Z4 Tire Recommendations

[ttuner]

Originally Posted by 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.

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?par...65saAg6s8P8HAQ

[instantfob]

Originally Posted by Wositsch

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

Depends what you are looking for.

PSS main better edge over the PS3 is longevity due to PSS's mix compound technology.

I have a set of Pirelli P Zero on my Z before and the sidewalls are weak and they bubble very often (see Porsche forums and feel their pain)

Good Year F1 ASM 2 is not bad in your list of tires because this one is a newer designed compared to Conti SportContact and Sport Maxx RT

[Wozich]

Thanks! Did not know that about P Zero's.

I'm looking for a sporty tire that grips well in dry and wet, handles well, is more comfortable than a RFT tire (horrible roads where I live), the wear of the tire doesn't concern me that much because I don't make a lot of mileage. I'm currently choosing between Goodyear F1 ASM 2 and Conti sportcontact 5. Conti 5 is ranked higher in tire tests than Goodyear F1, but on forums people tend to really like the Goodyear. In the end I think I won't be disapointed with neither of these tires.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by instantfob

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

I have run them both and both are very good tires - light years better than any RFT.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by Vintage

I have run them both and both are very good tires - light years better than any RFT.

Any preference? Contis seems to be a bit less $$.

[Vintage]

I think both are very good tires, the Contis are 9/10ths of the PSS for 2/3 the price. So, if you want the very best, buy the PSS because they are truly "better." However, if you are value oriented, buy the Contis. Just decide which your wallet prefers and know that you will be happy with either. I have PSS on my car now but I may go back to the Contis. For me, I have come to the realization that either tire exceeds my driving needs so why not save a few bucks.

What I will never do, is put RFTs back on the car. I think this is the primary reason the initial Z4 reviews were mediocre - i.e., BMW made a gorgeous roadster with a ridiculous motor (N54) and an average chasis, but that chasis was further hobbled by terrible tires. I have always dreamed of what the reviews would have been like if good performance tires came with the car from day one for the press reviews.

I know it sounds ridiculous, but the sales of the Z4 have suffered because of BAD tires, not because it is a 2 seater that cost $$$. Other 2 seat sports cars sell well, because they handle well. I almost forgot, the electric steering . . . . . okay, maybe bad tires and zero steering feel were the issue with the Zs. That being said, we love ours and people to this day, every time we drive it, gawk at it. She is a beauty and she screams.

[ojo]

Vintage; What is your impression reg noise, PSS vs Conti? I feel my Conti’s are loud, 70db inside the car at 75mph. There must be more quiet tires out there?

[Squddie]

I'm in a similar situation, except that I decided to also not use the OEM wheels and get 19x8.5 wheels.

I will probably get the Hankook Ventus V12s which are cheap right now with MIR. I never tried Hankook and want to see what they are like. Every time I ever bought Michelin I was disappointing in the quiet, cushy ride and loss of steering snap. Granted, that were all A/S tires but still, I don't think this time around I can bring myself to buy really expensive Michelins.

I considered the "extreme summer" category, namely the bridgestone, but to be honest wet traction is more important for me right now. If I end up doing autocross I will get just another set of tires for it.

[nuebbes]

Conti SP5 or Hankook evo 1 is the way to go.

According to Schmickler Performance (http://www.schmickler-performance.de/), the Conti SP5 seems to be best choice for the Z4 when you drive the car very sporty and at dry conditions.
On the other Hand, the Hankook Evo S1 just won a test at a very known German car magazine on the new M4 in comparable dimensions as perfect tire for all summer weather conditions. I also have the Hankook as summer tire and I am very satisfied with this pneu. It is very good at high speeds (I drive almost daily >220 km/h on the Autobahn) and it is also very durable (also respecting winding roads).

But the Z4 has issues when you just renew the tires on one axis. It sometimes drive like sh... when you just renew one axis.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by ojo

Vintage; What is your impression reg noise, PSS vs Conti? I feel my Conti’s are loud, 70db inside the car at 75mph. There must be more quiet tires out there?

ojo, you raise a good point. When I put the PSS on after the DWs, the PSS are definitely quieter.

[instantfob]

I am done playing with my P Zero Silvers and ready to upgrade to the PSS now that they are back in stock

F: 225/35R19
R: 255/30R19

I have driven about 3000 miles on them. Local pick up in Los Angeles.
Taking offers if anyone is interested.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by instantfob

I am done playing with my P Zero Silvers and ready to upgrade to the PSS now that they are back in stock
I have driven about 3000 miles on them. Local pick up in Los Angeles.
Taking offers if anyone is interested.

Obvious question...why the change of heart?

[instantfob]

Originally Posted by paris1

Obvious question...why the change of heart?

I like to test things out to make informed decisions. The P Zero was a value driven choice at back in January and now that I have put couple thousand miles into it. I am ready to move on to the brand I like the most.

Back when I had my Honda S2000, I tried all sorts of tires within 36 months of my lease. I can't talk and recommend the tires without actually driven them.

- RE050 stock oem
- RE050A Pole Position
- Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec
- Falken RT-615
- Nitto NT-01

[paris1]

Originally Posted by instantfob

I like to test things out to make informed decisions. The P Zero was a value driven choice at back in January and now that I have put couple thousand miles into it. I am ready to move on to the brand I like the most.

Back when I had my Honda S2000, I tried all sorts of tires within 36 months of my lease. I can't talk and recommend the tires without actually driven them.

- RE050 stock oem
- RE050A Pole Position
- Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec
- Falken RT-615
- Nitto NT-01

Am I missing something here? What would be the point of all that? Do you do this for a living or is this part of a larger plan to spend your kids' inheritence?

[instantfob]

No rationale needed to upgrade the performance of our Z4.

I love the feel of the PSS on the M3/4 and just prefer to have the same for my car.

As for the S2000 days. Better tires = better lap times on the track....

No kids yet so I am irresponsible at the moment

[Sports_Sport]

I'm new to the forum so go easy on me, but here is my story...I purchased a 2010 Z4 w/ 30k miles on it in Nov 2019... I LOVE IT! Just about everything is awesome (not the radio....ugh), and it currently has a staggered setup of 225/40/18 Front and 255/35/18 on rear. It has the 30i BMW LA wheel, V-spoke 294 rims. I was wondering, it is a total street car, but, wanted a wider grip patch and stance and am seeking input as to maximum width on these stock rims without modification issues.

Thank you for your kindly input. The Z has developed a rear vibration that sort of feels like a axle bearing, but, the Pirelli RFT on it are at the wear bar and it needs new shoes anyway. Figured I would try that first. Have not had any issues to date. Current mileage is 41k

[daveboy]

Great info!

[surfwooder]

I bought my 2009 Z4 3.0 used from a dealer in Pennsylvania, it came with Pirelli run flats. So far the tires have held up very good, corner well, grab in wet, and light snow. Here in New Hampshire, thats important. We bought the wifes BMW 328IC, in 2008 on Eurpean Delivery. It came with 4 run flats, after we got it home to New Orleans, the roads there killed all 4 runflats within a year. All had goose egg size side wall damge. We replaced all 4 with Michelins non runflats. The handling of the car was, and still is great. Plus, no puctures, but I bought a spare wheel kit just in case. I bought my Z4 and took it by trailer to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, two years ago. I took it to a friends house in New Orleans, and picked up a roofing nail just at the edge of thread. I had to toss the Pirelli, and bought another. Next Spring, it will be tire time, so I'll pick up a set of Michelins for the Z, of course non run flats. If the Z handles any better than it does now, I'll buy a custom vanity plate, "Snake"