1998 323is what is the...

[Mike C]

Standard size tire for this car? currently we have 205/60-15 on, and the speedometer reads too fast. I looked on the door it lists 2 sizes, 205/60-15 & 225/50-15. This is the third set of tires for this car (it's my wifes she bought it new). We've never noticed this before, until I had our GPS in the car the other day. I believe the wheels are the 15 spoke Style P wheels, they look like this.


What boggles my mind is...if the speedo reads too fast, that means the tires are smaller than they should be. The 205/60's are 24.7" tall, and the 225/50's are 23.9" tall. So I'm confused.....

Thanks,
Mike

[94BMW325i]

I got rid of my stock 15"s a while ago, but I had 205-65-15.

[drz]

Originally Posted by Mike C

What boggles my mind is...if the speedo reads too fast, that means the tires are smaller than they should be.

Not true. In the general sense, it would be true. However, all BMW speedometers read fast. How fast? About 3-5 mph? Maybe 6mph if over 100mph? That is normal. Your car -- and your wheels size -- is fine.

[PhatCat]

I agree with Daniel. I wouldn't be too worried about it. I have a GPS(Garmin) that I use in my car, and my work truck and it tells me that my speedo's on both vehicles indicate a higher speed than the GPS. I generally seem to get a reading or about 3-4kph slow on the Garmin at around 120kph in the truck and closer to 5 or 6 in the 325.

[Mike C]

Thanks guys. My wife said that people tailgate all the time. that might have a little to do with it, the other might be that she is actually doing the speed limit...

Mike