Hi Ashton,
I appreciate your help and advice, and, well, I do understand what you're saying (in that wheels change over time) ...
However, sheer logic says that, if the wheel match-mounting mark were really therefore meaningless for replacement tires, then, (most) replacement tires would not have any need for the *legal requirement* that the high spot & heavy spot be marked (since the vast majority of replacement tires do *not* go on brand new unused wheels).
So, that belies logic (although the government isn't known to be logical).
Actually, for all but aluminum rims, the algorithm is explained in the following articles I read before posting to this newsgroup:
- Motor magazine article on match mounting for aluminum wheels: formatting link
- Bridgestone pamphlet on match mounting: formatting link
- Bridgestone magazine article on match mounting: formatting link
- Yokohama article explaining the "Uniformity" and "Weight" methods of match mounting: formatting link
- Yokohama TSB on match mounting: formatting link
- Rubber Manufacturers Association tire booklet (See Chapter 2, page 33 "Match Mounting"): formatting link
- Tire Rack article on match mounting: formatting linkMy problem is in what the significance of the dimple is in the stock BMW BBS aluminum rims, since all these articles imply there is no match-mounting point in the aluminum wheels (yet, contradictory words are in the articles which state that the marks are mandatory by wheel manufacturers).
I'll call BBS to see what I can find out about that notch in my BBS wheels.