Gary: All-Seasons for 335i Sedan w/Sport Pkg

[mrvuml]

Hi Gary, I don't need dedicated Winter tires for my typical driving conditions and have used All-Seasons on several RWD BMWs for many years and they've done just fine. I have the liberty of working from home when it snows heavily but want to be able to occassionally drive on light snow and ice. Now I have an 08 335i Sedan with Sports Package and hence 18" wheels with Summer RFTs. I would like to put All-Seasons on the current 18" sport wheels. Which All-Season tires would you recommend in RFT and non-RFT variants?

[Gary@Tirerack]

No runflat all season tires are available in the sizes for the 18" sport wheels, but non-runflats are available. The two that we've had good experience with are the Goodyear F1 A/S and Yokohama Advan S4.


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

[mrvuml]

OK thanks. Plan B is to replace the wheels as well with 17 inchers. Which all-season run-flat tires do you recommend for 17" wheels? From your web site it lloks like you have some Contis, Bridgestones and Pirellis. I won't be driving in deep snow, just need to get around when we have light snowfall (like today we have 2-3 inches).

[mrvuml]

P.S. If I go down to 17" wheels should I go with staggered fronts & rears like I had for the original 18" sport wheel configuration?

[Gary@Tirerack]

Yes, there are a few. The best so far have been the Pirelli Nero M+S RFT and Conti Pro Contact SSR. 225/45R17.

[mrvuml]

Thanks. I'm now having second thoughts about all-seasons. What would be good choice for RFT (or not) Winter tires on the stock 18" staggered sport wheels?

[Gary@Tirerack]

You may use 225/40R18 both front and rear on the factory 18" sport wheels. The only Runflat winter tire available is the Pirelli 240SZ RFT. If you are okay with going to a non-runflat, I like the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D and Blizzak LM25.


Winter http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/winter/index.jsp

[mrvuml]

No runflat all season tires are available in the sizes for the 18" sport wheels, but non-runflats are available. The two that we've had good experience with are the Goodyear F1 A/S and Yokohama Advan S4.


Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/tires/index.jspFor the 18" All-Seasons, how about the New Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires that you have listed on your web site. And why are they so much more expensive than the other brands?

[Gary@Tirerack]

Initial feedback with the Sport A/S Plus has been good, but we do not have much experience with it yet.

[mrvuml]

I've decided to go with All-Seasons on the original 18" sport wheels and would like to stay around $200 or less per tire so it looks like I have to choose between the Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Seasons, the Pirelli PZeroNero M&S and the Yokohama Advan S4s. Is there any compelling reason to choose one over the other aside from price? I'll be running on this all year, we get very little rain here so wet weather performance isn't really an issue, and I would not drive the car (even with winter tires) if there is more than only a few inches of snow. So, in winter I just need to be able to get around in light snow and ice and on clean, dry roads if the temp drops to around freezing or below in winter.

[supermick]

I've decided to go with All-Seasons on the original 18" sport wheels and would like to stay around $200 or less per tire so it looks like I have to choose between the Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Seasons, the Pirelli PZeroNero M&S and the Yokohama Advan S4s. Is there any compelling reason to choose one over the other aside from price? I'll be running on this all year, we get very little rain here so wet weather performance isn't really an issue, and I would not drive the car (even with winter tires) if there is more than only a few inches of snow. So, in winter I just need to be able to get around in light snow and ice and on clean, dry roads if the temp drops to around freezing or below in winter.

I bought the Yokohama's after much research. 335i coupe/sports 18" staggered

Pirelli Pzero M+S scored very low in a consumer reports test Nov. 07. Tirerack reviews show they are slowly becoming outdated compared to others.

Gooyears F1 are great looking tires, but people complain they great noisy near 10,000 miles.

The Yokohama's scored well in Consumer Report, tirerack reviews, and tirerack surveys.
People on the forum love them. I wrote a very extension review for the forum and tirerack.

here it is:

Yohamana Advan S4 tire review
Car: 2008 BMW 335i coupe/sports/6mt

Driver: 59 years old, track experience, spirited driver

Why: Summer tires that came with the car are unusable below 40 degrees in cold rain. It rarely snows on Long Island, so winter tires are not needed. I did not want two set of wheels/tires. UHP A/S seemed like the answer.

Research: Tirerack, Consumers Report Nov. 07, forums

Review: Comparing Yohahama UHP A/S Advan 4 to Bridgestone summer runflats. Staggered sports set up.

First let me say, I was afraid to make this move. There are many reviews that will scare you off in tirerack stating UHP season ruined their car. Do not believe it! This is an honest review with an experienced driver. I have track experience, and have had many nice cars. I researched these tires as much as I researched buying the 335i coupe!

Review:

Pro: On a twisty bumpy road, the Yoha's give you more control, better set up in turns, and you are able to push the car faster than the Bridgestones.

Con: On a twisty smooth road, the Bridgestones have better steering response and sway less because of their stiff sidewalls.

Pro: On I495 (expressway) the Yoha run straight and true. You do not have to be afraid you with hit a small bump like the Bridgestones. They are quiet, smooth, and transmit less vibration then the Bridgestones.

Con: Over expansion joints the Yohas make more noise than the Bridgestones.

Pro: For street driving the Yoha's are more tire than you can possibly need. I ran them in very hard in rain through puddles and deep standing water: the steering never wavered. In the dry, they are close to a summer tire in STREET performance, have a long tread life, plus you can drive the car in bad weather below 40 degrees and not leave fingerprints on the steering wheel!

Con: Had to buy a BMW Mobility Kit for the trunk.

Other tires considered: Michelin UHP A/S ($$$$$$$)
Goodyear F1 A/S (noisy after 6-7 thousand miles) great looking tire, Pirelli A/S M+S (outdated), General UHP Exclaim (yes general says this is an all season tire), Falken 512 A/S (912 not in my size)

[mrvuml]

Thanks for the input. I've been reading through the reviews on Tire Rack and am surprised (disappointed even) that Gary is recommending a tire (the Goodyear) that has received so mahy negative comments. It looks like there's a Bridgestone A/S that has got good reviews but it doesn't appear to be available for the E90's 18" staggered sport wheel setup. I was about to purchase the Goodyears but now I'm not so sure and am thinking of maybe the Yokohamas instead as the Michelins are just too expensive (though I did have the previous versiob on my previous car - an E46 330i). Then there's the Pirellis but they appear to be lacking in snow & ice grip relative to the others.

[mrvuml]

Gary, if I buy the tires from you where should I have them shipped to (my home or an installer) and where should I go to get them installed? My zip is 80026. Do you have relationships with any approved installers in my area?

[Gary@Tirerack]

We can ship anywhere that UPS delivers to whether it be your home, your office or a tire shop.

Link to installer search : http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/installer/index.jsp