[The X Men]

I am just wondering what pressure setting everyone is using for the oem 18" pirelli tires. I have it set to the door sticker, 32 lbs front and 34 rear and the handling is a bit sluggish. I am thinking about increseing it a couple of pounds. Anyone in here running higher than factory recommanded tire pressure? if so, what are the results? Thank You.

[CanadianDriver]

i think using the psi settings for 5 passenger payload would be a good start. the door jamb would say how much

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by CanadianDriver

i think using the psi settings for 5 passenger payload would be a good start. the door jamb would say how much

Thats what I am using now, but dont you think 32 psi is a bit low for the front tires?

[fjrmann]

i am running 40 psi in all four tires. i havent noticed any negs. i run it in sport mode with the chassis settings, it handles very nice.


fjrmann

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by fjrmann

i am running 40 psi in all four tires. i havent noticed any negs. i run it in sport mode with the chassis settings, it handles very nice.


fjrmann

The recommanded pressure will 5 passenger + luggage and 100 MPH and over is 38psi front and 44 rear. That might be a bit higher than I like and my wife never drives over a 100 MPH.

[citrilla]

Why would want to ignore recommended pressures? Over inflated tyres will create more central tread wear

[CanadianDriver]

manual says 32/35... add 2psi on all and see how feels

[mge92]

I am running 35 fronts and 40 rears and it handles perfectly and no issues and I have the 19 inch wheels

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by citrilla

Why would want to ignore recommended pressures? Over inflated tyres will create more central tread wear

I run about 3 psi up on the recommended. It gives a better ride (strangely) and crisper handling. After 17k miles my tread depth is between 4mm and 5mm across each tyre, which is as even as any X3 and better than some.

[The X Men]

clivem2, so you are running 35 psi F and 38 rear on your 18" tires?
I just pump up my front tires to 34 psi, they were 32 F and 35 R, I left the rear alone. I am hoping this will give me a better steering feel and more even wear between the front and rear tires.

[clivem2]

I run about 35/38 but I can't say this is the best....

[terrytnt]

I'm confused ... sticker on my door (for 19 in rims) says 32 F/ 38 R. Given I drive with 1-2 individuals and rarely a heavy load - what's the best handling pressure for these RF Tires? By the way, I have M package, DHP and love driving in the Sport+ mode and want the car to handle in the most optimal mode - care less about tire wear.

[cfw]

If you up the pressure it will change the feel of the ride. Are the roads you're driving on forcing yout change the feel, or are you trying to adjust performance?

[The X Men]

I am now on +2 up front, 34 F 35 R, and I think the steering feels better. The ride is about the same. Personally, I think the factory recommended pressure of 32 PSI up front is too low for low profile tires.

[cfw]

Did you try the electronic suspension changes you can make in addition to the tire pressure changes? Sport setting seems to improve how fast the steering responds. You should be careful running tires at non-standard pressures as it changes the rate at which they wear.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by cfw

You should be careful running tires at non-standard pressures as it changes the rate at which they wear.

It does but.....the standard BMW advice is often very generic and not properly tested. On a previous BMW the advice for my very low profile tyres was 44 PSI but the manufacturer's max PSI on the sidewall was specified as 40 PSI. They don't test all combinations and 2 or 3 PSI can make a difference to the way the car feels but won't dramatically change wear rates. I suspect over-inflation is better than under-inflation.

[The X Men]

If one is worry about tire wear, then the BMW's recommanded psI setting would not make sense at all. BMW recommands higher pressure in the rear which would mean that the front and rear tires will wear differently at the outside section of the thread and in the middle.

[citrilla]

Maybe someone should ask BMW how they arrive at their recommended pressures. Clearly they have good reasons to issue these pressures or maybe it is the tyre manufacturer who suggests the pressures. Either way, I suspect they would not recommend some of the suggestions being made.

[clivem2]

Given the variety of OEM fitted tyres I expect the recommended pressures are very approximate, they can't possibly be optimal for all fitted tyre makes and variants.