Interesting tire question

[m3f_bip_m3]

I know this is probably a stupid question but I don’t know everything.



I have H&R sport springs that lower the car by 1/2 inch if memory serves me correctly. I have stock setup with contours. I am running 225/45/17 and 235/45/17 rear. I am having a few issues. My inside of the front tires are wearing bad. My last alignment I received the guy at a tire shop said “ I got it the best we could”.

This was an interesting answer. I than did a little research( not much) but found out that bmw puts weight in the cars when giving alignments and that there is not much adjustments. I further talked to a reliable alignment specialist and he told me he won’t even align bmws.



1st ? Am I running the right size tires?



2nd ? Does everyone get their alignments at bmw?



3rd ? I know there is a tire thread but it is outdated. Any new tire advise? I have proxies now and like the ride.

[m3f_westopher]

1) Your rear tires are the wrong size. Are your wheels 7.5 squared like stock 95s or staggered.

If 7.5, stock is 235/40, if staggered 225/45 and 245/40. This should not affect tire wear.

2) I get my alignments at dedicated alignment/suspension shops.

3) michelin PSS or PS4 are the best dedicated summer tire for a daily or weekend cruiser.


Post up your alignment specs, and your suspension setup and we can give you better advice.

[m3f_Braymond141]

4) Weighting is a fairly critical aspect of an alignment but only in your most common use configuration. BMW’s configuration is not mandatory. Meaning; if only you drive the car then fill up the fuel tank with your most common fill and sit in the car while they align it. Add weight for anything additional.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

BMW alignment specs are not good for tyre wear.


Maybe try to get close to zero toe at front. How much camber do you have at the front.


Check all suspension bushings as well.

[m3f_Nate047]

Can you post the actual alignment results?

[m3f_bip_m3]

My Bad, I don’t have the old one because it was three years ago. I’ve had the car at rest pretty much. 630 miles in the last 3 years. But now it’s time to get her back to health.After doing some research I saw that the 95 has no camber adjustment. I bet all you knew that though. I don’t know if I should go shims, or used 96+ Upper strut mount, or a Vorshlag. I don’t do any autox or scca. But having the ability too is a plus.



Ideally

Fronts -2* camber on each side

.10 both toe in



Rears -2 as well on each side

And I’ve read .20 total in the rear.



Staggered set up.

I have bilstein with H And R sport springs. Nothing els on suspension.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Generally uneven tyre wear is related to toe.


You would need to have a lot of negative camber before it starts to wear out the inner side.

[m3f_SOneThreeCoupe]

Is the wear consistent on the inside of the tires or inconsistent, like cupping or feathering?


How old are the Bilsteins? Are they damp?


When were the tie rods, front control arm bushings and ball joints last replaced?

[m3f_bip_m3]

There is some feathering on both sides no cupping. I have the TMS sports package with bilstein b8 f4 ve3 a585 ho. With about 40k on them. They don’t have any leaks and just minor surface rust. I am going to get the car up on a stand this weekend to check the tie rods. Don’t know if they have ever been replaced. I am suspecting the tie rods just because the previous owner had 19’s on them. More weight more problems.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

Most shops will check your suspension before they even align it so they can sell you more on top of the alignment and also make sure you don’t come back when the alignment changes from loose parts. BMW stock settings have a lot of toe to provide stability and allow the wheel to want to self center. This is great except it eats through tires. I’ve always gone with 0 toe front and .1 TOTAL toe in on the rear. Then 2.5-3 negative camber. This makes it want to pull under certain freeway surfaces but doesn’t eat tires and steering turn in is improved.

[m3f_bip_m3]

So today was a very productive day. Finally got my car on a hoist.

I checked out my tie rods. Sure enough there was play on both sides.



Any good ideas on tie rods. I was thinking Lemförder. Anyone have better tie rods?

I also installed a bunch of parts today.



Oil change (t6 with Mann filter)

New fog lights (cheap China pair for now. Just can’t stand the broken glass)

Replaced auxiliary fan for a/c (broken blades due to no lower grill)

New lower grill (have lux but like the mesh better)

New kidney grill (cracked side) Chrome baby!



Will post before and after if anyone is interested

[m3f_jayjaya29]

Lemforder are the go to brand, order with confidence.