Touring!

I should have HGV rated tyres!

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:24 pm

Cheers everyone!

Just to bump the next part of my question...

will I be able to just wander to a garage and ask them to fit the tyres for me?

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:25 pm

Shouldnt be a problem no, just make sure ur wheels are balanced too and it'll be fine!

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:28 pm

It's worth getting a recommendation from a friend... I've seen all sorts of muppets fit tyres - from those who'll scratch your wheels, to those that insist balancing is unnecessary, to those who claim the profile number on a tyre doesn't mean anything!!

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:29 pm

Oh, and watch where they put the jack under your car too!

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:33 pm

Cheers again, a mate of a mate should be recommending a garage soon, hopefully!

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:34 pm

Worth shopping around aswell,the differences in price for the same tyres can be hugely different.

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:36 pm

www.blackcircles.com

give them a call, and they'll do yu a good deal. Mention pistonheads.com for 10% off. Thye have loads of affiliated fitted agents (usually Hi Q)

Post Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:41 pm

funny how their insignia looks like its after a good doughnut session

but the names a bit

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:03 am

www.blackcircles.com

Wow, handy site

Am I right in guessing a can go with any speed rating tyre, seeing as its a 316i and i doubt ill ever go over 90mph as it is?

Edit> I see all of them are at least W, so it doesnt really matter anyway ;)

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:12 am

Id aim for something with a higher speed rating, as i assume theyre made with better tolerences so you'll be safer at lower speeds anyway?
Thats my Laymans belief anyway, always good to have something in reserve!

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:19 am

also those low low speed rated tyres will be shocking and wear out in 100 miles!

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:19 am

Also check Mytyres Website

Kumho brand tyres are not bad, but if you can afford to spend a bit more, then look around and make an informed choice.

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 9:34 am

oops - double post!

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 9:35 am

Personally I'd go with a tyre well known for giving good grip (esp in the wet)
They're your only point of contact with the ground! Always amazes me people that spend loads on their car then skimp on the tyres.

I always bought decent tyres for my cars - then binned my 325 in the wet when running a spare set of rims that had some shitty budget tyres on, wasnt pushing or anything and the back just snapped round.

Having said that my iS is on fairly crappy tyres at the mo, but thats what came with it - will replace them when I have the spare cash

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 9:45 am

Is there anything wrong with having a part worn and brand new tyre on the same axle if they're the same brand? nearside rear is balding on the edges but offside is in good shape. 'tis a different make anyway

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:44 am

Dom wrote:Is there anything wrong with having a part worn and brand new tyre on the same axle if they're the same brand? nearside rear is balding on the edges but offside is in good shape. 'tis a different make anyway

There's not really anything wrong with having one tyre a bit more worn than the other, It's just that one tyre will have more grip but I don't think this would be noticed when driving unless driving hard with one tyre that's new and the other bald. Most cars on the road have mixed tyres. As an ideal I would buy them in pairs.

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:46 am

Dom wrote:Is there anything wrong with having a part worn and brand new tyre on the same axle if they're the same brand? nearside rear is balding on the edges but offside is in good shape. 'tis a different make anyway

Better to replace tyres in pairs and stick to the same tread pattern/brand per axle, braking could be affected by different tread depths.

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:54 am

[quote="Lordschleife"]Personally I'd go with a tyre well known for giving good grip (esp in the wet)
They're your only point of contact with the ground! Always amazes me people that spend loads on their car then skimp on the tyres.
I agree with this.
Tyres are often overlooked, It's well worth getting the best tyres you can afford. Good brand tyres are safer, have better grip, and last far longer than cheap budgets.

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:22 am

Ok I'll put the new tyre on one side and the old tyre on the other. Do a big stonking burnout until it matches the medium wear one :lol:

or I could just bite the bullet and buy two

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:00 pm

How about buying two, and putting the part worn on your spare wheel?

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:23 pm

Because his spare is a 15" with a higher profile

Post Tue Jan 18, 2005 2:19 pm

Indeedy, although I suppose I could always buy a 5th alloy

:bling:

el money wastero extraordinaire

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:34 pm

[wise old man mode] If i need to buy tyres, i always buy something thats.....

a)gonna withstand my car doing max speed with 4 people in it
b)gonna offer plenty of water dispersing ability
c)gonna be the correct size
d)gonna keep me on the black stuff and not let the arse end break free unless i tell it to
e)not gonna break the bank.

when i find a tyre that does all that, i then THINK about buying it. Then make a short-list and weigh-up wear vs cost. The end result is the tyre that best fits my needs and also my pocket. [/wise old man mode]

:lol:

Post Sat Jan 22, 2005 3:03 pm

Welp, just had all 4 checked properly, they are all screwed.

This is not a good car for a student! Anyone got 300 quid they dont need? its for the good of the e30zone community ;)

Post Sat Jan 22, 2005 3:42 pm

Ouch

Well you might be able to pick some toyo ts-1 up cheap at the mo, as they're being replaced by tr-1

eg:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 36947&rd=1

Mind you by the time, you've paid for delivery & fitting you're still approaching Ãƒ”šÃ‚£300

I'm glad I have 15" rims, the tyres aren't quite so steep!