What tyres are people running on their 320d's?
Discussion
Hankook or Falken were always the good mid range tyres when I had a more ordinary BMW , 325. Hankook I know are well thought of now.
I chose Hankook and was very happy, for example 6 years ago when M4 turned into a “skating rink” thanks to a hail storm they kept me going when cars were spinning out all around me
I chose Hankook and was very happy, for example 6 years ago when M4 turned into a “skating rink” thanks to a hail storm they kept me going when cars were spinning out all around me
Smuler said:
Hankook or Falken were always the good mid range tyres...
Korean tyres have been coming along in leaps and bounds as their motor industry matures. The main brands seem to be Hankook, Kumho and Nexen. Hankook seem to be top of the pile at the moment and they are original fitment on some VAG cars. My wife's new Fabia came with a set of Nexens, My favourit is Kumho and I have used them on a 320d (runflats)I've tried a few of those brands on a few different cars and have generally been a premium brand man like yourself. In short:
-Nexens ; I have them on my current W124 250D and a Triumph Dolly Sprint. Not the best handling cars. However, they are very good in all conditions, especially for the money. The problem? They don't last 5 minutes. My W124 250D non-turbo has them on the front and they are almost down to the markers after barely 10k! There is a chance that they were switched from the rear but still that is abysmal for a barge with only 90BHP.
-Kumhos. Sister has KU31s on her '07 Saab 9-3 and I had KH31s on my Mk3 Mondeo V6. The Mondeo had Michelins and Goodyears on it too. IMHO they are a brand where you are paying for a name. Strange I know. I can take corners much faster and with confidence in the Merc than I can with the Saab ; it just washes out wet or dry. The latter has been aligned too which made little difference, and from a known guy who doesn't generally make mistakes. It was the same on the Mondeo ; the Goodyear NCT5s (yes, really) were leagues ahead.
-Falkens. I've had ZE912s/4s and FK452/3s on cars. The latter I've had on the M3. They are all good but the 452s are crap in the wet. 453s are very good, albeit not MPS4(S) good, but not miles off the Eagle F1s. They don't last however ; I got 8k out of the M3 on the rears down to the markers and it's a daily ; The MPS4s still have quite a bit of life left after 11k and full day at the Nurburgring. The rim protection is also non-existant on the FKs. Not good if you park on narrow streets with low profile tyres and in a car that you can't see much out of.
In short. If you do 10k+ a year, get the Goodyears. Any less and I'd consider the Nexens, Falkens if rim protection isn't a priority or the Hankooks. Bear this in mind. Call them timewasters etc. but people will haggle for tyres if they are near illegal ; its their licence on the line if they get pulled over.
-Nexens ; I have them on my current W124 250D and a Triumph Dolly Sprint. Not the best handling cars. However, they are very good in all conditions, especially for the money. The problem? They don't last 5 minutes. My W124 250D non-turbo has them on the front and they are almost down to the markers after barely 10k! There is a chance that they were switched from the rear but still that is abysmal for a barge with only 90BHP.
-Kumhos. Sister has KU31s on her '07 Saab 9-3 and I had KH31s on my Mk3 Mondeo V6. The Mondeo had Michelins and Goodyears on it too. IMHO they are a brand where you are paying for a name. Strange I know. I can take corners much faster and with confidence in the Merc than I can with the Saab ; it just washes out wet or dry. The latter has been aligned too which made little difference, and from a known guy who doesn't generally make mistakes. It was the same on the Mondeo ; the Goodyear NCT5s (yes, really) were leagues ahead.
-Falkens. I've had ZE912s/4s and FK452/3s on cars. The latter I've had on the M3. They are all good but the 452s are crap in the wet. 453s are very good, albeit not MPS4(S) good, but not miles off the Eagle F1s. They don't last however ; I got 8k out of the M3 on the rears down to the markers and it's a daily ; The MPS4s still have quite a bit of life left after 11k and full day at the Nurburgring. The rim protection is also non-existant on the FKs. Not good if you park on narrow streets with low profile tyres and in a car that you can't see much out of.
In short. If you do 10k+ a year, get the Goodyears. Any less and I'd consider the Nexens, Falkens if rim protection isn't a priority or the Hankooks. Bear this in mind. Call them timewasters etc. but people will haggle for tyres if they are near illegal ; its their licence on the line if they get pulled over.
I've got 18" Hankook V12 Ventus S1 Evo's on my 325i MSport. (Non Run Flat)
Replaced Michelin runflats with them. I'd say they're equal in grip (although comparing new with worn). Ride is better than the runflats and wear is very good. Both Hankook and Michelin seem to be grippier than the Bridgestone runflats I had on my old E92.
One thing I would say is that I have an odd Falken tyre spare in my garage of the same size and the Hankooks felt considerably lighter in comparison when they arrived.
Replaced Michelin runflats with them. I'd say they're equal in grip (although comparing new with worn). Ride is better than the runflats and wear is very good. Both Hankook and Michelin seem to be grippier than the Bridgestone runflats I had on my old E92.
One thing I would say is that I have an odd Falken tyre spare in my garage of the same size and the Hankooks felt considerably lighter in comparison when they arrived.
You don’t say what size you’re running, but on the off-chance it’s staggered 19”, I’ve got a set of 4-year old Bridgestone RE050A (the runflats) sat doing nothing. I no-longer own a car they’ll fit onto, so they’re just taking up space. They’re yours if you want them.
I know they’re crap compared with proper tyres, but there’s at least 4mm on them, and if you’re only keeping the car for a bit, could save you some money... PM me if you’re interested.
I know they’re crap compared with proper tyres, but there’s at least 4mm on them, and if you’re only keeping the car for a bit, could save you some money... PM me if you’re interested.
Not quite a 320d, but I use 205/55 x 16 Michelin Alpins as winters on my 325ti - although it hasn't snowed since I got them!
ETA I have Bridgestone Potenza run-flats on my Z4, and I'd recommend avoiding them! The Pirelli run-flats I had on my 123d were much better!
ETA I have Bridgestone Potenza run-flats on my Z4, and I'd recommend avoiding them! The Pirelli run-flats I had on my 123d were much better!
Edited by Mr Tidy on Thursday 23 November 01:42
Thanks for all of the replies! Much appreciated
Sizes are Front 225, 45 R17 Rear 255, 40 R17
Trying to get 4 matching brand/model of tyre in those sizes has been a propper mare! Starting to pull my hair out now.
I project to do 10k miles between now and trade in time. I've got over 20k out of the AS2's since I fitted them 2.5 years ago. Very impressed, only now am I starting to feel the lack of grip and stability. Rears are at 2mm (didn't realise they were so low! MOT flagged it up) Fronts are 3 so all 4 certainly need doing asap.
Sizes are Front 225, 45 R17 Rear 255, 40 R17
Trying to get 4 matching brand/model of tyre in those sizes has been a propper mare! Starting to pull my hair out now.
I project to do 10k miles between now and trade in time. I've got over 20k out of the AS2's since I fitted them 2.5 years ago. Very impressed, only now am I starting to feel the lack of grip and stability. Rears are at 2mm (didn't realise they were so low! MOT flagged it up) Fronts are 3 so all 4 certainly need doing asap.
Looking on blackcircles, you could get rear asy2 for £126 each and front asy3 for £82 each.
Not perfect, but as good a ‘match’ as you’re going to get, I reckon.
I’d say there’s no asy2’s left in 225/45/17 as it’s just about the ‘standard’ size tyre in the market...so only asy3 available, but as 255/40/17 isn’t common - 3-series uses it, that’s about it - G/Y didn’t make them in asy3, as it’s not a current model.
£400 + fitting for Goodyears wouldn’t be too bad imo... You might even get away with just doing the rears? (Certainly better than the £1k it costs me for a set!
)
Not perfect, but as good a ‘match’ as you’re going to get, I reckon.
I’d say there’s no asy2’s left in 225/45/17 as it’s just about the ‘standard’ size tyre in the market...so only asy3 available, but as 255/40/17 isn’t common - 3-series uses it, that’s about it - G/Y didn’t make them in asy3, as it’s not a current model.
£400 + fitting for Goodyears wouldn’t be too bad imo... You might even get away with just doing the rears? (Certainly better than the £1k it costs me for a set!
)To be honest I’d stick cheap and sticky on the rears (hankook) I seriously think Bmw has completely f
ked up the Rec pressure to run 17 rears on. The fronts have done approx 14k with lots of life left. My rears are on the second set and they’ve nearly gone too. Firstly matched with hankook on the front( bought as a 4) did about 8k. Finished. Second set Bridgestone driveguard , they’ll just make it to 8k if they are lucky.
I’ve dropped 3 psi out of the rears now. Losing them more across the centre.
Pissing me off lol.
I’ll be back on hankook when these bridgestones die.
ked up the Rec pressure to run 17 rears on. The fronts have done approx 14k with lots of life left. My rears are on the second set and they’ve nearly gone too. Firstly matched with hankook on the front( bought as a 4) did about 8k. Finished. Second set Bridgestone driveguard , they’ll just make it to 8k if they are lucky. I’ve dropped 3 psi out of the rears now. Losing them more across the centre.
Pissing me off lol.
I’ll be back on hankook when these bridgestones die.
Prinny said:
Looking on blackcircles, you could get rear asy2 for £126 each and front asy3 for £82 each.
Not perfect, but as good a ‘match’ as you’re going to get, I reckon.
I’d say there’s no asy2’s left in 225/45/17 as it’s just about the ‘standard’ size tyre in the market...so only asy3 available, but as 255/40/17 isn’t common - 3-series uses it, that’s about it - G/Y didn’t make them in asy3, as it’s not a current model.
£400 + fitting for Goodyears wouldn’t be too bad imo... You might even get away with just doing the rears? (Certainly better than the £1k it costs me for a set!)
Done exactly that! £418 down.. gulp! I won't moan, £1k is eye watering for tyres so it could be worse. I know what i'm getting with the GY's, awesome tyres IMO.Not perfect, but as good a ‘match’ as you’re going to get, I reckon.
I’d say there’s no asy2’s left in 225/45/17 as it’s just about the ‘standard’ size tyre in the market...so only asy3 available, but as 255/40/17 isn’t common - 3-series uses it, that’s about it - G/Y didn’t make them in asy3, as it’s not a current model.
£400 + fitting for Goodyears wouldn’t be too bad imo... You might even get away with just doing the rears? (Certainly better than the £1k it costs me for a set!
)Plus I'll get some cashback as I bought them through our company benefits portal thing, every little helps.
Thanks all for the advice and opinions. :-)
PDP76 said:
To be honest I’d stick cheap and sticky on the rears (hankook) I seriously think Bmw has completely fked up the Rec pressure to run 17 rears on. The fronts have done approx 14k with lots of life left. My rears are on the second set and they’ve nearly gone too. Firstly matched with hankook on the front( bought as a 4) did about 8k. Finished. Second set Bridgestone driveguard , they’ll just make it to 8k if they are lucky.
I’ve dropped 3 psi out of the rears now. Losing them more across the centre.
Pissing me off lol.
I’ll be back on hankook when these bridgestones die.
ked up the Rec pressure to run 17 rears on. The fronts have done approx 14k with lots of life left. My rears are on the second set and they’ve nearly gone too. Firstly matched with hankook on the front( bought as a 4) did about 8k. Finished. Second set Bridgestone driveguard , they’ll just make it to 8k if they are lucky. I’ve dropped 3 psi out of the rears now. Losing them more across the centre.
Pissing me off lol.
I’ll be back on hankook when these bridgestones die.
The tyre pressures aren't a mistake. It's quite common on many brands to recommend pressures that are too high, as far as optimum wear is concerned, in order to improve economy and go towards supporting the official consumption figures.
Yeh fk the economy I want my rubber to last longer, hence now dropping some pressure out of the rear. It’s around 32 front 36 rear now. It was 39 rear, the wear shows it’s excessive pressure. Shoulders look good, but the centres are a on a lot less tread.
Tyres every 8/12 months is no good at all.
k the economy I want my rubber to last longer, hence now dropping some pressure out of the rear. It’s around 32 front 36 rear now. It was 39 rear, the wear shows it’s excessive pressure. Shoulders look good, but the centres are a on a lot less tread. Tyres every 8/12 months is no good at all.
I have been having the same issues getting 225/45/18s and 255/40/18s matching in a non run flat tyre. Without spending mega money the best I can find really are vredstein ultrac vortis which are are between 110-150 a tyre.
If anyone else has any recommendations for those sizes at no more than 150 a corner let me know
If anyone else has any recommendations for those sizes at no more than 150 a corner let me know
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