Original Tire sizes

[L84THSKY]

I did this search on TireRack.com. They say these were the stock sizes for a non Sport model Ti, is this correct?

I knew about the 205/60/15, but not the 185/65/15.

I'm thinking of buying snow tires for my original steel rims. Then I would have snows on the steels, all seasons on the alloy 15's and summers on the alloy 17's.

[1996 328ti]

Looking at my 98 brochure.

Base 185/65R15
Active 205/60R15
Sport 225/50ZR16

[CirrusSR22]

It's good that such narrow tires "work" on the ti. Great in the snow, but better yet, cheap! I have 195/65-15 Blizzak WS-50s on mine. They were free, so I couldn't complain about the wrong tire size.

[L84THSKY]

I just swapped onto my stock 15" alloy wheels. My wheel bolts were pretty rusty, and not easy to get out. I put some anti-seize compound on the bolts, and put them back in.

Anyone know where I can get new plastic inserts for my 17" rims? These are rings that sit between the hub and the rim to make non BMW rims fit correctly.

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

Looking at my 98 brochure.

Base 185/65R15
Active 205/60R15
Sport 225/50ZR16

[aceyx]

Spacers? I'm not sure you should be using plastic for that part.

FYI, all suggested tire sizes are printed on the inside of your driver door, along with recommended pressures.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

I just swapped onto my stock 15" alloy wheels. My wheel bolts were pretty rusty, and not easy to get out. I put some anti-seize compound on the bolts, and put them back in.

I don't think it's a good idea to use anti-seize on the bolts. I usually use anti-seize on the center portion of the hub and the rear of the wheel that touches the rotor. Never had a problem removing my snows that way.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

I don't think it's a good idea to use anti-seize on the bolts. I usually use anti-seize on the center portion of the hub and the rear of the wheel that touches the hub. Never had a problem removing my snows that way.

Same here, I only apply anti-seize on the portion of the hub that makes contact with the wheel surface. Try using some penetrating oil on the bolts and threads, just enough to remove and keep out any moisture.

[L84THSKY]

I use anti-seize on the threads of my spark plugs. Damn, it's getting cold, I hate to have to remove all the bolts, and clean the anti-seize off now.

I did have some anti-corrosion grease, that I used on my battery terminals.

What's gonna happen if I leave the stuff on, the bolts may loosen?

Originally Posted by DustenT

Same here, I only apply anti-seize on the portion of the hub that makes contact with the wheel surface. Try using some penetrating oil on the bolts and threads, just enough to remove and keep out any moisture.

[L84THSKY]

I don't know if you remember way back when, but I had trouble with my 17" Rial rims when I first mounted them. It turned out that I was supposed to use the plastic spacers that were supplied with the new rims.

The plastic spacers work fine, but they could use replacing. Have you seen any new ones made of metal, or any other material?

Originally Posted by aceyx

Spacers? I'm not sure you should be using plastic for that part.

FYI, all suggested tire sizes are printed on the inside of your driver door, along with recommended pressures.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

IWhat's gonna happen if I leave the stuff on, the bolts may loosen?

I don't think they will fall out but recheck the torque from time to time. My guess is they may loose up slightly.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

I use anti-seize on the threads of my spark plugs. Damn, it's getting cold, I hate to have to remove all the bolts, and clean the anti-seize off now.

I did have some anti-corrosion grease, that I used on my battery terminals.

What's gonna happen if I leave the stuff on, the bolts may loosen?

Anti-seize is fine for spark plugs. Just keep an eye on your lugs, maybe check them in a couple weeks. I'm sure they'll be fine and long as they are torqued to spec.

[L84THSKY]

As a matter of fact, I did torque them to spec.

Originally Posted by DustenT

Anti-seize is fine for spark plugs. Just keep an eye on your lugs, maybe check them in a couple weeks. I'm sure they'll be fine and long as they are torqued to spec.

[aceyx]

Alloy spacers (assuming we're talking about the same thing): http://www.performancealloys.com/all...el_spacers.asp

It's not that I have anything against plastic, but I think it's definitely the wrong application here. The hats of the rotor transfer heat through the hub and wheel (which is why your anti-seize is necessary with a steel hub, alloy wheel and various thermodynamics). If you put plastic between here . . . it's just not a good combo. We'll leave it at that.

[L84THSKY]

These are not spacers like you mentioned, here is a picture.

Originally Posted by aceyx

Alloy spacers (assuming we're talking about the same thing): http://www.performancealloys.com/all...el_spacers.asp

It's not that I have anything against plastic, but I think it's definitely the wrong application here. The hats of the rotor transfer heat through the hub and wheel (which is why your anti-seize is necessary with a steel hub, alloy wheel and various thermodynamics). If you put plastic between here . . . it's just not a good combo. We'll leave it at that.

[aceyx]

Can't say I've ever seen those before. Who makes your wheels?