M2 tyres

[hooch500]

Just follow up really, OG M2, I posted something a while back about coilovers ended up with Msport adjustable set up - a huge improvement. I tried ContiSport 7's on rear. They have fantastic grip, in fact even in the wet you have to be a real hooligan to unstick them, though that is not something I attempt too often. However the price you pay for that grip is the wear rate - down to less than 4mm after 3000 miles on the road so in reality probably more expensive than PS4S.

What have M2 owners tried with this car ?

[hooch500]

I had MPSS’s on the back when I bought the car. The C7’s are another league on in dry grip and have ridiculous levels of grip in the wet, but like I stated they are wearing fast.

[hooch500]

I should have mentioned I’ve got PS4S on fronts. They are remarkably only half worn the C7’s on the rear are not fairing so well obviously I’d expect the rears to wear quicker but I’d say no where near longevity of PS 4 S however they are incredibly tenacious.

[hooch500]

That’s a lot of miles for a set of rears ! I’m happy if I get 8 k out of a set of rears. Looks more like 5 - 6 K for these CS 7’s.

[hooch500]

Just an update really. The CS7’s on the rear are finished after just 4000 miles. They are worn evenly but that’s pretty brutal considering it’s road driving only. Phenomenal grip though but it seems you definitely pay for it. I’m fitting Maxxis VS5’s which I’ve used previously - much better than Michelin SS especially in the wet. They recently did well in another Evo test so they are certainly not ditch finders. I’ll see they go but they were great on an M140, easily a match for PS 4. Anyway I’m going down the 987 Gen2 Cayman route soon so starting to eye classifieds.

[hooch500]

Yep I usually get 6 - 8 k out of rears so was a surprise. Mind the grip in the wet was frankly unreal. Tyres are definitely moving on grip wise.

[hooch500]

I’ve gone for 275 on back for no other reason than they are slightly cheaper and more available than 265. No issues - really don’t think the M2 lacks front end grip. For those on standard suspension the MP coilovers are just a massive improvement in compliance and control, I HATED the standard set up.

[hooch500]

liner33 said:

Don't have a M2 but thats my thoughts with MPSS ie things have really moved on since they came out , I found them pretty dodgy on cold or wet roads in my 235i.

PS4 or PS4s , Conti 7's, Goodyear ASSY 6 or even P zeros are all a step up imo

I had MPSS on rear when I bought the car. Even in the dry the there were traction issues. My old 140 was much better on the VS5’s particularly in the wet.

[hooch500]

Rockster said:

When it comes to tires I am about as likely to experiment with tires as am with juggling axes...

My '23 M2 came with Michelin PS4S tires.


Front
275/35ZR19/XL 100(Y)


Rear
285/30ZR20/XL 99(Y)

Closing in on 7K miles and the tires have proved to be quite good. However, I don't drive the car in the rain. Nor do I track the car.

Once in a while I drive on one of the nice (if you know what i mean and I think you do) country roads in the area but even then I don't push the car hard enough for the tires to loose any grip. At $582/rear tire and I'm sure the front tires are not that much less I'm going to try for maximum tire life.

Added: I forgot to mention that as I "learned" from my time with my Porsche cars I do not mix tires. I use factory sanctioned tire brands and tire sizes.

Porsche tires were marked for use on Porsche cars. "N0", "N1", "N2" and so on. The 'N' indicate the tire was Porsche approved. The number was the tire generation. Not only did Porsche not sanction mixing different brands of tires -- even sanctioned tires -- on its cars it advised against mixing tire generations.

So I'll adhere to the same with my BMWs. Use only factory sanctioned tires -- with I guess a Star symbol on the side wall -- and sizes. No mixing tire brands.

Edited by Rockster on Thursday 29th February 16:28

Each to their own. I’ve had a few 911’s including some very hairy ones with no driver aids other than ABS. I raced one for 3 seasons on type 1A tyres many moons ago. I would not advocate putting really cheap brands on a high performance car but outside of that caveat there are many options, modern tyres have far more grip than previous generations. I probably push my cars far harder than most given the right time and road so I have to accept the increased wear. My daily is an older Jag XFR which is much more pleasant to be in 95 % of the time than the M2 but there is no substitute for a more focused sports car when pushing on. I’m sure having star or N rated tyres is peace of mind for the more conservative driver but suggesting nothing else is safe is nonsense. The BMW fitment MPSS for example has very poor wet performance especially after 50 % wear. The CS 7 had phenomenal grip even when worn, they were not star rated. I would say they were on a level of wet race tyres from memory.

I don’t doubt that there are drivers of sports cars out there who pride themselves on getting 20 k plus miles out of a set of tyres. But then I would suggest they never even get close to any limits of either the car or tyres pass any meaningful judgement.

[hooch500]

An update really. So went on a whim and fitted four new tyres as the fronts had worn on inside. I’ve had Maxxis VS5’s before and really rated them on an m140. Decided to go up a size so 255/35, 275/35.

Went out for a proper drive today in mixed conditions and I’m really delighted. Excellent grip and an unexpected increase in steering feel. The extra sidewall height doesn’t hurt either giving a little more compliance, but mine rides way better anyway on the M performance coilovers.

Really good tyres even against the best from Michelin and Continental. An Evo test from a few years ago alerted me to these, there was another recently as well with positive feedback, I can tell you they do not lack grip !

[hooch500]

Yes I was surprised too, I use the M2 only for proper drives, weather and road conditions permitting so I wasn’t expecting big mileage but 4 k is brutal. They were completely finished almost bald I hadn’t realised until I had a moment on a wet patch.

However I can say the grip is really something, particularly in the wet. The car would take full power out of slow bends for example with no intervention. Seems there’s no free lunch with tyres….

[hooch500]

Yes I was surprised too, I use the M2 only for proper drives, weather and road conditions permitting so I wasn’t expecting big mileage but 4 k is brutal. They were completely finished almost bald I hadn’t realised until I had a moment on a wet patch.

However I can say the grip is really something, particularly in the wet. The car would take full power out of slow bends for example with no intervention. Seems there’s no free lunch with tyres….