[m80theWolf]

I've been poring over tire reviews this week, and can't come to a decision on which tires to replace the stock rft's. The stock tires lasted a little over 30k miles, but that's the only kind words I have for them. I have a 335d sport package sedan. I need a little input here.

I'm looking for a smoother riding tire, less crashy on highway joints and such. Next priority is grip, then longevity and $$$.

I'm never going to track these tires, but I do go on the occasional canyons or mountain run, and when I do, I'll be chasing my friend in his m3. I also drive on the aggressive side (I bought a bmw, not a Camry, and drive accordingly).
That said, I'm more likely to go on a 400 mile road trip then pushing this tire to the extreme.

The main tires I'm looking at are the michelin pss, bridgestone potenza s-04, and conti dw.

I'd like to choose the conti's for the $$ savings and the ride comfort, but I'm concerned about the occasional complaint that they get loud, and also that they're too big of a compromise on the performance side.

I've heard good things about the s-04's, has anyone compared them to super sports?

I'm mainly looking for input from people who have tried a few types of non-rft's. I know that going from rft to non-rft will make a huge difference already. Thanks in advance.

[335dFan]

As a preface, I have a base model car, but the suspension has been heavily modified as noted in my profile. I run a square tire setup, not staggered. At about 9k miles I replaced the 17" OEM Contis with 18" size. I also changed out the OEM wheels and use them only for winter Blizzak tires. The 18" rims are Apex Arc-8. The first non-RFT I bought were Michelin PSS. They were great tires. I would have to say they were more forgiving than the RFT, but I wouldn't call them soft and luxury cushy. My alignment was basically set for more of a track feel, but it was wonderful for 600 mile days too. I did take it to the track once with the PSS. Great tire for that too. Mine wore out in 25k miles on the inner ribs, but I think that was a combination of a decent amount of negative camber and a trip across the country with the car really weighted down. When the right rear tire gave out on me in the middle of nowhere in WY, I decided to replace them with Nitto Motivo instead of Michelin Pilot Sport AS/3. These were the only two serious options in Evanston WY with an overnight turnaround. I decided I was going to de-emphasize the track aspects. They are softer and smoother and I rather like them for highway and daily driving. Cheaper too. Give them a look see.

[Pierre Louis]

There might be one person on any forum that has tried more than one type of non-RFT on their 335d, especially with the sport package.

I did a lot of research and it came down to picking the PSS, and I was considering using the original RFT Bridgestone (which was more expensive than the PSS).

The PSS required having a flat tire refill kit, which I found at AutoZone.

The Michelins are unbelievable. I can't say enough good things about them on my 2011 335d sport package. They have a softer ride and feel like they have fantastic grip. Driving through heavy rain has not produced any hydroplaning. I have heard some to last at least 30,000 miles, but if you are looking for high mileage, you might consider other tires.

They are the only street tire (not a track only tire) that is advertised as a track tire.

PL

[m80theWolf]

Originally Posted by Pierre Louis

There might be one person on any forum that has tried more than one type of non-RFT on their 335d, especially with the sport package.


PL

Probably not too many, but we have a few owners pushing 100k miles. Changing tires every 20-30k miles or so... Might get lucky. Also, I've driven friends cars and drawn opinions on them, for example I thought Michelin ps2's on my friends m3 were pretty smooth and predictable at the limit. Owning multiple sets wouldn't disqualify anyone from posting their opinions, so maybe I shouldn't have said that.

Sounds like this is my choice: good comfort, good performance, good price. Choose two.

Unless someone can tell me otherwise.

Edit: forgot to mention, I really don't tires that have a tendency to tramline.

[Yozh]

Conti DW are very comfy and good price but they are floaty in the corners and take time to unload and load. If performance is important I would not suggest them, get PSS.

[335D Alpha Pappa]

The pss only last 30k? Looks like I'll be buying a set every year. I'm averaging about 900 miles a week.
The conti's that came with the car are terrible in the rain. Always feel like they are going to break loose, even on straights.

[Timujin]

I am running PSS and like them.

[WreckerX5d]

I put on Pirelli P-Zero Nero A/S. The 1st set lasted me 40k miles or so. They grip pretty fine, are quiet on the highway and I've had no problem with wet traction. I picked them up for about $120/tire with a $80 rebate. I think there's a rebate going on from the 21st of Sept to the 5th of Oct.

I find Continental to be an overrated tire. I pick them up constantly as warranty claims with bubbles/excessive wear. I had my stock RFT last me 14k miles.

[m80theWolf]

Should probably also say that I'm in Southern California and these tires will never see snow, and just a little rain (no rain at all at the pace we're going...)

[Nushibo]

Falken 452s atm. Loved them on an M3 had to have them on a d. Budget performance tires. lol

[Pierre Louis]

I've known two engineers in the tire business over the years, including my late uncle who was flown to different countries to fix the machines that put the rubber onto the tire. He said that the top tire from most of the manufacturers should be pretty good.

The other engineer did quality control for the DOT by X-raying random tires. He said that Michelin and Pirelli were by far the most reliable and defect free.

My experience over 30 years has favored Michelin by a large margin. I just took Conti's off my daughter's car: one tire's belt came loose and caused a huge problem with the suspension/directional control/etc.

I believe that the Michelin PSS takes street tires to a new level. That is my feeling/opinion. Unfortunately there are no tire tests that go the full lifetime of the tire, but Tire Rack has a lot of comments that favor the Michelin PSS.

Cheers.

PL

[Pierre Louis]

m80theWolf: perhaps you might be interested in the following:

I have been looking to improve the ride for my 2011 335d with sport package. Large undulations bother my neck. So I researched this and found Koni FSD's to be the ideal solution. I wasn't sure if they would be good for the sport suspension springs and called Koni. They answered to tell me that that combination would work.

PL

[m80theWolf]

I would look into new shocks if it came to that, but I have a feeling the tires shod leave me with the firm but damped feel I'm looking for.

I think it really comes down to the potenza s-04s or michelin ss. Conti's are only about $100 less than michelin, but the bridgestones are about $650 right now compared to $930 for michelins... Tempting, but I can't find nearly as much feedback for the bridgestones as I can for the reigning champ michelin ss...

[taibanl]

I have had DW and PSS; liked the DW, then was in heaven with PSS

[Pierre Louis]

It kind of helps that many M3's, M5's and Ferraris come with PSS as standard equipment.

PL

[geost]

Have you checked out Falken Azenis FK-453s? I have them on my 335d...but the rear only lasted me 10k miles lol...front still look new

Otherwise I think they gripped/handled well and considerably cheaper than PSS I think. Wish I could try the PSSs once but my offset makes it nearly impossible.

[m80theWolf]

Originally Posted by taibanl

I have had DW and PSS; liked the DW, then was in heaven with PSS

Strong praise. Leaning towards pss, pretty much ruled out the conti dw's on account of the floatiness in curves, wish I could find more feedback on the bridgestone potenza s-04's

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by m80theWolf

Strong praise. Leaning towards pss, pretty much ruled out the conti dw's on account of the floatiness in curves, wish I could find more feedback on the bridgestone potenza s-04's

Intended. The pss are quieter and more comfortable.

I will say that on the track the DW complained more which helped me know when I was near my own limits. The pas just stuck like glue so it's a trade.

[DieselRacer]

I run the Bridgestone, I got all 4 tires from Discount Tire for $570 out the door, that was with a $70 mail in rebate, they are or were on sale big time, they look great and drive and grip even better, and I can get 2 sets of these for the price of 1 set of PSS, I have 265-18 rear and 235-18 front...unless your tracking the car save some cash over the PSS guaranteed you will love them...

[m80theWolf]

Originally Posted by DieselRacer

I run the Bridgestone, I got all 4 tires from Discount Tire for $570 out the door, that was with a $70 mail in rebate, they are or were on sale big time, they look great and drive and grip even better, and I can get 2 sets of these for the price of 1 set of PSS, I have 265-18 rear and 235-18 front...unless your tracking the car save some cash over the PSS guaranteed you will love them...

Nice. And they're comfortable around town, a noticeable improvement over the stock rft's?

[DieselRacer]

Nice and quiet around town, run flats feel like driving on rocks...

[Timujin]

Originally Posted by m80theWolf

I would look into new shocks if it came to that, but I have a feeling the tires shod leave me with the firm but damped feel I'm looking for.

I think it really comes down to the potenza s-04s or michelin ss. Conti's are only about $100 less than michelin, but the bridgestones are about $650 right now compared to $930 for michelins... Tempting, but I can't find nearly as much feedback for the bridgestones as I can for the reigning champ michelin ss...

PSS will help alot. I have 45k miles and Bilstein dampers are in my near future.

S-04s 25 lbs Front/27 lbs Rear (factory RFTs have the same weight)
PSS 22 lbs Front/25 lbs Rear

With the S-04s you might feel the need to get new shocks sooner than later. S-04s will leave you with some extra $ for shocks.

Source is Tire Rack.