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[mmsheb]

I'm new to the Forum and asking my first question.

I recently purchased a 2011 328i and I'm wondering what tire pressures are recommended by the user community. I have the Continental run-flats 225/45 - 17. BMW recommends fronts at 32psi and rears at 39psi. Should I go with the recommended? or has experience shown there are different tire pressures to use?
Thanks in advance.

[jadnashuanh]

If you read the fine print in the manual, at least in mine, there are several pages of recommendations based on how fast you will be driving, which tire/wheel you have, and how heavily the vehicle will be loaded (the faster you plan to drive and the more weight in the car, the higher the pressure). First place is to look there and match up your tire pressure with your driving conditions.

The higher the pressure, the more shock will get transmitted not only through the tire, but into the wheel and the body. Too low, and it can squirm - that correlates to higher temperatures and wear. Assuming alignment is good, careful monitoring of the wear pattern on the tire will help indicate if it is underinflated or over inflated. With a RFT, that isn't as evident as it is in one that isn't as stiff. Someone that is very aggressive in how they take corners will wear out the outer edges (and sometimes, the insides, too). Wearing out the middle usually means too high pressure.

Then, throw in your personal preferences, expectations, and driving habbits - there probably is no one tire pressure that fits all users. Track use verses city driving, verses a long trip on the interstate may all suggest a different value.

So, maybe qualify how you drive, and what you are expecting to achieve would lead to a clearer suggestion.

[mmsheb]

Thank you for your comment! I should make it a habit to go to the manual first!

My driving will be a combination of 40% city and 60% highway/interstate. I drive "slightly spirited" (whatever that means) and I don't mind a slightly harsher ride. However, I don't want to increase tire wear too much! Now are there any helpful suggestions?
Thanks - Mike

[VMRWheels]

I recommend looking at the plaque on the door jamb for tire pressure info.

[mmsheb]

I am aware of the tire pressure info on the door jamb. I'm looking for what owners have experienced by experimenting with other than recommended tire pressures.

I guess I could experiment myself and maybe that's going to be the best approach for me.

Thanks to all who have responded.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by mmsheb

Thank you for your comment! I should make it a habit to go to the manual first!

My driving will be a combination of 40% city and 60% highway/interstate. I drive "slightly spirited" (whatever that means) and I don't mind a slightly harsher ride. However, I don't want to increase tire wear too much! Now are there any helpful suggestions?
Thanks - Mike

This is almost exactly the type of driving style and conditions that BMW would have considered when recommending the factory air pressures. Unless you are doing something very different such as track driving you aren't likely to find a better balance of ride, wear and handling than the pressures that BMW engineers suggest for your car.

[mmsheb]

Gary,
Thank you! It looks like it won't be necessary for me to do too much experimenting with other tire pressures than those recommended by BMW.
Regards,
Mike