How do you change your square set of tires?

[tranquility]

Which is the better way, since our rears wear out much faster than the fronts:
1. just put the new 2 tires to replace the rears; or
2. transfer the existing front tires to the rear and put the new ones on the front?

I'm guessing always better to have the newer ones on the rear/driving wheels but maybe you guys have some other insight?

[cruisingdownthestreet]

my dad and i always rotate front-to-back tires. once the now-back (formerly front) tires start to wear we buy 4 new tires. we drive on average 6,000 miles per year.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by cruisingdownthestreet

my dad and i always rotate front-to-back tires. once the now-back (formerly front) tires start to wear we buy 4 new tires. we drive on average 6,000 miles per year.

Is there a reason you guys do that? I've been doing it the other way but not sure if it's the best way.

[cruisingdownthestreet]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Is there a reason you guys do that? I've been doing it the other way but not sure if it's the best way.

our treads don't wear out as fast. and we're not mustang drivers.

also, i could be VERY wrong and come off looking stupid, but i think buying 4 tires at once is cheaper (costco coupon) than buying 2 at a time (no coupon)?

[paris1]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Which is the better way, since our rears wear out much faster than the fronts:
1. just put the new 2 tires to replace the rears; or
2. transfer the existing front tires to the rear and put the new ones on the front?

I'm guessing always better to have the newer ones on the rear/driving wheels but maybe you guys have some other insight?

The "better way" would be to rotate your tires every 5k miles to equalize wear, which it sounds like you haven't been doing!

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by paris1

The "better way" would be to rotate your tires every 5k miles to equalize wear, which it sounds like you haven't been doing!

That's true, but I have 2 versions (slightly diff trend pattern) of the same tire and hate rotating them up so I keep them in the same 'axle' as my only option...does that make sense to do that instead?

[paris1]

Originally Posted by tranquility

That's true, but I have 2 versions (slightly diff trend pattern) of the same tire and hate rotating them up so I keep them in the same 'axle' as my only option...does that make sense to do that instead?

Why not just rotate them front to back and back to front? That keeps same treads on same end. I'd kill to be able to rotate on my car, but it's a staggered setup and I'm having difficulty achieving any kind of tire wear balance. Just bought rears at Costco to go with my half worn fronts, but I suspect the fronts will wear out before the new rears. Dumb setup BMW!

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by paris1

Why not just rotate them front to back and back to front? That keeps same treads on same end. I'd kill to be able to rotate on my car, but it's a staggered setup and I'm having difficulty achieving any kind of tire wear balance. Just bought rears at Costco to go with my half worn fronts, but I suspect the fronts will wear out before the new rears. Dumb setup BMW!

I'm staggered too, but just for summer...I guess you are summer all year round?

Your suggestion goes back to my OP...so in my case you'd suggest putting the new 2 tires in the front and moving my old ones to the rear? Ofc I have square set for winter.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I'm staggered too, but just for summer...I guess you are summer all year round?

Your suggestion goes back to my OP...so in my case you'd suggest putting the new 2 tires in the front and moving my old ones to the rear? Ofc I have square set for winter.

Oh, I misunderstood. No, always put the best tires on the rear.

[dblaron30i]

Just a question. But are all z4's not different sizes from front to rear?? Mine are 9"s in the front and 10"s in the rear. I have always had to buy new tires for the rear even my Porsche is layed out this way. Is there a lower suspension trim I'm not aware of?

[cruisingdownthestreet]

Originally Posted by dblaron30i

Just a question. But are all z4's not different sizes from front to rear?? Mine are 9"s in the front and 10"s in the rear. I have always had to buy new tires for the rear even my Porsche is layed out this way. Is there a lower suspension trim I'm not aware of?

looks like 28's use 9" tires whereas 35's use 9" and 10" tires, which is why i replied the way i did and OP asked the way he did.

[dblaron30i]

Oh no worries. I was just wondering for my knowledge about the tires. But I also have a 30i with M Suspension. So maybe that's a factor as well. I wonder why BMW chose to do that on the 28i.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by dblaron30i

Oh no worries. I was just wondering for my knowledge about the tires. But I also have a 30i with M Suspension. So maybe that's a factor as well. I wonder why BMW chose to do that on the 28i.

More power to the drive wheels on the 35i requires more rubber to put that power to the ground.

[dblaron30i]

Originally Posted by paris1

More power to the drive wheels on the 35i requires more rubber to put that power to the ground.

I totally agree with what you are saying. Yet I just think it's strange that the 28i has 241hp and the 30i has 258hp. Yet they decided to go with two totally different wheel setups. That's not a big difference in hp. I understand the 35i and 35is and why they went that way with the 306+hp. I'm just wondering if it has to do with the package I selected. Are other 30i's set up like the 28i in the matter of same size from front to rear? That is what I was wondering? Or was it really just a cost saver or up charge to the consumer marketed as a needed setup?

[jts1981]

So a couple of things.

Number 1 if you have a squared set up would rotate 5k-7k miles. This would be front to rear.

Now if you are buying 2 tires at a time, for a winter application, you should put the new tires on the front. That goes for both fwd and rwd. Previously the idea was that the new tires should go on the drive axle, but safety studies have changed this notion. The updated idea is that safety comes through car control and you will get the most control through steering. The drive axle is not as relevant.

Here is one video that shows this first hand.

Now for summer applications I don't think it would matter so much.

btw, I am staggered winter and summer set-ups. I tend to use a wheel/ tire set up for 2/3 years and sell while there is still some value left in the set. This way I get a brand new/wheel tire set up with out paying for it all out of pocket.

I understand that sounds a bit tedious but I like to switch things up.

[tranquility]

^Interesting premise but I stopped watching the video when he mentioned that the 2 sets are different tires/brands, why would anyone mix them up?

[jts1981]

lol, Here are other videos showing the opposite...I retract my previous statement..

[tranquility]

Can you give cliffs for those that don't wanna bother watching the vids?

[jts1981]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Can you give cliffs for those that don't wanna bother watching the vids?

The Michelin video is very short. New tires on rear will make it less prone to hydroplane.

[cruisingdownthestreet]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Can you give cliffs for those that don't wanna bother watching the vids?

"never put your best foot forward. always put your new tires on the rear."