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Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 05:41:53 AM

Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 05:41:53 AM
I need to get tires.  Yeah, only had the car for a year, but I like to go around turns I guess a little fast.  Whatever.

I now have 205/50-17s.  What\'s the difference between Z, Y, W, H rated tires.  Do I really need to get a Z rated tire again or can I get a Y and be happy?
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: GmanJoe on August 07, 2003, 05:45:58 AM
Z for tires that will probably go past 130mph without breaking up. That\'s what i recall. Correct me if I\'m wrong.
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 05:47:31 AM
Well I\'ve only gone 115 and I\'ve only been over 100 a few times.  I went 128 on the dyno though, but you don\'t get far doing that. :)

So maybe I can go with Y?????
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 05:50:03 AM
Oh crap, nevermind.  It comes standard with VR tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+RS-A&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=05VR7RSAXLBM

Here is the list of most popular tires for my car.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/CompareMostPop.jsp?autoYear=2002&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=330i+Sedan&sortCode=49400&width=205/&ratio=50&diameter=17&minSpeedRating=H&minLoad=S&search=mostpop&vehicleSearch=true&speed_rating=HR&speed_rating=VR&speed_rating=WR&speed_rating=YR&speed_rating=ZR&
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: GmanJoe on August 07, 2003, 06:02:35 AM
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/speed.htm

Z=149 MPH, 240km/h and over, Sports Cars

W=168 MPH, 270km/h, Exotic Sport Cars

Y=186 MPH, 300km/h, Exotic Sport Cars
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 06:11:40 AM
OK, so I am at V then I can go 149.  Well I don\'t have a need to go 149.  Would I get more mileage out of a different tire.  Not really wanting to drop 800 bucks on tires every year.
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 06:13:41 AM
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVS+ES100&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=05WR7ES100

then how about these?  They are only 100 bucks.  Does yokohoma suck ass?
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: Tyrant on August 07, 2003, 06:15:09 AM
205/50 on a BMW330i?  if so, are u sure coz even the 325i have a tyre rating of 225/45z-r 17 the 330i are rated at (front) 225/40 R 18  (rear) 255/35 R 18.
btw yokohama makes decent tyres in most cases theyre on par with the expensive michelin\'s (sp?) and pirelli\'s.
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: GmanJoe on August 07, 2003, 06:15:36 AM
Quote
Originally posted by videoholic
OK, so I am at V then I can go 149.  Well I don\'t have a need to go 149.  Would I get more mileage out of a different tire.  Not really wanting to drop 800 bucks on tires every year.


Sometimes. Too much width will give you more traction and friction. That can take off a few miles from a tankful but I\'d say it\'s insignificant. I\'d be more concerned with tire noise, wall stiffness and its abilities in the rain (not just stopping but turning).

Who goes 130+ mph these days? Unless you live in the desert where there are long stretches of road, anything at Z or over is not necessary.
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 06:16:10 AM
That\'s what tire rack has as stock tires on my car.  Let me go out and check.  Damn, now I have to move...
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 06:19:37 AM
Yep, 205/50-17.  Dang.  Now I am winded.



Quote
Originally posted by GmanJoe
Sometimes. Too much width will give you more traction and friction. That can take off a few miles from a tankful but I\'d say it\'s insignificant. I\'d be more concerned with tire noise, wall stiffness and its abilities in the rain (not just stopping but turning).
 


That\'s a problem a guy who lives next door is having with a 530.  He is getting noise now that his tires are wearing.  His tires are a bit wider than mine.

I like the look of a wider tire though.  I don\'t want little pussy geo tires.  Sorry geo owners of the world.

Rain is certainly a concern down here in FL.  I\'d hate to take the foot off the gas for a wimpy shower.  :)
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: Tyrant on August 07, 2003, 06:30:34 AM
wtf man u guys get screwed over when it comes to cars
check out the differences
ours http://www.bmw-me.com/Products/Automobiles/3Series/Sedan/specs330i.asp
yours http://www.bmwusa.com/site_layout/models/0342/0342_techdata.cfm
tho the hp is almost the same, the top speed in the ME version is 250kph or 155mph compared to the american which is only 205kph or 128mph
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 06:55:33 AM
Well it\'s just a governor.  You can always take the governor off by reprogramming it.  Don\'t forget, there isn\'t really any need in the US to go over 70 let alone 128.
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: Tyrant on August 07, 2003, 07:02:57 AM
Quote
Originally posted by videoholic
  Don\'t forget, there isn\'t really any need in the US to go over 70 let alone 128.

make one up ;).
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: videoholic on August 07, 2003, 07:25:33 AM
I think I am just going to go with the stock tire.  Look like they are online at 122.  If BF Goodwrench has a comparible tire then I may just get them.
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: Kurt Angle on August 07, 2003, 11:50:14 AM
My car has Michelin H tyres and I have driven at 120mph no problem at all.
Title: Can someone explain tire ratings?
Post by: THX on August 07, 2003, 11:56:23 AM
I was going 125mph on Goodyear Regatta 2\'s.  Ride was super smooth too!  Had 2 people sleeping in the back, lol

The tire tread and model is more important than the speed rating.  Most enthusiasts go for Z-rated tires if they like to push the limits of their car.  If you want better traction look at the sports/performance models of Michelin/BFG/Yoko/Toyo/ etc...  While you\'ll get more rubber on the road you\'ll lose the full diameter grooves for traction in the rain.  Worth it if you\'re a safe driver imo..