Overstearing

[Flyguy0]

Question for the masses!!!

I have a 2008 BMW 550i Sport

Had Sumitomo Tires on my ride. I got a nail in my right rear and boy I'm glad I did. My left tire on the outside looked good but come to find out when I was getting the nail fixed the left rear the inside and middle of the tire were bald and showing belt all the way around. I was lucky!

So after talking with several people about Hankook or Toyo I went with the Hankook. I can only afford to change the rear at the moment and this may be a problem.

As I was going into an onramp curve at about 60-70 (long sweeping) my car kept trying to dip in the the turn turning faster than I wanted. So my break assist kept turning on and off freeking me out!! :eek:

So what could be the problem? How can I fix it? Should I get the fronts done now and go in debt? Would an alignment be advised?

I also thought about adding H&R sport springs to lower it a hair and give it a more aggressive look. Then maybe an alignment would be advised.

So any and all suggestions, advise or comments are welcome!!

Thanks,
Craig

[Vandit]

Mix and matching tire brands/types will definitely lead to funky handling. Mix and matching new & old tires will result in the same funky handling. The car's electronic aids are expecting this type of grip consistency, so they'll freak out when they don't find it.

It's possible the car could use an alignment to dial out negative camber. These cars come with negative camber because negative camber increases cornering grip. They dial in more negative in the rear to increase cornering grip in order to create understeer at the limit. Understeer is safe in the hands of inexperienced drivers.

[SAFE4NOW]

Mix and matching tire brands/types will definitely lead to funky handling. Mix and matching new & old tires will result in the same funky handling. The car's electronic aids are expecting this type of grip consistency, so they'll freak out when they don't find it.

It's possible the car could use an alignment to dial out negative camber. These cars come with negative camber because negative camber increases cornering grip. They dial in more negative in the rear to increase cornering grip in order to create understeer at the limit. Understeer is safe in the hands of inexperienced drivers.

What he said! If you are in the area, drop me a line, we can get the car up on the lift and take a fast look, check for any worn suspension parts as well... at least get you an answer , and even let you see whats going on under your car.

Steve

steve@autoscopeltd.com or 214-350-3050

[Qship5]

Also keep in mind that all new tires have mold release compound on the tread that takes a couple hundred miles to wear off. This alone can cause them to have much less grip than they will/should have.

[himself]

Question for the masses!!!

I have a 2008 BMW 550i Sport

Had Sumitomo Tires on my ride. I got a nail in my right rear and boy I'm glad I did. My left tire on the outside looked good but come to find out when I was getting the nail fixed the left rear the inside and middle of the tire were bald and showing belt all the way around. I was lucky!

How old were the original tires? And were only the left side worn? If so, you have a serious alignment issue on the left side. Maybe you hit a curb parking or something like that. Also, when was your last alignment?

As I was going into an onramp curve at about 60-70 (long sweeping) my car kept trying to dip in the the turn turning faster than I wanted. So my break assist kept turning on and off freeking me out!! :eek:

Can you describe what was going on a little differently? I'm a bit confused because is sounds like you were hitting the brakes on an on-ramp.

-td

[Flyguy0]

I just purchased the car used on March 1st. The tires looked fine but I could not see the very inside of the tire.

Both sides were worn but the left showed the steel belts all the way around were as the right showed no belts just bald.

Funny you say hit the curb. Who ever owned my car before me had some serious issues with hitting stuff on the left rear. There is curb rash all over the rim. All the other rims are fine but his depth perception must have been off.

When I was going through the turn my car got a little squirrely and it felt like my back end was on a teter toter. was swaying back in forth going through the turn. It felt like the whole width of the tire was not contacting the road but the center strip on the Hankooks were the only thing making the car wiggle and sway both left and right. With all that movement the break assist kicked on.

It just dose not feel as stable as it did with the Sumitomo tires on it even though they were unsafe.

[nash]

I'd definitely get an alignment done anyway since you purchased a pre-owned car and have no knowledge of what the previous guy was doing to the car. If nothing else, it may save you tire wear in the future.

[OVRSTR01]

I would at least get the alignment checked with curb rash on one of the wheels.

[Fubar]

I would recommend buying a GT3 Cup car. Then you would be subject to weekly alignments and daily tire changes, thereby avoiding this problem altogether.

[BlackSheep]

If the Hankooks are brand new, they will have a "film" on them that will seriously hamper performance.. They need to be heat cycled a few times to get rid of that "greasy" handling effect.

[citylightva]

If the Hankooks are brand new, they will have a "film" on them that will seriously hamper performance.. They need to be heat cycled a few times to get rid of that "greasy" handling effect.

Oh yes, they felt floaty as hell for about 100 miles...Not too bad now...They seem like decent tires...