z4m All season Performance tire

[Eccentric]

OK guys, i know there are a few threads concerning the best OE sized tires, but does anyone have any advice concerning a reliable performance tire that does well in the rain?

[Finnegan]

Rain isn't as much an issue as most, Star Spec, PS2s, Vredesteins, all seem to work fine in the rain. The question is temperature. Extreme Summer Performance tires simply turn into hockey pucks as the temp gets lower. The cutoff rule of thumb is about 40 or below--from there on it's really risky. Many folks with PS2s over on the M3 section found that out, much to their chagrin, last winter. Rain + cold = wreck.

For example, I found PS2s to be fine in the rain at 50-60 degrees; same with the Star Specs. But running in colder temps is just asking for trouble based on the sad experience of others.

So, are you looking for cold wet weather tire advice or warm wet weather tire advice?

[Eccentric]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Rain isn't as much an issue as most, Star Spec, PS2s, Vredesteins, all seem to work fine in the rain. The question is temperature. Extreme Summer Performance tires simply turn into hockey pucks as the temp gets lower. The cutoff rule of thumb is about 40 or below--from there on it's really risky. Many folks with PS2s over on the M3 section found that out, much to their chagrin, last winter. Rain + cold = wreck.

For example, I found PS2s to be fine in the rain at 50-60 degrees; same with the Star Specs. But running in colder temps is just asking for trouble based on the sad experience of others.

So, are you looking for cold wet weather tire advice or warm wet weather tire advice?

yeah, it's my DD and i live in the northeast so im going to need some capable all season tires in the fall when the temp is cold, but not snowy yet

[schwank]

Most of my friends run toyo proxies, the jack of all trades, and master of none.

[mhughett]

The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus is about as good as it gets for all-season performance tires. Probably not as sharp as a good summer tire this time of year but I have them on my 5 series sport package and they are great in the cold weather.

[Hawkeye]

I run General UHPs. They are a bargain tire with slightly less road noise than the RFTs (still more than most) but they wear and stick pretty well. They are good at all temperatures here in Iowa (at lower temperatures they dont really "puck up" too bad )

It does have its setbacks as any tire will but I have found it to be better than expeted as far as a performance tire goes, especially for the price.

[Eccentric]

thanks for the info guys- zpost really is the best group of enthusiasts

[Blind32]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

thanks for the info guys- zpost really is the best group of enthusiasts

I agree. Best group of enthusiasts and pretty friendly for the most part.

[thekurgan]

The conti dws may also be a good option as well.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

They are good at all temperatures here in Iowa (at lower temperatures they dont really "puck up" too bad )

Nice pick up on my "hockey puck" comment Hawkeye!

Originally Posted by Eccentric

thanks for the info guys- zpost really is the best group of enthusiasts

Originally Posted by Blind32

I agree. Best group of enthusiasts and pretty friendly for the most part.

Totally agree. Good group of folks here!

[dekaliber]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

yeah, it's my DD and i live in the northeast so im going to need some capable all season tires in the fall when the temp is cold, but not snowy yet

If you're living in the Northeast, I would think that you'd want a nice set of dedicated winter rubber on an Z4M to continue to drive it safely between Nov-March. The difference is dramatic between all-season and winter tires.

[Hawkeye]

^^ Yeah, even the UHP will not even move the car on level ground with some pact snow on the ground. Blizzaks are really good from what I hear. Personally I garage mine so I have no first hand experience

[Eccentric]

Originally Posted by dekaliber

If you're living in the Northeast, I would think that you'd want a nice set of dedicated winter rubber on an Z4M to continue to drive it safely between Nov-March. The difference is dramatic between all-season and winter tires.

yeah, im getting a set just for snow, but i need a new set of all seasons. Also since im not tracking the car any time soon i figured if needed, i would sacrifice dry performance to ensure that i wouldnt wrap the car around a pole.

[wildag]

Blizzaks and a hardtop got my Z4M Roadster through the massive snow fall in DC last winter. I wasn't able to go out on day one, but I was passing large trucks after the roads were snow plowed. Blizzaks did an amazing job of grip, even on packed snow. I never once lost traction. The hardtop was able to withstand several feet of snow on top of it; where as I'm not so sure the soft top would have done that well.

[Shipkiller]

I too have been looking for new tires.

My research, using TireRack, other tire sites and the forums + Google Search this is what I have found. I will show the TireRack info since it it easily reproducible.

TireRack lists their tires in 13 categories. These are the top categories:

Extreme Performance Summer
Max Performance Summer
Ultra High Performance Summer
Ultra High Performance All-Season
High Performance Summer
High Performance All-Season

If you are looking for the best 'GRIP' then the Extreme Performance is your category to be in.

As you can see the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, Dunlop Star Specs and Yokohoma ADVAN AD07's, according to TireRack are the best in the dry. To my mind, these tires are just below a dedicated track tire. Don't get me wrong, the wet performance is good, but not what I am looking for in my daily driver.
The Star Spec is a better wet tire than the others in the list.



Next is the Max Performance category.

To my mind in this category, the two Michelin's are the best dry tire, but not by much over the Continental ExtremeContact DW. In the wet, the ExtremeContact DW is much better. Plus, the treadwear on the DW is much better.... The only negative on the DW is it's Steering Response. But not by much....



The last category since the original question asked about snow, is Ultra High-Performance All-Season.

Similar to the Max Performance category, the Michelin's and Bridgestone have better dry grip. So too again, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS's (different than the Continental ExtremeContact DW) have better wet but also the best snow ratings..



So to my mind, it all depends on where you live and how you drive your car.

If you live in SoCal where it very seldom rains, the Dunlop Star Specs are the best tire you can get if you factor in price.

If you, like me, need really good wet grip, the Continental ExtremeContact DW's are the best tire if you again factor in price.

And if you need some snow capability, then the Continental ExtremeContact DWS's are the best....

I have decided on the Continental ExtremeContact DW's for my car. My car is a daily driver but I never drive it in the snow and like I told Finnegan in another post, the best gripping tire in the world does me no good if I put the car into a Jersey barrier in a rain storm. The ExtremeContact DW's in the 235/40 size are very hard to find right now....

I did do a lot of research on the Vredesteins, but cannot find any real quantifiable data on it. I always take what is said on the forums with a grain of salt unless I know the person posting the review. Most people are not going to say that they just spent $800.00 for tires and they are shit.....

The only real negative response I found on the Vredesteins was a guy who ordered 285's but the section width was as a 275.

Ask yourself first, how do you drive and in what weather? Do you need performance or comfort? Do you drive 2000 miles a year or 20,000. Do you do track events or just a lazy drive with your significant other. Be truthful with yourself.

Yes, Skelekitty, it's your car, so take your husband for a drive....

Remember, these comments are my own and you should do your own research FIRST.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

I have decided on the Continental ExtremeContact DW's for my car. My car is a daily driver but I never drive it in the snow and like I told Finnegan in another post, the best gripping tire in the world does me no good if I put the car into a Jersey barrier in a rain storm. The ExtremeContact DW's in the 235/40 size are very hard to find right now....

I did do a lot of research on the Vredesteins, but cannot find any real quantifiable data on it. I always take what is said on the forums with a grain of salt unless I know the person posting the review. Most people are not going to say that they just spent $800.00 for tires and they are shit.....

The only real negative response I found on the Vredesteins was a guy who ordered 285's but the section width was as a 275.

Ask yourself first, how do you drive and in what weather? Do you need performance or comfort? Do you drive 2000 miles a year or 20,000. Do you do track events or just a lazy drive with your significant other. Be truthful with yourself.

Remember, these comments are my own and you should do your own research FIRST.

Great post and solid advice! Pretty much it's about finding the right tool for the job... Keep away from those Jersey barriers my friend!

[Skelekitty]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

Yes, Skelekitty, it's your car, so take your husband for a drive....

Oh, I've been known to burn up a few curvy roads with Finnegan in the passenger seat and I haven't seen him cry or cringe yet. Heat (and our doggie's health) permitting, I'll be doing just that this weekend.

p.s. Your post seemed somewhat vague. Could you please provide just a few details?

[Shipkiller]

kitty, you are a trip....

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by Skelekitty

Oh, I've been known to burn up a few curvy roads with Finnegan in the passenger seat and I haven't seen him cry or cringe yet. Heat (and our doggie's health) permitting, I'll be doing just that this weekend.

p.s. Your post seemed somewhat vague. Could you please provide just a few details?

It's true, she can drive! Keeps right up with me and my buddies on our spirited drives.

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

kitty, you are a trip....

You can say that again...dry sense of humor as well.

[RussRamz]

If you have the space, I would definitely recommend another set of wheels and dedicated winter tires. The Z4M needs a set of Summer tires and all-season tires IMO take away from the spirit of the car.

[ssummers]

I put a set of Yokohama Advan S4's on our S2000, great tire, worked well all year around.

[Eccentric]

thanks guys- this helped me a lot!