Best current mid range tyre for E36 M3 Evo Conv?

[BluePurpleRed]

Hi, I've looked through the tyre post in GG and I can't see anything that applies much to the E36 M3 so I thought I would try here.

I need 2 new rears for my Evo which has staggered wheels so 245/40/17 on the back. I currently have Kumho Ecsta's on ( I think KU31's). I have found these excellent in everything bar the snow, which I don't care about.

Now the tyres I have, have a different tread pattern than the ones showing up on tyre sites and google images. The tread I have is more like a Toyo proxy with wavy lines curving towards the middle. My thinking is if this exact tyre is not available with this tread then I guess it is a different tyre with new characteristics. If going into the unknown then I will look at other tyres.

My list so far is :

Kumho Ecsta KU31 - £95.33 fitted
Falken FK 452 - £101
Avon ZZ3 - £104 ( I think I have these on the front? )

I don't mind going up in price if it is a really good tyre though, just know that the Kumhos are doing a great job at the mo.

Any suggestions / practical experiences would be great. I am going in on Sat as I have noticed I am only 1mm above the wear bar so needs doing soon even though I only drive at the weekends.

Oh, I was looking to do a deal through black cirles they have a lot of tyres ready for me locally to SW17 ( Tooting )

Edited by BluePurpleRed on Wednesday 19th January 11:47

[les3002]

I've used Falken FK452 on the rear of my E36 328i Sport (same tyre size as m3) and found them to be excellent mid range tyres. Camskill sell them for closer to £70 if you can get them fitted.

[Paul_M3]

I'd avoid the Avons from your list.

I ran the Falkens on the front of my e46 for a while and was fairly impressed with them for the price.
People seem to rate them and the Kuhmo KU31's fairly equally.

They don't compare to the Goodyear Eagle Asymmetrics I've got now though. They are excellent in both wet and dry.
For your size you'd be looking at around £125 though.

[J.B.R.]

Paul_M3 said:

I'd avoid the Avons from your list.

I ran the Falkens on the front of my e46 for a while and was fairly impressed with them for the price.
People seem to rate them and the Kuhmo KU31's fairly equally.

They don't compare to the Goodyear Eagle Asymmetrics I've got now though. They are excellent in both wet and dry.
For your size you'd be looking at around £125 though.

Agree with Paul on the Avons.
Put them on the rear of my e36 evo, now scrubbing the driver's side wheelarch when hitting dips in the road.
Think I need to do the spacer mod on the spring to raise the height now.
Previous tyres (Kumho) didn't scrub!

[pat_y]

Currently running Falken 452's on the rear and pilot sports on the front, the Falkens don't like the cold and wet much, really good when warmer and drier, the pilot sports are exactly what you would expect...Excellent and expensive

[andye30m3]

I tried various tyres on my M3 Evo couple, Didn't like the falkens although I do seam to be in the minority. I preferred both the toyo T1r's and the Dunlop sport max.

Could also try the Hankook V12 Evo's.

Edited by andye30m3 on Wednesday 19th January 18:11

[_Neal_]

I've got the Falkens all round on my M3 Evo Coupe (and had them all round on my Cerbera 4.5) - very impressed in both cases

[Pig Skill]

The Kuhmo are fantastic for the money

[Onetrackmind]

Vredsteins are supposed to be very good.

[chippy17]

I have Falkens on my 3.0 and think they are good for the money, you can get them for £79 on Camskill, plus carriage:

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m54b0s...

[BluePurpleRed]

Hmm.. just looked and I have Avon ZZ3's on the rear, and the Kumho's on the front.

I quite like the tread pattern on the ZZ3's but that isn't how I am going to choose a tyre! I found them great around Brands for a half day and also on the Nurburgring. Brands and the ring were wet and dry over the course of when I went and I have only had one wet 'moment' so I am tempted to stick with what I know.

What I mean is however the car is set up, it is working with these tyres. Can anyone say that they have had them and swapped and found it better? I can't get the wheels to spin in the dry on 'launch' with them either.

Really appreciate the help / advice.

Edited by BluePurpleRed on Thursday 20th January 14:42