Tire selection for 500+ rwhp

[M3 Muscle]

I need a new set of tires for my E36 turbo M3. I am going to be running a non-staggered set of Contours (17x8.5) wrapped in 245/40-17's. I am mainly concerned with dry traction and braking as well as some cornering.

I have narrowed it down to these tires:

Kumho XS
BFG g-Force T/A KDW2
Hankook Ventus V12 Evo


Any first hand experiences?

[IcedLemonTea]

So you have a built 500+ rwhp M3 but you arent sure which tires to get? hmmmm...kind of odd but heres are some of the tires I know a friends that run on 500hp cars...

Street Tires:
-Dunlop Direzza z1 star specs (ran these on my 400whp 335i and was a good street tire for track days)
-Advan AD08
-Bridgestone RE11r
-Nitto NT-05

Track tires...
-Advan A048
-Toyo R888
-Hoosier R6
-Michelin PS Cup

[Chazwick05]

i've had the v12 evo hankooks for a number of months now, and just retired them for the winter (put on my snows).

i dunno how they'd handle 500whp, but they're great for a 250whp e36 :)

[Mooobunnny]

The Kumho XS lacks in straight line traction compared to many of the other top tires. My recommendation would be either the Hankook RS3 or the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec. The both put down power well, and handle as well as any 140+ treadwear tire.

[M3 Muscle]

So you have a built 500+ rwhp M3 but you arent sure which tires to get? hmmmm...kind of odd but heres are some of the tires I know a friends that run on 500hp cars...

Street Tires:
-Dunlop Direzza z1 star specs (ran these on my 400whp 335i and was a good street tire for track days)
-Advan AD08
-Bridgestone RE11r
-Nitto NT-05

Track tires...
-Advan A048
-Toyo R888
-Hoosier R6
-Michelin PS Cup

So what's so odd? I'm looking for first hand experience and specifics like the last post that I am quoting. Tire Rack doesn't have as much info as would like.



The Kumho XS lacks in straight line traction compared to many of the other top tires. My recommendation would be either the Hankook RS3 or the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec. The both put down power well, and handle as well as any 140+ treadwear tire.

Thanks. The stuff like the lack of straight line traction on the Kumho's is the kind of stuff I am looking for.


Right now I am leaning toward the Dunlop Z1's.