How good are oem continentals?

H

Hark

Active member
Just got the my Z4M and not convinced on these tyres. Stopping distance seems longer when braking hard, lomger than on the falken 452s I had on the TT.

Need to check simple things like pressures, might be that, the roads are dry all be it cold.

Anyone else find this or is it just me?
 
Think opinions differ, some people like them and some think they're pants. Hard to tell at the minute because the temp is against us. I haven't driven my ///M enough to have an opinion yet, but I'm pretty certain that when I need new tyres I'll get Sport Contact 3 or 5 instead.
 
Taz x said:
er surely the question is how good are oem continentals
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lol Cheeky git

Do you have an opinion on them, or just going to give me grammar lessons? :roll: :wink:
 
They are a lot better in the dry than Falken 452s IMO.

In the cold/wet i'd say they were a bit better. 452s feel good in the wet, but they let go suddenly. The Contis are more progressive so you get to feel them start to lose grip in the wet earlier, even though they actually hang on longer (if that makes sense).

The Vredsteins get good reviews on the M especially in the wet. I'm not convinced they're better in the dry though as they have a really wide tread pattern in the centre
 
Hark said:
Taz x said:
er surely the question is how good are oem continentals
Click to expand...

lol Cheeky git

Do you have an opinion on them, or just going to give me grammar lessons? :roll: :wink:
Click to expand...


sorry i am not knowledgable on anything, but glad you changed the tiltle, only a few realised what a drip had had been lol
 
A POST FROM ME RECENTLY ON ANOTHER FORUM

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

I have used Falken FK452 on numerous vehicles for many years (including a 450bhp RWD Skyline) - No complaints, IMHO they are about the best low cost performance tyre available. Have to say they are useless in snow though!

The 452 had a serious contender in the Vred Ultrac Sessanta which for a while was at a very similar price, they do seem to have gone up quite a bit at most places now which to me makes them slightly less attractive.

Yes, I have tried the Vreds too - My wife has them on her Z4 at the mo' - I would say they are marginally better than the 452 in overall terms. They are highly rated on the Z4 forum, lots of members there have fitted them and really rate them.

There is no question though better performance will be had in the dry from Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical or Michelin PS2... I have tried both (on different cars) and would say the Michelin isn't the stand out choice it used to be. The GY F1 Asymm's are truly excellent! - But given the time of year they may be a better choice for Spring/Summer/Autumn.

If you are on a budget either the Vreds (if you can get them for a good price) if not Falken FK452 would me where I would spend my money - Avoid the other Falkens, tried them and hated them (poor grip, rapid wear).

To throw another into the mix I really rate the Continental Sport Contact 3 I have on my Z4M - A fantastic all-rounder... I find their grip and feedback in the wet phenominal and dry weather grip is exceptionally high - There aren't many other people I have come across that rate them as highly as me, in fact they are mostly slated on the Z4 forum... Perhaps they suit me and my driving style, also I do tend to run them at higher pressures than others on the Z4 forum do (usually around 34frt 36rear)... Works for me though and they seem to be lasting forever (despite spirited use - I do not slide the car,much) :)

Seen a couple of mag tyre reviews recently where they scored well too!

Tyre choice is subjective but the above has been my experience, I hope it may be of some help to you.
 
As I said haven't checked pressures. You mention 36/34 as your preffered combination. How does this compare to the the BMW recommended pressures? I could go out in the cold and check, but don't make me. :P
 
Peppermint said:
To throw another into the mix I really rate the Continental Sport Contact 3 I have on my Z4M - A fantastic all-rounder... I find their grip and feedback in the wet phenominal and dry weather grip is exceptionally high - There aren't many other people I have come across that rate them as highly as me, in fact they are mostly slated on the Z4 forum... Perhaps they suit me and my driving style, also I do tend to run them at higher pressures than others on the Z4 forum do (usually around 34frt 36rear)... Works for me though and they seem to be lasting forever (despite spirited use - I do not slide the car,much) :)

Seen a couple of mag tyre reviews recently where they scored well too!
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I think you're confusing the newer Continental Sport Contact 3 tyres with the OEM Continental Sport Contact M3 tyre. The former is a newish compound, the latter is as old as the first gen Pilot Sports.
 
You might want to have a look at this thread which basically covers the same subject.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=22921
 
[/quote]
I think you're confusing the newer Continental Sport Contact 3 tyres with the OEM Continental Sport Contact M3 tyre. The former is a newish compound, the latter is as old as the first gen Pilot Sports.[/quote]

These are conti sport M3

Just been outside and checked the pressures and think that is the main cuplrit. Fronts are 25.5, rears are around 30.

Will adjust them tomorrow. Correct pressures are inside the door jam I think? :?
 
Okay - The recent tyre tests are obviously on the new compound then... I am on OEM Contis... Still they work for me :)

I don't tend to pay much mind to Manfucturers recommended pressures, if anything I use them as a starting point.. They are afterall a recommendation... I always experiment a bit around that figure to find a pressure that gets the most from the tyre for me.

I remember at lower pressures they were inconsistent in their grip levels and feedback.
 
The OEM ContiSport Contact M3 are rubbish and not a patch on the Falken FK452s in any weather. The only draw back on the Falkens is that they take a while to get all the oils out of them and they need a few heat cycles to start working really well...

I seem to remember that Costco have a 20% off their Michelin Pilot Sports 3 at the moment, which makes them actually quite appealing...
 
Cheburator said:
The OEM ContiSport Contact M3 are rubbish and not a patch on the Falken FK452s in any weather. The only draw back on the Falkens is that they take a while to get all the oils out of them and they need a few heat cycles to start working really well...

I seem to remember that Costco have a 20% off their Michelin Pilot Sports 3 at the moment, which makes them actually quite appealing...
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Strange that 2 people can own the same car and arrive at 2 completely different conclusions.

The Falkens let go much too suddenly, especially in the wet. They are nowhere near progressive enough. They might inspire a bit more confidence when you are nowhere near the limit, but if you are pushing them at all they are borderline dangerous on these cars IMO
 
pilchardthecat said:
Cheburator said:
The OEM ContiSport Contact M3 are rubbish and not a patch on the Falken FK452s in any weather. The only draw back on the Falkens is that they take a while to get all the oils out of them and they need a few heat cycles to start working really well...

I seem to remember that Costco have a 20% off their Michelin Pilot Sports 3 at the moment, which makes them actually quite appealing...
Click to expand...

Strange that 2 people can own the same car and arrive at 2 completely different conclusions.

The Falkens let go much too suddenly, especially in the wet. They are nowhere near progressive enough. They might inspire a bit more confidence when you are nowhere near the limit, but if you are pushing them at all they are borderline dangerous on these cars IMO
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Put it this way, the Falkens were good for 8:20 BTG following a Big White M5 Taxi in a boggo standard car on that one way toll road somewhere in the Nord Rhein-Westfalian mountains... The Conti Sport M3 fell to pieces in 10 laps on that very road... Total rubbish, which I was glad to get rid off... Maybe in 2000 they were good, but now they are showing their age...
 
Cheburator said:
I seem to remember that Costco have a 20% off their Michelin Pilot Sports 3 at the moment, which makes them actually quite appealing...
Click to expand...

Be careful with that, I think that PS3's are actually a replacement for Exaltos rather than PS2's. Bizarre branding but I'm pretty sure that's the case.
 
dgm said:
Cheburator said:
I seem to remember that Costco have a 20% off their Michelin Pilot Sports 3 at the moment, which makes them actually quite appealing...
Click to expand...

Be careful with that, I think that PS3's are actually a replacement for Exaltos rather than PS2's. Bizarre branding but I'm pretty sure that's the case.
Click to expand...

I had a look at the Michelin web site and you may be right. Funny how manufacturers call their products. Either way, COSTCO have 20% off all Michelin tyres, which includes the PS2s...

P.S. Not affiliated with COSTCO in any way...
 
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