Conti sport contact 5 and 6

[Pondrew]

Thanks all for the input.
I have had (yet) another look at sizes, and as Peter suggested I have increased sizes to 275/35/19 and 245/40/19.
These give me much more choice in matching fronts and rears. They are actually generally cheaper too; I'm presuming my 265/35 size is unusual so commands a premium.

I now have a realistic choice of (dearest to cheapest): Conti SC 7, Uniroyal rainsport, or Kumho Ecsta

[B21]

You will find the 235 front steers more easily / quickly with less tendency to tramline compared with the 245..

The 245 gives more grip in corners when pushed very hard but isn’t as ‘sweet’ overall…FWIW

Both are recommended by Conti for the 8.5J

[Pondrew]

You will find the 235 front steers more easily / quickly with less tendency to tramline compared with the 245..

The 245 gives more grip in corners when pushed very hard but isn’t as ‘sweet’ overall…FWIW

Both are recommended by Conti for the 8.5J

The 245 size is purely to give the closest diameter to the 275 TBH, Peter. The combo of these are only 2.5mm difference in diameter. If I go 235 with 275 it goes out by too much for my liking. I would also be back to square one with finding matching tyres.

Just got to hope there is no rubbing anywhere with 245s!

[B21]

0.5% vs 0.7% is effectively irrelevant from a DSC or speed calibration viewpoint..but that’s your choice..on the E89 245s are very tight…obviously your offset vs OE is a more critical factor..both space and steering response..

[Pondrew]

0.5% vs 0.7% is effectively irrelevant from a DSC or speed calibration viewpoint..but that’s your choice..on the E89 245s are very tight…obviously your offset vs OE is a more critical factor..both space and steering response..

The offset is only 1mm different (35 opposed to 36) and the wheel is 1/2" wider (8.5 opposed to 8 ). Even with an extra 20mm tyre width I think they will be OK TBH.
Thank you for your input and advice Peter. I do appreciate it!

[plenty]

I am currently running 255/35/18 and 225/45/18 on an E85, a 3.8% difference in circumference. Matching rolling radius only matters on an AWD vehicle.

[Mr Tidy]

FWIW mr_wilks used to recommend Kumho Ecstas quite often so I had a set fitted to my MC in 2020 and I've been very pleased with them.

I also went up a profile on the rears to 255/45 x 18 instead of 255/40 for a bit more sidewall and that hasn't been a problem - just means the speedo is more accurate!

[Pondrew]

FWIW mr_wilks used to recommend Kumho Ecstas quite often so I had a set fitted to my MC in 2020 and I've been very pleased with them.

I also went up a profile on the rears to 255/45 x 18 instead of 255/40 for a bit more sidewall and that hasn't been a problem - just means the speedo is more accurate!

Thanks Iain. I am now looking at the Kumhos, Dunlops and Goodyear F1 assy 3.

The Kumhos seem quite a bit cheaper, so will make enquiries on Monday. To be honest I am not looking for 'cutting edge' performance, just decent tyres that will cope with everyday driving on a fairly powerful, heavy RWD car.

Going to need a can of tyre weld too!!

[smorris_12]

I had Kuhmos when they were still an unrated budget and was jolly impressed with them for performance. Not as good for mileage as the big names but not a ditch finder.

[Pondrew]

I had Kuhmos when they were still an unrated budget and was jolly impressed with them for performance. Not as good for mileage as the big names but not a ditch finder.

Cheers. Mileage is not really a concern for me (I get slated constantly by certain 'members' for never using my cars). The car in question has done 900 miles in 7 months!

[smorris_12]

Cheers. Mileage is not really a concern for me (I get slated constantly by certain 'members' for never using my cars). The car in question has done 900 miles in 7 months!

Try harder man!

For many years I had no job and no reason to go anywhere much but my E46 would still somehow rack up 14k a year. I assume either someone else had a key or the odo had a built in random number generator. I could add 900 miles by popping out to buy sweets. I've a feeling I went through 230,000 and 240,000 on the same outing.

[Mr Tidy]

FWIW mr_wilks used to recommend Kumho Ecstas quite often so I had a set fitted to my MC in 2020 and I've been very pleased with them.

I also went up a profile on the rears to 255/45 x 18 instead of 255/40 for a bit more sidewall and that hasn't been a problem - just means the speedo is more accurate!

Thanks Iain. I am now looking at the Kumhos, Dunlops and Goodyear F1 assy 3.

The Kumhos seem quite a bit cheaper, so will make enquiries on Monday. To be honest I am not looking for 'cutting edge' performance, just decent tyres that will cope with everyday driving on a fairly powerful, heavy RWD car.

Going to need a can of tyre weld too!!

Just thought it may be useful Andrew.

I find the Ecstas fine even when I am pushing on a bit, and they way superior in cooler damp conditions than the MPSS tyres it came with.

When you get Tyreweld don't forget a compressor!

[Pondrew]

For many years I had no job and no reason to go anywhere much

For many years I did have a job and had to go everywhere much. Now I'm old and don't need to do that, I just don't!

[B21]

I am currently running 255/35/18 and 225/45/18 on an E85, a 3.8% difference in circumference. Matching rolling radius only matters on an AWD vehicle.

That’s a simple and partially incorrect answer..

Some later cars eg G29 have DSCs that cope with dissimilar rolling radius…as you say XDrive cars often mandate identical rolling radius

However some cars, certainly the E89 do require a degree of matching, typically within 2%..

When I inadvertently had a mismatch of around 4% I had DSC issues with various errors if the car was sliding or had wheels spinning, often the errors only arise when the DSC unit has to step in..

[plenty]

I certainly stand corrected - thank you.