Please recommend nice soft tires for my 335i

What are the best tires for absorbing the rough road surfaces? Price is not a factor, I just want excellent tires that are quiet and soften up rough roads ... the runflats have to go!!!!

Do you have the Sport Package, and which size wheels do you have?

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Do you have the Sport Package, and which size wheels do you have?

Yes, I have the sport package and I have the stock 18's

There have been many discussions on this board which address your question directly, and a few indirectly. For instance, search "Pothole explosions" for starters, it's epic. Then search "tires". You are going to be reading a long time.
Lots of opinions and helpful information can be found using the Search function.

Originally Posted by MrVegas

Yes, I have the sport package and I have the stock 18's

I found that Pirelli P_Zero Nero M&S high performance all season tires were a big improvement.

CA

Are you looking for all-season or summer tires? I don't want to worry about the swap, so I'm going to try the all-season Yokohama Advan S4's. If you do want to go all-season, your choices are pretty limited.

Originally Posted by Spagolli94

Are you looking for all-season or summer tires? I don't want to worry about the swap, so I'm going to try the all-season Yokohama Advan S4's. If you do want to go all-season, your choices are pretty limited.

I would like to get all season if they are great tires for absorbing rough roads. It would be nice to not have to swap them out in the winter.

So Pirelli and Yokohama make real good all-seasons?

I've been researching this very question as well (for the past year!) -
and I don't even have my car yet!! (I'm picking it up next month in
South Carolina). Anyway... after reading through tons of stuff here
on bimmerfest, and also doing hundreds of hours of comparisons
via TireRack (using many of their surveys, etc), here are my
opinions: (note... I'm getting a 335i convertible, with the sport
package which has 18" wheels, 225/40 in front and 255/35 in rear)

(1) Going to NON RFTs will be the biggest factor for softening the
ride and better survival over those potholes;

(2) Since I don't run my car on a performance track, nor do I expect
to run at speeds over 100 mph (this will be a car that I use for my daily
commute), I am willing to give up some of that instantaneous road-gripping
steering performance. My preference is to maximize ride comfort AND
thread life AND good performance on wet roads. Due to all these factors,
I am strongly leaning towards getting all-season tires, instead of
separate summer and winter tires. SInce I live in Maryland, we don't
get much snow - but enough winter weather that summer tires just won't
do.

(3) Since my previous cars have been large sedans (Buick LeSabre,
Lincoln Town car, etc), I become very spoiled with that "big car ride"
and also getting 60K miles on a set of tires. So, my plan for the
new BMW will likely include doing a -1 down-sizing (like TireRack
recommends for better winter performance). That is, I will likely
buy new wheels (rims and tires) which are 225/45-17 - and use that
SAME SIZE on all four wheels. From everything I have read, this should
(a) help soften the ride
(b) better survive potholes
(c) better tread life (especially since all 4 wheels are the
same size means you'll be able to rotate every 5K miles)
(d) There are a WHOLE LOT MORE choice for 225/45-17 size tires
than there are for the 18" staggered set-up which can't be rotated.
And this smaller size is also cheaper than the 18" versions, and a
WHOLE lot cheaper than the typical RFTs (and RFTS wear out
a lot sooner in almost all cases);
(e) This down-size technique will get better performance in
a typical snow environment (like 6" or less). If you usually have
much bigger snow storms, you might need to go with real winter tires.
(f) You have to remember, how-ever, that by doing this minus
size trick and having a slightly higher aspect ratio (45 verses 40 in front
and 45 versus 35 in rear), the sidewalls WILL be slightly softer, and
so if you are doing extreme cornering - the limits as to what the
car (and tire) can do will be lower than with the RFT's with a lower
aspect ratio.

(4)So, given all those assumptions above, I've researched this to death
as far as tires brands, and here are my top choices for tires in the
all-season Ultra High Performance category (in priority order):
(a) Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
(b) Yokohama ADVAN S.4
(c) Bridgestone Potenza RE 960 A/S Pole Positions
** The Michelins have a 45K tread life warranty, Yokos have no warranty,
and Bridgestones have a 40K warranty.
Go and read TireRack's surveys on these tires (for the Michelins, make sure
you read about the Pilot Sport A/S PLUS, as there used to be a previous
version - without the "Plus" - which wasn't as good).

(5) One more thing to think about.... one more option...
you could consider going with a "Grand Touring Tire" instead of the
Ultra High Performance tire. In this Grand Touring class, here
are my choices for an All-Season tire:
(a) Michelin Primacy MXV4
(b) Bridgestone Turanza Serenity
(c) GoodYear EAGLE Response Edge
** This category will obviously not be nearly as good with respect
to steering response as you would get in a UHP class category, but you
are likely to get closer to that "big car ride" . The Primacy has a 60K
tread life warranty, and the Serenity has 45K. The EAGLE has no warranty.
CLearly, since something like the Primacy - with a 60K tread life - you are
apt to be riding with that "floating" feeling of a big sedan... so it all depends
on what you are looking for.

So.. there are lots of factors: non RFT, minus sizing the wheels down to 17",
and deciding whether you want pure summer and pure winter tire sets, or
compromise and get all seasons. Those 3 major decision points will be the
biggest factors that affect your ride. (There are certain physical properties
that come with the sport suspension - like stiffer ride- that you just can't
change). Once you decide on these 3 najor factors, then (in my opinion)
the tire Brand and specific choice of tire will determine tread life,
performance in rain (resistance to hydroplaning), performance in
light/moderate snow, etc.

Good luck. Hopefully, some of this will save you some time.

Originally Posted by captainaudio

I found that Pirelli P_Zero Nero M&S high performance all season tires were a big improvement.

CA

I second that, had those on my e46 coupe before, great tires.
I have the General Exclaim UHP right now and it's one of the lightest tires out there and can even take a little snow, and of course the fact that they're cheap doesn't hurt.

Originally Posted by captainaudio

I found that Pirelli P_Zero Nero M&S high performance all season tires were a big improvement.

CA

How are they with some snow? Looks like there's also a new version of these (down a speed notch to H) with a 45k tread warr. "Pirelli PZero Nero All Season" 91H 400/AA/A. I assume you need some adjustments with the TPM when swapped?

I currently have the sport package but with 225/45 17's all around.

Originally Posted by MrVegas

What are the best tires for absorbing the rough road surfaces? Price is not a factor, I just want excellent tires that are quiet and soften up rough roads ... the runflats have to go!!!!

You may want to give tirerack a call and see if the customer rep has any recommendations, too. Also, you may want to consider increasing the sidewall height a little (if you want to go in the extreme direction).

Edit: You may also want to post this question for forum member, Gary@TireRack, on this site's subforum: Tire Rack's Tires, Wheels, Brakes & Suspension.

Originally Posted by daranco

[...]
(a) Michelin Primacy MXV4
[...]

My 2 cents: I drive a 3.5L Altima, with a spirit (not much longer, I hope!) and I have set of 4 those rubbers on my ride now.
The road noise is low, very acceptable.
Cornering and sidewalls are surprisingly sturdy and comfortable. Quick in-out lane changes are predictable and safe.
And the price/value ratio is excellent!
Highly recommended!

Originally Posted by MrVegas

Yes, I have the sport package and I have the stock 18's

Get the 17's, they don't ride that bad. It is stiff but liveable. (That's what she said!)

Yes, I have that setup on my sedan and with the much unloved Bridgestones.

The guy that ordered this car specifically ordered the 17's due to the bad press the 18's had received...he also skipped the I-Drive. Smart guy.

Brian

I'll swap my 17' for an 18' with pleasure. Just let me know

Originally Posted by zampag

How are they with some snow? Looks like there's also a new version of these (down a speed notch to H) with a 45k tread warr. "Pirelli PZero Nero All Season" 91H 400/AA/A. I assume you need some adjustments with the TPM when swapped?

I currently have the sport package but with 225/45 17's all around.

They are OK in light snow but if you are going to be using the car regularly in moderate to heavy snow they are not going to cut it. I rarely use the car in the snow ane we don't get much snow here (NYC). I stayed with the stock 18" size. I replaced the stock 189 rims with BMW OEM style 196 but that change was purely cosmetic. There is no performance advantage.

CA

Do the OEM wheels w/ RFT accept non-RFT tires?

I live in Northern VA, where we get a few snows a year. I was just planning on driving my Maxima during those times instead. However when I wear off the tread on the RFT's I might make a switch.

Originally Posted by fasttimes

Do the OEM wheels w/ RFT accept non-RFT tires?

I live in Northern VA, where we get a few snows a year. I was just planning on driving my Maxima during those times instead. However when I wear off the tread on the RFT's I might make a switch.

Yes they do. And the tire pressure monitor system will operate properly.

CA

Originally Posted by captainaudio

They are OK in light snow but if you are going to be using the car regularly in moderate to heavy snow they are not going to cut it. I rarely use the car in the snow ane we don't get much snow here (NYC). I stayed with the stock 18" size. I replaced the stock 189 rims with BMW OEM style 196 but that change was purely cosmetic. There is no performance advantage.

CA

Cool, thanks. I'm going with Bridgestone RE960s. Seems to be the best for what I want - bias towards dry and wet, good tread, good ride, and snow traction a little better than the crape stock - Bridgestone EL42s. Probably a good pick for OPs original 'softer ride'.

If you want to have a real smooth ride, you can do something more than just using non-RFTs:

Choose another tire size, namely 225/45 R18 and 255/40 R18, the same combination as the old M346. They fit. Speedo error is compensated, wheel wells are filled better and ride quality is superb.

Images here:

http://www.auto-treff.com/bmw/vb/sho...89#post2263489

I like the "225/45 R18 and 255/40 R18, " suggestion, and will research that.

Originally Posted by meyergru

If you want to have a real smooth ride, you can do something more than just using non-RFTs:

Choose another tire size, namely 225/45 R18 and 255/40 R18, the same combination as the old M346. They fit. Speedo error is compensated, wheel wells are filled better and ride quality is superb.

Images here:

http://www.auto-treff.com/bmw/vb/sho...89#post2263489

You can fit those different tire sizes on the stock OEM wheels???

Originally Posted by bsell

Get the 17's, they don't ride that bad. It is stiff but liveable. (That's what she said!)

Yes, I have that setup on my sedan and with the much unloved Bridgestones.

The guy that ordered this car specifically ordered the 17's due to the bad press the 18's had received...he also skipped the I-Drive. Smart guy.

Brian

This is the best answer. Changing to a higher profile tire is the best way to improve the ride and may do more than just changing to non-RFT's. If you get another set of 18" tires they will still have short stiff sidewalls which are not conducive to a smooth ride.

Thanks, Mike.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

This is the best answer. Changing to a higher profile tire is the best way to improve the ride and may do more than just changing to non-RFT's. If you get another set of 18" tires they will still have short stiff sidewalls which are not conducive to a smooth ride.

Thanks, Mike.

I have a friend who has a car very similar to mine. They are both 07 335i comvertibles. Mine has the sport package, his does not. I replace the RFTs with Pirelli P_Zero Nero M&S he has the OEEM Bridgestones. He drove my car in his neighborhood (Fairfield County Ct.) and felt that mine had a smoother ride.

On another note. I was parked next to an E92 M3 tofay. It appeared to have stock rims and they were probably 18s. They seemed to have larger sidewalls than the 18s on my 335i.

Yes, I think they do. The tires on the M3 appear much more substantial than on our 3 series.

E92 m3 in 18 are 245/40 and 265/40 rear, in 19 are 245/35 and 265/35.
So yes they are beefier on an m3