BMW Log - New Wheels

The original alloys that came with the car, although I like them a lot as they have the original style and feel of the original car, are actually very annoying in as far a they are metric. This means tyres are a problem.

I had a niggling feeling there was something to look out for to do with the wheels but I couldn't think what it was. Then whilst visiting a tyre place with the BMW but not to get tyres for it, the owner informed me that if I wanted new tyres for it I would be looking at very expensive tyres. I think Michelin are the only manufacturer supplying them now and I have heard varying costs in the region of 175 to 250 GBP per tyre!

The tyres are 255/55/R390 and its the R390 which is the give away that it is a metric tyre. Metric as in metric radial dimension as opposed to the more commonly used imperial measurement in inches, e.g. R15", R17" etc. For my tyres, 390 / 25.4 = 15.35". I believe a lot of E34s were later sold with imperial wheels of the same style, so perhaps I just got unlucky.

The best solution the garage suggested was to get part worns; find them second hand or from a scrap yard or better still get rid of the wheels. So this is what I did. I kept my eye on ebay for a while and finally found a suitable set of 4 wheels with still legal tyres.

 The new wheels are from an E39 so I am happy to use these as they are at least original BMW 5 series wheels and I am very happy with them. I don't think they look out of place too much on the car, I didn't want to end up with something that looked wrong on the classic look of the E34 Touring. And of course the best bit is that they are 225/55/R16... a standard size that will allow me to buy normally priced tyres from anywhere.

Even though the front control arms on the car are badly worn and affecting handling quite a lot, the old wheels and badly worn tyres were obviously having a negative effect too. The handling is noticeably better just with decent tyres/wheels. There is not as much vibration at speed on the motorway and low speed rhythmic groaning I was getting (sounding like a worn wheel bearing) has gone.

160,000 Miles

Here is a list of things that need doing:

Most urgently

• Tyres - Front tyres need replacing desperately. Problem... they are metric sizes and therefore difficult to replace. Still searching for replacement imperial wheels.
• Control Arms - Front control arms are knocking badly and am getting wobbly shaking problems at speed/braking, all due to this.

Not so urgent

• Heater - the heater blows hot air only after about 30 mins driving. Need to check, control panel, vent under dash, possible vacuum line from vent, control valves.
• Wheel bearings - I suspect there maybe be at least one worn wheel bearing as I get a lot of 'worn bearing' sounding noises that vary with road speed. Want to change control arms first.
• Replace boot gas struts. Already removed the glass only ones, as they were useless, but may as well replace whole boot lid struts too. Need a cheap supplier and some money!
• Few spots of rust appearing - nip in bud.
• Oil/filter change

Other than that it is still a fantastic car, love driving it, although the control arms are spoiling the experience at the mo.