Hello from UK

[GREX1969]

Hello from the UK,
Just purchased my first BMW Compact last week. It's a 1999 UK spec 318ti with MSpec and AC Schnitzer goodies (twin spoiler, suspension etc). It's sitting on 17inch MSpec Wheels with 225, 45 ZR17 and 245, 40 ZR17 at rear - anyone know what the tyre pressures should be?

Check out the pics of my new motor.

[needle332rur]

Welcome to the forum, looks like you found a nice compact. Need any help with anything we will all be here.

-Nate-

[robcarync]

your car looks really fabulous! it looks really really nice man! this is the best site for bmw compacts! glad you found us!

[GREX1969]

Cheers chaps - found some more pics for you:-




It's a bit different to last car the Alfa Romeo GTV!

[Boxbrownie]

Nice car matey, one mod I found was really useful with my compact was fitting the standard E36 headlamps assemblies in place of the crappy candle holders that masquerade as US spec lights! LOL
You just need the assemblies and the short piece of the wiring loom from the headlamps of the donor car, just graft on the loom and plugs (the colour code is the same) and you have ellipsoid headlamps with far better performance. And if you really want to be corny, you can fit angel eyes to them......Baaaa Baaaa

I have 17" OEM alloys on mine and it rides and handles brilliantly on Michelin Pilot sports.

A question for you, it would be interesting to know the measurements from the wheels centres to the arch rim front and back, as mine looks about the same and as far as I know mine is running std suspension. If you have the inclination I would be grateful.

And I think you and all of us have picked one of the "purest" BMW's that has popped out of Munich for a long time...........bloody useful too with that hatchback! LOL

Keep it clean GREX

Best regards David

[battleship_potemkin]

Originally Posted by GREX1969

...anyone know what the tyre pressures should be?

Hi.

The tyre pressure should be listed on a sticker located on the driver's side door frame.

Hope this helps.

[robcarync]

on my tires, it has the pressure written on the outside wall of the tire...my tires are max air pressure 44psi

im not sure how UK does things

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by robcarync

on my tires, it has the pressure written on the outside wall of the tire...my tires are max air pressure 44psi

im not sure how UK does things

I wouldn't necessarily look at the max pressure on the tire. Is that max pressure hot? My guess is if you are at 44 cold you are over that after driving for an hour.

[robcarync]

i didnt inflate them to 44...mine are at about 37ish...

[GREX1969]

Originally Posted by battleship_potemkin

Hi.
The tyre pressure should be listed on a sticker located on the driver's side door frame.

We think these are Z4 wheels (E46 or something?) so the sticker relates to different tyre sizes.

Boxbrownie - I'll measure the suspension ride tomorrow as I think it has been lowered. I've parked next to my friends 318ti and it definitely looks lower. Can't be sure though as I'm finding lots of strange addon's to this BMW.
It was re-sprayed from green to blue 2 years ago, the AC stuff, mud flaps, sports exhaust (very loud ), wheels and door chrome all added.

[Boxbrownie]

The tyre pressure indicated on the sidewall is the MAXIMUM pressure the tyre is safe to inflate to, not a running pressure!

Those tyres are not a standard fit in the 318ti, I suspect you will not find any recommended pressures for that set up at all, best to look at the recommended prssure for the M3 (I believe certain models have those sizes as standard?) and work from there.

The recommended pressures for the ti are :
up to four people Front=25.6psi Rear=28.4psi
fully laden Front=28.4psi Rear=35.6psi

These pressures are for the 225/50 x 16 size and would make a reasonable starting point for your set up, then just adjust to taste! <BG>

Best regards David