Recomended tire pressures in TIS manual??

[Russell]

I ran across the following recomended NORMAL LOAD tire pressures for 1991 BMW e34s in the TIS.

525i 26f 32r
535i 29f 35r
m5 38f 41r

This is substantually different than the door sticker (MAX load) and what most people seem to run. I know that if I run higher pressures such 34 front & 37 rear the ride is rather rough, especially over tar strips and bridge edges.

Just my observation. Wonder what the best pressure is for tire life, comfort and handling?

[Tiger]

The key is 4 to 6 PSI differential... Try 30 front and and 34 rear.

[jplacson]

Well, as I recently found out... those numbers found in the manual and on the door panel are if you stick to the recommended tire size.

I'm running 225/45/18 on my E34...something that BMW never anticipated at the time my car was designed or built (back in 1989, rims this size didn't exist yet) ... Now, I run 36psi all around, as recommended by the tire manufacturer for my tires, with a max psi of 44psi.

If I was using the stock tire size, I'd probably just be running 28psi or 30psi all around.

[jplacson]

Hmmm... how come BMW filled my fronts with a 41 and my rears with a 36?

[Tiger]

maybe u are reading it backward

[Jeff N.]

I run about +2 to 3 lbs in the fronts vs. the rear. Helps mitigate the understeer inherent in the E34.

[jplacson]

ok... that makes sense. Thanks!

[Unregistered]

My 1991 535i/A 5 speed has that exact information on the door plate for "normal" (up to 4 people) loads. 35F and 44R for "maximum" loads. I run higher than the "normal" pressure for longer tire life.

Paul

[Russell]

My door sticker states for non US countries 26/32 only? Go figure!

My 1991 535i/A 5 speed has that exact information on the door plate for "normal" (up to 4 people) loads. 35F and 44R for "maximum" loads. I run higher than the "normal" pressure for longer tire life.

Paul