So, wondering what other R59 owners recommend for tires. My Bridgestone 17" OEM tires are about done at ~16K. I know everyone is going to say loose those RFTs I do like the pinpoint handling, cornering, and feeling that they give through the steering... but I would be open to go-flats if they offered the same precision.

So any recommendations for best handling and best tread life tires? I checked NAM's sponsor TireRack and they recommend the Bridgestones. Any other suggestions that you all are running would be great.

 

I've never found any runflat that's as good as a performance non-runflat tyre. I find my stock bridgestone RFTs are awful - the handling, cornering and steering feel is nowhere near as good as my old roadster (which had non-runflats)..

After 14k the fronts are finished so I'm moving to Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 all round - they are a much better tyre and cheaper than the Bridgestone RFTs

 

Hi Mark,

I've had experienced two tires in addition to the Conti run flats that came specced on the Roadster. My summer set is Michelin Pilot Super Sports...amazing summer tire. The turn in and response is superb, same for grip. These will not let you down for turn in/steering feel compared with the stiffer run flats. Through late fall and winter, I run the Conti DWS. I like these as well. They are softer, so they ride better but don't communicate as well on turn in. Hope this helps.


-Steven

 

On my Subaru I ran michelin PSS which are fairly priced and gave great wear rate while giving you that road confidence you needed. When I receive my mini, I will be ditching those tires and getting Michelin PSS. If you want an aggressive tire but will wear our fast the Dizerra Star Specs are phenomenal tires.

 

Hey everybody, thanks for the good info. Upon further research I found that, yes even though they are OEM equipment on many sports cars, RFTs are not necessarily any better than a standard tire.

Steven, yes the Conti DWS are recommended highly, especially for the BMW E90.

I do like the security of a RFT so I am going to try the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFTs. If they make the car too soft I might have to get some summer tires.

And FYI for all - most of the BMW OEM tires have no tread life warranty per the documentation on the CDROM that came with my R59.

 

Has anyone found the holy grail for quietest possible ride? Even if it's possibly sacrificing a bit of the response one gets for more enthusiastic driving (prefer not to, though) I've done about 11k miles, probably 9k of which are driving down I-5 to work and these RFT stock tires are so loud.

I'm not too worried about all-weather tires, as I'll either get a set of snow tires or I'll take the day(s) off if/when it snows. So If I could so kindly use this thread for some advice...

 

I now have a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3, 215/40ZR/18's. I have a question. I used the MNI recommended tier pressure settings: Front and Back: 39psi

My question is: Are these pressure settings applicable to non run flats? When I look at the rear tire, a good 2 to 2.5 cm of the outer edge doesn't touch the pavement. I've attached a photo.

Alan

 

I wouldn't get overly worried about that. It's not the most effective part of the tire until you turn a corner and the car and tire roll. This is pretty common I think.
Other may have some opinion. 39 is a hair high for me. 35 is common. I inflate mine to 37 for sporty driving but 4 psi isn't much of a difference. you see people inflate in the 40s for auto-crossing but I don't know much about it, just what I've heard. I'll say this: better this then under inflated. That's more of a problem.

But if you want to feel any better deflate one to 35 and see how much it changes. That's an easy way to understand if it is normal or not... I'd bet you won't see much of a difference.
I have pilot super sport on both of our cars and the corner gets used so that's an other sign it's probably alright.

Greg

 

I use a tire pyrometer to measure my tires for proper inflation. Using PSS's in a 215 width and 17 inch rim. I believe I'm running 34.8 PSI in the rear.

 

Thanks for the feedback; it's really helpful.

 

I'm going to try 35psi and see the difference between 39psi (posted on the door sticker).

I'll post some photos.

 

Yes, my car has been garaged so long this winter and now again. It's 33.8 or 34.8 but I think it's 33.8 rear. So I'd try between 34 to 35 for rears and two to three more in front.