Tire Specific

Test drives were available from the BMW Gallery (all photos by Dan Mull)

Mr. Jordanger answered many questions from the audience.

The Boston Chapter kicked off its Second Quarter General Meeting at BMW Gallery of Norwood. Test drives were available to anyone who wanted one, and there were plenty of takers. I must admit I was pretty impressed with the looks and exhaust notes of the 330i with the Performance Package. Nice!

The meeting began just after 7 pm with sandwiches, salads, and cold drinks. Vice President / Activities Director Mario Giberti called the meeting to order.

The featured speaker was David Jordanger of Dealer Tire. He spoke with us about the seemingly simple topic of those round and black things that are at all four corners of our cars. With more than two decades of experience in the business, Jordanger showed us just how complex the tire business has become. He contrasted the industry of 20 years ago, when tire makers made dozens of different tires in various models and sizes, to today, when manufacturers build hundreds of different tires, many of them custom designed for a specific car.

Various high-performance models from BMW, Porsche, Ferarri, Corvette, and others are equipped with tires especially designed and manufactured for that precise model. And although the tires may say "Pilot Sport," "P-Zero" and the like, those particular tires are different than the generic Pilot Sports you'll get from The Tire Rack or your local tire dealer.

One of the key reasons for availability of various specialty tires is the advances made in the design and manufacturing process, which has become efficient enough so that a tire maker can now profitably design and build a tire that may sell a few thousand units. Twenty years ago, it took a production run of literally hundreds of thousands of units in order to turn a profit. Thus, we're in a golden age of tires right now, with specific, high-quality models available for nearly any type of use.

Question time spawned some lively conversation, with Mr. Jordanger answering each question.

• Q: Who makes the best tires?
  A: "From a quality perspective, Michelin."
• Q: How can I get a max performance tire for my late '80s 325i in 14 inch sizes?
  A: "You can't! But you can go plus-one or plus-two on wheel/tire sizes (with lower profile max performance rubber) to get what you want."
• Q: Can I get a bigger tire so as to get more rubber on the road?
  A: "No! A bigger, wider tire will change the shape of the footprint on the road, but not make it bigger or smaller. The footprint area is more or less defined by dividing the air pressure in the tire into the weight it is carrying."

I can safely say we all learned something from that session, no matter how knowledgeable we thought we were.

The meeting broke up shortly before 9 pm with applause for Jordanger. I expect most of us drove home thinking about the most effective tire or tire/wheel change we could make that would let us challenge our favorite off ramp with just that much more authority. I know I did!

July 2003 Boston Bimmer

Advanced Driving Skills School: Theory and Practice by Todd Merrill

Photo Gallery: NHIS Club Race by Ron Sisco

Spring Cleanup at Sansossio Auto Body: Wash and Tan! by Derek DeSousa

Undercarriage Tech Session: The Underside by Dan Mull

Second Quarter General Meeting: Tire Specific by Bruce Augenstein

Undercarriage Tech Session: Auto-Ball Tech by Suzin Koehler

Modifying Your Attitude: Part 2 by Jake Schumacher

July 2003 New Members by Barry Tarr

More Boston Bimmer articles by Bruce Augenstein

July 2002 Board Meeting Minutes August 2002 Boston Bimmer

March 2001 Board Meeting Minutes May 2001 Bimmer

1998 Income and Expense Report May 1999 BIMMER

Horsepower and Torque: A Primer March 1999 BIMMER

A Newbie At Driving School May 1997 BIMMER