Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Kim Schwartz]

Perhaps this is a question for another section but I will start here. I have a 128i with 225/40/ 18 in each corner. Is ther a consensus as to whether a square set up could confuse the traction control as the grip characteristics are different than the stock staggered setup?

[BrokenVert]

Ive never had a problem with it

[TonyL128]

I run a 245/40/18 square setup on my 135 and I have never had a problem with the DTC.

[REVN128]

My stock (non-sport option) 128i has a square, 205/50/17, setup. So I believe that DTC can deal with square or staggered without any problems.

[Kim Schwartz]

I have never had a problem with the DTC either. As a matter of fact, it doesn't seem to interveen at all. I do have the sport suspension and it seems that I can slide the back end out smoothly without the DTC interveening at all which I remember it doing when I had the stock wheels and tires. I haven't had it on a track with this set up so perhaps I'm just not pushing it enough to invoke the DTC.

[Greenkirby21]

Anyone know why BMW does staggered? I might run square setup same as OP because rims I am getting are 17x8. How does square setup affect handling and stuff!

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

Anyone know why BMW does staggered?

Most likely to promote more understeer which equals tends to enhance stability at higher speeds.

Tom

[ptack]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

Anyone know why BMW does staggered? I might run square setup same as OP because rims I am getting are 17x8. How does square setup affect handling and stuff!

RWD sports cars

[Kim Schwartz]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

Anyone know why BMW does staggered? I might run square setup same as OP because rims I am getting are 17x8. How does square setup affect handling and stuff!

I find the square set up diminishes understeer and quickens steering response. The differences are noticable particularly in the less understeer. Tires matter as well. I'm not using run flats and the staggered setup with runflats feels less understeer prone than a staggered setup with out run flats. I went with 225/18 Contintntal DW. The ride quality is perhaps a little softer than the 17's with runflats but the steering response is quicker. And at least in theory, the wider tires up front shorten braking distances. Also if you get the right wheels and tires, you can save around 13 lbs of weight per corned over the stock wheels and runflats. I did.