pilot super sports - Still the tyre to go for?

[Nanogy98]

I'm ready to replace the Pirelli run craps on my F30 328i.

Are the pilots still the best tyres to go for or has something better came along? I noticed they were a bit cheaper than they were before.

Cheers

[Nanogy98]

The contisport contact 5 seems to get rave reviews. However not sure if it's suited to the 328i?

The sizes are

225/40R19 Y 89 255/35R19 Y 92

Am I OK to just get the same size of tyre although I'm replacing with non run flats? I seen a few people saying something about that in another thread.

Cheers

[Nanogy98]

Alright lads thanks very much for the help I think I will order them today is it best to get them in the exact same size as my run flats were?

[Nanogy98]

Nice one. The run craps on it just now are the Pirelli P Zeros and they're beyond crap! Even worse now they have 10k miles on them. Even when they were fresh, they would lose traction in the wet far too easily.

[Nanogy98]

Thanks for that. Just about to order. However there seems to be a couple of options and I'm not too sure on the differences. One has a BMW logo next to it and the other "XL" I'm not sure my car would be classed as XL? The load rating is 96 on the XL. I doubt I need that. Just wondering what makes the one marked with BMW any different or special? It is a BMW they're going on after all.

The other seems to be just the standard.

Edit*
To make things even more confusing. When I enter the dimensions for my front tyre. Only the XL tyre is available and showing up.

Edited by Nanogy98 on Tuesday 1st September 10:18

[Nanogy98]

kambites said:

Sometimes manufacturers subtly modify tyres for a particular car manufacturer for OEM fitment... and I suspect sometimes they just put an OEM mark on them so they can charge more. I've no idea which is the case here.

Ah, thanks for that. I'll stick to the normal one. The non OEM actually got a better score on the EU tyre guide (not sure how accurate those things are).

[Nanogy98]

When hovering over the "XL" it has a pop up telling me it's "reinforced". I'm guessing this isn't what I want? Isn't this just another term for a run flat? I want to get away from rock solid side walls. Or does this reinforced mean something else?

[Nanogy98]

I wont be doing any track days at all. I just like the odd hoon now and again. I live semi rural with a lot of nice winding back roads. So I'm sure the PSS will be perfect for my needs. I'm also in Scotland, so it does rain a fair bit, wet performance was a must.

So it looks like I'll need to order the XL/Reinforced for the fronts and should I also get the XL for the rear so as to match? I wouldn't want XL up front and non XL at the rear would I? Or is it maybe because blackcircles just don't stock the standard for my front tyre size?

It's only a 3 series. I wouldn't have classed that as a heavy car and I certainly don't carry heavy loads. I'm usually the only driver and my boots always empty.

[Nanogy98]

About to pull the trigger.

Top ones or bottom ones?

[Nanogy98]

MrBarry123 said:

OP...

A 92 load rating means that each tyre can accommodate 630kg of weight. A 96 load rating means that each tyre can accommodate 710kg of weight.

From a picture I've seen of the tyre information sticker for your car, the 255/35/19 tyre is recommended with a load rating of 92, so buy the 92 and save a few pounds.

Thanks very much for that reply. Helps a lot! Unfortunately BlackCircles don't seem to do the front tyres in the non XL variant. So that would be XL up front and non XL at the rear. Surely that can't be a good thing? The markings on my current run flats state "standard load".

The current tyres that are fitted from the factory have load ratings of 89 for the front and 92 for the rear. This isn't XL loads.

What should I do?

Looking on the Michelin page. They don't actually make a non XL version for my fronts. So am I ok to fix XL up the front with non XL on the rear. Or is it best to just go XL all round?


If any of you were wondering "Man, why does this guy have a 328i and he knows nothing about cars"... well I've been wondering the same thing :P

Edited by Nanogy98 on Tuesday 1st September 11:39

Edited by Nanogy98 on Tuesday 1st September 11:41

[Nanogy98]

Well that was more hassle than it should have been.

I found some information from Michelin which said as long as the XL and non XL tyres aren't on the same Axle it isn't a problem.

So went for :

2 x Michelin Pilot Super Sport 225/40 R19 Y (93), Reinforced (Fronts)
2 x Michelin Pilot Super Sport 255/35 R19 Y (92) (Rears)

The Rears load rating matches exactly with the current load rating of the original tyre. The fronts have went up from 89 to 93, which I don't think will be a problem.

If I don't post for a while from the 3rd onwards... I'll be in a ditch somewhere in Scotland.

Thanks for everyones help and advice

[Nanogy98]

Garvin said:

You won't be in any ditches using MPSS tyres I can assure you. You will not die with the different load/XL ratings. You might, and I stress might, just detect a little difference in on limit handling if you have Ken Block like sensitivities. Otherwise you will be fine . . . . . . and incredibly impressed by these tyres. I speak as someone who also went from Pirelli PZeros to MPSS and realised that Pirellis are just a very expensive budget tyre!

Haha. Thanks for that. Ken Block I am not. I do like to pretend to myself though lol.

I can't wait to get rid of these things. Totally ruin the car.

[Nanogy98]

Clivey said:

OP, Have you bought yet?

If not, just to say I've just had a set of Super Sports fitted to the Mini and found www.tyreleader.co.uk much cheaper than either my local places or blackcircles.

I have yes. My rear tyre is actually punctured and can't be repaired as its too close to the sidewall. Hence my urgency and excuse to ditch all 4 of the run flats. Getting them fitted Thursday morning.

[Nanogy98]

Getting the tyres fitted as I type this out. What pressure do you think for all four tyres?

My run craps ran on 37PSI according to the manual. I'm thinking 35psi?

[Nanogy98]

Really? Why?