Tyre Dilemmas

[flimper]

The fronts on the M need replacing, but I'm at a loss at what to do. The options as I see them:

1] Wait for a Costco offer on Michelins, then sell rear Conti M3s from my car (with 6mm of tread) (Will it be a long wait?)
2] Source some part worn Conti M3s fronts from here
3] Buy 4 Conti Sport 3s, then sell my M3 rears
4] Buy 4 Vredstein Sessantas, then sell my M3 rears
5] Buy 4 Falken 452s, then sell my M3 rears (not overly keen on this option)

I'm a bit unsure about going for non OEM sizes just in case of any problems with ride etc. Any help appreciated

[tomscott]

Id go for the V reds. I am currently needing to put some on my CSLs but the michelin supers sports are near enough twice the price and the pilots not much cheaper. Although fantastic tyres the Vreds hold their own in every test ive read, im intrigued so going to give them a try. Depends tho, what do you think of the Conti M3s? Quite an old tyre now, but not bad. If you have 6mm I would just buy two fronts save some money.

[flimper]

Ideally I'd like to try some new tyres out, the Conti M3s are fine but there must be better out there. Also not sure how I feel about the look of the Vreds and Falkens

[cj10jeeper]

Of course you can buy 4 tyres from Costco and get the best deal them fit them later when the rears are worn out, but they never match up to the Vreds or Falkens on value.

Biggest decision really is premium tyre or mid range then it's an easier call.

The one thing I'd never do is buy part worns unless you are 100% sure of the owner of them and that even includes forum users. Life's too short to risk a damaged tyre.

[Adamski]

I would go for option 4 - Vreds

[tomscott]

I would skip the Falkens entirely for the M.

The Vreds look very cool in my opinion. That Asymmetrical pattern looks pretty manly if you ask me! Have a read of this

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/range/vredeste ... tyres.aspx

[flimper]

Interesting, not seen that test result before, cheers

[flimper]

I would go for option 4 - Vreds

Most likely option now I think, may gauge interest on the rear M3s next

[ASW28]

Recently put set of 4 Vreds on mine. - Feels so much better, steering wheel 'death grip' not now required on less than smooth road surfaces.

[Jembo]

I would go for option 4 - Vreds

The set of Vreds i once had were brilliant in the dry, but Michielins felt more stable & grippy in he wet.

Michielins are expensive, though having access to Costco when they have their 20% off means they are a bargain to me... & given you have access to Costco would get my vote

[BMWZ4MC]

I'd go for a set of four Vreds, and give your Contis to me

In all seriousness, I've kept my 18" wheels for track use so I get through a set of rears pretty quickly. If your 18"s are standard OEM size I'd be interested in buying them if you change all four...

Please PM me if you decide to go that route.

As for the Vreds, I have them on my CSLs and they're pretty good. In the dry I'd say they are fairly average, but they offer phenomenol grip in the wet. They're a bit noisy at motorway speeds but that's probably as much due to the size as the tyre brand.

[flimper]

Vreds worse than the M3s in the dry? Still considering the Conti 3s at the moment as well. Maybe PM me with what you would be looking to pay for the M3s (they are standard size)

[BMWZ4MC]

Hmmm.... PM me what sort of price you have in mind, otherwise I'll only end up suggesting a ridiculously cheeky price and I wouldn't want to seem like I was taking the pee!

Btw, I presume these aren't special light weight flimper-spec tyres that come without tread

Oh, and Vreds are not worse in the dry, just average. It's in the wet that they seem to perform far better than expected.

[octavia1]

Swopped my run flats back in October - currently running Avon ZZ3'S and very happy with them, tram lining a thing of the past and also impressed with the wet weather performance.