Best e90 tyres in 2015

petrolhead2014 · 04-06-2015, 12:23 PM

Hi everyone,

I have just bought a 2005 e90 330i SE with 52k miles after selling my previous 2002 e39 520i. When I was driving in France in the rain at 90-100mph, I felt a fair bit of vibration in the steering wheel and through the seats - which was far more than I would experience with my previous e39 on the same roads at similar speeds and weather conditions.

The most likely culprit IMO is the woeful tyre combination the previous owner had: driver side rear - a random Chinese non-rft tyre, passenger rear - Nokian RFT, driver front - Michelin RFT with only 2-3mm left and passenger front - another random Chinese non-rft tyre . My e39 was shod with Continental contipremium contact 2 with around 5mm left all round when I sold it. I think it is likely that the vibrations at high speeds in low traction conditions probably results from the awful tyre combo than to a steering/suspension issue. What does amaze me though is how beautifully it rides in town; I went on the speed humps I'm used to at the same speed as my old e39 and was surprised by how more structurally stiff the e90 feels. Even handling at normal speeds in the dry is better (I can take corners at higher speeds and the whole car feels to nimble and makes the e39 feel like a boat in comparison). I can only imagine how even nicer it will be once I replace the tyres with proper ones.

I wish to buy 4 new tyres for the car and have been searching the web for magazine reviews and forum posts about tyre choice. I've pretty much decided on going for Michelin, Continental or Goodyear as they seem to be the best tyres around. Although I've read several posts about RFTs having a harsh ride and cause issues with tramlining, others seem to claim that latest RFTs have largely overcome these issues and are comparable to their non-RFT counterparts.

I would therefore appreciate your opinions on what would be the best choice for my car. My current wheel size is 225/45/17 and my priorities are wet and dry handling/braking, high speed stability (I will be going to Germany next week and will max out the car - 155mph!) and ride comfort (most of my driving is around town with potholes and speed humps). I'm not fussed about tyre longevity/fuel economy (except if they are subpar - as long as they last 10kish miles that's fine).

I would also appreciate some feedback on the choice of RFTs vs non-RFTs (latest generation). As I mentioned above, I have already searched for this on several forums and most of the posts tend to be for older RFTs. If RFTs can offer similar handling and ride comfort as non-RFTs, I don't mind paying the price premium for them, but if they still have harsh ride and tramlining issues then I will stick to non-RFTs and get a BMW mobility kit (compressor and sealant).

In summary I need the following advice:
1. Run flat or not.
2. Which brand is best for handling/high speed tolerance/ride comfort - Continental, Michelin or Goodyear.

I have been trying so far to compare tyres using the EU labelling, but, like many standardised comparisons, they only show part of the picture (e.g. only tyre noise, but not about ride comfort).

Many thanks,
Sam

petrolhead2014 · 04-15-2015, 07:54 PM

*bump*

VTECaddict · 04-15-2015, 10:50 PM

non-RFT. You get more options and they're not as harsh.

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is regarded as one of the best street tires by many. The Continental ExtremeContact DW is very popular with good reviews as well. Goodyear seems to not be as popular, at least on the forums here, but the F1 Asymmetric 2 is also a good tire.

ToastOfTenacity · 04-16-2015, 01:25 AM

I run Michelin Pilot Sport AS/3s, and they're fantastic. They're warrantied for high mileage (45k I think...), they're not runflats so they're nicer to ride in, they're still VERY sporty tires, and they GRIP LIKE HELL in the rain and on dry tarmac. I can't recommend them enough.

Aashenfox · 04-16-2015, 07:48 AM

Your title says 'best', so I'm saying Michelin Pilot Super Sport; in line with most tire sellers' advice, online reviews and a large number of independent performance tests of extreme summer tires in the press.

Fundguy1 · 04-16-2015, 08:30 AM

Non run flat alllllllllllllll day.
Best overall probably Michelin Pilort Super sport.
Best grip you can live with Bridgestone Potenza Re-11.
Best all season in case they may see snow Continental extreme contact DWS.

Best way to guarantee you get sucky tires, make them run flats.

splatrd · 04-17-2015, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sn355717

I run Michelin Pilot Sport AS/3s, and they're fantastic. They're warrantied for high mileage (45k I think...), they're not runflats so they're nicer to ride in, they're still VERY sporty tires, and they GRIP LIKE HELL in the rain and on dry tarmac. I can't recommend them enough.

Be careful about assuming length of the tread warranty. If you read their disclaimer, the warranty is cut in half if you have staggered sport package fitment. At least on the rear tires any way. I was considering these as well. Costco has the best price I have found so far and includes Nitrogen fill.

Volasko · 04-17-2015, 10:47 AM

The Michelin AS/3's are considered the best all season "performance" tire around. If I had the same wheel size as you I would go with those in a heart beat. Pilot super sports are the best tire hands down if money isn't an issue.

Fundguy1 · 04-17-2015, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volasko

The Michelin AS/3's are considered the best all season "performance" tire around. If I had the same wheel size as you I would go with those in a heart beat. Pilot super sports are the best tire hands down if money isn't an issue.

Actually on the tirerack site the a/s3 are ranked 9th for performance a/s tires. Continental extreme contact DWS first. Just sayin...

nycbr · 04-20-2015, 10:18 AM

Fitting Bridgestone driveguard rft 225/45 17 right now. Will let you know

Fundguy1 · 04-20-2015, 10:22 AM

Ewwwwwh

Benan · 04-20-2015, 02:56 PM

I drive Dunlop SP SportMaxx GT and im super happy with them!
Good grip in bouth rain and dry and the are really quiet.

ferocity02 · 04-20-2015, 03:14 PM

If budget is not a concern then Michelin Pilot Super Sports are a great choice.

Hankook V12 evo2's are a great choice as well and very affordable. They also come in a wide variety of sizes. I have them and found that they grip extremely well. I just got a full set (245's and 285's) for $720 after an $80 rebate.

almcbs · 04-24-2015, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferocity02

If budget is not a concern then Michelin Pilot Super Sports are a great choice.

Hankook V12 evo2's are a great choice as well and very affordable. They also come in a wide variety of sizes. I have them and found that they grip extremely well. I just got a full set (245's and 285's) for $720 after an $80 rebate.

mind telling me where you got them from? looking to pick up a set myself.

nycbr · 04-25-2015, 11:22 AM

The best tire is what is best for you personally. Tire choice is always something of a compromise, depending on the weather in your area and whether you are willing to change to a second set of tires in the winter, how you use your car, etc.

I have always used run flats so I have no basis to compare to non-runflat. I assume non runflats have a better ride and definitely give you more tire choices. But I live in an area [NYC] where the roads are totally fuc*ed, worse now then ever. I have picked up nails, screws and even rebar in my tires and when I do I just keep driving to any Firestone, where I have road hazard insurance, get a new tire and drive away. Much better then dealing with a flat on the side of the road or waiting for a tow truck (and on some roads in NY you can't call your own tow - you can only use authorized tow and if they dont have a flat bed for AWD you have a problem).

If you decide to go with runflat, the two best choices are the 3d gen RFT from Bridgestone, which offer a much better ride then the factory RFT. The RE960 has great road feel and handling in the dry but is just ok in the wet and poor in snow. The Driveguard has a smooth ride, not as sharp handing but better wet and snow ability. I have the Driveguards now and drove on some horrible streets yesterday and the bump compliance was excellent. I am not sure which I like better but I have 30 days to decide.

nycbr · 05-19-2015, 04:42 PM

I have put about 2k miles on the Driveguard tires so far. The steering is less sharp but the handling is still there. They seem very predictable. The major benefit is the ride quality - I don't have to focus as much on the road immediately in front of me for minor road defects like before, so I can drive faster on less then perfect roads. They are very smooth and quiet on the highway. I recommend them for a daily driver.

04-06-2015, 12:23 PM	#1
petrolhead2014 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: F30 328i and soon F33 428i/30i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Nottingham iTrader: (0)	Best e90 tyres in 2015 Hi everyone, I have just bought a 2005 e90 330i SE with 52k miles after selling my previous 2002 e39 520i. When I was driving in France in the rain at 90-100mph, I felt a fair bit of vibration in the steering wheel and through the seats - which was far more than I would experience with my previous e39 on the same roads at similar speeds and weather conditions. The most likely culprit IMO is the woeful tyre combination the previous owner had: driver side rear - a random Chinese non-rft tyre, passenger rear - Nokian RFT, driver front - Michelin RFT with only 2-3mm left and passenger front - another random Chinese non-rft tyre . My e39 was shod with Continental contipremium contact 2 with around 5mm left all round when I sold it. I think it is likely that the vibrations at high speeds in low traction conditions probably results from the awful tyre combo than to a steering/suspension issue. What does amaze me though is how beautifully it rides in town; I went on the speed humps I'm used to at the same speed as my old e39 and was surprised by how more structurally stiff the e90 feels. Even handling at normal speeds in the dry is better (I can take corners at higher speeds and the whole car feels to nimble and makes the e39 feel like a boat in comparison). I can only imagine how even nicer it will be once I replace the tyres with proper ones. I wish to buy 4 new tyres for the car and have been searching the web for magazine reviews and forum posts about tyre choice. I've pretty much decided on going for Michelin, Continental or Goodyear as they seem to be the best tyres around. Although I've read several posts about RFTs having a harsh ride and cause issues with tramlining, others seem to claim that latest RFTs have largely overcome these issues and are comparable to their non-RFT counterparts. I would therefore appreciate your opinions on what would be the best choice for my car. My current wheel size is 225/45/17 and my priorities are wet and dry handling/braking, high speed stability (I will be going to Germany next week and will max out the car - 155mph!) and ride comfort (most of my driving is around town with potholes and speed humps). I'm not fussed about tyre longevity/fuel economy (except if they are subpar - as long as they last 10kish miles that's fine). I would also appreciate some feedback on the choice of RFTs vs non-RFTs (latest generation). As I mentioned above, I have already searched for this on several forums and most of the posts tend to be for older RFTs. If RFTs can offer similar handling and ride comfort as non-RFTs, I don't mind paying the price premium for them, but if they still have harsh ride and tramlining issues then I will stick to non-RFTs and get a BMW mobility kit (compressor and sealant). In summary I need the following advice: 1. Run flat or not. 2. Which brand is best for handling/high speed tolerance/ride comfort - Continental, Michelin or Goodyear. I have been trying so far to compare tyres using the EU labelling, but, like many standardised comparisons, they only show part of the picture (e.g. only tyre noise, but not about ride comfort). Many thanks, Sam
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04-15-2015, 07:54 PM	#2
petrolhead2014 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: F30 328i and soon F33 428i/30i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Nottingham iTrader: (0)	bump
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04-15-2015, 10:50 PM	#3
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 487 Rep 6,066 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	non-RFT. You get more options and they're not as harsh. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is regarded as one of the best street tires by many. The Continental ExtremeContact DW is very popular with good reviews as well. Goodyear seems to not be as popular, at least on the forums here, but the F1 Asymmetric 2 is also a good tire. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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04-16-2015, 01:25 AM	#4
ToastOfTenacity Nurburgring Nate 1 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I run Michelin Pilot Sport AS/3s, and they're fantastic. They're warrantied for high mileage (45k I think...), they're not runflats so they're nicer to ride in, they're still VERY sporty tires, and they GRIP LIKE HELL in the rain and on dry tarmac. I can't recommend them enough. __________________ "I'd rather lose by a mile because I built my own car than win by an inch because someone built it for me." -Moog 2008 335i Sport Package
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04-16-2015, 07:48 AM	#5
Aashenfox Captain 128 Rep 663 Posts Drives: 08 E92 335xi 6AT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Brit in Greece iTrader: (0)	Your title says 'best', so I'm saying Michelin Pilot Super Sport; in line with most tire sellers' advice, online reviews and a large number of independent performance tests of extreme summer tires in the press. __________________ 08 E92 335xi 6AT, Sapphire Black Metallic Modlist: 19x8.5+32/19x9.5+35 BBS CH-R Black, Michelin PSS 225/35/19 - 255/30/19, rolled rear fenders \| KW v3 coilovers \| Akrapovic exhaust Keep it on the black stuff shiny side up!
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04-16-2015, 08:30 AM	#6
Fundguy1 Major General 2043 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Non run flat alllllllllllllll day. Best overall probably Michelin Pilort Super sport. Best grip you can live with Bridgestone Potenza Re-11. Best all season in case they may see snow Continental extreme contact DWS. Best way to guarantee you get sucky tires, make them run flats. __________________ '08 e93 AW 335i 6MT,Vargas Stg 2+ 20T clipped,VRSF catless dps & 7"FMIC,ER chargepipe&Tial, MMP inlets&outlets,Motiv Stg 2 fuel rail&dual disc clutch/fly, JB4G5,MHD w/Motiv tune,Fuel-it Stg 3 LPFP,Wavetrac LSD w/lockdown, KwV2,M3(Strut brace,frt control arms,steering wheel)AKE blk sub bush,re11 245/305,19x8.5et30&19x11et43,SmartTop,RE trans mounts,Msport rear bump & skirts,15%tint,ZSP knob,Stoptech rotors,241k miles
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04-17-2015, 10:47 AM	#8
Volasko Colonel 726 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: 06 330i E90, 18 530xe G30 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW 530e M Sport [9.00] 2006 BMW E90 330i [8.28]	The Michelin AS/3's are considered the best all season "performance" tire around. If I had the same wheel size as you I would go with those in a heart beat. Pilot super sports are the best tire hands down if money isn't an issue.
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04-20-2015, 10:18 AM	#10
nycbr First Lieutenant 96 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 2008 TiAg 328xi Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: nu yawk iTrader: (0)	Fitting Bridgestone driveguard rft 225/45 17 right now. Will let you know
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04-20-2015, 10:22 AM	#11
Fundguy1 Major General 2043 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Ewwwwwh
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04-20-2015, 02:56 PM	#12
Benan Enlisted Member 1 Rep 32 Posts Drives: E90 330i M-sport 6MT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I drive Dunlop SP SportMaxx GT and im super happy with them! Good grip in bouth rain and dry and the are really quiet.
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04-20-2015, 03:14 PM	#13
ferocity02 Colonel 553 Rep 2,085 Posts Drives: 2013 135is Join Date: May 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (8)	If budget is not a concern then Michelin Pilot Super Sports are a great choice. Hankook V12 evo2's are a great choice as well and very affordable. They also come in a wide variety of sizes. I have them and found that they grip extremely well. I just got a full set (245's and 285's) for $720 after an $80 rebate. __________________ 2013 135is DCT Carbon Black Metallic
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04-25-2015, 11:22 AM	#15
nycbr First Lieutenant 96 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 2008 TiAg 328xi Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: nu yawk iTrader: (0)	The best tire is what is best for you personally. Tire choice is always something of a compromise, depending on the weather in your area and whether you are willing to change to a second set of tires in the winter, how you use your car, etc. I have always used run flats so I have no basis to compare to non-runflat. I assume non runflats have a better ride and definitely give you more tire choices. But I live in an area [NYC] where the roads are totally fuc*ed, worse now then ever. I have picked up nails, screws and even rebar in my tires and when I do I just keep driving to any Firestone, where I have road hazard insurance, get a new tire and drive away. Much better then dealing with a flat on the side of the road or waiting for a tow truck (and on some roads in NY you can't call your own tow - you can only use authorized tow and if they dont have a flat bed for AWD you have a problem). If you decide to go with runflat, the two best choices are the 3d gen RFT from Bridgestone, which offer a much better ride then the factory RFT. The RE960 has great road feel and handling in the dry but is just ok in the wet and poor in snow. The Driveguard has a smooth ride, not as sharp handing but better wet and snow ability. I have the Driveguards now and drove on some horrible streets yesterday and the bump compliance was excellent. I am not sure which I like better but I have 30 days to decide.
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05-19-2015, 04:42 PM	#16
nycbr First Lieutenant 96 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 2008 TiAg 328xi Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: nu yawk iTrader: (0)	I have put about 2k miles on the Driveguard tires so far. The steering is less sharp but the handling is still there. They seem very predictable. The major benefit is the ride quality - I don't have to focus as much on the road immediately in front of me for minor road defects like before, so I can drive faster on less then perfect roads. They are very smooth and quiet on the highway. I recommend them for a daily driver.
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