Tyre choices - what would you choose??

[droptheclutch]

Hi Everyone.

Well, the time has come to change the boots on the 330i Sport Touring and I'm wondering if anyone can make some informed comments regarding the myriad of choice available...

It's currently on Michelin Pilot Sports (as specced new). I'm not overly impresed with these, so am considering alternative brands around the same £££ per corner (circa £200.00).

All comments (regarding tyres :-) greatfully received.

[baz1985]

If not Michelin PS2, then Goodyear GSD3

[Andrew D]

Word on the street is that Pilot Sport II's are the business. Pirelli P-Zero Rosso are a little more grippy, but they don't last. My bro got 30k out of his original Pilot Sports on his TT.

I presume you've discarded the run-flat option in favour of the M-Mobility System (or the can of foam as some would call it).

Edited by Andrew D on Tuesday 13th June 11:48

[dazren]

£200 a corner?

That's a lot. I run Dunlop SP8080 sports on my M5 and 4 tyres comes in at about £570 fitted from Protyre (depots through the south, owned by Micheldever).

DAZ

[Andrew D]

dazren said:

£200 a corner?

That's a lot. I run Dunlop SP8080 sports on my M5 and 4 tyres comes in at about £570 fitted from Protyre (depots through the south, owned by Micheldever).

DAZ

Pilot Sports are pretty expensive. A friend of mine has his own fitting business, and he couldn't source them (at cost) for what the Audi main dealer was charging fitted (£160 a corner for 225-55ZR18).

[mmm-five]

PS2s from mytyres are £132 front (225/40z18), and £170 rear (255/35z18).

The ones I buy (245/40z18) at any given time is purely down to which tyre is the cheapest at that time as I've noticed fluctuations in price of up to 25% on mytyres from month to month. I'm currently choose between Pirelli P-Zero, Michelin PS2 or Conti Sport Contact 2 on my e24 M5 and they all seem very similar in performance, with the P-Zeros lasting the least time, but giving a noisier ride than the others!

[fluffnik]

Andrew D said:

Word on the street is that Pilot Sport II's are the business. Pirelli P-Zero Rosso are a little more grippy, but they don't last. My bro got 30k out of his original Pilot Sports on his TT.

I've replaced P-Zero Rossos with PS2s on my B10 V8 and find them as good (grip) or better (noise, ride, feel). Too soon to say what wears better.

[baz1985]

forgot to say, the PS2s have a weak sidewall, minor pothole=new tyre (old was only 1k old), well that is what happened to me

[m12_nathan]

Buy the ones that have the extra load sidewall then

PS2 XL are fine, taken a lot of kurb with them on track and they can take the abuse.

[baz1985]

m12_nathan said:

Buy the ones that have the extra load sidewall then

PS2 XL are fine, taken a lot of kurb with them on track and they can take the abuse.

that is what I had and still have. There was recall of a specific size, but not 235/35/19.

[m12_nathan]

That is the front size I use, I think you were unlucky as mine took a proper beating

[Robertb]

Hi Jason,

I have some Dunlop SP sports on mine- they've lasted ages, and I've had a few sets before. Oddly, I had a bit of trouble when I just changed the rears a while ago. It seemed to really upset the handling of the car to the extent it became very twitchy, with the traction control light and DSC system triggering much more than usual. The problem went away as the wear evened out, so make sure you go for a full set if you can.

I read a tyre test (from 2004 admittedly, and I suppose the game has been moved on a bit since then) and the ones that came out best were the Bridgestone Potenza S03 and the Goodyear Eagle F1. The Goodyear had the edge on wet handling.

Make sure you give Micheldever tyres a call www.micheldever.co.uk as they always seem significantly cheaper than others- no affiliation etc, just a happy customer. Ask for the Premier service (which is free) which allows you to book a slot plus other benefits.

Robert.

[daver]

My vote goes to the GSD3.

Give Bracknell Tyres a call on 01344 411323. They supplied the extra-load version when I had the rears replaced recently. Unfeasibly competitive pricing!

Oh, and my office is just around the corner, so if you are bringing your West-Milltek machine along, do let me know!

[dcb]

daver said:

My vote goes to the GSD3.

My vote goes for the Continentals
- £110 a corner locally or £160 at the dealers.

For many years, I was a Pirelli man. Soft, grippy but
not long lasting. I think I will continue with Continentals.

[vee]

Ideally I'd use Pilot Sports as all round I think they're unbeatable.

Goodyear Eagle F1s are very good but also very soft so they don't last as long.
As my mileage is either all motorway or central London I got Continental Sport Contact 2 on my 330 and saved over £150 on the Pilot Sport prices.
If I did a lot of driving on fast A/B roads I'd have paid the extra for the Michelins.

[bennno]

Continental Sport Contact 2 or 3 are probably the best tyres available.

I find bridgestone so2/3 have bad wet grip, the pirellis wear fast and seem to make the alloys more prone to kerbing and the pilots are more expensive than the conti's and fairly square shouldered so can make the car track.

i melted the SO2's on my 330i sport in 4 laps of Castle Coombe which i thought was poor.

Bennno

[droptheclutch]

Thanks for all the ifo, chaps.

Rob - had the work done yet? We'll be doing all four tyres for sure.

DaveR - will PM you if I end up in your area. Would be more than happy to take you for a spin (just ask Rob!)

Cheers.