Conti DWS's Installed...

[JAY07X5]

I recently replaced my Bridgestone runflats with Conti DWS (18" wheels). First off, much smoother and quieter ride. They are much more forgiving over bumps. Car is a bit "mushier" though, likely due to softer sidewall. The X seems to lose a little bit of that rigid sport ride that was evident with the runflats - at least with the 18s. But for me, it's worth the smoothness.

Here's where I'm having an issue and have questions. I cannot get my steering wheel to stop twitiching (left to right about 1/8 of an inch) at 65-70. Having BMWs before, I've had this happen when wheels are bent. I had no problems before installing the Contis and the wheels are not bent execept for one which I've marked and has been on the back for months. Again, the steering wheels was 100% smooth with the runflats.

I've had them rebalanced twice and the shake is still there. One thing to note- most of the wheels took on average 3-4 ounces of weight per side. I think this was more than was there with the old tires and seems like alot of weight to me.

Any thoughts/experiences/suggestions??

[BGM]

You've checked tire pressure, etc ? I think your experiencing what happens when you change the type of tire characteristics which sometimes can alter driving performance--BMW engineers these cars with the certain tires they come with and slight variations in tire design, stiffness of the sidewall (on a run-flat) can make it handle differently.

[Xtony]

I had the same issue with DWS tires for my 20" sport wheels and ended up returning them after multiple attempts to rebalance them. Went with Michelin Latitudes and had no problems whatsoever.

[JAY07X5]

Originally Posted by Xtony

I had the same issue with DWS tires for my 20" sport wheels and ended up returning them after multiple attempts to rebalance them. Went with Michelin Latitudes and had no problems whatsoever.

Wow. Interesting. Did they give you full credit for them and you just pay the difference (if any)?

I assume the Michelin Latitudes are non RFT? Do they ride nice?

Thanks for chiming in.

[Xtony]

They gave me full credit at Discount Tire and I paid the difference since the Michelins were more expensive. Very happy with the Michelins and yes they are non run flat tires. They firmed up the steering similar to the old run flats but don't have the harshness felt and heard going over joints and bumps that I had with the B'stone RFTs.

[GetOffTheX]

Have the installer rotate the tire 180 degrees on the wheel. This will move what is likely a heavy spot on the wheel and tire apart and usually means much less balancing weight is needed.

[Chip]

Not to sidetrack, but you actually found these!?!?! After searching for 4 months for my 08 w.20s, I could not find a set and settled for the Toyo Proxies, although so far so great

[JAY07X5]

Originally Posted by Chip

Not to sidetrack, but you actually found these!?!?! After searching for 4 months for my 08 w.20s, I could not find a set and settled for the Toyo Proxies, although so far so great

Actually, they had them at my local tire chain. Tirerack appears to have had them for sometime as well. I know a few months ago there was a shortage of them. Glad your Toyos are working out.

[Price]

Originally Posted by JAY07X5

Here's where I'm having an issue and have questions. I cannot get my steering wheel to stop twitiching (left to right about 1/8 of an inch) at 65-70.

Does it go away @ 75..80+? If yes, it's a balancing issue. I'd try to determine the defective tire (or wheel?) by first swaping left side front/rear - if it goes away or at least you feel shaking but the steering wheel doesn't twitch - it's the (now) left rear tire. No changes - swap on the right side.
I know it sounds labor intensive, but may save your from replacing all 4 tires (or wheels). On my other car I had a tire that produces horrible road noise but visually was ok, so it took me two iterations before I was able to pinpoint the guilty tire and swap just it - well worth the effort given it was a ridiculously expensive - $350 for 17" !! - run-flat dunlop.

[JAY07X5]

Originally Posted by Price

Does it go away @ 75..80+? If yes, it's a balancing issue. I'd try to determine the defective tire (or wheel?) by first swaping left side front/rear - if it goes away or at least you feel shaking but the steering wheel doesn't twitch - it's the (now) left rear tire. No changes - swap on the right side.
I know it sounds labor intensive, but may save your from replacing all 4 tires (or wheels). On my other car I had a tire that produces horrible road noise but visually was ok, so it took me two iterations before I was able to pinpoint the guilty tire and swap just it - well worth the effort given it was a ridiculously expensive - $350 for 17" !! - run-flat dunlop.

It does subside at 75-80. It's really not a shake, just more of the steering wheel twitching left to right after 65mph. Despite the large amounts of weights, I think the wheels are actually balanced. All of the wheels spin true on the balancer (except the one rear that I knew was bent).

Thanks for the advice on moving them around. As long as I can get the two best on front, I know I wouldn't have an issue. My left rear has a slight bend in it, so I've always left that one in the back. I played with the RR, and two fronts to give me the most optimal setup with minimal shaking. Its still twitching right at 65-70 which is typipcally the hot-spot for wheel balance issues. I suppose I can try and find a shop with a Road-Force balancer. I've been working through Mavis on this one, which is where I purchased them. They've rebalanced already with no effect.