The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.
Car, Truck and SUV Forums at Roadfly
+ Bentley Forums
+ BMW Forums
+ Cadillac Forums
+ Chevrolet Forums
+ Ferrari Forums
+ Jaguar Forums
+ Lamborghini Forums
+ Lotus Forums
+ Mercedes-Benz Forums
+ Maserati Forums
+ MINI Forums
+ Porsche Forums
+ General Discussion
+ Marketplace Forums
Re: 5 series snow tires 17" or 16" (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ Wheel/Tire Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Steve on December 28, 2000 at 21:32:35:

In Reply to: 5 series snow tires 17" or 16" posted by jcs on December 27, 2000 at 16:23:37:

I believe there is some misunderstanding about contact patch. The contact patch size is primarily based upon the weight of the vehicle not the tire width. So, unlike what your thoughts were, a narrower tire will not reduce the patch. It will simply be narrower but longer for the same contact area. Wider tires have wider but shorter patches, again all with the same area. Hope this helps.
What are the thoughts from those that have used 16" tires and rims in place of the normally staggered 17" tires/rims that are on the BMW 540?

Other than the obvious lower cost, it seems that a slightly smaller contact patch, (225 section on all four 16" vs 235 on the 17's), would actually create a better situation in that there is more weight per inch of contact patch......less performance due to the 55 aspect ration, but it;s only for 2 or 3 months......




Follow Ups:


[ Follow Ups ] [ Wheel/Tire Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.
Roadfly.com Logo © 1997 - 2009 Jump Internet Inc. All rights reserved.