Need a good A/S for 330i sport

[Cecil]

This is my daily driver and since I have a 4x4 for snow driving so I don't need snow tires for the 330i. However, I drive approx. 20k miles per year( more highway) and need something that will last longer than this. Too expensive to go through a set of tires a year. I don't race the car on tracks either. WAnt a good handling tire in wet and dry, long lasting, not too noisy.

Any opionions on the "CHEAP" Sumitomo HTR+, Pirelli P-zero, RE 950's, Michelin Pilot A/S's. Any others. I think the Michelins are too expensive so these are at the bottom of my list. Thanks

[SoloII///M]

This is my daily driver and since I have a 4x4 for snow driving so I don't need snow tires for the 330i. However, I drive approx. 20k miles per year( more highway) and need something that will last longer than this. Too expensive to go through a set of tires a year. I don't race the car on tracks either. WAnt a good handling tire in wet and dry, long lasting, not too noisy.

Any opionions on the "CHEAP" Sumitomo HTR+, Pirelli P-zero, RE 950's, Michelin Pilot A/S's. Any others. I think the Michelins are too expensive so these are at the bottom of my list. Thanks


I (and a couple other local guys) have been running 235/45/17 HTR+. I have had mine on for ~ 20k miles and almost two years. They have been GREAT. The sidewalls are certiainly squishier than an all out performance tire but they are not bad. They are incredible in the rain and very good in the snow. Had no problems at all on my '95 M3.

They aren't going to last a tremendously long time - but I drive fairly aggressively. I'm guessing I'll get 25k out of this set.

But they were $88 a piece. How can you go wrong? :D

John

[PhilH]

The Dunlop SP5000 gets generally favorable reviews all around the internet, so I bought a set for our Passat. They didn't squeal, seemed to have decent grip (considering the car they were on), and were suprisingly good in snow. They didn't last too long, though.

[Grant@Tire Rack]

For a daily driver, the RE950 would be the best for long-term wear and consistancy. The Sumitomo HTR+ and Continental Extreme contact would be the best bangs for the buck, the Sumitomo being the better handling of the two. In the upper end price range the Pirelli P Zero Nero MS is the best value. I thought they were the best blend of handling, traction, wear, and price. The Dunlop Sport 5000 is a good middle of the pack tire but not as sporty handling. The Michelin Pilot Sport AS is a great handling tire but it's up there on the price point ( they have a premium product and are proud of it :) )

[Cecil]

Thanks for the replies thus far. Tirerack doesn't list the RE 950's for my '01 330i sport. Does this mean they don't offer them in the 245/40/17 and 225/45/17 size? The Sumitomo's have a great price but many people say the sidewalls are weak. Are these people who say this driving their cars on racetracks and need a stronger sidewall or is it the "average joe" who thinks that the tire won't handle an on-off ramp with any confidence. I like to drive aggressively now and then but taking a turn at 80mph when the offramp calls for 35 is not my cup of tea. I might do 60 though :) Thanks

[SoloII///M]

The Sumis are not that bad, in all honesty. I autocross on Victoracers on the weekends, so I know what good tires feel like. You won't be disappointed in the HTR+s.

The sidewalls are not any weaker than any other UHP A/S tire (granted I've never been on the Pilot Sport A/S).

[Grant@Tire Rack]

If you look at our test track results for the Pilot Sport AS vs. the Sumitomo HTR+ you'll see they were very close on all sections of the track. The main difference I noticed was stability in transition. With the Michelin you could actually feel the middle tread blocks start to move as you entered the skid pad and corners and then all of a sudden the shoulder blocks would grab :yikes: . The Sumitomo was much smoother and predictable.

[Cecil]

So for the money the HTR+ is the way to go b/c of the most bang for the buck. Will they last 20k+miles? Is it worth $150-$200 more to get 4 Pirelli's. What is tread life on both. If same then HTr's seems better. Will the HTR's leave me feeling uneasy on turns/conering, wet/dry traction. I normally don't drive in snow with the 330i but sometimes may get caught in some white stuff unexpectedly. Thanks for all the replies. Tire Rack-what about the RE 950's in the 330i sport package size.

[Grant@Tire Rack]

The treadwear is going to be aprox. the same on both. Most folks will get in the 20+ range on the rear depending on the driver and road conditions. They will be longer wearing than the stock Summer tires. The 950 is not available in the stock sizes. The Sumitomo is actually very stable and smooth in transition. I found them to give very good feeback when pushed to near the limit on the skid pad and in hard cornering. Ride comfort was very good on the road without the harsh 'ping' you get with some other tires when driving over expansion cracks on the interstate etc... The Pirelli will hang in there a bit longer in corners when pushing it but you wouldn't want to drive that hard on the street anyway. :D Most folks wouldn't notice much of a difference at all under normal driving conditions.

[Cecil]

Thanks. Sounds like the HTR+ is the deal. Love the price to.

[SoloII///M]

... The Pirelli will hang in there a bit longer in corners when pushing it but you wouldn't want to drive that hard on the street anyway. :D Most folks wouldn't notice much of a difference at all under normal driving conditions.

One of the best posts I've read in some time. Couldn't have said it better myself.

I'm about ready to order another set of tires, too. From the Tire Rack of course. You guys rock! :thumbup:

[SoloII///M]

do yourself a favor: go take a look at both tires, side-by-side, in person...there's plenty of reasons the pilots cost more money.


What information could I possibly glean from looking at them in person? They're tires. The only thing I care about is how they perform.