E39 523i Tyre availability

[xavrsa]

Hi Guys.
I have a e39 523i. For the last 330,000km I ususally fitted the standard size 225 60 15 bridgestone tyres, and never had issues...until recently where the dealers could not find Bridgestone and fitted KUMO's. I was not too keen on it, if I wanted Kumo, I would buy a Korean car... not a BMW! I noticed that the car's reaction where not so "clean". What must I say, this was the only tyre available! But last week end, under the rain, I lost control of the car, for the first time. In a curve I know well the car went into a weird understeer at such reasonable speed that it ended without more trouble. Now I am scared of those shit:yuck:. what do you guys fit on your car? were you also told that no more premium brand tyres are not available for our faithful old Beemer?

 

[msm]

Check out tyre traders (Tyre Traders Link).

Seems to be Pirelli and Yokohamas in that size. Also check with Mintys on Toyos.

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Hi Guys.
I have a e39 523i. For the last 330,000km I ususally fitted the standard size 225 60 15 bridgestone tyres, and never had issues...until recently where the dealers could not find Bridgestone and fitted KUMO's. I was not too keen on it, if I wanted Kumo, I would buy a Korean car... not a BMW! I noticed that the car's reaction where not so "clean". What must I say, this was the only tyre available! But last week end, under the rain, I lost control of the car, for the first time. In a curve I know well the car went into a weird understeer at such reasonable speed that it ended without more trouble. Now I am scared of those shit:yuck:. what do you guys fit on your car? were you also told that no more premium brand tyres are not available for our faithful old Beemer?

... and there's part of your problem. Don't put too much trust in dealers.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Check out tyre traders (Tyre Traders Link).

Seems to be Pirelli and Yokohamas in that size. Also check with Mintys on Toyos.

---

Hi Guys.
I have a e39 523i. For the last 330,000km I ususally fitted the standard size 225 60 15 bridgestone tyres, and never had issues...until recently where the dealers could not find Bridgestone and fitted KUMO's. I was not too keen on it, if I wanted Kumo, I would buy a Korean car... not a BMW! I noticed that the car's reaction where not so "clean". What must I say, this was the only tyre available! But last week end, under the rain, I lost control of the car, for the first time. In a curve I know well the car went into a weird understeer at such reasonable speed that it ended without more trouble. Now I am scared of those shit:yuck:. what do you guys fit on your car? were you also told that no more premium brand tyres are not available for our faithful old Beemer?

... and there's part of your problem. Don't put too much trust in dealers.

---

+1!

Aside from the tyres, what is the condition of your car's suspension components? Could be a cause of the handling problems! These newer Korean tyres are actually not that bad, they may be cheaper in most cases, but they are often as good if not better than the bigger brands...

 

[whattingh]

Ok I cant believe that you cant get the bridgestones. Found around a bit. Or phone bridgestone sa directly and ask them. I got a pair 225/60/15 bridgestone in feb easily.

 

[calypso]

I hunted 2 weeks to find tires all over the country. One would think with the markups charged locally the guys would atleast have a little variety.

 

[xavrsa]

Check out tyre traders (Tyre Traders Link).

Seems to be Pirelli and Yokohamas in that size. Also check with Mintys on Toyos.

---

Hi Guys.
I have a e39 523i. For the last 330,000km I ususally fitted the standard size 225 60 15 bridgestone tyres, and never had issues...until recently where the dealers could not find Bridgestone and fitted KUMO's. I was not too keen on it, if I wanted Kumo, I would buy a Korean car... not a BMW! I noticed that the car's reaction where not so "clean". What must I say, this was the only tyre available! But last week end, under the rain, I lost control of the car, for the first time. In a curve I know well the car went into a weird understeer at such reasonable speed that it ended without more trouble. Now I am scared of those shit:yuck:. what do you guys fit on your car? were you also told that no more premium brand tyres are not available for our faithful old Beemer?

... and there's part of your problem. Don't put too much trust in dealers.

---

+1!

Aside from the tyres, what is the condition of your car's suspension components? Could be a cause of the handling problems! These newer Korean tyres are actually not that bad, they may be cheaper in most cases, but they are often as good if not better than the bigger brands...

---

Thank you for your input. I confirm that suspension is supposed to be 100%. Shocks and some components are only 20,000 km. All was fine before I put the Kumo's. I find since more vibrations in the steering wheel. I have to play with air pressure to find a compromise between harch reaction / bouncing on smaller corrugations and understeer.
Never had such issues with previous tyres!!
thank you for the link. I can now make my demands.

Have a good week end.

 

[brimes]

try the TOYO - bloody good tyre - i've got them on my 540 and never had issues.

good luck :thumbs:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Okay, if as you say the suspension is fine, then I can't believe that these Bridgestones aren't available. Phone around, may not be available at the nearest tyre fitment centre, but if available at another branch they usually have no problem sending up to your nearest fitment centre...