M6 Gran Coupe - P-Zero Tyre Problem
Discussion
I had puncture on my M6 Gran Coupe a couple of months back and my local BMW dealer (in Hook) fitted a replacement, I didn't think anything more of it at the time until recently I was with a few very knowledgeable folk who pointed out to me that the replaced tyre was not identical - they are Pirelli P-Zero 295/30ZR20 (101Y) - and as I understand it the P-Zero comes in variations for each car make (Aston, Porsche, BMW) - and they had fitted an Aston tyre, On top of that the tyre was old (2013 stock) - Lastly for a 550BHP car - should both tyres not be changed at the same time?
I rang up BMW on Friday and they have said they think the Aston/BMW tyres are the same, I have looked at the tread and I don't think they are! but worse - they say that Pirelli have zero stock worldwide for these tyres - and they are suggesting to put Michelle Super Sports.
A few questions -
1) Can anyone 100% confirm the tyres are different?
2) Do BMW recommend switching both tyres?
3) Anyone have experience of having Super Sports on an M6? the alternative is 'Sports Cup 2' ?
I rang up BMW on Friday and they have said they think the Aston/BMW tyres are the same, I have looked at the tread and I don't think they are! but worse - they say that Pirelli have zero stock worldwide for these tyres - and they are suggesting to put Michelle Super Sports.
A few questions -
1) Can anyone 100% confirm the tyres are different?
2) Do BMW recommend switching both tyres?
3) Anyone have experience of having Super Sports on an M6? the alternative is 'Sports Cup 2' ?
My M6 Gran Coupe which was delivered late in 2013 had Michelin Pilot Super Sports fitted from new, nothing but praise for them, they stick well and last well, the only very minor complaint is that on some surfaces (eg the South West section of the M25) they seem to enter some harmonic vibration which makes them noisy.
I'd say it depends how worn the tyres are as to replacing the pair. If they are down to 5mm or less, replace both, otherwise it should be fine. I wasn't even aware of an Aston specific tyre, you have to ask Pirelli for a definitive answer on that I think.
I'd say it depends how worn the tyres are as to replacing the pair. If they are down to 5mm or less, replace both, otherwise it should be fine. I wasn't even aware of an Aston specific tyre, you have to ask Pirelli for a definitive answer on that I think.
I'd demand the correct tyre or request they replace the other on that axle. Failing that & my preference would be get them to swap the wrong tyre with an MPSS & change the other 3 yourself (assuming the others are not virtually unused).
Can't speak for the Pirelli tyres but on the MPSS the BMW spec tyre has a * on the sidewall & those for other Mfctrs have different marks including Merc & Porsche. I'd assume the P Zero would follow a similar method so would doubt the Aston & BMW tyre have the same markings.
Can't speak for the Pirelli tyres but on the MPSS the BMW spec tyre has a * on the sidewall & those for other Mfctrs have different marks including Merc & Porsche. I'd assume the P Zero would follow a similar method so would doubt the Aston & BMW tyre have the same markings.
BMW have got a bit of form for this kind of issue. Can't comment on the tyres you have and what difference they migh have in feel or performance but a few years back I have an E90 3 series M Sport which ran original supplied Michelin tyres.
When the rear one got punctured one day turned out that there were no replacements available, anywhere. BMW of course told me that it was impossible, so I offfrered them £1000.00 to find one (I had already searched and contacted michelin and found that there was no stock, anywhere, in the world...). Funnily enough they failed to deliver.
They then recommended a bridgestone tyre, same profile etc accept it wasn't the same tread or contact patch, the michelin was a much fuller side walled tyre and the odd rear end was terrible. I ended up having to replace the other 3 to run bridgestones.
When the rear one got punctured one day turned out that there were no replacements available, anywhere. BMW of course told me that it was impossible, so I offfrered them £1000.00 to find one (I had already searched and contacted michelin and found that there was no stock, anywhere, in the world...). Funnily enough they failed to deliver.
They then recommended a bridgestone tyre, same profile etc accept it wasn't the same tread or contact patch, the michelin was a much fuller side walled tyre and the odd rear end was terrible. I ended up having to replace the other 3 to run bridgestones.
NickOrangeCars said:
I had puncture on my M6 Gran Coupe a couple of months back and my local BMW dealer (in Hook) fitted a replacement, I didn't think anything more of it at the time until recently I was with a few very knowledgeable folk who pointed out to me that the replaced tyre was not identical - they are Pirelli P-Zero 295/30ZR20 (101Y) - and as I understand it the P-Zero comes in variations for each car make (Aston, Porsche, BMW) - and they had fitted an Aston tyre, On top of that the tyre was old (2013 stock) - Lastly for a 550BHP car - should both tyres not be changed at the same time?
I rang up BMW on Friday and they have said they think the Aston/BMW tyres are the same, I have looked at the tread and I don't think they are! but worse - they say that Pirelli have zero stock worldwide for these tyres - and they are suggesting to put Michelle Super Sports.
A few questions -
1) Can anyone 100% confirm the tyres are different?
2) Do BMW recommend switching both tyres?
3) Anyone have experience of having Super Sports on an M6? the alternative is 'Sports Cup 2' ?
I had the Michelin SS on my M6 GC CP, best tyres to have.I rang up BMW on Friday and they have said they think the Aston/BMW tyres are the same, I have looked at the tread and I don't think they are! but worse - they say that Pirelli have zero stock worldwide for these tyres - and they are suggesting to put Michelle Super Sports.
A few questions -
1) Can anyone 100% confirm the tyres are different?
2) Do BMW recommend switching both tyres?
3) Anyone have experience of having Super Sports on an M6? the alternative is 'Sports Cup 2' ?
The Pirelli tyres are not as good all round and BMW have a recommended one as you say for their cars.
Changing one if the wear on the other is not much is OK, but if not change both.
Adamski69 said:
BMW have got a bit of form for this kind of issue. Can't comment on the tyres you have and what difference they migh have in feel or performance but a few years back I have an E90 3 series M Sport which ran original supplied Michelin tyres.
When the rear one got punctured one day turned out that there were no replacements available, anywhere. BMW of course told me that it was impossible, so I offfrered them £1000.00 to find one (I had already searched and contacted michelin and found that there was no stock, anywhere, in the world...). Funnily enough they failed to deliver.
They then recommended a bridgestone tyre, same profile etc accept it wasn't the same tread or contact patch, the michelin was a much fuller side walled tyre and the odd rear end was terrible. I ended up having to replace the other 3 to run bridgestones.
I don't get this. You offered £1000 for a tyre? When the rear one got punctured one day turned out that there were no replacements available, anywhere. BMW of course told me that it was impossible, so I offfrered them £1000.00 to find one (I had already searched and contacted michelin and found that there was no stock, anywhere, in the world...). Funnily enough they failed to deliver.
They then recommended a bridgestone tyre, same profile etc accept it wasn't the same tread or contact patch, the michelin was a much fuller side walled tyre and the odd rear end was terrible. I ended up having to replace the other 3 to run bridgestones.
Why not just change the full set for less than that?
R8Steve said:
Adamski69 said:
BMW have got a bit of form for this kind of issue. Can't comment on the tyres you have and what difference they migh have in feel or performance but a few years back I have an E90 3 series M Sport which ran original supplied Michelin tyres.
When the rear one got punctured one day turned out that there were no replacements available, anywhere. BMW of course told me that it was impossible, so I offfrered them £1000.00 to find one (I had already searched and contacted michelin and found that there was no stock, anywhere, in the world...). Funnily enough they failed to deliver.
They then recommended a bridgestone tyre, same profile etc accept it wasn't the same tread or contact patch, the michelin was a much fuller side walled tyre and the odd rear end was terrible. I ended up having to replace the other 3 to run bridgestones.
I don't get this. You offered £1000 for a tyre? When the rear one got punctured one day turned out that there were no replacements available, anywhere. BMW of course told me that it was impossible, so I offfrered them £1000.00 to find one (I had already searched and contacted michelin and found that there was no stock, anywhere, in the world...). Funnily enough they failed to deliver.
They then recommended a bridgestone tyre, same profile etc accept it wasn't the same tread or contact patch, the michelin was a much fuller side walled tyre and the odd rear end was terrible. I ended up having to replace the other 3 to run bridgestones.
Why not just change the full set for less than that?
The manufacturers mark has no relevance, they all do it and very few of them even suggest you should always fit them, let alone try to insist that you do.
If the section, ratings and tread pattern are the same the replacement should be fine. OP, you said that you thought the tread pattern might be different - is it? Shouldn't be too hard to say it is or it isn't.
Having said that, I had a 911S fitted with P Zeros new. I changed them all to Michelins as soon as the rears wore out. The Michelins were better in every respect; quieter, better grip, better wear. Gives the lie to all the b
ks that Porsche (and others) put out about how carefully they select OE tyres; if that were true they'd never fit the Pirellis.Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 23 December 12:27
RichardM5 said:
My M6 Gran Coupe which was delivered late in 2013 had Michelin Pilot Super Sports fitted from new, nothing but praise for them, they stick well and last well, the only very minor complaint is that on some surfaces (eg the South West section of the M25) they seem to enter some harmonic vibration which makes them noisy.
I'd say it depends how worn the tyres are as to replacing the pair. If they are down to 5mm or less, replace both, otherwise it should be fine. I wasn't even aware of an Aston specific tyre, you have to ask Pirelli for a definitive answer on that I think.
Can't help with the OP's question but the noise from my tyres on that section is......... I'd say it depends how worn the tyres are as to replacing the pair. If they are down to 5mm or less, replace both, otherwise it should be fine. I wasn't even aware of an Aston specific tyre, you have to ask Pirelli for a definitive answer on that I think.
and I've got MPSS as you have, it's really, really bad 
Yes you can get BMW specific version of the tyres (marked with a *, Mercedes are marked 'MO' for example). Does it make any difference? Nope.
Your car is like any other, change an axle pair if they're worn otherwise don't worry about it, it's up to you.
Personally if I was putting a spanker on one corner I'd replace the other axle side if it was less than 5mm otherwise I'd live with it.
Your car is like any other, change an axle pair if they're worn otherwise don't worry about it, it's up to you.
Personally if I was putting a spanker on one corner I'd replace the other axle side if it was less than 5mm otherwise I'd live with it.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff