Tire Recommendation

I know this subject has been beat to death, but I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new set of non-RFT tires for the 328. I'm looking for a summer tire with improved ride, and I think I've got it narrowed down to two, Conti Xtreme D/W, and the Hankook Ventus V12. The Hankooks get pretty good ratings and I certainly like the price, but know nothing about them. Looking to purchase this weekend but I wanted the input of the experts on this forum. If you had to choose between the two right now, which tire would you purchase? Thanks.

I have the Sumitomo HRTZ III's and i love them. Quiet, great handling, good price.

I have two sets of the Conti DWS (335xi and X3) and am happy in both cases.

Originally Posted by Rainman519

If you had to choose between the two right now, which tire would you purchase? Thanks.

The Conti DW if you are looking for a softer more quiet ride. The V12 is a directional tire so will do better in the wet, but as it gets older you will discover it may get more harsh and make more road noise especially on the highway. To be honest I don't care for either of those tires you mention. They are categorized as entry level or value tires.

I would suggest these depending on what you're looking for in a summer tire and assuming you have the staggered sport set up on a 328i
Front: 225/40/18 Rear: 255/35/18:
Kumho Ecsta LE Sport - Best Value
Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position - Best all rounder
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - Best Street Performance

TJ - thanks. I took a look at the Potenza S-04 Pole Position and they are worth considering. Appreciate the input. Thought I had it narrowed-down to two, look like a third contender is in the running.

Originally Posted by Rainman519

TJ - thanks. I took a look at the Potenza S-04 Pole Position and they are worth considering. Appreciate the input. Thought I had it narrowed-down to two, look like a third contender is in the running.

The S-04 is more expensive than the ones you mentioned, I just put it on my F10 535i. Has totally transformed the ride of the car. You can read about it here if you care:

Non RFT Recommindation

Originally Posted by Rainman519

I know this subject has been beat to death, but I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new set of non-RFT tires for the 328. I'm looking for a summer tire with improved ride, and I think I've got it narrowed down to two, Conti Xtreme D/W, and the Hankook Ventus V12. The Hankooks get pretty good ratings and I certainly like the price, but know nothing about them. Looking to purchase this weekend but I wanted the input of the experts on this forum. If you had to choose between the two right now, which tire would you purchase? Thanks.

I see snowflakes in your future. Are you expecting a long Summer in Ohio...or will you run snow tires? As soon as the temps dip to around freezing, the summer tires will have to come off...snow or no snow. I'm sure you realize that.

Very happy with 235/35/19 X 265/30/19 Conti DW after 8K+ miles. Big reduction in ride harshness, road noise & impact noise. Excellent wet/dry traction on a modified 385whp 335is. Michelin PSS will have a better all out handling characteristics but doubt anyone will get near them on the street without a death wish.

Agree with above, summer tires will not work out in Ohio without a change for winter

I've been happy with the Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport staggered set on my '06 330i (ZSP). They ride great, perform well when pushed, are priced reasonably for a summer high-perf tire, and are asymmetric so they can be mounted on either side of the car, thus extending their useful life.

Put the Conti DWS on the e90 and they made a huge difference. I cant believe I left the run-flats on for so long but I saw no reason to remove tires that werent worn... However, now that I know the difference it can make I may have pulled the trigger sooner.

Dude, Conti DWS!

Threw em on my 330XI Sport two weeks ago. HUGE difference from Bridgestone RFT's.

PSS are awesome! I remember doing a lot of comparisons with the V12 (which I'm guessing is no longer in the running), and the PSS beat it every which way, except perhaps for ride compliance (V12s have softer sidewalls I think, also reducing steering feel). FWIW, I don't the PSS have a HUUUUUGE difference in ride compliance from RFTs, but it's noticeable. They are expensive, but at least with the tires I compared them to, there was value to be had going by (untrustworthy?) UTQG specs, rain performance, even tire width (they are wider then the V12s for instance, hey more rubber, haha, but some think they make them look better on the car as well as a result).

I would also take the Contis over the V12s. I am totally unfamiliar with the S-04.

IMO, get the best tires you can for whatever purpose they serve. It is IMO that the tires are where you get the biggest bang for buck performance upgrade for the dollar. Say there is a difference of a few hundred dollars, well, that might get you better dry, better wet, longer life, better steering, better everything. You can't say that for exhausts, spoilers, or whatever else is commonly done with our cars for similar or greater money. JMO.

Get a larger 225/45/18 (are yours staggered?) rather than 225/40/18.

*You'll love the ride difference.*

I couldn't recommend more my RE970AS, now the 1st in their category on Tirerack. I heard a lot of good things about the Michelin PSS but their thread index is ordinary (300 vs 400 for the 970), so the cost of the Michelin is likely to be +40%.

Originally Posted by Saintor

I couldn't recommend more my RE970AS, now the 1st in their category on Tirerack. I heard a lot of good this avbout the Michelin PSS but their thread index is ordinary (300 vs 400 for the 970), so the cost of the Michelin is likely to be +40%.

Best all around tire I have ever owned was the Potenza RE960AS. The 970 is the updated version.

Dumped the RFs on my 335 for Dunlop Direzzas. Totally happy ever since. Don't use my car in winter conditions.

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it. I'll make my decision tomorrow and post Monday about the results. And yes, these are strictly for Summer driving, have dedicated wheels/tires for Winter.

Bridgestone re760 sport. Best investment I have ever made on this car

Car & Driver current issue has a big 10 summer tire test.

Originally Posted by Rainman519

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it. I'll make my decision tomorrow and post Monday about the results. And yes, these are strictly for Summer driving, have dedicated wheels/tires for Winter.

Like you my choices of the tires were narrowed down to the Hancook V12, and Conti DW. I went with the Hancooks because they were cheaper, and I just bought my car, so tried to keep the cost down. Replaced the new stock RFTs with the Hancooks, noticeable difference in performance, more grip, less noise.

Now however my Hancooks need replacement, I am going for the DWs. DWs are very light weight, they will go on a set of light weight rims I have sat there for awhile, waiting for this moment.

The reason I want to try this new set? I had read people going this route mainly to reduce "unsprung weight," and those who did it could tell the difference in power delivery of the car. I just have to try it myself.

Originally Posted by Saintor

Get a larger 225/45/18 (are yours staggered?) rather than 225/40/18.

*You'll love the ride difference.*

I couldn't recommend more my RE970AS, now the 1st in their category on Tirerack. I heard a lot of good things about the Michelin PSS but their thread index is ordinary (300 vs 400 for the 970), so the cost of the Michelin is likely to be +40%.

I don't see any merit whatsoever in getting a "larger" 45 series (which in fact will be taller in diameter) vs. the 40 series. I'd stick with the sizes, aspect ratios recommended for the car!

I count nine different brands (and a size change) from the posts that would be highly recommended for the OP's car. How can he decide?

Originally Posted by pointandgo

I count nine different brands (and a size change) from the posts that would be highly recommended for the OP's car. How can he decide?

Sometimes you just have to go with your own INITIAL instinct, and let the chips fall...

P&G has a great point. Many other considerations available, and I'll just have to do the research and decide for myself. A little bit of irony in this story in that I was all set to order tires Saturday morning. Friday night storm knocked out power to millions across the mid-West and all around my surrounding community. Although I maintained power, my internet connection has been down since and I couldn't order them. Gives me a couple more days to research and make a decision. Doesn't seem like such a big deal all of a sudden considering there are folks baking in the heat with no A/C or power.....

Originally Posted by Rainman519

P&G has a great point. Many other considerations available, and I'll just have to do the research and decide for myself. A little bit of irony in this story in that I was all set to order tires Saturday morning. Friday night storm knocked out power to millions across the mid-West and all around my surrounding community. Although I maintained power, my internet connection has been down since and I couldn't order them. Gives me a couple more days to research and make a decision. Doesn't seem like such a big deal all of a sudden considering there are folks baking in the heat with no A/C or power.....

Like you my research had narrowed down to the Hankook V12 and Conti DW. Both received very good user reviews and are economical. Over the years many tried different tires but these two continue to be solid.

For your size of rims 235/40ZR18 should be a good fit. In that size both the above brands have good pricing, and the tire tread patterns are very nice to look at too.

As I said I went with the DWs for their light weight. People spend hundreds, if not thousands, to reduce the weight of the rims by a few pounds each. The DW is about 3 to 5 pounds lighter than most other brands mentioned. And don't forget weight reduction at the wheel most further away from the rotational center, is the most beneficial too.