RFT Replacements

[donaldo]

I'm looking to swap out the RFTs on my 2007 328i sedan with conventional tires and am looking for recommendations/experiences from the board. The vehicle is equipped with the Sports and Premium pkgs. I live in sunny SoCal so no snow issues.

I'm leasing the car (36mo/36k) and intend to re-install the RFTs upon return of the vehicle. I'd like to purchase only one set of tires during the lease period.

[lukeeesteve]

How much would you like to spend?
What type of tires would you like? (All season? High performance?)

On the more affordable side, I am currently trying the Dunlop Direzza Z1. They have been surprisingly quiet and grippy. More affordable performance tires I have tried in the past tend to be noisier. I can't comment on how these traits will hold up as the tire wears. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+Sport+Z1

I have tried Michelins PS2 over 50K miles on 2 cars and they grippy and reasonably quiet for a UHP tire. More expensive though.

Conti Contact Sport tires (E46 OEM) are not as sticky and are noisy as they wear.

Conti Contact Sport III on my E90 are much grippier and a little quieter then the 1st gen contis that came OEM on my E46.

Look at tirerack.com for great reviews and testing stats. I prefer getting newer generation/design tires. The compounds/comfort/noise tend to be more street friendly without giving up any in performance.

My favorite affordable high performance tire right now is the Dunlops mentioned above.

[griffmac]

General Exclaim UHPs are a great value. I had a set on my last car and I will be putting them on my wife's e46 soon. Check tirerack ratings, they are the highest rated UHP tire and less expensive as well. Great wet traction, good durability.