E46 changes

I have an E36 convertible so I can't really help you with changes to an E46, but I will say this...

You have a convertible. Convertibles rattle. It's a universal truth.

David Haggas wrote:

Actually - the E46 ones don't if you get a decent on. Had both, big difference. The E36 drove me nuts. They made a lot of progress in both body rigidity and sound deadening, plus they made the top assembly much quieter by using anti-squeak materials where parts make contact.

Nor does my Z4.

Tom K.

That's my question really. Do they vary? Were improvements made to hood mechanisms on the later ones? I suspect the tyres on the sport version don't help - 18" 225/40 front and 255/35 rear make it hard work on all body parts including the drivers on poor roads.

I'm going to change to 17" 225/50 all round to introduce some additional compliancy and reduce road noise.

"David Haggas" wrote

225/45R17 is the size you need (that size is the sport package on E46/325i) If you want an even softer ride, 205/50R17; noticeably less tramlining, softer ride and not as sharp turnin.

FloydR

I thought 205's would be a bit narrow looking on the E46. 225/45 would be an improvement I'm sure, better still 225/50.

I have 205/55R16 Continental Sportcontact on my E30 sport and find them a very good ride/handling compromise over poor road surfaces. These tyres have far superior ride to the previous 205/50 Yokohama rubber previously used.

David

Tell me that when the cars are 8 years old like my E36; my wife's choice BTW

Tom K. wrote:

My '95 Miata R doesn't rattle.

-- Larry

"David Haggas"

Seriously, the difference betw. 225/45 and 205/50 tire sidewall height is

1.25mm - not enough to notice any difference in ride softness or turn-in response. Reduced tramlining - I can agree, as it has to do with width.

With 225/50/17, you'll be throwing off your odo and speedo. You will also run a risk of bottoming out and tire rubbing against the wheel well since the new size is 3.5% taller, but that risk is probably low enough.

Cheers, Pete

"David Haggas" wrote

Rather than using a non-recommended size, you may want to concentrate on choosing a tire with softer sidewalls. If you'll be sticking with summer tires (on a convertible, you probably will), the ContiSportContact2 is a rather comfy and quiet option. Otherwise, I am sure most of the all-season tires have relatively soft sidewalls as well. You'll sacrifice performance, but since comfort seems to be the main priority here, I guess you'd be willing to accept the tradeoff.

Cheers, Pete

In the Summer I run 215/45-17. I think it's about perfect for the 323 or 325. I'd probably go up a 225 if I had a 328 or 330...

I'm doing the same by using 205/55R16 rather than 205/50R16 on my E30. Like you say the risk of rubbing is low. I have had no problems over several years in using this size. I did notice a big difference in ride quality going from 50 to 55 but agree that could be largely due to difference in tyre manufacture.

Eh, I'm halfway there. :) epbrown