so it is time to breach deep into the pockets again for tyres for my e46 m3. tyre sizes are 255/40/18 and 225/45/18 rear/front respectively.

I am currently running Michelin pilot sport 2 which are probably the most expensive option but have lasted 40k miles on the rear - bloody good in the warm dry weather but cold/snow/wet means plenty of sideways slow motion. I am therefore tempted to start and consider a winter set of tyres but at present I'm looking for summer rears ....... £500-£600 for rears only with ps2. so any suggestions for alternatives?

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JP
GT4DC Treasurer

Grey St185 RC
Silver BMW E46 M3
Multicolour yawn Honda VFR400
Silver Honda Civic Type-R

Dunlop D01J ?

That should help with the sideways action in the winter and better grip in the summer?

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Kris
95 ST205 - slept for 10 years, now waking up...
Avensis
http://www.gtfours.co.uk
_______________________________________
Turbocharging - the replacement for displacement

40K miles ?

Granny.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

I was expecting that comment TBH
I have been amazed as well. The PS2 just seems to grip & grip unless you are silly, I do have a spare set of wheels/tyres that I picked up second hand, Avon ZZ3s that are terrible (but fun) and slide everywhere and I got through about 5mm in 1000 miles! The original Conti sport tyres lasted 12K miles of which I used half of the miles and 4mm of life.

I don't think it is so much about about driving miss daisy but I think it is more due to the less times the wheels spin up/it gets sideways with the PS2s. Only in the winter really do I get a bit lairy!

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JP
GT4DC Treasurer

Grey St185 RC
Silver BMW E46 M3
Multicolour yawn Honda VFR400
Silver Honda Civic Type-R

I have heard good reports of the PS, and in terms of £ per mile maybe it's worth it.

TBH I only have experience of cheapies after my hassles of the last few years so can't really suggest anything.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

Its a while ago but I thought the MPS on my E36 M3 were terrific. Didn't work so well on a GT-Four but I know Steve rated them when he tried them.

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Don
GT4DC Chairman
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205WRC JDM 269bhp @ 0.9bar
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four Special GT 590bhp @ 1.8bar
1989 Van Diemen RF88/89 Formula Ford 1600
2008 Nissan Patrol GU 3.0L ZD30DDTi 154bhp

Whatever you do buy make sure it's not Bridgestone RE050 as fitted to current models. They are dire (I think, hard to really judge with the poor E92 chassis[IMO])

For medium range I'd consider Toyo. They are loud but grip is OK wet and dry. Not stellar in either but not Daiyeung Hedgeseekers either

My experience with Pilot Sport was good on the four but that was 2 generations ago so irrelevant now. However PS3 or F1 asysm would be a likely choice for me, biased to PS3 based on previous experience

Falken 452 are the current budget E90 choice but handling and driving prowess is largely judged on roundabout drift ability, No 11 length and et at the pod so I would be looking for a grain of salt about the size of Pluto to go with that assessment

40k miles!!! you what... Im doing about 10k on rears! I have Dunlop SP01 on mine.

Have to agree with steve i had RE050's on my old one, didnt give me much confidence in the car at all

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Chris
ST205 with a little help from a ST215...

Just replaced the original Bridgestone Potenzas on my RS5 after 23K
Replaced with a set of Toyo Proxes T1 Sports (265/35/19) for £595 delivered + £50 fitted and balanced
RESULT!

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Vice Chairman
1990 White UK Celica ST185 - Project DTM
1997 Cream BMW R1200C (as seen in James Bond "Tomorrow Never Dies")
2005 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sovereign AWD Automatic
Blood Bikes - https://www.freewheelers.org.uk/

Seems like a good price for 19" tyres

I should perhaps have mentioned the good experience I've had with Yokohama Advan Neova tyres on my Elise. They are an asymmetric tread pattern. This seems to have reduced and almost eliminated the wear on the tyre shoulder from track driving. Grip is good on wet or greasy surfaces. Most welcome in a car as light as an Elise.

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Don
GT4DC Chairman
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205WRC JDM 269bhp @ 0.9bar
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four Special GT 590bhp @ 1.8bar
1989 Van Diemen RF88/89 Formula Ford 1600
2008 Nissan Patrol GU 3.0L ZD30DDTi 154bhp

I feel priveliged to be running 16 inch wheels and paying £53 a corner

as a thought I was recommended some bf Goodrich for the Clio which were excellent. Don't discount them as a manufacturer.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

Yes a VERY GOOD price...best elsewhere (for the same) was £196 per corner + delivery + fitting.

Try http://www.mytyres.co.uk/

_________________
Vice Chairman
1990 White UK Celica ST185 - Project DTM
1997 Cream BMW R1200C (as seen in James Bond "Tomorrow Never Dies")
2005 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sovereign AWD Automatic
Blood Bikes - https://www.freewheelers.org.uk/

It looks like another pair of Michelin PS2 will be purchased. mytyres came in at £450 for a pair. I am going to try formula 1 autocentre as they are coming in at £410 fitted and Michelin have an offer on so I get a £50 fuel coucher back on a pair of tyres so £360 the pair

Next will be new RTABs and possibly shocks!

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JP
GT4DC Treasurer

Grey St185 RC
Silver BMW E46 M3
Multicolour yawn Honda VFR400
Silver Honda Civic Type-R

Same sizes on my 320Cd. When I bought it the fronts were Pilot Sport 2s, rears Bridestone RE040s. Rears lasted 25k, fronts nearer 40k.

Pricing replacements, PS2s were looking at just over 800, RE040s just under 800.

Kumho Ecsta KU11s came in at under 400. Grip vs the PS2s is, in my view, on parr. They dump from a great height on the RE040s, massive improvement. Get about the same mileage out them as well. Now running KU31s and same story.

Pretty sure the M3 forums rate the Kumhos quite highly as well.

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02 Mini Cooper Race Car
94 ST205 Import
92 ST185 Carlos Sainz
www.mcnab-racing.co.uk

Kumhos are very under-rated IMO. I find them especially good as a winter tyre, but a little soft & squidgy in the summer, going off quickly & wearing rapidly if you push them hard. I think they have one or 2 new versions since I last used them which may have improved the summer characteristics.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.