Z3 Tire recommendation

[KraigG]

I'll be looking for a new set of tires soon for my 97 Z3 2.8, and wanted to find out what some of you guys are running before I plunk down $400 or so.

I currently have Kumho Ecstas on the car now, and while they're "acceptable", they're certainly not up to what a tire on a fine German car should be.

I've researched the Yokohama S.Drives, and they seem to be a pretty decent, mid grade high performance tire. While most of my driving is going to be freeway, there will be quite a few times where I will want to do a few canyon runs.

Anyone have experience with this tire? Or a better tire for a similar price? Tire Rack has them for around $85 each, IIRC.

[blairrm]

Been a while since I've seen a "what tire thread".

Your buying at the bottom of the price range. so your never going to get what a "tire on a fine German car should be."

Kumho's are good tires

Dunlop Direzza DZ101 also gets good reviews

Check tirerack web site and look at the reviews

[Vinci]

In my sizes, each tire is getting close to $400. :(

If you're running stock wheels, your tires will be considerably cheaper, though. I am very impressed with the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's I have now and have been pleased with Toyo's offerings in the past. With a $400 budget, though, you'll be looking at much more generic all-seasons, unfortunately.

[sideslip]

I've been impressed with the Sumitomo HTRZIII especially when you factor the Tirerack test results and price.

[GBauer]

With a $400 budget, though, you'll be looking at much more generic all-seasons, unfortunately.

Luckily he's in cali!


Mine is at the tire shop right now getting Pilot Sport A/S's for the back and Pilot Sport PS2's on the front. :D of course, that's just a tad above your $400 price... unless, of course, you're talking per tire, that is! In that case, it's right there!

I've never run cheap tires (at least not in the last 15 years) but I've heard Falkens are pretty good for the money. You may want to look at their offerings.

[KraigG]

Yeah, I've got the factory stock wheels on the car. If you go to the Tire Rack website, they've got dozens of what they refer to as "Ultra High Performance", "Max High Performance" and "Max Performance Summer", and most are priced from around $81 each to a high of $125 each. I won't be considering all season tires. It never snows here, and rarely rains.

Unfortunately, like an SUV driver who rarely, if ever, takes his vehicle off road, most of my driving will be on mostly straight, high speed (70-90mph) freeways, with maybe 5 percent of my driving time being on the twisties.

So no, I don't need a $400 per tire model, that would be foolish for my needs. Anyway, that would be a track tire, and you would carry a set of those along separately anyway.

So, some of those tires mentioned fall in that price range. I don't consider the Kumhos to be in that class, much like I don't consider a Kia or a Hyundai to be a driver's car.

[pjhansman]

I am very impressed with the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's I have now

+1 :thumbup:

[Z3Papa]

Never cheap out on tires. Tires are the only thing keeping contact between you and the ground. If you are on a budget, the budget performance tire to get is the Dunlop Direzza Star Tec if you can find them in your size.

[awdonald]

have a look at Pirelli P Zero Nero's...it had the M+S on my coupe when I bought it and they were great..even for "just learning" track days.

inexpensive and they lasted a reasonable time...the M+S have a softer compound which helped in the traction dept.

YMMV

[zlightnin']

I'll be looking for a new set of tires soon for my 97 Z3 2.8, and wanted to find out what some of you guys are running before I plunk down $400 or so.

I currently have Kumho Ecstas on the car now, and while they're "acceptable", they're certainly not up to what a tire on a fine German car should be.

I've researched the Yokohama S.Drives, and they seem to be a pretty decent, mid grade high performance tire. While most of my driving is going to be freeway, there will be quite a few times where I will want to do a few canyon runs.

Anyone have experience with this tire? Or a better tire for a similar price? Tire Rack has them for around $85 each, IIRC.

If you're considering Yokohama S.Drives, you could also have a look at Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport...I was really interested in the Sdrive but poor Yoko reps in these parts, I opted for ContiSportContact3. Looking forward to seeing the difference between the stock RE50A RFTs and the Conti3s...

[postalZ3]

have a look at pirelli p zero nero's...it had the m+s on my coupe when i bought it and they were great..even for "just learning" track days.

Inexpensive and they lasted a reasonable time...the m+s have a softer compound which helped in the traction dept.

Ymmv
+1

[HW]

Luckily he's in cali!


Mine is at the tire shop right now getting Pilot Sport A/S's for the back and Pilot Sport PS2's on the front. :D of course, that's just a tad above your $400 price... unless, of course, you're talking per tire, that is! In that case, it's right there!

:eek: are you looking for more or a lot of oversteer. and amount different at different temperatures.

[lcjhnsn]

I just mounted a set of the new Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sports. They are reasonably priced and have a 340 tread wear rating. I had previously been running Michelin PSIIs which carry a tread wear rating of 220.

I've got a couple hundred miles on them now and I like 'em. They definitely do not have the ultimate grip of the Michelins, but they are very progressive and predictable as you approach the limit of adhesion. Whether or not they live up to the wear rating remains to be seen.

[Ron Stygar]

I just mounted a set of the new Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sports. They are reasonably priced and have a 340 tread wear rating. I had previously been running Michelin PSIIs which carry a tread wear rating of 220.

I've got a couple hundred miles on them now and I like 'em. They definitely do not have the ultimate grip of the Michelins, but they are very progressive and predictable as you approach the limit of adhesion. Whether or not they live up to the wear rating remains to be seen.

Who does your tire work? Can they do it without marring.

[GBauer]

:eek: are you looking for more or a lot of oversteer. and amount different at different temperatures.

actually, the A/S's in the rear are for the snow I occasionally get stuck in out here. I've noticed in mine that I actually had some understeer when autcrossing in the past so I opted for something more sticky in the front. It's probably just my driving style (if you want to call it syle...). The PS2's will not be great in the snow but that's only in case of emergency anyway.

we'll see how well it does on Saturday when I autocross it! :thumbup:

[HW]

actually, the A/S's in the rear are for the snow I occasionally get stuck in out here. I've noticed in mine that I actually had some understeer when autcrossing in the past so I opted for something more sticky in the front. It's probably just my driving style (if you want to call it syle...). The PS2's will not be great in the snow but that's only in case of emergency anyway.

we'll see how well it does on Saturday when I autocross it! :thumbup:

the A/S should be in the front if you want them for snow use. the point of snow tires are really to give you that lower stopping distance.

[GBauer]

the A/S should be in the front if you want them for snow use. the point of snow tires are really to give you that lower stopping distance.

Well, my problem has always been GOING in the snow...

:p

[lcjhnsn]

Who does your tire work? Can they do it without marring.

Ron, I go to "The Tire Store" at 127 Boston Post Road (Rt-1) in East Lyme, 860-739-5627. It is a little hole in the wall place a couple hudred feet west of Flanders Four Corners.

They match the Tire Rack prices and they appear to have the equipment and know-how to not gouge up your wheels.

[Ron Stygar]

Ron, I go to "The Tire Store" at 127 Boston Post Road (Rt-1) in East Lyme, 860-739-5627. It is a little hole in the wall place a couple hudred feet west of Flanders Four Corners.

They match the Tire Rack prices and they appear to have the equipment and know-how to not gouge up your wheels.

Thanks.

[KraigG]

Had a set of Falken Azenis intalled today. Boy, the car handles 100% better than it did prior to the purchase. I'll take it out to the twisties this weekend, and see how they do. Only $95 per tire, right around where I wanted to be.

[GBauer]

Had a set of Falken Azenis intalled today. Boy, the car handles 100% better than it did prior to the purchase. I'll take it out to the twisties this weekend, and see how they do. Only $95 per tire, right around where I wanted to be.

How is the sidewall? Is it stiff? I've heard good things about everyday driving on the falkens but they have a softer sidewall than what I'm used to.


I took mine out to some twisties last night. I couldn't get the darn things to break loose! Man, these things hold!

[Z3Papa]

I just mounted a set of the new Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sports. They are reasonably priced and have a 340 tread wear rating. I had previously been running Michelin PSIIs which carry a tread wear rating of 220.

I've got a couple hundred miles on them now and I like 'em. They definitely do not have the ultimate grip of the Michelins, but they are very progressive and predictable as you approach the limit of adhesion. Whether or not they live up to the wear rating remains to be seen.

First and foremost, tread wear ratings have been debunked as a myth. Second, describing Michelin PSII's as having "ultimate grip" is a serious misnomer. If you want ultimate grip, either go with Yokohama Advan Neoava's or Bridgestone RE01R's or their newer RE011R's once they come out.