550i Sport -- under-tired?

MBrown1003 · 06-20-2010, 10:59 AM

I got a chance to drive a 550i with sport + dynamic handling packages yesterday. In one of the other threads here, someone called it a rocket. Agreed. I really liked the head-up display, too, though I wish it was more like the one in the E60 M5 I drove at the Performance Driving Center. That one had a green/yellow/red arc representing revs, which would be helpful for those of us planning for manual transmissions.

BUT ... the reason for this thread...

I took a couple of sharp corners "enthusiastically". The tires squealed like crazy. I wasn't driving especially aggressively, just taking an exit ramp with brio. It felt to me like the tires (those <bleep> RFTs) were just completely overwhelmed.

What have others found?

dilsere2 · 06-20-2010, 11:21 AM

It was me who said 550i was rocket...I picked up my 550i last week and already put 400 miles on it ..I don't hear any sweak noise on RFT

carl_d · 06-20-2010, 02:08 PM

underinflated tyres!?

raleedy · 06-20-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl_d

underinflated tyres!?

US cars all have TPMS, so that's not too likely. What we do have here is a big, very heavy car and the associated forces.

carl_d · 06-20-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raleedy

US cars all have TPMS, so that's not too likely. What we do have here is a big, very heavy car and the associated forces.

TPMS only works if its set correctly!!!

raleedy · 06-20-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl_d

TPMS only works if its set correctly!!!

And it most likely is.

MBrown1003 · 06-20-2010, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raleedy

US cars all have TPMS, so that's not too likely. What we do have here is a big, very heavy car and the associated forces.

It's been a while since I had my E39 M5, which was no lightweight, but I *think* I was able to take that curve at similar speeds in that car, with no protest from the (non-RFT) tires...even the winter tires.

It'll be a very wacko situation if the 550i feels better on winter [non-RFT] tires!

enigma01 · 06-20-2010, 09:59 PM

It most likely is due to the weight of the car (4300lb+).

ibimmer954 · 06-20-2010, 10:12 PM

I've driven my 535i with Sport+ZDH+IAS aggressively on twisty roads a couple times and I haven't heard any complaints from the tires. The car just remains stuck to the road. I'm still amazed by the handling given how large and quiet the car is. I'd imagine the U.S. 535i and 550i have the same tires.

Wait, do you think they were squealing from the cornering or acceleration? Or were you doing both at the same time. I guess tight cornering plus acceleration could cause some complaints from the tires.

MBrown1003 · 06-20-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibimmer346

I've driven my 535i with Sport+ZDH+IAS aggressively on twisty roads a couple times and I haven't heard any complaints from the tires. The car just remains stuck to the road. I'm still amazed by the handling given how large and quiet the car is. I'd imagine the U.S. 535i and 550i have the same tires.

Wait, do you think they were squealing from the cornering or acceleration? Or were you doing both at the same time. I guess tight cornering plus acceleration could cause some complaints from the tires.

Mostly cornering. It's a tight exit ramp that makes a 180-degree turn. It's not a classic cloverleaf -- tighter radius than that.

carl_d · 06-21-2010, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raleedy

And it most likely is.

Nevertheless its should be checked.

raleedy · 06-21-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl_d

Nevertheless its should be checked.

Indeed. BMW and its dealers are well known for setting up driving demos using cars with four equally flat tires.

carl_d · 06-21-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raleedy

Indeed. BMW and its dealers are well known for setting up driving demos using cars with four equally flat tires.

Same here, I've never had my car back from any dealer or tyre depot with correct inflation - never!

ibimmer954 · 06-21-2010, 12:31 PM

When I got my 335i I couldn't figure out why the steering felt strange until I checked the tire pressure. It was 24-26 psi on all tires! I drove that way for a couple weeks before I got suspicious. The TPMS didn't complain since it was clearly reset to "normal" on those low pressures.

After I brought the 535i home, the first thing I did was check the tire pressure. They were 34 up front and 37 in the back. Exactly what they should be. So at least the dealer didn't mess up this car.

06-20-2010, 10:59 AM	#1
MBrown1003 Eight Bimmers and counting 35 Rep 761 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA iTrader: (0)	550i Sport -- under-tired? I got a chance to drive a 550i with sport + dynamic handling packages yesterday. In one of the other threads here, someone called it a rocket. Agreed. I really liked the head-up display, too, though I wish it was more like the one in the E60 M5 I drove at the Performance Driving Center. That one had a green/yellow/red arc representing revs, which would be helpful for those of us planning for manual transmissions. BUT ... the reason for this thread... I took a couple of sharp corners "enthusiastically". The tires squealed like crazy. I wasn't driving especially aggressively, just taking an exit ramp with brio. It felt to me like the tires (those <bleep> RFTs) were just completely overwhelmed. What have others found? __________________ 2014 F10 M5 Previously... Threes: '08 E90 M3, '07 E92 335i, Fives: '11 F10 550i, '02 E39 M5, '00 E39 540i/6, '97 E39 528i, '92 E34 525i Others: VW, MBz, Peugeot, Toyota, Olds
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06-20-2010, 11:21 AM	#2
dilsere2 Private First Class 59 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wilmington, DE iTrader: (0)	It was me who said 550i was rocket...I picked up my 550i last week and already put 400 miles on it ..I don't hear any sweak noise on RFT __________________ Current Driving - 2020 M2C
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06-20-2010, 02:08 PM	#3
carl_d General 38 Rep 683 Posts Drives: E90 335i M-Sport N55 6SP Nov10 Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	underinflated tyres!? __________________ 2010 E90 335i M-Sport, 2005 E90 325i M-Sport, 2003 E60 520i, 2002 E46 330i Sport II, 2000 E46 325i Sport I, 1999 E46 318i, 1998 E46 323i SE, 1996 E36 323i SE, 1996 E34 518i, 1995 E36 320iA, 1994 E36 316i
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06-20-2010, 09:59 PM	#8
enigma01 Fight On! 109 Rep 325 Posts Drives: e92 M3; g30 530e Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rancho Santa Fe iTrader: (0)	It most likely is due to the weight of the car (4300lb+).
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06-20-2010, 10:12 PM	#9
ibimmer954 Major 138 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: '23 i4 M50, '15 M3, '18 911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, California, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.75] 2023 BMW i4 M50 [0.00] 2018 Porsche 911 C4S [0.00] 2019 BMW X4 M40i [0.00]	I've driven my 535i with Sport+ZDH+IAS aggressively on twisty roads a couple times and I haven't heard any complaints from the tires. The car just remains stuck to the road. I'm still amazed by the handling given how large and quiet the car is. I'd imagine the U.S. 535i and 550i have the same tires. Wait, do you think they were squealing from the cornering or acceleration? Or were you doing both at the same time. I guess tight cornering plus acceleration could cause some complaints from the tires.
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06-21-2010, 12:31 PM	#14
ibimmer954 Major 138 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: '23 i4 M50, '15 M3, '18 911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, California, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.75] 2023 BMW i4 M50 [0.00] 2018 Porsche 911 C4S [0.00] 2019 BMW X4 M40i [0.00]	When I got my 335i I couldn't figure out why the steering felt strange until I checked the tire pressure. It was 24-26 psi on all tires! I drove that way for a couple weeks before I got suspicious. The TPMS didn't complain since it was clearly reset to "normal" on those low pressures. After I brought the 535i home, the first thing I did was check the tire pressure. They were 34 up front and 37 in the back. Exactly what they should be. So at least the dealer didn't mess up this car.
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