Matching Tyres BMW (E39) 5 series - J.B.
BMW recommend that all four tyres are the same make and tread pattern due to possibility of messing up the antiskid software/ ABS otherwise. I can see that in an ideal world thats what you'd do but I have 6mm left on my fronts and the rears need changing. Dunlop dont make my rears anymore (they are a different size to the fronts). What do most people do; all four the same or matched pairs? Has anyone experienced problems with different pairs?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks JB
Matching Tyres BMW (E39) 5 series - storme
matched pairs....unless u have 4wd..... (not all beemers are rear wheel drive)
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www.storme.co.uk
Matching Tyres BMW (E39) 5 series - Simon
I think that making sure all tyres are the same make and tread pattern is a little over the top. Like storme said, matched pairs should be fine, but I think changing tyres unnecessarily is a real waste. The ABS should be able to cope whatever tyres/tread patterns/tread depths are fitted, its job is to detect wheel lock up and this can occur whatever tyre combination is fitted to your vehicle.
Matching Tyres BMW (E39) 5 series - storme
if you have an Xi (330 xi) then you have all wheel drive...so they need to be the same...
if you have a 330i or m3 they must been the same on each axle...but they can be different on front and rears...

im guessing this is the car u have.....u said the fronts and rears were a different size...
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www.storme.co.uk
Matching Tyres BMW (E39) 5 series - John S
JB

Matched pairs have been fine on my E36. Never had any ABS or TC problems even with new fronts (Pirelli) and well worn rears (Bridgestone). It's probably more important that they are matched side to side than back to front.

JS