Another question - do the rear tyres usually wear more in the centres or is this more likely to be as a result of the tyre pressure issue I've already mentioned (inaccurate local garage gauge causing me to continuously over inflate by approx 8-9 PSI without realising)? If that is the case why haven't the fronts worn in the same way?

 

Palmo,

My 535d running on Continentals also suffers more than I expected in crosswinds - considering it is a heavy car (1785kg). I had put it down to the bumper air-intakes (funnels or whatever) leading into the front wheel arches causing a problem. However, I too check tyre pressures regularly and would be interested to know if the choice of tyre could reduce the cars odd behaviour in cross winds. When mine is due for new tyres Ill be ensuring the tyres and wheels are correctly balanced and aligned. Using a supplier using Pro Align kit Pro Align

Ed

 

Take a look at the attached article that does draw a relationship between wheel, tire, and crosswind effect. http://bulktransporter.com/mag/transportat...enter_steering/

The article suggests that your tires move in the same direction as the force pushing the car. Certain power steering mechanisms built into the car seem to counter these affects. I would guess that certain tires are also more sensitive and some less to the "pull" caused by crosswinds.

Best regards,
Richard

 

Sorry for the late input, only just found this thread. I have a 3 month old 535d M-Sport, also with the 19" non runflats. I also live near Manchester UK, and was also out and about on the M6, M56 and M62 over the past few weeks during terrible cross winds. The car felt rock solid to me. Certainly the best car I've driven in cross winds. I took my wife's X5 out and felt like I was going to tip over because the 535 was just planted in comparison.

I needed a new tyre after just a week or so of ownership (nail in rear tyre ... sob). Had it done by BMW, was about ?280 I think but can't remember exactly. I am sure there will be a thread on here somewhere by me, sulking and complaining about it!

 

Went to Las Vegas from LA on Christmas day with strong Santa Ana wind blowing. Saw 2 18-wheelers flipped over on the side of freeway 15 due to strong wind. However, I didn't feel too much affect by the wind. I have Dunlop RFT.

 

Could be the non-runflats as mine is the SE model with runflats and it's pretty much rock solid.

 

Thanks for the link. Richard I'll do some digging around e60.net to bag the factory tolerances for suspension/wheel geometry.

 

Hi Palmo

Sorry to hear your Crosswind issue seems to be getting worse, I may be way off but i can't see how crosswind instability can be linked to tyres, on the subject of tyres though, after reading this thread I checked the rears on my car which now has a little over 19000mls on the clock, the wear is even accross the tread at a smidgen below 4mm. I've put no air what so ever in my tyres since new, I figured the TPMS doing it's job should alert me to any drop in pressure outwith any tolerances they have built in to the system.

I'll keep my eye on the crosswinds point and let you know of anything out of the ordinary.

 

My Conti's had worn in the middle more than the outers, this was also the same on my previous 5 series. I always had the correct pressure, and an accurate gauge.

 

My 2004 545i (non sport, non rft) needed a steady hand going from Denver to St. Louis recently. I was surprised at how the car darted about when hit by wind blasts.

The tires are new Continentals and I believe the alignment is good. Maybe this is to be expected for a car that has a low .29 cd!

I adapted pretty quickly though and the trip ended smoothly. (The mileage was great by the way.)