Z4 Tire Recommendations

[twobmws]

I have a 2011 Z4 with Bridgestone Potenza RFT's, as originally equipped. Does anyone have experience with fitting Michelin Pilot Sports to replace them? Do they offer a softer ride than the RFT's? Better handling? Any downside besides no spare?? Thanks!

[jparnes1]

You must be joking! Practically everyone here runs PSS. They're outstanding tires. They will transform your car after those awful RFTs. Great handling, quiet and I get 16k out if the tears and twice that from the fronts. Just carry a mobility kit.

[paris1]

I'll be facing the same decision soon and, based on everything I've read here and on other sites ( TireRack) it looks to be a no- brainer as jparnes1 states above. They even appear to be competitively priced, which can't often be said for Michelins! One thing in jparnes' post that surprises me a little is the 2:1 wear ratio front to rear. I know rear drivers can be a bit hard on rear rubber, but I can see I'll miss being able to rotate like on my old Miatas! BTW, my car has 25k miles and one of the rears was replaced under warranty before I got it. Both fronts are more worn than the rears, but not by that much. How much does driving style have to do with it?

[jparnes1]

You can't conpare the Miata and the Z4. You're putting out over 300 HP on those rear tires. I've seen the same longevity between fronts and rears over 2 E89s and the PSS have had the best wear for me

[wmandra]

Take a look at the Bridgestone RE-11 tires - I absolutely love them on my Z4.

[jparnes1]

With all due respect, you'll get 50% better longevity out of PSS for the same price personal experience) They're rated #1 on tire rack

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

With all due respect, you'll get 50% better longevity out of PSS for the same price personal experience) They're rated #1 on tire rack

Agreed. I am using up rear tires for Dunlop ZII in about 8k-10k miles and Bridgestone RE-11 is a similar class of tire.

There is a grip trade off though. PSS grip less and can chunk at the track.

PSS definitely a good choice unless you really prioritize grip

[twobmws]

Thanks all of you - Michelins are the choice, running them on my other cars and a BMW motorcycle. Trust your input more than dealers or manufacturers. WD, Illinois

[instantfob]

Michelin PSS because it's standard OEM tire on ///M cars.
The mixed compound makes longevity better.

If you only track your car then get RE-71R.

[Wozich]

Michelin PSS aren't available here in Europe in the dimensions for my rear tire on my Z4. Which other tires would you recommend? Non RFT of course.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Wositsch

Michelin PSS aren't available here in Europe in the dimensions for my rear tire on my Z4. Which other tires would you recommend? Non RFT of course.

Ship from the US?

I've seen people like Dunlop ZII, Bridgestone RE11, Kumho XS, BFG Rival, Hankook Ventus evo but those do have the wear trade off

PSS is the clear choice when you step down one level to get a bit more tread life and wet weather performance so I don't have great advice for directly comparable tires

[Wozich]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Ship from the US?

Too expensive, almost twice the price.

[RichBZ]

I have just turned 40000 on my 2011 Z4 3.0i and still run the Bridgestone RFT's. I drive my Z4 year around and like the Bridgestone RFT's, I like the way they handle, and manage the rain and snow. The two rear tires were replaced at about 20000 miles, good tread left but they suffered some big punctures in the side wall and had to be replaced. The front are original and the tread is not down to the wear strips yet One thing I like is when I suffered the puncture in my rear tire I drove on it for four days waiting on a replacement tire. One puncture occurred on the highway, I was doing 80 mph and noticed a bump and the tire light light up. I slowed down to 50 mph to get home. I will likely replace all four tires soon and likely will choose the RFT's again, I am looking at the other manufactures RFT.

Rich

[instantfob]

Wositsch The next closest thing to PSS would be Conti DW. See if your local retailer carries them.

[Wozich]

We don't even have Continental DW's here.

I looked at some different tire manufacturers and the "sportiest" from each manufacturer, that fits my tire dimensions are the folowing:

Michelin PS3
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
Pirelli P Zero
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT
Continental SportContact 5

Which of these would you guys recommend?

Thanks.

[pavproch]

@wosicht ref Michelin PSS: are you 100% sure no suitable sizes being available here in (suckin´) EU?

I live in CZ, no problem getting non-RFT Michelin PSS in 255/30 R19 + 225/35 R19 sizes there at all.... as soon as present P-zeros are gone I will go for them with love (I cannot say a word against P-zeros, but I truly hope exaggerated expectations towards PSS will be met in full)

[ttuner]

would 275/30 R19 + 235/35 R19 fit?

Im running 19x8.5 front and 19x9.5 in the rear. Looking at getting some PSS's

[Wozich]

Sorry, I forgot to mention I have 18 inch wheels (225/40 R18 and 255/35 R18). Only the dimension for the rear tire isn't available. The closest dimension for the rear is 275/35 R18, but here in Slovenia you can't just install wider tires. It involves a lot of paper work, you have to pay for the homologation and there is a chance they won't let you fit wider tires.

I do really want the Michelin PSS, but the only way to get them is to import them from the US, but the shipping and tariffs are frickin expensive. I'm just gonna have to get other tires than PSS...

[acdagc]

I've got Continental DWs. They've held up pretty well.

[elfhearse]

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

I'm running these on my Z3 M Coupe and am very pleased with them. Great cornering, sidewalls aren't too soft (like Conti) so there isn't any flat-spotting if the car sits for a week before driving. Made in Germany.

Currently running Conti DWS on my e89 until summer...they're a good all season tire. Great in rain and if you push them in corners you can hear them start to squeal as the limits are reached. (vs. break loose with no warning)

[Carto]

I'm new to the forum so go easy on me, but here is my story...I purchased a CPO 2011 Z4 a couple of months ago... I LOVE IT! It had PSS's which the dealership sold me as "run flats." Of course they're not... So when I complained, the dealership, at no cost to me, put 4 new 19" Bridgestone RFT's on. I know some of you are going to say that was backward thinking on my part, but I couldn't get away from the thought of being 150 miles from home, having a great time in my Z4 and then getting a flat! That story has to end with a tow truck and a major headache! Do you guys running PSS's just "roll the dice" and hope it doesn't happen to you? And honestly, like someone else said, I don't think the Bridgestones are a bad tire.

[robertrichhart]

Had the Bridgstone RFs on the Z4 when I bought it as a CPO. They handled very well, but after moving to the Michelin PSS last summer there is no comparison! Much better handling and the reduction in bone rattling over road imperfections is nothing short of amazing! As for the risk factor, simply carry an air pump and tire plug kit. For the remote chance of a catastrophic tire failure, make sure your AAA is paid up!