ZHP tires, stick with staggered or go square?

zc911 · 04-05-2011, 03:58 PM

Hey guys
i have an 05 zhp sedan. After switching from my winter setup (225/45/17) to my OEM summers (225/40/18 and 255/35/18) the car follow groves in the road and is a bit darty. 2 freinds have similair setups and have the same issues, they said i'll get used to it lol.
On my winter setup the car was straight as an arrow.
Is the staggered setup causing the dartiness/rail roading. I am going to drop the car off at Maranello on thursday for an alignment, just to make sure.
But would i be better off going 235/40/18 alll round maybe?

The-Traveler · 04-05-2011, 04:12 PM

How is the thread wear on those tires? I find mine get worn out on the inside and maybe that's the cause.

Even though my car has done what you're describing before (mainly on the gardiner heading into Toronto), I don't find it a problem on most roads.

arsevader · 04-05-2011, 04:25 PM

'tramlining' is a byproduct of staggered tires. If it's really bad then you might have alignment issues other than that it's pretty common.

zc911 · 04-05-2011, 05:18 PM

the tires are still the OEM re40s (from the factory in 05), they are pretty hard and loud, with about %40 tread left. I want to repalce the tires, but i drive on alot of country roads (where i find the tramlining the worst) and i am thinking going with a square setup might be a smarter idea. I was even toying with the notion of going with a 17inch setup for some extra sidewall.
i'll see how the alignment goes thursday

slemmer · 04-06-2011, 12:55 AM

I get that occasionally but find it worst in the areas where there are more tire ruts in the road. Also noticed it more as I go highway speeds.

zc911 · 04-06-2011, 12:51 PM

yup lots of tire ruts = annoying. I'll see how bad it is after tommorow. if it's still sucks, i'll get another set of 17s with summer tires

slemmer · 04-06-2011, 03:30 PM

You don't want to be holding a cup of coffee when you start fighting for steering wheel control - been there done that; not cool.

oakville46 · 04-06-2011, 07:58 PM

I run with two staggered set-ups, M68 for the winters and M135 for the summer and really haven't had any issues with getting into the ruts in the roads. Spring is the worst time though to feel it as the tires warm up during the day and are cold as sin at night - just like the road. Once we get those nice 18 degree days consistent, then the feeling isn't as bad.

zc911 · 04-06-2011, 08:59 PM

hmmm thats a good point too, i am also wondering if my 6 year old tires are making things worse. I dont think the re40s are even all that good new

Renboy · 04-06-2011, 10:54 PM

There are three benefits to going square:
1. You can rotate the tires
2. Helps curb understeer
3. Better gas mileage

Staggered looks better though, especially if you have a nice set of concave wheels. If you don't, then square with spacers is the next best thing.

zc911 · 04-07-2011, 09:56 AM

if i am still not liking it after the alignment today i will probably order up some Kosei K1s. Almost 10lbs a rim lighter.
If i do should i go with 225/45/17 or other sizes?

zc911 · 04-07-2011, 09:33 PM

alignment was well worth it no more death grip on the wheel, SOOOOOO much better. i'll stick with the staggered setup

kenmar · 04-20-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zc911

Hey guys
i have an 05 zhp sedan. After switching from my winter setup (225/45/17) to my OEM summers (225/40/18 and 255/35/18) the car follow groves in the road and is a bit darty. 2 freinds have similair setups and have the same issues, they said i'll get used to it lol.
On my winter setup the car was straight as an arrow.
Is the staggered setup causing the dartiness/rail roading. I am going to drop the car off at Maranello on thursday for an alignment, just to make sure.
But would i be better off going 235/40/18 alll round maybe?

I'm thinking of switching my E36 from 225/45/17 to 225/40/18. How much harsher are the 18's? I know your switchover is from winter-summer so it's hard to compare, but just want a bit of feedback before I make the dive.

I run staggered 225/45/17 and 245/40/17 Contis. Not as exaggerated as your 255's, but I don't get much tramlining. I did get some when I was running Yoko AVS Sport 235/40/17 all around. I think a lot of it has to do with tire compound selection since the AVS tires were the hardest ones I've ever run on the car.

kenmar · 04-20-2011, 09:16 PM

BTW, don't go to dealers for alignments because they overcharge.

Check out this thread: http://www.maxbimmer.com/forums/show...=104889&page=3. I went to LevelAuto (even though I don't live in Scarborough) and was pretty impressed with their speed, equipment, service and price. IMO, worth the drive to go there for alignments. Completely different experience from the horrendous treatment I got when I went to IAC in Woodbridge for an alignment.