[kowalski]

I'm finally about to ditch the bridgestone runflat tyres and I need some advise.

My car has the 161 style wheels, 225/45r17 front, 255/40r17 rear and runs on standard suspension. I've decided on changing to 235/45r17 all around, as this should minimize understeer (and allow tyre rotation for a more even wear), but can't decide on which tyre to choose.

I'm primarily after ride comfort and low noise (throughout the life of the tyres and not for the first few miles). I'm also more concerned about dry performance as I'm located in Cyprus. With that in mind I've narrowed it down to he following:

1. Michelin Primacy HP 165x4=660€ (~580 pounds)
2. Continental Contact Sport 3 165x4=660€ (~580 pounds)
3. falken ze-912 140x4=560€(~490 pounds)
4. Dunlop sp maxx 155x4=620€(~540 pounds)
5.Toyo CF1 150x4=600€(~520 pounds)

All prices include a 4wheel laser alignment, and as the price difference between them is not really significant, it makes deciding even more difficult.

I quite fancy giving the falkens a go, but I've always used michelin, Also the contis are supposed to be superb, and I can't find any real reason to exclude the dunlops and Toyos.

What would you choose?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/images/smilies/help.gif

ps. I've excluded the michelin ps2/ps3 as they melt like butter when pressing on on the hot asphalt during summer.
ps.2. I've already used http://www.e90post.com/forums/images/smilies/search.gif extensively http://www.e90post.com/forums/images...nfused0068.gif

[Em135eye]

I went for CSC3s non RFTs all round (same size) and think they are brilliant. However a major plus is wet weather performance - not such a big priority for you?

[E92Fan]

Of the tyres you have mentioned, the Continentals are far and above my preferred choice. They have excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions, last a long time, and have low NVH (noise vibration harshness) levels.

[Falmouthboy]

Isn't the 'Elephant in the room' the fact that the wheels are a different size? The fronts are 17" x 8" and the rears 17" x 8.5". How can you fit the same size tyres front and rear?

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Falmouthboy

Isn't the 'Elephant in the room' the fact that the wheels are a different size? The fronts are 17" x 8" and the rears 17" x 8.5". How can you fit the same size tyres front and rear?

You can fit same size tyres on different wheel sizes, as long as the wheel sizes are within a compatible range. a 235 tyre can go on anything from 7.5J to 9J, although 9J will be a bit of a stretch.

[clark192]

Yea, but I was under the impression that its not safe to stretch a tire more than 10mm. You risk popping the bead off the wheel if he corners too hard..

Plus doesnt it lead to a harsher ride?

Also, FWIW, I would look into the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's. Cheapest UHP, and really good tires. Comfortable, quiet, grippy and progressive, and the cheapest of the bunch. Great dry handling and good wet handling as well.

[kowalski]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

You can fit same size tyres on different wheel sizes, as long as the wheel sizes are within a compatible range. a 235 tyre can go on anything from 7.5J to 9J, although 9J will be a bit of a stretch.

Exactly! Also found a useful stretch calculator in xls form (http://www.tyrestretch.com/files/Tyr...or_English.xls) which draws what the tyres are expected to look like on different wheels. 225 really look a bit weird for my taste. There are pictures of them by some other member using 161's for winter tyres.

Thanks for all the replies btw. I get the feeling that the contis are the tyre of choice here. but what about the falkens and michelins?

[kowalski]

Originally Posted by clark192

Yea, but I was under the impression that its not safe to stretch a tire more than 10mm. You risk popping the bead off the wheel if he corners too hard..

Thanks for the warning - I've done my research on the size and my planned discrepancy is not ott

8.5 inches = 215.9 millimeters so a 235 section tyre will extend by roughly 10mm either side of the wheel

8 inches = 203.2 millimeters and the original fron tyres were 225 - so again a 10mm overhang.

I've also sought the advice of the tyre shop owner who has been serving me for well over a decade! FWIW he is also suggesting contis or falkens.

[no_ball]

can I put a 225/40/18 instead of a 255/35/18 without changing the wheel on the rear?

[kowalski]

Originally Posted by no_ball

can I put a 225/40/18 instead of a 255/35/18 without changing the wheel on the rear?

should depent on your wheels. If you have 9J wheels I guess you will be really stretching it but if you have 8.5J wheels they should fit.

However, take a look at the following link - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85623 - the look can be off-putting. try the stretch calculator from the link I posted on a previous post to get an idea

[Bungle009]

Theres a chap on here with an E60 that rates the Falken 912's very highly.

[milesr3]

Originally Posted by Bungle009

Theres a chap on here with an E60 that rates the Falken 912's very highly.

Probably me...

I do rate them, but for an extra 100 euros I'd probably go for the Continentals.

The 912s are very quiet and mine are wearing well too with 6.7mm/5mm F/R remaining after 6,000 miles in a 535d.

[magic77]

I have the same set sizes 225/45r17 front, 255/40r17 from what I read into it you will need to check with your insurance and if car is on finance with BMW with them as when I checked with them the they stated tyres must be of same tech spec so same size.

I was going to go for the falkens but on event tyres just worked out about £100 difference for the contis so might just go up to these since they are getting such good praise.

In past used Dunlops but as they are impossible to get in the above sizes its not an option any more

Either way removal of runflats should help a great deal with the ride. Personally I would stick to what sizes you currently have.

[kowalski]

Originally Posted by magic77

I have the same set sizes 225/45r17 front, 255/40r17 from what I read into it you will need to check with your insurance and if car is on finance with BMW with them as when I checked with them the they stated tyres must be of same tech spec so same size.

No finance on the car and insurance companies are not concerned with minor mods like different alloys and tyres. They are only after an MOT certificate as I guess they are unable to check what is original equipment and what is not due to the extremely high volume of used car imports from Japan, UK and Singapore. About every other car is imported used!
Having said that legislation prohibits any sort of modification that increases the bhp output of the car, so if it's detectable it automatically cancels the MOT and concequently the insurance.

Originally Posted by magic77

I was going to go for the falkens but on event tyres just worked out about £100 difference for the contis so might just go up to these since they are getting such good praise.

The relatively small price difference was a shock as I expected Falkens to be much cheaper than contis and michelins. Had the difference been say 200 I wouldn't have considered the others. I guess a brand name such as continental or michelin is worth quite a bit not just to me!

[magic77]

True however if your car is on finance it has to be returned as it was provided so same wheels and tyre spec. When I spoke to BMW finance last month about going to non run flats they stated as long as the new tyres are up to spec its not a problem.

I have a feeling if you got tyres of different size than what should be on it coudl be classed outside spec. Though again depends if you car is a lease or private ownershop.

I for one will stick to same sizes to avoid any issues thogh with only £90 in the total cost will probably go to contis instead of falkens

[no_ball]

Thanks Kowalski, I want to put 225/40/18's onto the 8.5J's. Have used the calculator and it shows a minor difference. Only do motorway miles. So putting the 225/40/18's onto the 8.5J's should work..

[kowalski]

Just a quick recap:

Everybody likes Contis

Falkens are too expensive to be worth choosing over the Contis

Toyos and Dunlops get no mention

but

what about the Michelin Primacy?
I'm aware they are not a sport oriented tyre but I find it hard to believe that there aren't any members out there using a touring tyre.
Had a chat with a friend who has them on his audi and expressed concern over how soft its sidewall really is (offering excellent ride comfort) - especially after the run flats. He believes that for that reason alone the Contis should be a better compromise between ride comfort, noise and handling.

[kowalski]

Just had my new tyres fitted.
Went for contisportcontact3 contiseal 235/45/17
Hopefully I'll never make use of the contiseal treatment just like

I never required the run flat ability of the awful bridgestones.
First impressions are similar to what I've been reading by others who ditched the run flats. A more polished, more compliant ride! No more banging into potholes, no tramlining, no more worrying about road imporfections in the way I did before.

All the above from a 6 mile run home. I'll take it out later to see what it's like in the motorway. btw haven't really noticed the 'slow' steering mentioned but as I said it was a short run. As for pressures I'm trying 32/34 but I know I'll have to experiment a fair bit. Any recommendations for tire pressures?