I find that there is nothing wrong with the OEM PZeros but given that I will change tires more often than oil while I own this car, I'd like to try different brands to experience different feels of performance summer tires.

I've read a number of threads about tires but based on the recent experience that many of us have had over the last few months, I'm interested in getting your views on alternatives to the OEM PZeros for daily driving (not tracking). In particular, I'd like to get your views (both pros and cons) on performance, quietness/comfort (I don't care about tread life as they won't last long anyway) for the following:

- Michelin PS2
- Toyo T1R
- Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1
- Potenza RE050A Pole Position
- Goodyear F1 Asymmetric

 

I switched to Continental Extreme Contact DW tires. Love them.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....remeContact+DW

 

I went through the same issues with my Porsche 911's. I went back to P-zero's. You may get better treadware-but you won't get the grip.Depends on your driving style.

Our stability control (ESP) is quite unobtrusive with the P-zero's. But a tire with less grip and the associated sliding around will make it work more and you will feel it. Not an issue that could damage the car-but the car was designed around that tire.---Including the stability mapping.

 

I’m using Yokohama Advan Sport. I see in the MB dealers here they are using them as the OEM tyre on the CL63. I find them nice and sticky but a little noisy. Still I’m running a 30 profile on the front and 25 on the rear which doesn’t help with noise.

 

Spend the money and get the Michelin PS2's. They are expensive but they make a noticeable difference in handling and hooking up off the line. With the PZERO's you always spin the wheels in first and even second under mildly aggressive acceleration.

 

Haven't had any extra esp lights or sliding so far.

 

Sometimes it's useful and helpful for drifting...

 

Answered and noted

PS: The GS-D3 is THE best all around tire, IMHO. Good on track, GRAET in the rain, reasonable life.

 

I had the Toyo T1Rs on an A3. The T1R is a well-mannered and easily manageable tire when pushed hard. It makes a great summer tire but ride comfort wasn't great as you wear out the tread. It was a bit stiff for me on LA roads and it would get noisier as the tread wore out.

Then I switched to Falken 452 -- less grip but much quieter and more comfortable but still 'streetable'.

A friend of mine had the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 on his modded G35 and loved it, but it started to cost too much for him to change out. He switched to Toyo T1Rs.

@MRAMG1 -- what's wrong with the Michelin PS2?

 

i got the potenza pole positions for the rear, still have life on the p zeros up front. My car may even handle better it's certainly is not worse.

 

Try the Yoko Advan 103 and then tell me how you won't change them.

 

I have posted about them MANY times my friend.

As an avid road racer, they just don't perform up to their price tag. There are MANY tires out there that will beat them on the track, drag, or street. For the non believers, just go to ANY local track and look to see what the fastest cars are running. It will NOT be Michelins, enough said.

Did I mention the others cost ALOT less

 

I finally switched out the Pirelli's and picked up the Toyo T1R's

Way, way better!!!

Phil

 

I just put Sumitomo HTRZIII's on the rear after the original PZeros wore out at 4K miles. They are $165.00 each at TireRack, have a treadwear rating of 300 (35% higher than the Pirellis) and they seem OK at this point. They finished first in a test that TireRack conducted against some other very good and very expensive tires. Figured they were worth a try.

 

Anyone running RE11?

 

Luke at Tire Rack was adamant about the Bridgestone Re-11 being the best extreme summer performance tire available for anyone wanting at the limit performance. That being said my wallet decided for me and the Dirrezza Z1's are on the car now. They look VERY aggressive, the ride is unchanged and they performed great at the track although it was a learning experience for me. Two more track weekends are scheduled and I hope to push the tires harder next time. After that the RE-11's will probably be next.

 

After reading many tire-threads looks like this car needs new rear tires between 5.000-10.000miles. But what about the front tires? Do you change them too after 5-10K miles? The front tires prob last longer so I will just buy a new set of PZeros for the rear and change all four for another brand once the second set of rear tires are done.

 

I went with Direzzas. Excellent on the track and very good in the rain. Also, good price. Tried other tires, went back to the Dunlops. My P Zeros were gone after one track use and one tire actually lost a piece in the middle and the steel cables showed.

 

This has also happened to me on the track with a lousey set of Pirellies

I will NEVER race on pirellies EVER again.

PS: I have another thread showing the tires, this site wouldn't allow me reload it again

 

has anyone tried the bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position. These used to be the SO3s and i had those before and they were great.

Also, how much does it matter regarding the service description of the tire. Reminder that the Serv. Desc identifies the tire's load index and speed rating. The OEM tires were 95Y for the front and 94Y in the rear. The number corresponded to the load index on that tire.

 

I replaced my rear oem Pirelli P-Zero's with Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sports...so far after ~ 2.5k mi, they look great and are performing well. Treadwear rating is 340, Temp and Traction A...better traction than the oem P-Zero's with better treadwear; hopefully, they last at least 10k mi.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...&AID=10398365&

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....za+RE760+Sport

 

Thanks for all your comments. I was tempted to go with the RE050a pole positions but I'm now tempted by the Good Year.

I noticed that some of you are suggesting tires rated W instead of Y. And I also see that many the track style tires like the RE-11 are also rated W. Can anybody comment on whether or not it is safe to go W instead of Y with our car?

 

They are FANTASTIC my fiend

They dropped my lap time at Beaverun by almost 2 seconds

ALMOST as good as a R type tire, however they do wear quick, aka 140 treadware.

As the old saying goes NO FREE LUNCH.

They are okay in the rain, however the GS-D3 is without question a better rain tire.

 

My previous 335i came with those stock, but they were run flat tyres. I didn't care for them, I don't track at all, just normal street driving, but I did prefer the PS2s (non-RFT) overall.

 

I was not aware that they made that series in a run flat. Me bad, just looked them up on Tirerack.

FYI: ALL run flat tires give up traction, inherit to the design.


In regaurds to the PS2's, I would gladly take the 050, GS-D3, or even my Nitto's over them