Z4M Tyres Conti 5 or Michelin PS3?

[danyeates]

Hi,

I'm just about to order some tyres for my Z4M. Any tips on what to get? With winter approaching, wet grip and traction is the most important as it's a weekend car that gets used all year round.

My tyre place recommend the PS3 as the best out there at the moment, but another recommend the Continental Contact Sport5. The only thing with the Continentals is that I'd have to have Contact Sport 5 on the front and Contact Sport 5 P on the rears. Will that matter?

Thanks,

Dan

[mmm-five]

Your tyre place is talking rubbish if they're claiming the PS3 is the best out there, as it's WORSE than the PS2, and is the replacement for the lower level Pilot Exalto, not the PS2.

The current cream of the crop are Continental SportContact 5p, Michelin Pilot Super Sport, Goodyear F1 Asymetric 2.

However you may find that you can get the front OR rear in the size you need, but not front AND rear.

I've gone for the Super Sports and have gone for 265/40r18 rears as the 255/40 is not available (yet). The Goodyears got an excellent review in the latest Autoexpress test, but they didn't test the Conti or Michelin, so don't know where they come in relation.

If you want to save a bit of cash, there's a lot of Z4M owners on Vredestrein Ultrac Sessantas.

[danyeates]

Ok, that's interesting.

Keen on the Continentals. They don't do the Contact 5P for the fronts, but I assume it will be ok to fit the 5 on the front and 5P on the rears, yes?

[danyeates]

Also, the Continentals are Mercedes OEM wheels. I assume that's ok go fit to the Z4 M anyway.

[mmm-five]

danyeates said:

Ok, that's interesting.

Keen on the Continentals. They don't do the Contact 5P for the fronts, but I assume it will be ok to fit the 5 on the front and 5P on the rears, yes?

The 5 and 5P are different tyres - only slightly, but there's probably as much difference between these two as there is between these 2 and the SportContact 3.

Mercedes fitment will be fine.

[danyeates]

Any thoughts on winter tyres on the M? Don't really see any snow where we are, just want very good grip on wet country lanes.

[mmm-five]

BMW's option is to go for 225/40R18 tyres all round, but there nothing stopping you getting winter tyres in standard M sizes - except for the difficulty in finding one tyre that is available in both sizes (can only find the Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme in front & rear sizes).

There's the new Dunlop SP Wintersport 4D is supposed to be great in the cold/wet/snowy conditions, but I've just bought two sets of AutoSock SnowSocks that I carry around for emergencies (or when I'm going to the 'Ring in early spring/late autumn) as I find my Pilot SuperSports more than capable in the wet.

The other option is to buy a spare set of winter wheels and have the winter tyres fitted to them. If you don't mind budget tyres you can get a wheel & tyre for about £210 each.

[ant man]

danyeates said:

Hi,

I'm just about to order some tyres for my Z4M. Any tips on what to get? With winter approaching, wet grip and traction is the most important as it's a weekend car that gets used all year round.

My tyre place recommend the PS3 as the best out there at the moment, but another recommend the Continental Contact Sport5. The only thing with the Continentals is that I'd have to have Contact Sport 5 on the front and Contact Sport 5 P on the rears. Will that matter?

Thanks,

Dan

There will be only a few specific 'M' tyres for your car that are BMW approved with the star indicator. Conti get good reviews for wet weather but make sure you choose the correct load rating, they are also noiser than PS2 / PSS. The replacement for the PS2 is the Pilot Super Sport and offers better wet weather performance. It was specifically designed for BMW 'M' cars and Ferrari amongst a few others.

I'm currently running PS2 but will switch to PSS when the time arrives. I find traction is immense even in the wet and damp, I almost never see the traction light flicker. Though ultimately it's one's foot and brain that keeps the tyres from spinning.

[danyeates]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've gone for a set of Continental Contact Sport 5 as they seem very highly commended and offer the correct size for my car. Having them fitted tomorrow.

[mmm-five]

danyeates said:

Thanks for all the replies.

I've gone for a set of Continental Contact Sport 5 as they seem very highly commended and offer the correct size for my car. Having them fitted tomorrow.

Have you gone for SC5P all round, SC5 all round, or a mix of both, as I didn't think both models were available in the correct sizes front & rear.

[danyeates]

mmm-five said:

Have you gone for SC5P all round, SC5 all round, or a mix of both, as I didn't think both models were available in the correct sizes front & rear.

5P rear and 5 on the front. Tread looks identical. Tyre place said it was fine. They look fantastic and seem grippy as hell! Very pleased.

[mmm-five]

danyeates said:

5P rear and 5 on the front. Tread looks identical. Tyre place said it was fine. They look fantastic and seem grippy as hell! Very pleased.

I believe the tread pattern is the same (on the same size tyre of course), but the compound is slightly more towards longer life, quite ride on the 5 than the 5P.

Probably not enough to worry about though