Re: Uneven Tire Wear - specifically Tramlining w/ZS50's

[zgbjtjh <zgbjtjh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Interesting about the SZ50 tramlining.

I just recently put 225/60-15 Firestone SZ50 tires on my Firebird
(I figured I'd try them out on my beater/rain car before going to them
on the BMW).  While the size is indeed different from your 215-45-17's
on your BMW, it is still the same tire. I've been running Bridgestone
Potenza RE-71's on my F'bird for many years and _never_ had any
tramlining. In addition the RE-71's were excellent in the rain, specifically
with regard to hydroplaning. The Firestone SZ50's are supposed to be
excellent tires, but so far other than dry traction, I am disappointed with them.

Now my F'bird (w/SZ50's) tramlines quite a bit and is by no means as good
in the rain as it was with my RE71's. My understanding was that the Bridgestone
RE-71's are old tire technology but I sure wish they still made them in
225/60-15 :( . Additionally I won't be putting the SZ50's on my BMW
either.

Regards,

Kim Watters
E34/530i/5-speed/Nikasil/83K miles (still klunking)
    16x8 rims
    225/55/16 Dunlop SP Sport 8000
    Bilstein Sport Shocks
    Eibach Pro Springs
'85 Pontiac Firebird V6/5-speed/214K miles
    225/60-15 Firestone SZ50
    Monroe Formula Racing struts/shocks



> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 23:52:55 -0500
> From: "Scott" <juggernaut@domain.elided>
> Subject: Uneven Tire Wear - Help!!! (reply)
>
> First off, if your corner hard its not unusual for the outside of the fronts
> to wear a bit faster than the rest of the tire.  I've experienced that on
> just about every sports car I've owned.
>
> Provided that you are not seeing horrendous wear on the outside, I would
> recommend you try a better tire next time around.  Believe it or not, tire
> design can play a factor in uneven wear.  Your Firestone's may not have the
> structural rigidity required to keep that tire flat on the road, even in
> hard cornering conditions.  If the tire loses its rigidity every time you
> corner hard, it will really eat into the outside edges.  This is why I
> continue to spend too much money on replacement Pilot Sports for my M3.  I
> just don't want to deal with tire issues typical of less expensive tires.
>
> In the event you are seeing horrendous wear (like from under inflation), I
> suspect you have an issue that would eat right through a set of any tires.
>
> BTW, your tramlining would also likely be reduced significantly if you used
> the Pilot Sports.  These tires improved that very same issue on my M3 that
> originally came with MXX3's.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Scott '97 M3
>
> >
> > Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2001 22:13:33 -0500
> > From: "Scott Messing" <smessing@domain.elided>
> > Subject: Uneven Tire Wear - Help!!!
> >
> > I have been trying to figure out why the tires on my car are
> > showing wear on
> > the outside of the two front tires. I have a 94 325is with the following
> > suspension mods:
> >
> > 17x8 rims
> > 215-45-17 firestone SZ50 tires
> > Bilstein Sport Shocks
> > Eibach Pro Springs.
> >
> > The car has felt this way for several months now.  It tramlines severely,
> > picking up every rut in the road.  When I put the car in reverse, you can
> > feel the front end skip.
> >
> > I would really appreciate any assistance in helping me figure out where I
> > can start.  I have looked in the Bentley Manual, and all it says is that
> > uneven tire wear is due to a problem with a suspension component.
> >
> > Scott Messing
>
> **************************

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