A little of topic

[Bayarea Q]

This is a little of topic....my good friend just purchased a set of new tires for his 2001 or (02) 330.It came with 205/45/17 continentals and the tire shop put on 205/50/17. He had no idea (does not understand tire sizes) this happened, untill I explained it to him. Now he is upset and wants to take his car back and exchange the tires.

Do you guys think the difference in aspect ratio between these two tires is enough to worry about? I told him the speedo & odo may be off slighty, as well as the car riding a little higher. May need an alignment?

Sorry to post this here but I wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks,Robert

[Mayhem_J30]

i think it would be critical to get the right tires on there. he will be going faster then his speedo shows. he'll also be losing some acceleration with the larger diameter to spin.

[AZhitman]

Yep - Have 'em swapped. If nothing else, he'd be better off going wider than taller. As it stands, he's just gone taller.

[PalmerWMD]

Ditto.

Fred...

[Bayarea Q]

Thanks guys!

[911/Q45]

Tire Rack has tables that show the tire height for different sizes and brands. Oddly, different brands have significantly different heights at the same stated size. Compare the height between the brand and size he took off and the ones now on the car, it may not be much. In any case the alignment isn't effected.

[Bayarea Q]

OK, I got another one for you.

Who is at fault here? I mean someone has to eat this set for 1K. He just droped it off and asked for the same size that's on it now. Is it his fault for not double checking? Or is it the shops fault?

[greg_atlanta]

According to Edmunds, 205/50/17 is the correct size.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/200....BMW*

If you go to a shop and say "I want tires" and nothing else, the tire shop will go by the book, not what's on the car.

[Bayarea Q]

yeah, I just noticed that,I wonder why he would have 45 series from the dealer......

[greg_atlanta]

I'm sure there's an excuse for everything... really very little difference between the two sizes, but the lower profile tire will wear out a little faster since it usually has a lower load rating. But varies between brands.....

Sounds like a good opportunity for your friend to learn more about tires!

[DAEDALUS]

I'm curious as to what the owner's manual states is the correct size.

[maxnix]

Seems the 50 aspect tires would be required to meet the load rating, as 205 sure sounds skinny to me.

Please post the sidewall information as well as brand and model.

[Bayarea Q]

He is going to stick with this set of tires. As he was doing a friend a favor and buying them through his shop. So he feels that it's the right size. His manual says that his new tires are the correct size. Mich Pilots 20/50ZR/17 tread was 220 traction AA I think temp was A. That's all I can remember. I think it's OK.....