A Tire Tread Question...

King335i · 06-19-2009, 10:55 PM

I recently went into my local Les Schwab to have my rear tires changed because they were actually shredding for some reason and had these massive rips in the tread. I'd like to say right off the bat though, I know Les Schwab sucks but I found a couple guys there that have done a lot of work with aftermarket wheels on BMW's and I've had no problems with them so far.

Anyways, I was riding on Toyo T1R's and for some reason they were shredding as I mentioned above, so I asked them about ordering a new set of T1R's for the rear and they told me that the T1R's would be about 4 weeks out, but that they had a pair of Michelin PS2's in stock that they could install that day.

I then asked the guy (who wasn't the dude with which I normally did business) about any problems that could arise from the difference in tread between the T1R's and the PS2's. The guy said that mixing treads was not problematic and that everything should be fine. It was at that point that one of his co-workers came up and mentioned something about selling me tires of a different tread, kinda slapped him on the back and let out a sighing laugh, as if he thought the guy was doing something scandalous and the joke was on me. The guy suggested that I go to the BMW dealership to have them align the wheels because they did not know the specs at which BMW set wheels. I did that the next day.

Ever since I changed the rears I've noticed some odd behavior from the car. On the interstate it jerks and pulls like crazy, making lengthy travel a real pain in the ass. Also, I've noticed in general that the car feels a lot less "stable" taking corners at slow/medium speeds while driving in the city. Instead of smoothly taking corners like it used to, it now kind of bounces left and right while moving through a corner, the body rocks side-to-side.

Does anyone have any idea what could be happening? Any advice? Anyone ever have the same problem?

jopa489 · 06-19-2009, 10:57 PM

Brand new tires need some miles to break in a little. Until then, they can feel a little slippery and unstable. Personally, I'm a firm believer in having the same type of tire on all four corners. The PS2 is a very good tire.

Callsign_Jester · 06-19-2009, 11:20 PM

PS2's are a great tire, as jopa stated above. I highly doubt that mismatched tires of similar nature would cause the above mentioned problems. If you had a drastic difference like an ultra hard snow compound on the front vs. a soft summer performance on the rear then sure you may have issues. Overall the doubt the tread pattern itself would cause this issue.

FWIW: I too am a firm believer in having the same tires on all four corners. (exception being 1/4 mile runs with some stickies)

twinturboa51 · 06-20-2009, 07:12 AM

the toyos are a directional tire and the michelins are not. that could be the problem. but yes i agree new tires need the mold release material worn off before they perform like they should. i will never by directional tires again i have had two sets before and they tramline and pull every which way. one set was the toyo proxes 4 and they were great except for the tramlining. toyos are also very LOUD.

06-19-2009, 10:55 PM	#1
King335i Captain 47 Rep 726 Posts Drives: '13 E92 M3 CP 6MT, '13 X1 35i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon iTrader: (1)	A Tire Tread Question... I recently went into my local Les Schwab to have my rear tires changed because they were actually shredding for some reason and had these massive rips in the tread. I'd like to say right off the bat though, I know Les Schwab sucks but I found a couple guys there that have done a lot of work with aftermarket wheels on BMW's and I've had no problems with them so far. Anyways, I was riding on Toyo T1R's and for some reason they were shredding as I mentioned above, so I asked them about ordering a new set of T1R's for the rear and they told me that the T1R's would be about 4 weeks out, but that they had a pair of Michelin PS2's in stock that they could install that day. I then asked the guy (who wasn't the dude with which I normally did business) about any problems that could arise from the difference in tread between the T1R's and the PS2's. The guy said that mixing treads was not problematic and that everything should be fine. It was at that point that one of his co-workers came up and mentioned something about selling me tires of a different tread, kinda slapped him on the back and let out a sighing laugh, as if he thought the guy was doing something scandalous and the joke was on me. The guy suggested that I go to the BMW dealership to have them align the wheels because they did not know the specs at which BMW set wheels. I did that the next day. Ever since I changed the rears I've noticed some odd behavior from the car. On the interstate it jerks and pulls like crazy, making lengthy travel a real pain in the ass. Also, I've noticed in general that the car feels a lot less "stable" taking corners at slow/medium speeds while driving in the city. Instead of smoothly taking corners like it used to, it now kind of bounces left and right while moving through a corner, the body rocks side-to-side. Does anyone have any idea what could be happening? Any advice? Anyone ever have the same problem? __________________ 2007 E92 335i--SG, Fully loaded, minus the dead weight..err..iDrive and Active Steering.
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06-19-2009, 10:57 PM	#2
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Brand new tires need some miles to break in a little. Until then, they can feel a little slippery and unstable. Personally, I'm a firm believer in having the same type of tire on all four corners. The PS2 is a very good tire. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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06-19-2009, 11:20 PM	#3
Callsign_Jester Private First Class 1 Rep 125 Posts Drives: Euro Trash Join Date: May 2009 Location: Annapolis, MD iTrader: (0)	PS2's are a great tire, as jopa stated above. I highly doubt that mismatched tires of similar nature would cause the above mentioned problems. If you had a drastic difference like an ultra hard snow compound on the front vs. a soft summer performance on the rear then sure you may have issues. Overall the doubt the tread pattern itself would cause this issue. FWIW: I too am a firm believer in having the same tires on all four corners. (exception being 1/4 mile runs with some stickies) __________________
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06-20-2009, 07:12 AM	#4
twinturboa51 Captain 20 Rep 637 Posts Drives: Mineral Grey F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	the toyos are a directional tire and the michelins are not. that could be the problem. but yes i agree new tires need the mold release material worn off before they perform like they should. i will never by directional tires again i have had two sets before and they tramline and pull every which way. one set was the toyo proxes 4 and they were great except for the tramlining. toyos are also very LOUD. __________________
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