Staggered Or Not?

[mLuMaN83]

**I cant figure out how to delete the poll. So disregard please.**


I may make a move into some wheels within the next 2 months. Have not decided on if I wanna sell my style 68's or keep em for a "going snowboarding and need some snow tires to get up the mountain" setup.

I am not planning on dropping it cuz I want to preserve the stock ride quality. The OEM sport suspension is enough I think.

18x8.5 and I am considering the CSL Reps. Also do you think a staggered setup would be best? I was thinking that going 8.5 all around would allow me to rotate the tires but then again I hear BMW does not recommend rotating and the 8.5 might look funny up front AND I hear it might feel funny when turning.

Help me decide

[johnrando]

I haven't done it yet but I've heard no issues with 8.5 all the way around. I'm not sure what the "no rotating" would be but I could imagine a tons of things that really don't make sense as a consumer if you have the right setup.

[nike001]

One can only have advantages from doing a square set-up

EDIT: I'll post a bit more information in this thread:

BMW only 'doesn't' recommend rotating tires because it yields no gain. Our cars are almost perfectly balanced with 50/50 weight distribution.. this is why.

There is no problem with going 8.5 squared. There will be no aesthetic flaws and your turn in grip will be greatly improved. Ask Kyle (M0nk3y) about staggered set-ups.
-Staggered = Understeer
-Square = Oversteer.

[johnrando]

One can only have advantages from doing a square set-up

EDIT: I'll post a bit more information in this thread:

BMW only 'doesn't' recommend rotating tires because it yields no gain. Our cars are almost perfectly balanced with 50/50 weight distribution.. this is why.

There is no problem with going 8.5 squared. There will be no aesthetic flaws and your turn in grip will be greatly improved. Ask Kyle (M0nk3y) about staggered set-ups.
-Staggered = Understeer
-Square = Oversteer.

That.

[az3579]

BMW only 'doesn't' recommend rotating tires because it yields no gain. Our cars are almost perfectly balanced with 50/50 weight distribution.. this is why.


This is proven by the fact that I've never had a set of fronts or rears have more wear than the other set. All tire wear has always been equal.

[Go Horns!]

This is proven by the fact that I've never had a set of fronts or rears have more wear than the other set. All tire wear has always been equal.

I've read plenty of times on the BMW boards where people wear out the rears before they wear out the fronts. Is that just from burnouts and donuts? My experience so far has been even wear, but I do not "abuse" the ZHP in such unrefined ways.

[Katu]

I thought rears would wear faster because the power is at the rear wheels? Just like on a FWD car the fronts wear faster. Anyhow I get free rotation/rebalance where I bought my tires, might as well!

[zj96sc]

Clearly, square, so i can sell you my square CSL rep set! :biggrin

edit: i'm an idiot

[Newjack]

I've read plenty of times on the BMW boards where people wear out the rears before they wear out the fronts. Is that just from burnouts and donuts? My experience so far has been even wear, but I do not "abuse" the ZHP in such unrefined ways.

Even during normal use, the rears always wear out faster than the fronts. Like Katu said, the power goes to the rear wheels, so they wear faster. Any slipping or force is used on those back wheels. The fronts are just along for the ride. They steer too, which is probably a good thing.

V6 Revolution + TT

[danewilson77]

My tire wear is determined by camber, as I do not lose traction all that much. Seems to me... Rear has more camber = wears out faster?

I would have to look at alignment specs though.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[zj96sc]

On my e36ms this was the case - rear inners would be on the cords before the outer was on the wear bars.

[az3579]

On my e36ms this was the case - rear inners would be on the cords before the outer was on the wear bars.

This. Though, the fronts were pretty darned close as far as inner wear goes.

I dunno, it must just be my conservative driving style then. I always have to replace my tires in fours instead of pairs.
Perhaps you guys should stop doing burnouts in parking lots. :biggrin

[mLuMaN83]

I think squared may be the way to go then. Also, do I really want 8.5 squared. I mean, I want it cuz of the looks but Umnitza has them fo $569 but they are 18x8. Next option is Modbargains and they are asking $799 for 18x8.5.