Firehawk Indy 500

[EnVe46]

Hello everyone! I just bought a 01 740 sport that will be delivered tmrw. It’s going to be my daily and baby hauler when that time comes. I’ve got a 2011 E90 M3 that is my toy, wanted to keep the miles off of it and avoid parking garage nicks and what not. Anyway, the car as brand new Pirelli Nero gts but they don’t make that tire in a proper rear size I need and I will not have mismatching tires. I can get a great deal on the Indy 500s but I’m wondering if anyone has had any experience with these tires on an E38? My concern is the weight of the car on a performance tire resulting in getting low life out of them. I’ve seen others have success with sumitumo specials right now but being in Florida I want a more performance based tire while being able to drive comfortably in our rain that we get. I’ve considered Pilot Sport AS3 but they’re kinda pricey for a car that may need other work, it’s a bmw hahaha Any insight in these tires or any other Tires you guys suggest that have resulted in good results I’d appreciate your help with! Couple of pics of the car from the

[e21kc]

I’m curious about the firehawks as well. What size F and R are you going with?

[EnVe46]

I’m curious about the firehawks as well. What size F and R are you going with?

Stock sizes. I don’t really think I want to start modifying this thing.

[e21kc]

I have been looking around and seeing what sizes people are putting on the m parallels. Getting ready to put some tires on mine- glad to see someone going stock. I’m thinking going stock as well.

[EnVe46]

I have been looking around and seeing what sizes people are putting on the m parallels. Getting ready to put some tires on mine- glad to see someone going stock. I’m thinking going stock as well.

There are a few variances you can go with but I don’t think the oem sizes look bad. Maybe a slightly wider tire in the rear would be nice

[clarkitect]

You’re going to get low life out of the rears no matter what you put on there. Beauty of that is it really takes the pressure off tire decisions lol.

I’m sure the firestones are fine.

[racer2086]

I have the Firehawk Indy 500 on the front of my car. They are great tires. I plan on putting them on the rear. I also have them on all four corners of my 540i. Also great experience with them on there. They are pretty quiet tires!

I do have some mornings where my steering wheel shakes like they're flat spotted, but it could be and more likely is my traction strut control arms. I have had the tires inspected and everything is true with them, so I hesitate to even mention that. The 540 has nothing like that. Great great tire for the money. Wish they made them in the size for my Mustang.

I've had them on the front of my 7 for at least 6 months and must have put at least 4k miles on them. Plenty of tread left. They look new.

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There are a few variances you can go with but I don’t think the oem sizes look bad. Maybe a slightly wider tire in the rear would be nice

I had 285s in the back on mine, but I noticed that the middle wore out quicker than the rest of the tire. I'm going to go with the stock size, because I think the extra width on the rear rim makes the center wear more. Didn't matter how low I aired them, they just wore out. When they are off the car, you can visibly see the middle of the tire appear to bow INWARD from the wear, which must mean that with the weight of the car on the tires, they deform to push that center out more.

[clarkitect]

My 285’s are wearing pretty evenly. About 10k on them. Might get another 5k.

[oldroller]

Ordering Indy 500's today, decent tire for the money. 245/45/18 front, 275/40/18 rear.
Both have 26.7" diameter, just under stock recommendation of 27". Want the ABS to behave...

[oldroller]

Mounted the new skins Thursday, 100 miles so far. Quiet ride, very grippy, tramlining gone.
500 mile road trip next weekend, good break-in ride. Don't expect to get high mileage from
a soft compound tire, but pleased so far. More impressions as they present themselves.

[oldroller]

Now just under 1K on the Indy 500's, and no complaints, actually quite pleased. Excellent handling, even
in heavy rain. Tracks well, and quiet...so far. Diameter is 26.7, a little under the suggested 27", so the speedo
is a little higher reading than stock (but it's off 6 mph higher anyway, thanks BMW...lol).
Run 10 above usually.

245/45/18 front, 270/40/18 rear. Indy's are not available in the 280/40/18. No worries, for $600 for the four I'll roast
them and get another set.

The only drawback is some flat-spotting after being parked for a couple of days, but it disappears in 3-5 miles. Took the scenic
route back to the coast, twisty foothills. With the DSC off the fronts stuck well, and the rears had a decisive side-slip indication,
giving early warning that was easy to power through and had a controlled drift through tight switchbacks. It was a fun drive!

Overall, pleased.

[EnVe46]

Now just under 1K on the Indy 500's, and no complaints, actually quite pleased. Excellent handling, even
in heavy rain. Tracks well, and quiet...so far. Diameter is 26.7, a little under the suggested 27", so the speedo
is a little higher reading than stock (but it's off 6 mph higher anyway, thanks BMW...lol).
Run 10 above usually.

245/45/18 front, 270/40/18 rear. Indy's are not available in the 280/40/18. No worries, for $600 for the four I'll roast
them and get another set.

The only drawback is some flat-spotting after being parked for a couple of days, but it disappears in 3-5 miles. Took the scenic
route back to the coast, twisty foothills. With the DSC off the fronts stuck well, and the rears had a decisive side-slip indication,
giving early warning that was easy to power through and had a controlled drift through tight switchbacks. It was a fun drive!

Overall, pleased.

Great to hear! I ended up getting an almost new set of AS3+ for $350 from my buddy who owns a shop. Can’t complain about 85% Tires for that cheap but good to know these are doing well as an alternative.

[amw662158]

The Michelins are pricey but great in the rain. You'll like them.

[oldroller]

I've run Michelins on everything I've owned over the last bunch of years, definitely worth the cost.
But at almost half the cost the Indy's were a good alternative until the suspension is upgraded and
a full alignment done. The previous tires had a bunch of miles on them, and wore smoothly so an eye
is being kept on the new ones.
Bilsteins/HR springs and rear component changes next, along with moonroof cassette, headliner, trunk
paint, exhaust tip/valance mods, lower windshield seal, hvac flap, kidney, headlight nozzle, trans/engine mounts....
I just love this obsession.

[racer2086]

Interesting you noticed some flat spotting. I noticed the same and wasn't sure if it was my control arms or not. May just be my tires then. It does go away. Glad to see you are happy with them. I'll be getting some rears soon in the factory 255 size.

[EnVe46]

Lots of Tires flat spot, especially those that are on the softer side of tread. Most of the time it’s temporary and after they warm up, it goes away.

[pizzaman09]

Tire wear, center vs edge is usually attributed to tire pressure. Play with it until you get it right.

I live the Michelin Pilot Super Sport but they do not last long. I had a set on my e39 M5 and was impressed that they were the only time that could really put the power down in second. However, being that it had 365ft-lb of torque, 2 degrees of factory negative camber, and a clutch, I was always wearing through the inside edge of the rear tires. I put 5 sets if rear tires on that car in 45,000 miles.

An e38 can easily get 30k miles out of a set of tires if do don't go with sporty tires.