Goodyear F1 A/S for 325i sedan?

[Zheeeem]

I am looking for something a bit stickier than my stock continentals (2005 325i sedan). I've put about 30,000 miles on the contis and, while they were OK at first, they have lost some bite. My daily commute takes me through a tight windy road for about 2 miles, and it can be a really fun ride. I am in northern virginia, so we get occasional snow... prolly enough to need A/S.

I'm thinking the Goodyear F1 A/S 205/55ZR15 might be a good choice. Tire Rack seems to have a nice price at $122 each, plus shipping.

Not having bought tires online before, I'm wondering if there is anything special I need to know. It seems like I just order them, ship to a local installer (Goodyear store in McLean VA 22101) and then pay them for install using the price on TireRack's webpage.

Can I assume that this process is trouble/issue free? My one concern is getting a tire that is defective on the rim (defective tire or damaged/improperly installed). Has anyone had any relevant experience to report?

Finally, what do y'all think of this tire for the 325?

[skodadog]

they are great tires, i have them on a VW GTI and a 911 carrera and autocross both. using tire rack is trouble free. if you have them shipped to a goodyear dealer, they will do an install inexpensively and will give you a warranty (you have to pay extra). if you get shipped a defective tire, tire rack will take the return but you do have the trouble of shipping back to them. i highly recommend. have done it several times over the years.

[LMC]

May I suggest a modest upgrade? Get the tire in 225/50ZR-16. Slightly wider but same overall diamter, so your speedometer will not change. Slightly stickier. This is an alternative size that will fit your wheels perfectly and will also give your car a slightly more aggressive look.

I have just purchased a set of Goodyear F1 A/S myself (in X3 size and from Tire Rack, but I bought mine mounted to new wheels so I will bolt them on myself) but haven't mounted them yet, so I can't comment yet.


I'm thinking the Goodyear F1 A/S 205/55ZR15 might be a good choice. Tire Rack seems to have a nice price at $122 each, plus shipping.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Great tire, and good suggestion on the 225/50R16.

Tires
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/tires/index.jsp

[Zheeeem]

Great tire, and good suggestion on the 225/50R16.

Tires
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/tires/index.jsp

So the 225/50 fits on the stock rims, no problem? And my installer won't say "impossible" or charge double? This would be a good thing.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Fits the stock wheels with no problem and is a pretty common upgrade for the car.

I can't promise what a whacky installer might or might not do, but I can't see why someone would try to charge you more to mount this size.