Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

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Keynun
Joined: Wed 15 Aug, 2012 17:02
Posts: 47

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Keynun »

Could someone advise whether this tyre is still legal to use?
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I'm getting serious wear on the insides on the rear tyres. Car is lowered on coilovers. Seems like excessive negative camber + toe out of spec has caused this? I think I've done around 12,000 miles on these tyres plus some hard driving/1 track session, the have around 4mm left on the outside. Sadly nothing in the rear is adjustable, which is a bitch.
gas guzzler
Joined: Sat 26 Jan, 2013 17:01
Posts: 143

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by gas guzzler »

Looks as if it is, min requirement is 1.6mm over 3/4 width of tyre.
Andy

1999 Z3 2.8 RED, back with me
TR4man
Joined: Wed 24 Oct, 2012 13:34
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Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by TR4man »

Although you might want to have your tracking checked
Keynun
Joined: Wed 15 Aug, 2012 17:02
Posts: 47

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Keynun »

Would that not technically have 1.6mm+ over 3/4 of the tyre? I've ordered two tyres anyway.

Can't really do much with tracking on the rear tbh. I've got new coilovers on there so I will get an alignment and check done though.
gas guzzler
Joined: Sat 26 Jan, 2013 17:01
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by gas guzzler »

Keynun wrote:Would that not technically have 1.6mm+ over 3/4 of the tyre? I've ordered two tyres anyway..

Sorry I phrased that wrong, yes it is ok.
Andy

1999 Z3 2.8 RED, back with me
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Mike123
Joined: Tue 21 Mar, 2006 14:34
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  M roadster S50
Location: Leamington Spa

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Mike123 »

I think common sense takes precedence over legality.

It comes down to where and how you drive. On a dry track there would be plenty of grip from these tyres, on a very wet road minimal grip as there's nowhere for the water to go, so the tyre doesn't make effective contact with the road. If you drive slowly enough you probably won't be a danger to yourself and others - but why take the risk?
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Del »

It's an unavoidable characteristic of lowering the Z3 more than a tiny bit - seen lots of posts about this in the past. :(
pedro20001
Joined: Sat 29 Jan, 2011 20:34
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: tamworth

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by pedro20001 »

Another characteristic on non adjustable rear suspension! camber is great for cornering but wear rates take a beating. I can get 20k out of my rears (245/40r17) on sport suspension but lowering pretty much halved that for me!
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Captain
Joined: Thu 28 Jun, 2012 06:43
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Durban

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Captain »

With directional tyres you should swop them over every so often, left to right this will increase the mileage you able to get out the rear tyres. Just means having to have them unmounted and remounted.
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Joycey
Joined: Mon 11 Jul, 2011 22:15
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  M roadster S52
Location: Basingstoke

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Joycey »

Your going to get that type of wear with the car being lowered, How much have you dropped the car by?

I dropped my "M" by 35mm and the tyre wear is only marginally off on the rear.

Lee
Dino D
Joined: Fri 10 Feb, 2012 16:59
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Dino D »

You will get wear on the inside edge on any BMW and more so the Z when lowered.

As Captain said above swap the tyres over. It's what I do to double the life. I do it every 5-6k miles. The 12k miles you got on those is very good going in my book.
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
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Location: Romford Essex

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Gazza »

Response to the original question.............Yes
Gazza

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gookah
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by gookah »

Gazza wrote:Response to the original question.............Yes
Which question is that? the title question that asks "is this illegal",
or the first line of the first post that asks "is this legal"?

I say no,
but I am not saying which question that I am answering..... :D
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Keynun
Joined: Wed 15 Aug, 2012 17:02
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Keynun »

In conclusion, I will use the LSD effectively and the replace these tyres.


Thanks for the advice guys :twisted:
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
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  M roadster S50

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by pingu »

Keynun wrote:Could someone advise whether this tyre is still legal to use?
Image

I'm getting serious wear on the insides on the rear tyres. Car is lowered on coilovers. Seems like excessive negative camber + toe out of spec has caused this? I think I've done around 12,000 miles on these tyres plus some hard driving/1 track session, the have around 4mm left on the outside. Sadly nothing in the rear is adjustable, which is a bitch.
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s04000107.htm

You would have to check it with a ruler, but it looks like the central 3/4 of the tyre has a continuous 1.6mm tread. If it is, it's legal.

But, I'd change it.
Pingu
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Boysie
Joined: Sat 23 Apr, 2005 14:24
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Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Boysie »

Mine don't wear they just get old :-)


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Zedbedee
Joined: Sun 15 Mar, 2009 20:04
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Yeovil

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by Zedbedee »

I was interested in this as my rear tyres seem to be wearing in a similar way. I have the staggered 17" wheels with the wider ones on the back and I also seem to have quite a lot of negative camber. Looking at other Z3's they all seem to have negative camber on the back so I assume they all wear their tyres unevenly. Is this right??
littlefeller
Joined: Sun 28 Apr, 2013 18:06
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  blank

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by littlefeller »

yes its legal (technically) however it could also be argued that when the tyre is fitted to the car the whole tyre isn't getting used hence the scrubbing, so it could be argued that your driving on the bold side of the tyre. this would be difficult to prove but if you annoyed plod enough they may take this view. personally It wouldn't bother me too much, I have had worse. suppose if you think about it, theres more tred there than on a spacesaver :lol:
t-tony
Joined: Sun 21 Feb, 2010 23:17
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: torksey lock

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by t-tony »

Plod could argue what they like and you would be well within your rights to tell them to take a hike. I had to pass and advise on a pair of tyres a couple of weeks ago which were on 1.8mm ( measured with a digital depth gauge) and my manager at work tried to give me a Bo.....ng until I printed the page off the tester's manual and put it in front of him. I had to agree those tyres were absolutely useless and I wouldn't want them on my car but until the DVSA change to rule on tread depth my hands are tied.

Tony.
"Knowledge and experience are not always the same"
David Maxwell
Joined: Tue 11 Sep, 2012 11:20
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  Z3 coupe 2.8

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by David Maxwell »

It might be worth exchanging rear wheel tyres, L to R and R to L (not wheels). This may give you at least another 6-9000 miles from your rear tyres, provided your mechanic agrees that they are still legal?

David.
t-tony
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Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by t-tony »

Absolutely David, this is by far the best way to get the most use/wear out of rear tyres. All it costs is a few ££ at your local tyre house to swap them on the rims and re balance.

Tony.
"Knowledge and experience are not always the same"
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TomH84
Joined: Sun 15 Dec, 2013 15:22
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: Rear tyres on Z3 - Is this illegal?

Post by TomH84 »

That's a great idea. I'm going to try the same at my local independent tyre shop this week.

My flalken ze914s have worn exactly the same. Would be great to get another 5k out of them before replacing. They are only 12months old.

Tom
2002 BMW Z3 2.2i 82k
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