Tyres For 108's - Brands & Sizes

[CryptoWhale]

I'll try and keep it brief, my car came with run flats which are terrible and the tread is getting low. I'm looking to get them changed ASAP along with 4 wheel tracking.

I had originally narrowed it down to Michelin Pilot Super Sports OR Michelin Pilot Sport 4. I then came across Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Sports which are apparently just as good as the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (Note, these are not the usual MPS4. Unfortunately they do not do the MPS4S in 18". These are supposed to be a big step up from MPSS & MPS4), so naturally this is why I was looking at the F1 SS.

Then to throw a spanner in the works, Bridgestone have released some new tyres this year to compete in the ultra high performance category, the Potenza Sport. Looking at the review on tyrereviews.com, these come out on top considerably more than all the other ultra high performance tyres, including the Goodyear F1 SS & MPS4S. It appears the order of best tyre from the ones I have looked at are:

Potenza Sport > MPS4S > F1 SS > MPS4/MPSS

All the tyres I have mentioned are available in OEM 108 sizes (225/40 & 255/35) however the Potenza Sport seem to be ridiculously expensive for the rears (255/35/18) at nearly £270 each!! However, they are much more reasonably priced for the 245/40 ones and in fact come out cheaper all round than the other tyres.

1. Should I go for the Potenza's (in 245/40 size) or the F1 SS (in 255/35 size)
2. Will 245 be noticeably smaller than the 255 (aesthetically speaking, as I love the aggressive look from the rear and how wide the tyres look).
3. I have 25MM spacers on the rear with no rubbing currently but it is quite tight. Will the increased profile of the 245/40's rub? Or should the decreased width counter this?

 

[Anonymous]

Apart from the logic of you can, not sure, IMHO, why you are going down the route of the UHP tyres?

These tend not work very well in the wet and cold as well as the next more all purpose tyres would and the car doesn't have the power /brakes to abuse tyres to a level on the road where their dry weather performance advantages would show?

Tyre size wise I'm an E89 chap so will leave it to others to comment on sizes

 

[CryptoWhale]

Apart from the logic of you can, not sure, IMHO, why you are going down the route of the UHP tyres?

These tend not work very well in the wet and cold as well as the next more all purpose tyres would and the car doesn't have the power /brakes to abuse tyres to a level on the road where their dry weather performance advantages would show?

Tyre size wise I'm an E89 chap so will leave it to others to comment on sizes

Well the MPSS / MPS4 & the Goodyear F1's (which I think are classed as UHP) seem to be very popular on here and other Z forums with numerous people saying they transform the car compared to RF or budget or mid range tyres. The F1 SS & new Potenza Sport are also pretty much the same price as the older MPSS / MPS4 hence why I have narrowed down to these. I have always been a believer in spending good money on anything that comes between me and the ground

Wet performance for the ones I've listed bar the MPSS is brilliant according to the reviews and general feedback around the web. Perhaps the tyres won't get the same abuse on the road as a track, but from previous experience the difference between low mid and high end tyres is considerably noticeable in both spirited driving and normal driving. I wouldn't say a RWD 265bhp car isn't powerful enough for UHP tyres either 8) :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

CryptoWhale, all understood, I don't disagree about not skimping on anything in the chassis/powertrain, people's opinions vary of course.

If it makes you happy / confident in the car that's all that matters.

It was just an observation in 4 years of Zedding and attending about 40+ car runs with some serious hooning in all conditions I've never seen tyre choice become a factor save that of runflats...personally I buy my tyres from what may be desribed as tier 1 manufacturers just prefer the 'cooking versions'

Enjoy your purchase.

 

[craig3.2]

Apart from the logic of you can, not sure, IMHO, why you are going down the route of the UHP tyres?

These tend not work very well in the wet and cold as well as the next more all purpose tyres would and the car doesn't have the power /brakes to abuse tyres to a level on the road where their dry weather performance advantages would show?

Tyre size wise I'm an E89 chap so will leave it to others to comment on sizes

Well the MPSS / MPS4 & the Goodyear F1's (which I think are classed as UHP) seem to be very popular on here and other Z forums with numerous people saying they transform the car compared to RF or budget or mid range tyres. The F1 SS & new Potenza Sport are also pretty much the same price as the older MPSS / MPS4 hence why I have narrowed down to these. I have always been a believer in spending good money on anything that comes between me and the ground

Wet performance for the ones I've listed bar the MPSS is brilliant according to the reviews and general feedback around the web. Perhaps the tyres won't get the same abuse on the road as a track, but from previous experience the difference between low mid and high end tyres is considerably noticeable in both spirited driving and normal driving. I wouldn't say a RWD 265bhp car isn't powerful enough for UHP tyres either 8) :wink:

The Michelin Pilot s/sports are a very good tyre,but the newer MP4 are 99% as good in my opinion.
A very Good alternative is the Vredestein uhp tyre,such as Vorti's,Sessantas,etc and have used Many Vredestein tyres,as well as Gdyr f1, assymeyrics 2/3, etc And Bridgestones,etc.
This has been between my current M and previous 3.0 Roadsters.
Many spirited miles since 2007.

I find all versions of the Vredestein tyres to be great grip dry and wet,have long lifespan,20-30k miles, as opposed to noticeably less on other makes,and Performance is 90-95% of that of The Michelin's.
And they grip better than most brands wet and dry,when they start to get more than 50% with,unlike other brands.
The Michelin tyres are debatable if they are worth the extra cost over the Vredestein tyres,but I got mine on a good deal last year,and the one Downside of Vreds are not as fuel efficient as others mentioned.

Hope this helps,and I agree,265bhp is more than enough to warrant a good, performance tyre!!

P.s,I had my e85 3.0 for over 5 years,and had two different sets/colours if 108's on them,and always found the Vredestein tyres excellent tyres,in many guises. And it was regularly driven at high speed and very quickly round corners,so those or the MP4 would be my choice, depending on cost and,or Fuel economy.....while not a major factor in a Sports car,I have found that some Verds can give as much as 2-3 mog less than some others,as they were in Cat E, economy rating,as opposed to C in others.

Hope this is a bit more helpful

 

[Brouse]

I've recommended them before but check out Dunlop Sportmaxx RT2, they are not far off the usual suspects but with a more palettable price. I got a set delivered and fitted for around £420 last year.