E36: Best tyres for steering feel\response?

[BGarside]

My 328i is due for new tyres soon. Still on original 205/60 size and 15" wheels. Have been running Goodyear EfficientGrip but the soft sidewalls make the steering feel vague.

The tyres are pretty high profile by modern standards, which doesn't help.

Can anyone suggest tyres with stiffer sidewalls which might give better turn-in and steering feel? Dont drive on track so just for road use?

Cheers,

Ben

[Pica-Pica]

When I had a 323i I used Continental Premium Contact for most of its life. I tried Dunlop Bluresponse (way too bouncy). It originally came with Michelin Primacy, they were terrible in the wet, it put me off Michelin for life. It was also 205/60 x 15 on steels (oh for steel wheels again! Alloys are a big expensive con).

[E-bmw]

In fairness, either are good but if you want to sharpen up the steering you will want to get on the bay of E & pick up a set of 17s which WILL transform the car assuming it is a sport, if it is an SE then I would remain on 15s & languish in the considerably cheaper tyres.

[BGarside]

It's an SE. Quite like the smaller wheels for ride comfort and kerb resistance. Did think about getting some period 16 inch Style 30s but I like the original 'bottle top' style wheels and the car is visually standard.

Thanks for the tip about Conti Premium Contacts. Might try some.

[d_a_n1979]

BGarside said:

It's an SE. Quite like the smaller wheels for ride comfort and kerb resistance. Did think about getting some period 16 inch Style 30s but I like the original 'bottle top' style wheels and the car is visually standard.

Thanks for the tip about Conti Premium Contacts. Might try some.

You’ll not get many tyres with a stiff sidewall in that size.

I do agree that going up in alloy size would work better

But look into Vredestein Ultrac Vorti tyres, they’re overall a superb tyre & very well reviewed

[BGarside]

I realise the 60-profile sidewalls are taller than modern cars, was just wondering if there are any tyres which have stiffer sidewalls than the EfficientGrips.

Will take a look at the Vredesteins though. Conti Premium Contact are looking pretty expensive despite the small wheel size.

[E-bmw]

IIRC Efficient grips have a fairly stiff sidewall due to the constraints of reduced rolling resistance for "efficient" tyres.

[red997]

Michelin Pilot PS2 / Supersport / Sport 4S / Cup 2

[E-bmw]

red997 said:

Michelin Pilot PS2 / Supersport / Sport 4S / Cup 2

None of which appear to be available in the OPs size.

[red997]

oops - apologies

[Touring442]

E-bmw said:

IIRC Efficient grips have a fairly stiff sidewall due to the constraints of reduced rolling resistance for "efficient" tyres.

They do have fairly soft sidewalls. I had a set on my last E36. They are an excellent tyre but if better handling is the aim, then going up to 225/50x16 is a good move.

[BGarside]

They certainly feel vague, even compared to the cheaper Nexen N8000s which were fitted to my previous E36 325i (same width/profile).

I prefer the original 15" Style 13 alloys to the 16" Style 30s so would prefer to stick with those if possible. I don't explore the limits of adhesion on the road so have enough grip on 205s, I'd just a bit more steering feel/response.

Could go down a profile but doesn't seem much choice in 205/55 R15.

[skylarking808]

Allways had Bridgestones on my E36's. Decent sidewalls, always seemed to suit with progressive breakaway.

16" and 17" wheels.

More comfy on the 16" and felt more nimble with a square set up (205 i think)- rather than staggered i.e. wider at back.

[Touring442]

BGarside said:

Could go down a profile but doesn't seem much choice in 205/55 R15.

The speedo will over read as well.

[BFleming]

Touring442 said:

BGarside said:

Could go down a profile but doesn't seem much choice in 205/55 R15.

The speedo will over read as well.

The speedo will indeed over read - well, it'll read the same as it did previously - but the car will go slower! Unless you're using another speedometer (GPS for example) you wouldn't know.
225/50-16 recommendation from me too. I ditched the 15's that came with my 320i, and fitted the twin spoke 16's - one of the nicest wheels the E36 came with.

[Locknut]

Are you sure those are not 16 inch wheels? I have the Efficient Dynamics version of the F30 and my size is 205/60/16. I have changed from conventional tyres to run-flats and I think it has helped the steering. You don't have to worry about all the harshness problems normally associated with run-flats because the higher side-wall allows more springing. The ride and handling are very acceptable and nothing like low profile run-flats.

[BGarside]

Definitely on 15s!

My car's an E36 from 1995. Efficient Dynamics weren't really a consideration back then!

[BGarside]

BFleming said:

The speedo will indeed over read - well, it'll read the same as it did previously - but the car will go slower! Unless you're using another speedometer (GPS for example) you wouldn't know.
225/50-16 recommendation from me too. I ditched the 15's that came with my 320i, and fitted the twin spoke 16's - one of the nicest wheels the E36 came with.

Actually I prefer the 'bottletop' Style 13 alloys to the twin spoke Style 30s, but the 30s were fitted to my car in period so could be an option if decent 15" tyres can't be found.

Don't really mind an under-reading speedo. Can compensate for the difference.

[g3org3y]

BGarside said:

Definitely on 15s!

My car's an E36 from 1995. Efficient Dynamics weren't really a consideration back then!

The good old days.

[BFleming]

BGarside said:

Actually I prefer the 'bottletop' Style 13 alloys to the twin spoke Style 30s, but the 30s were fitted to my car in period so could be an option if decent 15" tyres can't be found.

I seem to recall the Style 13's came on the Coupe's only.
I just found this BMW wheel brochure from 1998... let me know if you want it (I have 2, for some strange reason):