Michelin Pilot Sport alternatives on E46 M-Sport 18"s?

[Fun Bus]

I think BMW fitted Pilot Sports at the factory on my car ('04 f/lift M-Sport coupe) and whoever had the car before me has kept the fitment of these up, as have I when I had the rears done a year ago. My fronts are almost due and whilst I'm not against fitting the Michelins again (despite the rear's being £200 each and fronts £130) I might consider an alternative. Has anyone any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[BlueProp]

Falken 452 or their latest equivalent.

[V8mate]

BlueProp said:

Falken 452 or their latest equivalent.

Good choice.

Bridgestone RE050A are very good too.

[Fun Bus]

The Falkens are almost half the price of the Pilot's for my rears! The Bridgestones are £40 cheaper a corner too! I did wonder whether I could get just as good a tyre for (considerably)less money, looks like I can.

[Pablo16v]

Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics were excellent on my 325i however a couple of friends are running the Falkens on their 3 and 5 series (both on 18's) and rate them highly.

[mmm-five]

Are you running the PS1 or PS2 tyres, as the PS2s are a much better tyre than the PS1.

If you're looking at something equivalent, but cheaper, than the PS1 then there's a lot of choice - but it's going to be a bit harder if you're looking for something as good as a PS2.

The ones that seem most popular in the Z4 and e34 M5 forums are (in no particular order):

• Vredestrein Ultrac Sessanta
• Continental SportContact 3
• Continental SportContact 5P
• Bridgestone RE050A
• Goodyear F1 Asymmetric
• Falken FK452
• Hankook S1 Evo
• Hankook RS2

[Fun Bus]

That's a great list of alternatives. Thanks.

I'm running PS1's front and rear (I think - doesn't show the number just the name?), and whilst not a bad tyre I'm wondering what alternatives I look at. Some of it is a cost consideration (PS3's are £220 each on the rear) but at the same time won't scrimp on tyres so not solely a financial decision.

[edc]

Running with a full set of Uniroyal Rainsport 2. As usual found these to be very capable yet not breaking the bank.

[Bumble SV]

Fun Bus said:

That's a great list of alternatives. Thanks.

I'm running PS1's front and rear (I think - doesn't show the number just the name?), and whilst not a bad tyre I'm wondering what alternatives I look at. Some of it is a cost consideration (PS3's are £220 each on the rear) but at the same time won't scrimp on tyres so not solely a financial decision.

Remember PS3s are inferior to PS2s [bizarre/stupid/weird but true] - check out http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/car-tyres/

[Magnus Barelegs]

I ran Falken FK452s on my E90 Alpina.
I rated them as better than the Michelin Pilot Sports, especially in the wet.
And the fact they were HALF the price was an added bonus.
Recommend them 100%.

[4rephill]

Be aware that the E46 can be hyper sensitive to which tyres are fitted to it and that having different brands on the front and rear can lead to the cars handling going out the window, in some cases to the point where the car feels positively dangerous!.

Some owners have reported that just having a different series of Michelin pilots on the front compared to the rear made the car almost undrivable!


Have a read through this thread for additional information: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Also try searching here: http://www.bmwland.co.uk/ for how sensitive they can be.

[Fun Bus]

Brilliant information so far, thanks everyone.

[Fox-]

I have ContiSport Contact 3's all round on my E39. Very satisfied.

[BlueProp]

Magnus Barelegs said:

I ran Falken FK452s on my E90 Alpina.
I rated them as better than the Michelin Pilot Sports, especially in the wet.
And the fact they were HALF the price was an added bonus.
Recommend them 100%.

+1 on my previous E46 325i.

[Max M4X WW]

FK452's here on an E39 540i, bought off recommendations on here. No complaints They replaced PS's as well.

[soda]

Goodyear Eagle F1 on my E46 330d, very happy with them so far (only about 5k on them so not sure how long I'll get out of them) and they even work in the snow quite well.

[03330ci]

Uniroyal RS3 v Hankook ventus v PS 4’s/SS. Which to have ?
Having tire dilemma !
Refreshing 03 330ci sport auto .Rears 255/35/18
Current Uniroyal RS3 gave brilliant wet/flood grip though wear is quick but I don’t mind.
Some say too squishy and not right’ sport’ tire for this chassis and it does seem sensitive to tires and pressures .
Want a relatively soft ride as m suspension is firm enough .
Any explerience of this much appreciated
If you have a similar E46 and on tires mentioned above and are local to west London area I’d be very happy to go to a spin to see how they feel
best wishes Simon

[d_a_n1979]

Holy thread revival

Some good tyres mentioned there. Have a look into the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti tyres too... Found them to be superb on previous cars

[helix402]

Tyres I’ve found good on the E46:

Goodyear Eagle F1
Continental Sport Contact 5
Continental Premium Contact 6

On my third E46 now.

I’m trying Vreidestein next as they are cheaper.

[03330ci]

Brilliant

Uniroyal v Vreds