Best tires? Best bang for your buck tires?

[r4dr]

Bruh, every single time I drove my PSC2s on the skreetz, I could smell my burnt money when I got out of the car.

But the lap after your out lap on a fresh set of Cup 2s hits better than crack. Or so I hear, I've only bought Cup 2s but haven't tried crack.

[Flat-Six]

"Wreck my car" was somewhat tounge-in-cheek. The sidewalls were like mush and the car wanted to push when pushed. Also that was many years ago so perhaps they're "better" now. That said, first impressions are lasting ones and I won't be going back for another try, especially when it comes to tires.

Totally understand. Can’t say they have improved since you ran them, but they are totally fine for what I do. Definitely much better tires out there. But these are cheap to replace while I play with suspension configurations. I tend to drive within the limits of my tires and brakes anyway so they are totally fine for me.

[cobra]

When I was running V12's I went down a rabbit hole of replacing my front steering bushings and shit only to realize it was the tires. Put on PSS and suddenly the car drove like it should.

Running PS4S now and they're pretty fantastic.

[Icecream]

Just throwing this into the mix, the PS4S not only lasted an insanely long time on my car but they remained quiet, comfortable and sticky down to the last tread. Every other tire I've used looses substantial grip, gets very noisy and becomes uncomfortable arpund the 50% mark, effectively reducing their lifespans considerably in comparison.
If you must save on cost (which is ok), Yokohama apex V601 is a nice tire. Put them on my M3 just before the motor sploded and they looked great, rode well. Never got a chance to even break them in though so can't comment on stickiness.

[S14]

do not buy DWS.

I went through two sets on our old Mazda 3. they were incredibly loud for at least the last half of their life.

What do you suggest for all season tires?

[Obioban]

When I was running V12's I went down a rabbit hole of replacing my front steering bushings and shit only to realize it was the tires. Put on PSS and suddenly the car drove like it should.

Running PS4S now and they're pretty fantastic.

Amusingly we went down the same road on a friends car, including replacing the steering rack. A remarkably terrible tire.

[S14]

Amusingly we went down the same road on a friends car, including replacing the steering rack. A remarkably terrible tire.

I'll third that, had V12's on something in the past and they were shit.

[tnord]

What do you suggest for all season tires?

no idea really. Both my 330 and the wife's X5 have summer wheels/tires, and winter wheels/snows. My E39 that I bought as a beater like 5yrs ago came with some yokohama all season variant that was fine for 20k+ miles on a 525 automatic shuttle bus.

All seasons for an M3? that's just a bad idea.

[S14]

no idea really. Both my 330 and the wife's X5 have summer wheels/tires, and winter wheels/snows. My E39 that I bought as a beater like 5yrs ago came with some yokohama all season variant that was fine for 20k+ miles on a 525 automatic shuttle bus.

All seasons for an M3? that's just a bad idea.

I was a summer/winter tire guy for a long time. This go around, I'm trying R-comps/all season as the car is driven during cold seasons and I'm tyring to not have 6 sets of wheels for 1 car...

[tnord]

I mean, I'd blindly say to go with the Pilot AS 2 or 3 or whatever they're on these days.

[repoman89]

All seasons are nice because they at least work in the cold. Honestly I got away with Conti DWS on my e46 330i for six Boston winters, including ski trips, with no issue. Yes the Blizzaks I put on my next car (e46 330xi) were better but the all seasons were far from unusable even in heavy snow.

Thought about cheaping out and skipping winter tires this year in my Miata since I won’t have to drive in the snow, but it came with some Pirelli max performance summers that probably will stop working well even in the dry soon. Only ones I could find in the right size were some Pirelli performance winters, I’m sure they’ll be fine.

Also wanted to echo the comments on Ventus V12 .. just an unbelievably harsh and terrible tire. They came on my M3 and I dealt with them for a few years, but replaced with PSS that came on a set of ZCPs. Even going from V12 on 18 to used PSS on 19 inch wheels, the ride was just unbelievably better. Now running PS4S and they’re even better and grippier too.

[EthanolTurbo]

What do you suggest for all season tires?

MICHELIN A/S 4. I had the A/S3+ and they were wicked good for an all season.

[ATB88]

Welp, it's finally time to replace my firehawks and wanted to go PS4S this time. Looks like they're ultra sold out in stock 18 sizes :/ TireRack is quoting Feb shipping.

Anyone know if there's an alternate way to source these right now?

Any other alternative I should consider before just getting firehawks again?

TireAmerica has PSS's in stock.. is it worth paying the premium for those in the absence of being able to get PS4S'? What are the downsides on the PSS?


POSSIBLY INTERESTING ALTERNATIVE: I'm gonna be doing some skiing this winter (Mammoth), and have been curious about whether or not running an AS tire for the winter would allow my car to drive reasonably up there? I figure the answer's probably no, I'd need to go full winter tire for that kind of weather, but kinda curious if anyone has experience with Mammoth area driving in their M3s If I could get away with like a PS3AS+ for the winter, and that would make my car more usable for skiing, I'd be fine using that to hold me over until PS4S's after ski season's over. FWIW, I grew up in Canada driving in deep snow every winter, but that was always in a FWD car with dedicated snow tires. Really have no idea how useful a RWD car with AS tires (maybe with chains?) might be in snow.

[Tbonem3]

Ps4s blow pss out of the water, as good as pss were.

For me, the biggest thing was how harsh pss are. I had them in 19 and 18, yet my new 19" ps4s are way quieter and smoother than the 18 pss - was not expecting that. Plus more dry grip, plus wayyy better wet (which doesn't matter to most).

[liam821]

MICHELIN A/S 4. I had the A/S3+ and they were wicked good for an all season.

I have A/S3+ on my X5 - they're fantastic! I'm replacing them with A/S4's once its time. Super happy with them.

Welp, it's finally time to replace my firehawks and wanted to go PS4S this time. Looks like they're ultra sold out in stock 18 sizes :/ TireRack is quoting Feb shipping.

Anyone know if there's an alternate way to source these right now?

I had the same problem and went down that rabbit hole. I ended up with the Continental ExtermeContact Sports and have been extremely happy with them. They have a fantastic warranty, cost 25% less than the PS4s, are excellent in the rain, and are a very good summer tire with lots of grip.

Tha thread is here: https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...at-aren-t-ps4s