Re: TRX BMW tire alternatives for 533i

[Phil Marx <bmw@xxxxxxx>]

At 1:19 PM -0500 12/9/00, Walter Cruden wrote:
>Phil,
>
>Your 1999 post read "Tire size was the same as 535i:  200/60VR390,  220
>is a common replacement and cheaper since it also fits Mustang 5.0's I
>believe."
>
> Though I bought four 200/60VR390's for my 533i in 1999, tire rack and
>others are currently reporting no inventory and no due date on when
>Michelin will do their next production run.  That got me looking at
>alternatives -- 180/65HR390 and 220/55VR390.
>
>I am reluctant to remove 10% traction of the 180's while I think the
>additional 10% traction of the 220's would be ok.  The diameter of the
>220/55VR390 is within  0.7% of my current tires and the extra 0.8" width
>of the 220's seems minimal but is the focus of this inquiry.
>
>I understand my wheels are 165mm by 390mm.  Do 220's properly fit the
>165mm dimension of the wheel?  The 220mm is at the sidewall and some
>taper exists to the width at the wheel mounting area.  I am asking how
>critical is the molded taper.
>
>Since I am looking to use the same wheels, offset is not a direct issue
>but have folks found that the additional 0.8" tire width works in the
>wheel wells.
>

>
Walter,

I've never seen anyone have a fitting problem using the 220's which are
easier to find and usually much cheaper. They do look bigger, in a not
flattering way in my opinion.

I'm going to assume that you are just needing tires and not looking for the
ultimate in handling (or you'd not be considering the TRX). What most folks
do is to find the 15" wheels off a 735/740, 525/530/540 in the two "old"
body styles (7 series up through '87, 5 series through '95) and use
215/60x15 tires which opens up a whole new world for you and may actually
cost less than just TRX tires. My wife's 535i runs BBS RS with Bridgestone
RE930 (tires currently list for $64 each) and this has worked very well.
The tires work fine, good mileage and traction. Of course you can spend
much more on tires, but you don't have to. You can also go for 16" wheels
but you still won't be able to use anything very large (205/55x16) without
possibility of some clearance problem usually at the left rear wheel arch.
Asks Tire Rack for what combination of new aftermarket 20mm offset rims
they might have with tires and see if the combination sent to you mounted
and balanced isn't cheaper than the TRXs. If not, consider what savings you
will experience the next time you replace tires and don't have to use TRX.

I'm happy to answer any questions this might bring up. Are you a BMW Club
member?

- -Phil

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