Tire choice

[the dink]

After putting on some more miles on the Z, I figure the car has what they call tire tramlining. I am going to buy some new tires and there is so many to choose from that I need some input. I don't care about going 150MPH or cornering at 100MPH either. I want a quiet tire and some comfort. I do like performance but if I had a choice I would pick comfort over performance. Yes I know it sounds odd for a Z4 owner, but I definitely HATE the tramlining, drives me crazy. Anyone out there find a nice tire that gives the best of both worlds. Thx

[MZHammer]

I put the Continental Extreme Contact DW (summer tires....DWS are all season) on my 328i back in the spring and have been very pleased with them. The one complaint from folks around here regarding these tires, is that the sidewalls are softer than tires like the Michelin PSS, which may in fact be what you are looking for, from a comfort perspective.

[Incompatible]

I have the Hankook V12s on mine and would judge them to be similar in ride comfort and noise to the Conti DW. The sidewalls are soft which gives you that comfortable ride on the straights and bumps, but is less than ideal when cornering fast. Not a bad tire for the price, but my next set will be more performance focused.

[WestCDA]

I don't think I've seen a bad review of the Michelin PSS, which apparently are miles above the original Bridgestone RE050A runflat tires in pretty well every category - including elimination of tramlining. Handling, comfort, noise and longevity is supposed to be excellent.

The downside is they are expensive as far as street performance tires go, but I believe the car is worth it.

[MinneapolisJeff]

Hankook V12s as well, wonderful bang-for-buck tire.

[Shipkiller]

On the wifes Roadster, I put Kumo Ecstas on. She, like you stated, does not need a super high performance tire. Very good tire and very comfortable. Plus at $450 for a set of four, you cant beat it.

On the ///M, I run PSS's for now.

[Quickid]

I picked up a set of Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position for my E46 and they are great. No tramlining and are pretty quiet. They are on sale at Tirerack (depends on the size you're looking for).

I've also been very satisfied with my current Z4M tires - Goodyear F1 Asymmetric (no longer in production and has been replaced by Asymmetric 2).

[pal]

If you don't plan to track the car, the Continental ExtremeContact DW is a very hard tire to beat for the price - amazing in the rain, very good in the dry and quiet and comfortable when cruising and gobbling up miles.

Michelin Pilot Super Sport has all the same qualities and is a better dry tire but costs a bit more.

You cannot go wrong with either of these.

[TennesseeZ4]

I just made the move from Bridgestone RFT to the Michelins. It is like this car has been renewed. They are quite, they corner like stink, and they are very ride friendly. There are others available, but after I did my research, I ended on the Pilot SS. 2003 3.0i, sport suspension, six speed.

[spurto]

I'm really happy with the Bridgestone Potenza RE 760 sport(ultra high performance summer). I recently replaced the OEM runflats and noticed a significant improvement in ride quality and noise level. and, the performance is just as good, if not better IMO.

[the dink]

I forgot to mention that I am steering more to an all season tire. I have read that there tread design helps take away some of that tire tramlining that I don't care for. I was ready to ditch the run flats but now am reconsidering because of spare tire issues or getting stranded. Looking at the Michelin primacy mxm4 zero pressure, has anyone tried them? Everyones feedback much appreciated. Randy

[chickdr]

I think the Continental Extreme Contact DWS is what you want.

[i2ichal2dZ4M]

v12

[dreamingat30fps]

I had Conti DW on my 335 and loved them. Thought about getting them on the Z also but was able to get the Hankook V12s for significantly less so I went with those. I am happy with them and would put them on again.

Personally I find the runflats to be a complete waste of money. I had them on the 335 and of course I had a blow out on the highway. There was no way in hell I was going to drive 50mph (or whatever they state) on that tire. Car was all over the place at 10mph. I just pulled off the highway and to a tire place right on that street.

After that I've never ran runflats again and only had 1 flat since and I simply had it towed (covered by my roadside assistance) to the place I have my tires done and order a new tire. On the Z I have the sealant stuff but honestly unless I was really out in the middle of nowhere I would probably just have it towed to the tire place or plug it if possible. I keep a plug kit in the trunk.

[GammaZeta]

Sumitomo HTR III's...

Had the V12's, didn't like them. Went with the Sumi's, LOVED THEM. Much better, and stiffer.

[CarCar]

Conti DWS. 225/40/18. I drive the Z everyday all year. Sidewall softness provides a pleasant daily/touring ride for such a low profile. I was shocked how well they did in a snowstorm. They are amazing rain tires and do well in cold also. Very quiet and I have been able to get nearly 45k miles a set out of them but I do run them almost to slicks. They are less expensive than the summer DW's.
YMMV.

[ANUSTART]

Another recommendation for the Conti DWS. I had them on the car when it was an all year car. Drove it through a Chicago winter as a daily driver. Those tires are simply impossible to believe. They work well on warm Summer pavement, wet conditions and snow. If you don't plan to drive it in bad weather, the Micheline PSS are fantastic as well. That's what I have on now.

Those RFTs are very comparable to driving on tires made of cement and the tramlining you are experiencing is because of the VERY hard sidewalls of the RFTs. You can change tires, but you probably won't get rid of it if you stick with them.

I have a compact spare in the trunk in case I blow a tire. Your insurance may provide roadside coverage or get AAA. And as others have suggested, the Mobility Kit from BMW or, I think, Continental is a decent option.

[bjbstewart]

I've been doing quite a bit of research myself. Spent some time with the Michelin people down in Monterey during the races last weekend where they had a sizeable display. They were all giddy about the PSS's. 300 treadwear AND phenomenal traction. Also, talking with the Bay Area ZMC guys, they all swear by them for DD and light track duty. I'm 95% sure that's my next set.

I have the V12's on right now, and am reasonably scared of them. They are quite skittish in the dry, and I'm told a nightmare in the wet (i've only had the car for a month now). One AX with them was all it took to convince me to upgrade...