Hello there and welcome to the BMW Car Club of America.

If you are a BMW CCA member, please log in and introduce yourself in our Member Introductions section.

Need to replace 1 tire, can I mismatch pairs?

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by 190796, Sep 6, 2012.

    • Member

    190796

    Post Count: 48
    Likes Received:1
    Today I had a blow out. My Bridgestone Potenza RE760 shredded. It was not worn out, but stuff happens. No drama BTW, just pulled over, totally controllable even at highway speeds. So, now I have 3 really fine Potenza RE-760s with about 1/2 the tread left. I could (A) buy 1 more same tire and have uneven wear (B) buy 2 new of the same size and have uneven wear ft vs rear (C) buy 2 new different model tires (like the hot new Michelins) or (D) buy 4 new tires. What do you think about running mismatched wear levels and or different models front & rear. My car has M5 staggered size wheels.
    • Member
    • Staff

    steven s

    Post Count: 1,732
    Likes Received:35
    I've driven with different worn tires on each corner. Never bothered bother me.
    But if it did bother me I'd probably go with 2 new tires but certainly not all 4.

    I wouldn't consider worn tires as being mismatched.
    I don't like mixing different brands/models if I don't have to.

    Put the new ones on the rear and the older ones up front.
    I wouldn't go through the trouble of breaking tires down to swap from front to rear.

    Maybe even find a spare wheel to give yourself a real spare, even if you can't carry it around.
    I'm guessing your front wheel will fit on the back in a pinch?
    • Member

    190796

    Post Count: 48
    Likes Received:1
    Oh yes, they fit in any position. I have 3 sets of wheels, 1 with snows, M5s with summer tires and a spare set because I got 'em cheap. I appreciate the advice. I am thinking the same. I don't like mixing brands either and since the rears wear out faster a new pair of rears is probably the way to go.
    • Member

    190796

    Post Count: 48
    Likes Received:1
    Update. I measured the tread depth, pretty shallow. I bought 1 matching tire, almost as cheap as the cheapest 275/35/18 at Tire Rack, and they will ship it tomorrow. I think that will get me into snow tire season and then I can consider what the best tire is for next summer.
    • Member

    MGarrison

    Post Count: 2,135
    Likes Received:63
    With 2-3 months to go before throwing on the snows, probably not that big of a deal. For street driven tires, besides the obvious tread-depth consideration you've already measured (which, for spring/summer tires, goes towards hydroplaning resistance), the age of the tires should be considered, as tire tread compounds harden not only with use, but also age, even if they're not driven on much, or even just sitting. A substantial difference in age between the tires on the vehicle should be avoided, for the risk of handling issues. Sticking brand new tires on the front of a rear-wheel drive BMW but not the rears, possibly puts one at risk for something like an unexpected spin, if the rears were to lose traction before the fronts. Steven's suggestion to throw the older tires on the front axle would put you in the situation that if the older tires did lose traction, you'd be in a less-panic-inducing situation of understeer, compared to having the back end of the car unexpectedly stepping out sideways on you. Replaced the set of tires on my mom's car earlier this year when one tire was vandalized - she doesn't drive that much, plenty of tread depth remaining, but, besides the same tire being no longer available, the set was 8 years old; not worth the risk to continue running on 'em.
    • Member
    • Staff

    Satch SoSoCalifortified

    Post Count: 1,921
    Likes Received:34
    Not just hydroplaning, but braking efficiency: It goes away at a scary rate when your tires are down to 60% of their original tread depth...
    • Member
    • Staff

    steven s

    Post Count: 1,732
    Likes Received:35
    I think tire compound makes a huge difference too. Not just depth and sipes.
    My Toyo T1S or T1Rs handle very well in the rain even at the wear bars whereas my Yokohama Intermediates where deadly at the wear bars. This is going back ~10 years though.

    Rain, better tires up front.
    Performance, better tires in the rear.

    Guess I'm the only one around here who drives until I start to see cords. :)
    • Member

    CRKrieger

    Post Count: 1,590
    Likes Received:16
    Sorry, Steven, but the better tires ALWAYS go on the back!

    two30grain guest

    Post Count: 130
    Likes Received:6
    As a note in this thread, its best practice to replace tires in pairs, side to side.
    • Member
    • Staff

    steven s

    Post Count: 1,732
    Likes Received:35
    We are in agreement there. In the rain I'd probably want tires with deeper thread and sipes on the front. But generally, my better tires are on the rear right now.

Share This Page