TRX tyres for 635 CSi |
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Howard
Moderator Group Did I say thaaaat? Joined: 14-October-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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Posted: 23-July-2008 at 22:15 |
Most of you will by now have thrown away the original wheels and TRX tyres fitted to your 635Csi, partly because of the cost of replacement.
There are some new (but old stock) tyres around which are 415 by 230, and which will fit the riginal TRX wheels on the highline 635 (probably also the 5 series of the time). Price? £300 for 4. Thats right - for 4. Usual price for the 240 variety is around the £250+ delivery each - if you can find them. They are made by Michelin, and are about 8 years old. There are risks with old tyres, as I found out the other month when I had a flat due to the wall failing. My tyres had been made in 1988 and still had good treads after 47K miles. It would be great if Tyre manufacturers had to put the date properly on the tyre, instead of in code. However, if you are prepared to take the risks involved, pm me and I will give you the contact, who will supply them by post or fit them for free if you call at the works. I am running on a set at the moment. Nothing in it for me - just providing the info. |
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AndyS
Really Senior Member II The Last of the Few Joined: 21-August-2003 Location: 55 � North Status: Offline Points: 1365 |
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There's legislation coming which will do just that. The downside is that the MOT will require the tyres to be replaced when they reach a certain age, regardless of the amount of tread remaining. I'll find out from my inside source as to what age that will be. |
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MBW1
Senior Member I Joined: 12-June-2008 Status: Offline Points: 132 |
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Old TRX's should just be banned, full stop. Nasty!
The current TRX GT is much better and is a proper tyre, but at around £315 each they're just too expensive. You can buy a set of tidy 15" BBS cross spokes (£50), get them restored (around £100), buy a set of decent tyres for around £200-220 (Uniroyal Rallye 440's are about £60 each for a 225/55 size) and you've got a set of proper wheels for around £450. Job done and every time you need a tyre, you're not going to get raped by the Michelin Man. Oh, plus your car isn't a nightmare in the wet. |
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m3Cecotto
Bavarian-Board Forum Sponsor Joined: 29-September-2003 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 791 |
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Some of us are old enough to remember these cars when they were new and to be fair TRXs weren't a nightmare in the wet then.
The problem appears to be that no matter how much tread is on them, the rubber has hardened with age and the performance has deteriorated. Buy a full set of *New* TRXs and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good they are. They are too dear though - and modern 17" performance tyres are streets ahead. And cheaper. I'd need to know how these NOS TRXs had been stored before I considered purchasing them, though Howard knows what he's doing. If they're good enough for him, they'd do me. |
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MBW1
Senior Member I Joined: 12-June-2008 Status: Offline Points: 132 |
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My Dad worked for BMW GB back in the early 1980's and yes, TRX's were
a big problem on the more powerful cars - the E28 M535i was by far the worst. The 635CSi wasn't as bad being a heavier car, mainly automatic are rarely driven as hard as the 535i. Michelin got them onto cars by giving manufacturers the tyres for free, knowing the owners would be tied into buying new ones at outrageous cost. They were just crap and the Pirelli P6 and P7 were much better. |
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I don't have a carbon footprint. I drive everywhere.
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Howard
Moderator Group Did I say thaaaat? Joined: 14-October-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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As I pointed out, there are risks involved. The info given to me was that they had been stored in Germany by a company that specialises in buying up surplus tyre stocks and selling them when they were needed.
I have driven on TRX tyres for the last 15 years with never a problem. They last for 40K miles if driven properly. Admittedly they do not have the grip of a Pirelli 6000 or 4000, but as most of them are fitted to classic 635s, and are not pushed to the limit, that should not cause a problem. Having said that, if you hear of me running into the back of a truck, you can always say "I told you so!" I drove my first six like a nutter, ran it on 5 track days, often doing 80 laps flat out with never a skid or a spin, and the TRX tyres were still good 5 years on. I had an M6 with alpina wheels fitted with Yokohama tyres - new, and it drove and handled like a dog. Fitted a used set of TRX wheels and it was like driving a new car. Don't blame the tyres - blame the driver. |
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AndyS
Really Senior Member II The Last of the Few Joined: 21-August-2003 Location: 55 � North Status: Offline Points: 1365 |
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Apart from the price issue it's the availability that concerns me.
What do you do if you need to replace one quickly? You can't just pop into Kwik Fit & get one. That's why I went for 17"s. |
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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just on this note, I saw these on ebay: BMW Metric Alloy Wheels and Tyres E23 E24 M635 735 M535
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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kevin fallon
Newbie Joined: 20-May-2014 Location: Algarve Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Hi,
My name is Kevin and I have recently restored my E24 Highline. The tyres are proving a real problem and Mega expensive, if you can find them! Are the 230 415's still available? If so where and who would I contact? I need two just to get through the MOT, so if the price is right I might as well replace all 4. Look forward to a way forward. Kevin. |
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