Tyre Change

[Minero]

Compliments of the season; bet you all cant wait for early christmas (15th Dec) when we get to see the new Z
About to change my tyres on Z4MC on OEM 18" replacing the original stock continental and was thinking Michelin PS2...
Any suggestions/alternatives would be most appreciated (including fitters, pressure etc).

Many thanks

 

[mmm-five]

Original fitment Conti's are not the best around - especially considering they're 3 generations out of date.

I think PS2s are the best 'normal' tyre around followed by the latest Continentals (SportContact 3). The PS2s are usually 20-25% more expensive than the Conti's though.

The options I've tried (unfortunately only tried PS2s and original fit Contis on the Z4M) are:

• Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (excellent performer, high-priced)
• Continental SportContact 3 (very good performer, mid-priced)
• Pirelli P-Zero Rosso (decent performer, mid-priced)
• Yokohama Advan Sport (good performer, mid-priced)
• Kumho KU19 (good performer, low-priced)

All the price & performance scales are based on my experience and an average price for a tyre, worked out by adding the price of a front & back tyre and halving.

• High = around £220
• Mid = around £170
• Low = around £150
• Cheap = below £130

If a tyre is not listed, it doesn't mean it's no good, it just means I can't give an honest opinion as I haven't tried it. I've also found the handling/ride can be upset if you chose a tyre load that's too high/low for the vehicle - i.e. a Z4MC doesn't need a 99Y XL load rating when an M5 with 300kg more only requires a 94Y.

 

[motoz]

While we're on the topic guys, how many kms/miles did your original conti last?

 

[Mr Whippy]

How long will the new PS2's last with a good mix of driving on a 3.0 Z4? I know the old Pilot Sports had a great lifetime despite their high cost (ie, it was worth paying more)

Is 12,000 at the back a good sort of lifetime, with the fronts lasting a bit longer... maybe 16,000?

 

[Minero]

Many thanks mmm-five, I think I'll be going for the PS2 option; was also thinking of the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric but I believe they've been discontinued. Any preference on fitters? Can the average kwik-fit shop do the trick?

 

[mmm-five]

Many thanks mmm-five, I think I'll be going for the PS2 option; was also thinking of the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric but I believe they've been discontinued. Any preference on fitters? Can the average kwik-fit shop do the trick?

I normally get the best prices online (BlackCircles or MyTyres - whichever is the cheapest at the time - and they both offer a fitting service too), or from the smaller independents rather than the chains, plus you know who you're dealing with if something goes wrong.

 

[pmeloche]

I keep reading that the Falken FK452 is an excellent alternative to the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 for much less. The reviews of this tire are almost as good as the Michelin tire. However, it seems that the Falken FK452 is not made in the 255/40ZR18 size for the Z4MC. :evil: Apparently, the Falken Azenis RT-615 is an appropriate alternative.

 

[outrun]

I like Toyos and have heard that the Vredstein Ultratec are really good as well. Also try etyres.co.uk, they are who i usually use and they offer a come to your door mobile fitting service that's first class.

 

[Andy]

I like Toyos and have heard that the Vredstein Ultratec are really good as well.

i have the Vredstein's and love them.. were only £530 fitted for 4 at my local blokey, and they are the sexiest tyre ive seen

 

[vinny09]

Hi all,

Sorry if this is a daft question, but can anyone advise on the exact right Conti-Sport 3 tyres as looking on the website there are several types that appear to be right:

http://www.conti-online.co.uk/generator/www/uk/en/continental/automobile/themes/car_tyres/standard_car_tyres/conti_sport_contact/conti_sport_contact3/contisportcontact3_en;tabNr=4.html

The ones on the car now are (I presume these are factory fitted):

Front - 225/45 ZR18 ContiSportContact M3
Rear - 255/40 ZR18 ContiSportContact M3

On the Continental website there are the following ContiSportContact 3 tyres which seem closest:

225/45 ZR 18 95W TL XL FR
255/40 ZR 18 (99Y) TL XL FR M0

The reason why I ask is that the "M0" apparently denotes for Mercedes models, but these are the only ZR 18 tyres with the matching size I can see. Also, looking at the Michelin site for the PS2's, they only have R18 tyres and not ZR18 in the Pilot Sport range - does this matter?

I am sure these are silly questions for those of you who know your tyres, but I don't so any advice welcomed!

Thanks.

 

[Wondermike]

vinny09, the M3 suffix means they are optimised for the M3, so how they ended up on your car, who knows, although I'm sure they have been fine. Maybe because the two cars are so similar they have been fitting those tyres to all later Z4M. They use a * for BMW specific tyres (as with the M0).

Tyre-shopper.co.uk has got the ones you already have in stock in both fitments, which is probably the ones I would go for. I would avoid the M0 you have listed above as a 99 load index is quite high.

http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/ts/search/tyredetails.aspx?code=2254518CT3Z
http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/ts/search/tyredetails.aspx?code=2554018CT1Z

The Pilot Sport only come in Z or Y rated so both will be fine.

 

[Wondermike]

Also what mmm-five said in the second post seems spot-on to me, I have just put 4 Sport Contact 3 onto my SLK they are fab (replaced OEM Sport Contact 2s) would be my number one choice next time too.

 

[vinny09]

Thanks Mike - appreciate the advice and links.

My car is a Sep 06 car originally (although I've had it since Jan 08) so maybe someone decided the M3 tyres were a good replacement if they are not the originals. It feels good on the road anyway so I will probably stick with them!

Vinny

 

[Wondermike]

Wow there is such a hugh price difference between 17" (mine) and 18" - I paid £420 supply-only and for 18" you're probably looking at £700-odd

 

[Frederik]

I've got Bridgestone Potenzas on my 2.5i, and am very happy with them. I'm not looking to change this year, but out of curiousity, how do they stack up versus the Falkens? Seems like Potenzas aren't that common on the Z in the UK or US?

 

[srhutch]

I've got Bridgestone Potenzas on my 2.5i, and am very happy with them. I'm not looking to change this year, but out of curiousity, how do they stack up versus the Falkens? Seems like Potenzas aren't that common on the Z in the UK or US?

I guess you are still running with Run flats, which is why you wont see many recommendations, dumping my Bridgestone RFT's very soon for Falken 452's

 

[Z4Kevo]

Compliments of the season; bet you all cant wait for early christmas (15th Dec) when we get to see the new Z
About to change my tyres on Z4MC on OEM 18" replacing the original stock continental and was thinking Michelin PS2...
Any suggestions/alternatives would be most appreciated (including fitters, pressure etc).

Many thanks

Michelin PS2 are sweet tires...you will pay a premium...on my third set of PS2s and loving the performance...I wouldn't buy any other.

 

[scottie1979]

Went in to get a slow puncture repaired today. Once the rear was off it was noticed that the inner side of both back tyres were completely worn down :thumbsdown:

Only thing they could offer today was a set of PIRELLI - P ZERO ROSSO - price wasn't fantastic but they were going to throw in an alignment at my request (steering wheel is on the piss) so it kind of evened up the price.

However once the tyres were changed they told me they didn't have any data on the Z4MC for the alignment ("wasnt on their charts"). Bit disappointed but we both agreed that more harm than good might be done if we went ahead.

Still - lets see how the Rosso's go. The Conti's lasted 18.5k so i guess i cant really complain! Loads still left on the front.

 

[Caddyshk]

While we're on the topic guys, how many kms/miles did your original conti last?

30,000km's (18,600 miles) on the OE's (includes a few track days) - Need new. PS'2's are way,way over priced (Michelin knows this ) Hankook reverse engineers Michelin product and has leading edge manufacturing - should be considered high quality at entry level price. I'm looking at 235/40/18 & 265/35/18 for the next set. I like the Yokohama S.drive for value too.


http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/s.drive.aspx