I just installed a set of M172 wheels on my car and would like to know what BMW recommends for the tire pressure with a "normal" load (not the heaviest setting). I have done some research in the various E60 owner's manuals posted in this forum and have found some answers, but would like to know what the tire pressure sticker on the driver's door frame says on the cars themselves.

Just in case anyone does not know which wheel type the 172's are (I know.......people on this board would know, but just in case). they are the 19" double spoke wheels that are available as an option on non-US M-Sport E60's, and come standard on the new LCI US model 550i with the M-Sport Package.

Thanks in Advance and here's a couple of pictures of the 172's:

 

Interesting question. Do they really have a different set of ideal pressures for each style of rim or is it just a generic based on tire size? As I recall (will have to go look in the car), the chart is simply based on tire size, covering a broad range of sizes and potential weight scenarios. For example, it does not list style 116 that came as stock on my non-sports package 545 or style 124 for sports package models. Maybe the 19" rims and the corresponding tire sizes are not covered on the stock chart.

 

It "should" not matter what wheels are used. The tire pressure should be based on the tire size and the car itself. I was just curious what the BMW recommended pressures were over the past couple of years for that size tire and also if it were any different on the US models. Normally they should all be the same, however, you may remember that the 2005 model year US 545 sport had a different tire pressure sticker than the previous 2004 one, and it was different from the non-US models as well. They posted just one set of tire pressures on the sticker with no reference to weight. Also, the front and rear pressures listed on the sticker were much higher on the 2005 545 vs. the 2004 and other non-US models. So even though I have found the information I need in one of the owner's manuals I am just trying to see if BMW has been consistant with this pressure spec. or whether they have diferent numbers floating around, like they had for the 545.

The other thing is that I am running one size bigger tires than the standard BMW 19's (255/285 vs. 245/275), so I just want to know what BMW's latest numbers are for the 245/275's in 19's and then try to figure out if I need to adjust them for my bigger tires.

 

Gotcha! I had forgotten about the year-over-year and European variance on tire pressures from BMW. By the way the wheels look outstanding. Didn't realize how good they looked until I saw them in person at my dealer this past weekend.

 

Nice wheels, that's one of my favourite.

 

Thanks AC_S5

 

Hmmm ...........no response yet??

 

I have the standard 245/275 set up. I have used pressure settings of 230 front and 260 rear for almost 2 years, and the tyre wear has been really good and even.

What are the exact dimensions of your rear tyres?
285/30 or 285/35?

 

rody:

Page 219 of the 08 US online users manual shows the recommended pressures. If I'm reading correctly, it's 32/33 psi (front/rear) for a normal load and 35/42 for a heavy load.

 

For some odd reason even old members do not tell what tyres they have.

The tyres are the most important feature to the handling on a E60.

Exact brand name (all season etc) and size are needed as the whereabouts where they are used.

Ie my summer tyres work pretty nicely at temps above +20 C but at under + 10, not at all.