Performace tyres upgrade

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GazM3
Posts: 1791
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Performace tyres upgrade

Post by GazM3 »

Hey chaps.

Looking at upgrading the tyres on the M635. Ive currently got Continental sport contact 3, which are ok, but the fronts are close to 10yrs old so grip is starting to be so so.

sizes are
225/45/17 front on 9" rim
255/45/17 rear on 10" rim

Looking only at an out and out performance tyre.

I upgraded to Michelin pilot super sports on my e34 and holden ute, but unfortunately cant get them in a 255/40/17 for the rear.

I dont want a full semi slick as its for road use, but im looking at outright grip ahead of noise and wear as the m635 is only an occasional use car.

Im even happy to import a set if need be, as availability in Australia is not great in some sizes. Heres a short list.



Bridgestone RE-71R seem to get a good review but not availabe locally (200 treadwear).

Hankook RS3-11 are popular and available locally and pretty reasonably priced. (200 treadwear)

Yokahoma ADVAN NEOVA AD08 R have pretty good reports (180 treadwear)

Pirelli P ZERO TROFEO R, probably a little hardcore (60 treadwear!!!)


I can get the beloved Michelin pilot supersports as an import (not available locally) in 245/40/17 which will be fairly stretched on a 10" rim. Can also get the pilot sport cup2 as an import only in 255/40 all round which could possibly fit on the front but they are starting to get up there in cost $1400usd+ delivery+ customs duty making them well over $600 each landed here.


I was thinking some time ago going for 18" rims which I guess i could consider.

Any thoughts?
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
francoid

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by francoid »

I have shared my opinion before, that I don't advise 18" or staggered wheels. Also your wheels are very, very wide (definitely wider than your current tires were designed for).

In a perfect world (and in my opinion and experience again) the car would have 17" wheels at the 8" width all around, with 235/45ZR17 in all four positions.

With staggered wheels you probably could do 235/45ZR17 front and 265/40ZR17 back. Is that latter size available to you? It may be tight and you may have to check clearance carefully...
GazM3
Posts: 1791
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by GazM3 »

265/40/17 not available.

To get a square set I could consider 245/40/17 all round. It's actually pretty well balanced as it is. Just searching for the best rubber. Read a couple of reviews on the Bridgestone re71R. I can also go 235/45 on the front.

18" would be a little large but I guess there's a big difference in the super light weight bbs RS compared to say a big heavy alloy wheel. If using 18" I'm only going 1.6" up on the factory size. Better than going from a 14 to 16 which seems to be acceptable.
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
francoid

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by francoid »

I don't like the idea of 245/40ZR17 on 10" wide rims. Never designed for that. It's also a much smaller external diameter tire (7.5%), same type of difference you'd find between say a 3.5 and a 3.78 final drive...
There's also fundamental differences in going to 18" which I explained in previous posts.
I'd go for a lesser brand to have the right size, as opposed to "the right rubber" in the wrong size.
BamaE24

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by BamaE24 »

I see that you listed the P Zero tires. I have heard a lot good things about the P Zero line of tires. Definitely something I would consider.

They aren't "performance" tires per se, but I have Eagle GT's on my car in 235/45r17 flavor. They seem to wear so-so so far, but they stick the car to the ground rain or shine. I haven't broke em loose or got squirrelly at anytime with them. Racing/hooning use may be a different story though :mrgreen:
francoid

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by francoid »

I want to be careful here, because I am talking about a former competitor, but of all the tires in the category, the PZero were the least worthy and the most hyped from a marketing point of view. I remember destroying a set (at a much, much lower speed than certified by Pirelli) in testing with Ferrari at Nardo... That was not a pretty sight.
francoid

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by francoid »

The sizes are available in the US in Pilot Sport, Conti, Bridgestone, Yokohama, BF Goodrich (which is a Michelin group brand and is quite good). Any of these would be appropriate in my opinion, with some better of course. Sad they are not available in Australia...
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Da_Hose
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Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by Da_Hose »

If your goal is the best all-around tire, then get the Michelin Pilot AS3+. I run them on EVERYTHING .... well ... except the 75 RamCharger truck .... and the RV .... and the motorcycle .... OHHH, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN! :wink:

If you want the best summer tire out there, then the Pilot Super Sport gets my vote too, but that pesky 17" wheel does make a difference. Can you fit a 235/40? That would open up to some options like a Falken AZENIS RT-615K , Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec or Yokohama S.Drive.

Jose
1987 M6 - My dream car
jacko
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Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by jacko »

Hey Jose!

I'm about to reshoe my '89. It has 16" rims and I'm about to go with the Pilot Sport AS 3+ too. It has 225/50 16s on it now and I think I'll stick with that size. Like you, I run those on other csrs too and like them.

Jack
Jack
Arlington, Texas. USA

1989 635csi
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Da_Hose
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Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by Da_Hose »

Good on ya, jacko! I really am totally sold on the AS3+.

Wish I could get it for my little 2002 ..... which I hope to get running sometime soon. Although I've been saying I want to get him up and running for years now. :-({|=

Jose
1987 M6 - My dream car
jacko
Posts: 416
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 6:43 pm
Location: DFW Texas

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by jacko »

Old tires were about 6 years old. No checking, but getting old and tired ( like me ). Costco ordered me a set today. 3 day. I've always been happy with their prices/services. Nitrogen fills now too.

The e28 group around had a weekend run to/around the Texas Hill Country. 2 of us were in 635s. Amazing roads! TexFest. Great opportunity to blow the cobwebs out of the engine too.
Jack
Arlington, Texas. USA

1989 635csi
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Doc Mach
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:28 am
Location: United States

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by Doc Mach »

This discussion is a few years old so let me "refresh" it with a question. My '85 M635CSi needs new shoes and is running a 16 inch wheel that replaced the metric 390's. It has 245/50 R16's on it but I plan to use a 225/50/R16 tire. I'm looking at:

Cooper 225/50R16 992 V CS5 Ultra Touring

Goodyear Eagle Sport AS

Michelin Pilotsport AS

Dunlop DZ102

and an unspecified Falcon tire.

All experiences, wisdom, advice appreciated.

Doc
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"Doc"
1985 M635 CSi
GazM3
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Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by GazM3 »

Hehe car is off the road so still on original tyres.
I've just put a set of Michelin pilot sport 4 on my work car replacing pilot supersports and they are every bit as good prob even better.

They are available in 16" and a greater range of 17" so I'll prob go with those
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
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Brucey
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Re: Performace tyres upgrade

Post by Brucey »

GazM3 wrote: Fri Sep 23, 2016 1:58 am .... If using 18" I'm only going 1.6" up on the factory size....
looking at the bead seat diameter, yes, but looking at the working height of the sidewall, no. You are going up 2".

The metric rims have small lips; the actual diameter of the metric rim lips (which define the working height of tyre sidewalls) is the same as 16" rims. Similarly the smaller metric wheels used on non-M models are exactly equivalent to 15" ones.

I ran 235F/255R 18"s for a while. Choice of tyres available and with the right ones the car stuck to the road like something nasty to a blanket. But it also steered and rode badly, followed tramlines, and was noisy.

cheers
~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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