All Season Tire Comparison

rmorin49 · 11-14-2010, 09:37 PM

For those who may consider dumping their OEM RFTs for all season tires I thought I would try and summarize my recent experience with 3 different tires over the past several years. While only one set was used on a Z4 you may find my impressions useful.

1. Yokohama ADVAN S4 - installed these on an 07 335i vert and on an 09 335i vert. Handling was equal to the RFTs. Ride was improved, perhaps about 50% less jarring over bumps, road noise slightly better than the RFTs. On a scale of 1 - 10 I give them the following scores:

Handling - 9
Noise - 8
Ride - 7

Can't comment on treadware as I only put about 8K miles on them.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=ADVAN+S.4.

2. Yokohama ENVigor (W speed rating) - these are the high speed version of this tire as it is also sold in lower speed ratings. Survey results are in the HP AS section of tire rack but this is for the lower speed rated tire. I suspect the higher speed rated version would have similar results. It is the top rated HP AS tire on Tirerack. I have these on my Z4. Ride imrovement is significant over the RFTs, no noticeable decline in handling, road noise is also lower. Wet performance is excellent. Have not driven in any snow but in low temps I detected non decrease in handling.

Handling - 9
Noise - 9
Ride - 8

I have 4K miles on these tires with no noticeable wear.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=HPAS

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....or+%28H%26V%29

3. Continental ExtremeContact DWS - Just installed a set on my 08 VW R32. Marked improvement over the OEM Dunlop all seasons. Ride is better, handling is good but not as crisp as either of the Yokohamas (the ADVANs have the best handling feel). Noise is very low, they are quieter than the Yokos. Have not driven in rain or snow but they are rated very high by TireRack in the snow.

Handling - 8
Noise - 9
Ride - 9
Treadware - can't comment as I have only had them for a week.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS

Summary, I find the Contis to be closer to a touring tire than a true high performance tire. That said, if you are an average driver and won't be using your Z4 on the track or drive it hard, the Contis would be a good choice. If you want to maximize handling, I would go with one of the Yokos, with the ADVAN being slightly better for handling but the ride is a little rougher. At one time the ADVAN were top rated by TireRack in the UHP AS category, but the Contis have surpassed them in the last year. I can see why because they do maximize ride and treadwear both of which appeal to the average driver.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...jsp?type=UHPAS

I have no regrets switching to a non-RFT all season tire. If I have a flat I will call BMW or AAA. Used to carry a slime kit and a jack but decided I probably wouldn't use it so they are both in my garage.

Frank Costanza · 11-14-2010, 11:40 PM

Once these run flats are worn out I'm going to replace them w/ non RFTs but I'm wondering what happens if you get a flat.

I guess the only option is to get it flat bedded to a tire shop.

Land_Shark · 11-14-2010, 11:48 PM

Does BMW NA provide a one year road assistance? In Hong Kong, we are provided with a one year road assistance, renewable for another 2 years... (But than HKG is a small town in size to NA...) I was told that BMW was trying to substitute the RFTs choice by providing the road assistance (??!!))

KrisNL · 11-15-2010, 01:37 AM

A lot of main roads in Holland have dual-layer porous asphalt. It reduces the noise a lot and having RFT's is not causing a lot of tire noise.

rmorin49 · 11-15-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisNL

A lot of main roads in Holland have dual-layer porous asphalt. It reduces the noise a lot and having RFT's is not causing a lot of tire noise.

Roads in the USA vary from very good (MD) to very poor (PA). Unfortunately we have very few highways with the new porous asphalt.

taYab · 11-15-2010, 10:43 PM

I totally agree on Continental DWS.
I wonder why wouldnt they make 285/25/20 size.
DWS is very solid on wet weather and black snow especially in Seattle or Vancouver in my experience.

11-14-2010, 09:37 PM	#1
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	All Season Tire Comparison - Real World For those who may consider dumping their OEM RFTs for all season tires I thought I would try and summarize my recent experience with 3 different tires over the past several years. While only one set was used on a Z4 you may find my impressions useful. 1. Yokohama ADVAN S4 - installed these on an 07 335i vert and on an 09 335i vert. Handling was equal to the RFTs. Ride was improved, perhaps about 50% less jarring over bumps, road noise slightly better than the RFTs. On a scale of 1 - 10 I give them the following scores: Handling - 9 Noise - 8 Ride - 7 Can't comment on treadware as I only put about 8K miles on them. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=ADVAN+S.4. 2. Yokohama ENVigor (W speed rating) - these are the high speed version of this tire as it is also sold in lower speed ratings. Survey results are in the HP AS section of tire rack but this is for the lower speed rated tire. I suspect the higher speed rated version would have similar results. It is the top rated HP AS tire on Tirerack. I have these on my Z4. Ride imrovement is significant over the RFTs, no noticeable decline in handling, road noise is also lower. Wet performance is excellent. Have not driven in any snow but in low temps I detected non decrease in handling. Handling - 9 Noise - 9 Ride - 8 I have 4K miles on these tires with no noticeable wear. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=HPAS http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....or+%28H%26V%29 3. Continental ExtremeContact DWS - Just installed a set on my 08 VW R32. Marked improvement over the OEM Dunlop all seasons. Ride is better, handling is good but not as crisp as either of the Yokohamas (the ADVANs have the best handling feel). Noise is very low, they are quieter than the Yokos. Have not driven in rain or snow but they are rated very high by TireRack in the snow. Handling - 8 Noise - 9 Ride - 9 Treadware - can't comment as I have only had them for a week. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS Summary, I find the Contis to be closer to a touring tire than a true high performance tire. That said, if you are an average driver and won't be using your Z4 on the track or drive it hard, the Contis would be a good choice. If you want to maximize handling, I would go with one of the Yokos, with the ADVAN being slightly better for handling but the ride is a little rougher. At one time the ADVAN were top rated by TireRack in the UHP AS category, but the Contis have surpassed them in the last year. I can see why because they do maximize ride and treadwear both of which appeal to the average driver. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...jsp?type=UHPAS I have no regrets switching to a non-RFT all season tire. If I have a flat I will call BMW or AAA. Used to carry a slime kit and a jack but decided I probably wouldn't use it so they are both in my garage. __________________ Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD 2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired) 2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired) Last edited by rmorin49; 11-16-2010 at 07:34 PM..
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11-14-2010, 11:40 PM	#2
Frank Costanza Private First Class 4 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 540i/6, Z4 35i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Once these run flats are worn out I'm going to replace them w/ non RFTs but I'm wondering what happens if you get a flat. I guess the only option is to get it flat bedded to a tire shop.
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11-14-2010, 11:48 PM	#3
Land_Shark In The Flesh 23 Rep 600 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Does BMW NA provide a one year road assistance? In Hong Kong, we are provided with a one year road assistance, renewable for another 2 years... (But than HKG is a small town in size to NA...) I was told that BMW was trying to substitute the RFTs choice by providing the road assistance (??!!))
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11-15-2010, 01:37 AM	#4
KrisNL Hero of the Day 12 Rep 263 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (0)	A lot of main roads in Holland have dual-layer porous asphalt. It reduces the noise a lot and having RFT's is not causing a lot of tire noise. __________________ Ordered my X3 28i, High Executive, M Sport, Topview, Innovation Pack and a lot of extra's first week of June! - delivered September 13, 2014
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11-15-2010, 10:43 PM	#6
taYab Captain 30 Rep 717 Posts Drives: '06 E60 '09 E89 '14 F25 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (2)	I totally agree on Continental DWS. I wonder why wouldnt they make 285/25/20 size. DWS is very solid on wet weather and black snow especially in Seattle or Vancouver in my experience. __________________ 2006 E60 Gone! 2009 E89 Gone! 2014 F25 !!
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