All Season Tires for 335i

[jdavis37]

I bought an 08 CPO 335i w/Sports package this summer and I want to replace the RFT's ( starting to get the Carolina November rains and the RFTs feel like I'm driving on grease ).

I'm not an overall hard driver though I do appreciate the handling and of course the incredible acceleration. The RFTs to me are a very hard ride and even though I prefer a firm ride, these feel as if they are providing my kidneys calisthenics when i hit bumps. They also don't do well with "tracks" in the asphalt. But in dry weather and smooth roads they do grip well.

I still have a good amount of tread left on them so probably will try to sell the set to someone wanting to turn their lease car back in as I beleive they will meet spec.

So here's the question... seeking others experiences with all seaosn radials only ( no summer only tires or winter only ). My short list thus far is:

Michelin pilot sport A/S Plus
Yokohama Advan S.4
Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S

Second tier

Continental Extremecontact DWS
kumho Ecsta ASX

I want a high mileage tire that won't give out in 20K miles, very good wet traction and one that can still provide some degree of turn response. Not expecting summer performance tire levels mind you and I don't run on the track. The Michelins seem like a safe bet though I wonder if they are that much better than say the pirellis.

I've never been a Kumho or Cont fan but do see good remarks about these tires so trying to keep an open mind. Thanks.

PS I did do a search here and read as much as time permits but most threads were full of summer performance tires and I have no desire to maintain 2 sets of tires or to use RFT's again.

[Pierre3400]

I dont see you mentioning anything about snow?

Do these tires need to work in snow? If not, then stick to some normal everyday tires. Once you get into all weather or even snow tires your losing performance.

Snow tires have less grip in wet then any tires out there.

All weather tires are sort of everywhere trying to find a balance, but losing out on all good things to make one across the line good tire.

[jdavis37]

Paid a visit to Discount Tire and have the following options:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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(a) Pirelli PZero Nero M+S $745 out the door, including TPMS kits<o:p></o:p>
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(b) Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus $904 out the door including TPMS kits<o:p></o:p>
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Road Hazard warranties are about $110 extra.<o:p></o:p>
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Are the Michelins worth that much more?Mich has 45K tread warranty, Pirelli has none. As much as I have never liked a Continental tire the DWS seem to offer a good value at about $750 out the door with a 50K tread warranty and 60 day manufacturer return if not happy warranty.. Am debating the road hazard warranty though given the price per tire may be worth it.<o:p></o:p>
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Thx<o:p></o:p>


I dont see you mentioning anything about snow?

Do these tires need to work in snow? If not, then stick to some normal everyday tires. Once you get into all weather or even snow tires your losing performance.

Snow tires have less grip in wet then any tires out there.

All weather tires are sort of everywhere trying to find a balance, but losing out on all good things to make one across the line good tire.

Very infrequent snow here and when it does it rarely last for more than a day or two. We do get some freezing rain at times but common sense then says stay at home. Rain though is at times an issue and I prefer a tire that will handle wet conditions.<o:p></o:p>
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These questions are hard to ask I realize because everyone wants something different from their cars. Those desiring the highest performance won't go to an all season tire ( meaning by definition they are not the best at any one thing ).<o:p></o:p>
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I currently have the Bridgestone Potenza REO50a RFTs on my car and with dry weather they grip very well but ride very hard and do poorly when the road has slight grooves in place. But mostly, they are horrible in the rain since the temps has dropped into the upper 40's or when the road is wet. Wet roads feel like I'm driving on ice/snow, and does not feel safe. The tread is still very good on these.<o:p></o:p>
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So, realizing that I will give up dry pavement performance when i change, I guess the question for the all season tires i've looked at is which are the lesser of the evils. I don't want to sacrifice every aspect of performance. But do want long tread life, good wet traction, and the least amount of mushy cornering reasonably possible ( in comparison to other all season tires ). Hope this helps answer what I am asking <?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape style="WIDTH: 11.25pt; HEIGHT: 11.25pt; VISIBILITY: visible; mso-wrap-style: square" id=Picture_x0020_1 type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://images.bimmerforums.com/smilies/smile.gif" o:spid="_x0000_i1025"><v:imagedata o:title="smile" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\OWNER\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\cl ip_image001.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p>
:)

[Carl winslow]

I have been looking at high end all season tires for a few weeks now and I will give you my take on it.
I have michelin pilot as on my e46 that were worn out pretty much at 32k! to the point where I would get stuck in snow on a slight incline:eek:
So to replace them would mean not much change from a thousand dollars by the time you include a alignment so I was prepared to trade down a bit to save $$

I,m springing for the bf goodrich supersport as,$86 a piece at tire rack for a 225/45/17 inch tire so about $500 with a alignment,I think the price/value is there without feeling that I have sold out too much.

[themadhatter]

the OE tires that came with your car are garbage, don't blame the RFTs for it. your suspension is actually tuned to take RFTs into account, you may experience undesirable handling characteristics with your car (sloppy handling) if you choose a non-RFT tire. speak directly with the Tire Rack for more about this.

of the tires you mentioned, I have had good experiences with the Continental ExtremeContact DWS in a non-RFT equipped car.

[jdavis37]

I just bought Conti DWS's yesterday locally and they should be installed next week ( they had a tax free weekend here and also pic ematched on line prices otherwise would have bought from tire rack as I usually do.. discount tire ). I'll post how it goes then but seeing that Discount Tire has a 30 day return no questions policy and Conti gives me 60 days it seemed a fair risk given the price and the mileage rating. If it doesn't work out i'll go the Mich pilots as I want an all season tire. My Potenza RE50a's stil have great tread on them ( willl measure after they are removed ) and will probably make a great buy for a lease owner wanting to end their lease :) We'll see how they work on the car!