E46 M3 Tyres

E46 M3 Tyres

Author
Discussion

hwassall

Original Poster:

280 posts

285 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
quotequote all
A couple of questions, my M3 cab has just consumed a new set of SportContact 3s in 3k miles without the disengagement of traction control or any sideways shenanigans. Is this normal and, if so, what can anyone recommend that might last a bit longer? I realise that M3s cost a bit to run but my previous Z3M and T350C failed to comsume tyres at this rate...

Thanks,
Howard

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
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That doesn't sound right at all, I think most people get at least 8k miles from the rears.

How have they worn?? evenly?

Pork

9,453 posts

235 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
quotequote all
Conti's are a softer rubber and do wear quickly but 3k miles is remarkable low. Do you only drive around town, giving it some off every set of lights or something?

As above, I would say 8k is closer to the mark.

MattOz

3,915 posts

265 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
quotequote all
Even 8k is taking the piss! You should get at least 12k from a set of rears and double that from the fronts if you drive normally. Throw in a few trackdays, doughnuts and fat "Number 11's" and that goes out the window.

My Michelin Pilots have done 8k miles. The rears are about 50% worn and the fronts about 20%. That includes a trip to the Ring. Clearly there's something wrong.

Matt

Chessers

745 posts

213 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
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Def something wrong if you only got 3k out of them. What bar are they inflated to?

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
quotequote all
mikez328 said:
MattOz said:
Even 8k is taking the piss! You should get at least 12k from a set of rears and double that from the fronts if you drive normally. Throw in a few trackdays, doughnuts and fat "Number 11's" and that goes out the window.

My Michelin Pilots have done 8k miles. The rears are about 50% worn and the fronts about 20%. That includes a trip to the Ring. Clearly there's something wrong.

Matt
Agreed. Rears should be good for at least 15K & fronts for 24K. You must drive like a 17 year old, spinning the tyres at every junction... Don't ask stupid questions like this. I assume you are lonely sitting in your bedroom/pit?
How about you stop answering questions in the manner you do?! If you can't be pleasant then don't bother.

The guy could have something wrong with his car, the camber could be well out or something.

hwassall

Original Poster:

280 posts

285 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies, to answer a few questions:

They were inflated as per the owners guide. Both the age of 17 and spinning the rears off of traffic lights are long behind me. Wear is even across both tyres and equal on both sides. Since posting earlier I have heard of others getting this sort of mileage from ContiSports and so am having Michelin PS2s fitted tomorrow, here's hoping they last a bit longer but will get the geometry checked to be sure.

thehos

923 posts

185 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
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would that be the conti m3 tyres? if so i hope mine last longer, just had them fitted

hwassall

Original Poster:

280 posts

285 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
quotequote all
thehos said:
would that be the conti m3 tyres? if so i hope mine last longer, just had them fitted
Conti SportContact 3s rather than M3s. BMW suggested this might be the issue...

mmm-five

11,276 posts

285 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
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My Conti SportContact 2s last about 10,000 miles on an e34 M5, but that's got no traction control, so I'd expect a bit more life out of one with. Even when I was doing track days I'd still get 6,000 miles out of a set (unless it was an airfield day, then it'd be 100 miles).

My Z4MC has the original BMW spec Continentals on and they've got about 4000 miles on them and look like new.

Are they a specific compound (N0, N1, etc. for Porsche) or low load rating (i.e. below 90) as they'll be softer than normal and will grip well, but not last very long.

thehos

923 posts

185 months

Tuesday 27th January 2009
quotequote all
hwassall said:
thehos said:
would that be the conti m3 tyres? if so i hope mine last longer, just had them fitted
Conti SportContact 3s rather than M3s. BMW suggested this might be the issue...
what issue?

hwassall

Original Poster:

280 posts

285 months

Wednesday 28th January 2009
quotequote all
Their suggestion was that the standard SC3 is softer than the M3 version, I would be surprised if this were the case.

AM-BM

261 posts

201 months

Wednesday 28th January 2009
quotequote all
hwassall said:
A couple of questions, my M3 cab has just consumed a new set of SportContact 3s in 3k miles without the disengagement of traction control or any sideways shenanigans. Is this normal and, if so, what can anyone recommend that might last a bit longer? I realise that M3s cost a bit to run but my previous Z3M and T350C failed to comsume tyres at this rate...

Thanks,
Howard
Can't believe this!? Are you sure?!

I could do a set of front conti's "hammering" a torque monster FWD A4 170TDI in 7000 miles (and they do the steering aswell)!

hwassall

Original Poster:

280 posts

285 months

Wednesday 28th January 2009
quotequote all
AM-BM said:
hwassall said:
A couple of questions, my M3 cab has just consumed a new set of SportContact 3s in 3k miles without the disengagement of traction control or any sideways shenanigans. Is this normal and, if so, what can anyone recommend that might last a bit longer? I realise that M3s cost a bit to run but my previous Z3M and T350C failed to comsume tyres at this rate...

Thanks,
Howard
Can't believe this!? Are you sure?!

I could do a set of front conti's "hammering" a torque monster FWD A4 170TDI in 7000 miles (and they do the steering aswell)!
Yep, I have had them replaced this morning and they are evenly worn across the tyre on both sides in just over 3000 miles.

As i said, I'll get the geometry checked but can anyone think of anything else that may cause this, a problem with the M diff perhaps? Other that, than I'm a 17 year old, traffic light racer of course...

Deutscher

1,430 posts

220 months

Thursday 29th January 2009
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Either you had defective tyres or you have a serious suspension issue.

Admittedly I am a fairly cautious driver, but I have got 20k out of both the last two pairs of rear Contis.

Deutscher

1,430 posts

220 months

Thursday 29th January 2009
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
mikez328 said:
Agreed. Rears should be good for at least 15K & fronts for 24K. You must drive like a 17 year old, spinning the tyres at every junction... Don't ask stupid questions like this. I assume you are lonely sitting in your bedroom/pit?
How about you stop answering questions in the manner you do?! If you can't be pleasant then don't bother.

The guy could have something wrong with his car, the camber could be well out or something.
Gizla, you're right, mikez is most unpleasant. How come your comment was binned in the other thread, but mikez seems free to hurl mindless abuse at anyone?