completely stupid question about tires

[1st time BMW buyer]

I can't believe I am asking this...

I bought an '01 530i sport with only 16K. The tires are original, and the rear are worn half as much as the front which look new.

The tires are directional so I have to go front to back/back to front but can't cross sides..

My question is ... typically you put the tires with the best traction on the rear wheels. The dealer didn't rotate them and it was off lease, so I'm sure they weren't rotated before I bought it.

Should the best tires go on the back or on the front? The rear ones sure look like the used to be on the front as the edges are rounded (like from cornering) - just want to be sure with this ...they're expensive tires and I'd like to make them last as long as I can.

Thanks, and pardon my ignorance.

[Paul in NZ]

the best tires should actually go on the front cos the most important two controls are there ie steering and prolly 70 per cent of the braking traction....BMW reccomend NOT to rotate tires,but I know some of us here do(me for one)Just go to a GOOD tire place get them rotated balanced and aligned......our e34s tend to wear the outsides of the fronts and the insides of the rears....

[632 Regal]

yep front to rear rotation isnt rocket science and can help the ride along with saving a few miles between new tires.

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

the best tires should actually go on the front cos the most important two controls are there ie steering and prolly 70 per cent of the braking traction....BMW reccomend NOT to rotate tires,but I know some of us here do(me for one)Just go to a GOOD tire place get them rotated balanced and aligned......our e34s tend to wear the outsides of the fronts and the insides of the rears....

Your best tires go on the back. Why? Because you can't steer the rear.

Imagine this scenario:

You are driving in heavy rain on a straight stretch of road.
You're not yet aware the front tires are nearly hydroplaning - the rears are following in the clearing from the front tires.
A curve is coming - the rear tires step out of the cleared path from the front tires.
Have a nice trip into the ditch.

Really.

Anthony

Here's a pertinent link:

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/01/Northoftampa/Shiny__no_But_tires_a.shtml

Another one, item 8:

http://www.idavette.net/tire_wheel/tire_myths.htm

Or here:

http://motortrend.com/features/care/112_9903_cc_tire/index1.html

[Hector]

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=6518&highlight=tire+hydroplaning

[Busa1400]

Best tyres on the back

[jplacson]

Best tires go on the back... this keeps the back of the car from spinning out. Doesn't matter if your car is FWD, RWD or AWD... best tires go on the rear.

It's physics... not rocket science ;)

[zygoteer]

Best tyres on the rear ! else in the wet it can be unstable and so will try to swap ends on you big time

its simply that a worn tyre has a greater "slip" angle than a new tyre (ALL tyres have a 'slip' angle regardless of condition/type), therefore if the worn tyres were on the back they WILL effectively 'understeer' more than the front tyres = back RAPIDLY steps out etc.

[shragon]

i agree... rear.

[JonE]

Leave 'em where they are, as you mentioned, the wear indicates those tires were probably recently rotated.
I'm with you, Paul, best tires in front, and, if rotated properly, there never is a "best" pair of tires. They will wear evenly (best scenario, right?).