Speed ratings for metric tyres

I finally succumbed to the allure of metric alloys and tyres on the 635, just to see what all the fuss is about.

Hm.

I think the Avon Turbospeed must have a new kind of Z rating: ZWT for Zero Wet Traction. I'd heard all this malarkey about how the 635 is a handful, but on 16" alloys with Dunlop SP8000's, I had no trouble with the car at all. In fact, on a recent cruise, I was actually told the 635 was harder to follow than my Z1 because of the 635's enormous power. All that changed the moment I switched to the metrics. Powerslides in first, second and third; every junction is a new adventure, my life has never run on so much adrenaline before.

Every time I drive to Sainsburys, I feel like the cop in Basic Instinct, knowing that he's tied to the bed with a beautiful psychotic reaching for an ice pick...

Is it just me, is it just the Avons, or are metric tyres certifiable...?

Horsetan wrote: They are useless on just about every surface. That's why I can only waft on them.....

Waft on them? I'm not even sure I'd want to p*** on them.

Yep.  Sounds right.  The Avons are suppossed to be much better than the Michelin TRX's!!!!

I had trx's that were made in 1990 and "h" rated on my M635 before seeing the light and switching to 18's with 235/40/18 vredesteins on.  A life changing experience.

I had mine sideways at 90 degress in the wet in 4th on a straight dual carraige way.  Not good.

Do the honourable thing and bin them.

 

 

Hmm, TRX's - scary stuff!! Probably the cause of more dead 6'ers than the dreaded rust!!

I changed from metrics as fast as possible on my 84 chrome bumper to 17's, fortunately my 89 Highline came on 17's - saving me a job!

When both mine need tyre replacement, I'll also be putting on Vredestein rubber, I've been most impressed with the Ultracs fitted to our 330d.

Dave

I've had my metrics sliding all over the place on a half throttle exit from a damp junction, but under other conditions they seem to be adequate for what I need. I have three good tyres on the car and need one replacement. I'd rather get a single new tyre than have to go through the whole bother of finding a set of suitable wheels, sorting out spigot rings etc and getting tracking and that sorted out. I will stick with the metrics for now.

I couldn't get up the ramp at the local multi-story last week, bit of rain and those bl**dy metrics

johnny318is wrote: I couldn't get up the ramp at the local multi-story last week, bit of rain and those bl**dy metrics

Now I'm really worried!

 

Can you refresh my memory -- are your 18s wider at the back? If so, what width are front and rear? Did you fit spigot rings or did they just go straight on?

ian M635UK wrote: Do the honourable thing and bin them.

I'll keep them in case a future buyer wants to go for originality. The fool. [/QUOTE]

 

18 inch by 8 inch all round.  9 inch wide 18's will fit in the rear.  What you need are E38 7 series M style 18's as they are 8 inch front and 9 inch rear plus they have the same hub center and so they fit straight on  This was one of the reasons I went for 18's as you will usually find that E39's come on 17's and not 18's whereas E38 come on 18's.

E39 wheels require the hub centric rings as they have a slightly larger hub and will move about (vibrate) if you don't fit the rings.

Happy hunting

mine cost £750 all in with new rubber

spokey wrote: .....I already have the M-Parallels sitting in my garage, they are 8" wide in front and 9 1/2" wide at the back -- will they fit OK?

9.5" rear is the absolute limit for a Six. 9"s would be better.

I think you might just be pushing your luck. Still, always worth a try.....

spokey wrote: Could be a bit of an expensive gamble!

Nothing, and I mean nothing, about a Six is cheap.

But then you knew that anyway