E60 M5 which tyres?

[Daz507]

Hi,

I know this has probably been discussed a thousand times before but searching around I can't find the answer(s) so wondered if anybody could comment on which tyres to use on an E60 M5?

BMW said my rears are getting low, which they kind of exaggerated as they're at least 2-3mm off the wear indicators (inside edge), anyway they quoted £299 for Sport Contact 2's, + VAT = £702.65.

At the extreme opposite I can find Falken 452's (which some people rate quite highly) for £130 each!!!

I've used Avon ZZ1's in the past when I had an Alfa and quite liked them.

Any thoughts / suggestions?

[skeeterm5]

I think the real issue is that there are not many makes of tyre in the right size if you want to keep the same on all four wheels.

I have stuck with the OEM fitment.

S

[M3]

Just put Kumho KU31, on the 19s on my E46 M3, well praised mid range tyre, seem fine in the wet £500/set all in!!

[Zod]

Michelin PS2s. I switched just over a year ago and they are a big improvement in the wet.

[Daz507]

Yeah I liked the PS2's when I had them on my E46 M3 and I must admit the current Conti 2's are dangerous when cold, they always seem to struggle for grip.

[Jazzer]

PS2s are very good, BUT they are on back order.....being superseded by PS3s.

My rears are getting near the point where I consider changing, so I'm driving sparingly to extend their life.

If you get desperate though, your local BMW can order you some PS2s from within their dealer network.....apparently have 8 on the shelf now....for a nice £385 a corner!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck!

[fen7on]

Had PS2's on my old M3, my brother has the conti's on his. I've got Falken on the M6 & they're fine. Would rate them above conti, but below PS2. Factor into cost & Falken wins.

[Daz507]

fen7on said:

Had PS2's on my old M3, my brother has the conti's on his. I've got Falken on the M6 & they're fine. Would rate them above conti, but below PS2. Factor into cost & Falken wins.

Really, Falken 452's on an M6? I thought I'd get slated on here asking about putting them on an M5, but if they're better than my current tyres and £130 a corner it's a no-brainer!

[M3]

Is there a lot of tyre snobbery with M owners....?

Do you get slated if you dont have expensive tyres?

[Zod]

M3 said:

Is there a lot of tyre snobbery with M owners....?

Do you get slated if you dont have expensive tyres?

No, only if you have tyres that are not up to the job. That means most tyres.

[gavm5]

M3 said:

Is there a lot of tyre snobbery with M owners....?

Do you get slated if you dont have expensive tyres?

No, but it can often be an indication that a car has been run on a tight budget.

£75k 507bhp sports saloon and the only contact it has with the tarmac is a 6" square piece of rubber.

You takes your choice I suppose, but would you buy the car if it already had the chingchangchong squeeleazies fitted ?

[M3]

Thats means if you buy a £75 grand car second hand for £30k it means you are on a budget as well!!!!!!, why not buy a £75 grand car.
A car may be perceived to be £75k sitting by the side of the road, dont mean it cost that...

I have a £50k car new...but cost me about £20k........!

Am I talking rubbish?

[Zod]

Yes, you are. If you run a powerful car on cheap tyres, you are asking for trouble. In Germany, it's illegal to use tyres that are not officially reconginsed as suitable for the car on the Fahrzeugbrief.

[Daz507]

Zod said:

Yes, you are. If you run a powerful car on cheap tyres, you are asking for trouble. In Germany, it's illegal to use tyres that are not officially reconginsed as suitable for the car on the Fahrzeugbrief.

Agree, but is there a difference in a tyre at £130 or a tyre at £300 apart from it's name?

I know it's not the same but you could look at designer clothes, some are good, some you just pay for a name, perhaps similar with tyres? Surely if it's rating is high enough then it's been tested to a sufficient level to justify that, who drives on public roads at more than 100mph anyway?

[Zod]

Rated by whom? I'd trust the German tyre tests, but nobody else (the Germans are obsessed with tyres and the magazines carry tests several times a year).

[Daz507]

I meant it's speed rating?

[M3]

But wouldnt a slick be better in nice dry conditions than a tyre with tread.....I know they are not road legal, but it shows the tyre choice is restricted by legal requirements not performance and conditions.

[gavm5]

M3 said:

Thats means if you buy a £75 grand car second hand for £30k it means you are on a budget as well!!!!!!, why not buy a £75 grand car.
A car may be perceived to be £75k sitting by the side of the road, dont mean it cost that...

I have a £50k car new...but cost me about £20k........!

Am I talking rubbish?

A car costing £75k new will still have the associated running costs / consumable items whether bought for £65k, £55, £45k, £35k, £25k.

Buying the car is easy, anything afterwards is a stress purchase !

[AC Motors]

Try this service... http://www.pistonheads.com/tyres.asp I got 2 x GoodYear Asyms for my E39 M5, great price and service. Gives a review and score for each manufacturer as well.

Edited by AC Motors on Wednesday 10th February 16:42

[groucho]

I have Yokohamas on mine, put there in April by previous owner.