Tires?

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by CarolinaZ3

I just bought my first BMW, a 2000 Z3 Roadster and as part of the deal, the owner agreed to pay for four new tires and I'm seeking recommendations.

I bought it to replace my 2003 Miata that I sold, that I only drove about 1,500 miles per year, so I don't need any kind or "racing" or "high end performance" tires, but having said that, I do want "Good Tires".

I would welcome any/all suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I suggest contacting the people at Tire Rack (https://www.tirerack.com/content/tir.../homepage.html). They will ask you and/or you will tell them what you have, where you live, how and when you'll use the car (e.g., commuting, sunny days only for fun, year-round, never in the winter, etc.), and they will then suggest one or more tires that fit your use case.

You're not obligated in any way to purchase from them then or later. What you can do from there is to look up the tire(s) on their site that they've suggested and click your way through to Tire Rack's reviews of the tire (when available) and to the summary of the tire's ratings by people who have already bought and reviewed them on the Rack's site.

You can also go to this list of tires that TR offers in size 225/50-16: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...erformance=ALL. I got to that list by choosing the 2.3-liter model of the 2000 Z3; if you've got the 2.8 engine, you'll want to start a search from scratch.

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by CarolinaZ3

I just bought my first BMW, a 2000 Z3 Roadster and as part of the deal, the owner agreed to pay for four new tires and I'm seeking recommendations.

I bought it to replace my 2003 Miata that I sold, that I only drove about 1,500 miles per year, so I don't need any kind or "racing" or "high end performance" tires, but having said that, I do want "Good Tires".

I would welcome any/all suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help.

You do want good summer tires, because they are ideal for the type of driving you will be doing - summer and probably a bit sporty. It is like wearing sneakers to exercise. Michelin PSS or PS4s, or Conti sport contacts are all great top line choices for this, all are great in rain or dry and they'll age out before you wear them out even at 4k miles/year. I find the Conti's favor the sporty/taut/direct feel (and cheaper), the Michelins lean towards the GT road comfort.

[jamesinaz]

Well done and dusted. Installed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Total of around $2600.

I "think" the ride and road noise is better but of course how close attention was I really paying before so it is subjective. On a plus side I learned that the warranty on these tires includes roadside assistance for 3 years to change a flat tire. As my wife also drives this car and has a zero chance of changing a tire herself this is a nice added perk.

So far happy with everything about these new tires except the cost. In fairness since it will take at least another 3 years to get to a point I even think about another set of tires I'll probably be looking at a new car by then anyway. SO one time pain and done.

[Alfisti]

I will piggy back off this thread and ask a more mundane question. Anyone recommend a cheap set of all weather tyres? I drive my DD about 2500 miles per year (4k KM) but do drive it year round. My rubber is nudging 10 years old, both the summers and winters. I am looking for a set of reliable all weather touring tyres that won't break the bank.

I seem to have it narrowed down to Falken ZE960 and Kuhmo HA32, the latter a touch more expensive but is noted as an All weather not just all season tyre. Thoughts?

[M-technik-3]

I ended up getting the Michelin's again. I liked all aspects about them except the price and that happens on all tires.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I seem to have it narrowed down to Falken ZE960 and Kuhmo HA32, the latter a touch more expensive but is noted as an All weather not just all season tyre. Thoughts?

<—- was sponsored by Kumho.

Are you out of your Falken mind!?!?!?

I still have some 15+ year old Kumho street tires on my weekend car that have been discontinued for a long time. No clue about the newer models, but the old ones never left me stuck or lost balance. I probably didn't drive 10K miles total on them, though.....

[G30M]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

I am on my third year with my Michelin PS 4S Great tires no complaints other than $ amount. was thinking of being cheap, yeah I know bad Idea...and trying the Kumho PS91, I still have spare set of PS 4S with low mileage already mounted on my other car. So ijust noticed TR did a comparison of the 4 best performers, guess I just get another set of PS 4S

i find that most good tires are amazing when brand new, but within a a month or so if the car's left outdoors the tires harden and they become bumpy and noisy

so i just by the whatever good tires on special and run with them

if parked 99% in the garage the "new" feeling (quiet, supple) lasts much much longer

i change tires like i change T shirts coz i'm a sucker for specials and "let me just check these ones out"

the craziest buy was a set of 1/10th the cost of Michelin chinese "Triangle" summer tires i mounted on my van. i've driven the van in sun rain and even 5 inches of fresh snow uphill & downhill and they just work as well as anything i've ever mounted on the van. if it's DOT approved and has a Traction rating, it'll work fine at legal speed limits.