[chuckles01]

It's about time to replace the OEM Pirelli Cinturato all-seasons on my F30, and I've narrowed it down to a few choices. I've thought long and hard about ditching run flats, but at the end, knowing my luck (and the extremely sh*t roads around where I live), I've decided to stick with run flats for a piece of mind.

I'm thinking of going from the stock 225/45/18s square --> 245/40/18, which gives me more options.

I've narrowed down to these 3. Does anyone have experience on these tires specifically?

1. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ ZP
2. Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT
3. Bridgestone DriveGuards

I don't track or race my car, just occasional spirited driving. I'd love extra grip of a higher performance tire, since my current OEM Cinturatos aren't great. Ideally not something that's super harsh or loud. I know in terms of comfort I'm handicapped by the fact that I'm going with run flats, but I've been reading that all these 3 tires are at least "okay" in the comfort / noise category. I know the DriveGuards are supposed to be comfortable and quiet, but they're my last option since they're all seasons so would probably be similar in terms of grip compared to my current OEM tires.

My top choice is currently the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ ZP, but they're listed as "new" on tirerack without any reviews. I know there's a non run flat version of this tire that has good reviews, but thought I'd check to see if anyone else on here has experience with the run flat versions, and/or with any of the others I'm debating between. The Bridgestone Potenzas also seem to have great reviews on tirerack, so... .

Thoughts appreciated in advance!

[.BMW.]

Also check your options with 245/45-18 tires.

That is OEM size for F10/F11, but fit just fine on F30, and should result in a few more alternatives.

[chuckles01]

Originally Posted by .BMW.

Also check your options with 245/45-18 tires.

That is OEM size for F10/F11, but fit just fine on F30, and should result in a few more alternatives.

Oh, never thought about that size. Just always assumed that it would be too big. It fits fine? No rubbing?

Between 245/40 and 245/45, what's a better option?

[.BMW.]

Originally Posted by chuckles01

Oh, never thought about that size. Just always assumed that it would be too big. It fits fine? No rubbing?

Between 245/40 and 245/45, what's a better option?

No rubbing with 245/45!

I like that size, fills the wheel wells a bit better and corrects the optimistic speedo that BMW's always has from factory.

[chuckles01]

Originally Posted by .BMW.

No rubbing with 245/45!

I like that size, fills the wheel wells a bit better and corrects the optimistic speedo that BMW's always has from factory.

Thanks! Just looked, ad although the Michelins above don't come in that size the Bridgestones do. I might consider this size, since I'm hoping the taller sidewall will help with ride quality.

Do you have any experience on either of the tires above?

[.BMW.]

Originally Posted by chuckles01

Do you have any experience on either of the tires above?

No I don't.

I live in Sweden and have to use dedicated winter tires 5-6 months a year, therefore I use summer performance tires (Michelin PSS) during the warmer season.

[chuckles01]

Originally Posted by .BMW.

No I don't.

I live in Sweden and have to use dedicated winter tires 5-6 months a year, therefore I use summer performance tires (Michelin PSS) during the warmer season.

Ah got it, thanks!

[2016340iMSport]

I had Bridgestone DriveGuards on my previous 2013 328i, good tire but not for F30 series, to sponginess and handling not as crisp, switched them for POTENZA RE970AS POLE POSITION (Discount Tire)

[chuckles01]

Originally Posted by 2016340iMSport

I had Bridgestone DriveGuards on my previous 2013 328i, good tire but not for F30 series, to sponginess and handling not as crisp, switched them for POTENZA RE970AS POLE POSITION (Discount Tire)

Hm... got it, sponginess and handling aside, how'd you find the dry / wet grip of the Driveguards?

[2016340iMSport]

no complaints about their wet/dry traction. A friend has them on his Infinity M45 and loves them.

[chuckles01]

Thanks, good to hear their dry/wet traction is good. I mainly want better traction compared to my all season Pirellis, since I've had quite a few white knuckle moments with them in emergency braking on the highway in dry and wet conditions. They're absolutely horrible.

[chuckles01]

Anyone have experience with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ ZP? Or, Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS RFT?

There are reviews on the Potenzas on Tirerack so I kinda have an idea (they seem like a decent tire), but not any of the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ ZP.

[arvi604]

My '13 F30 came with Driveguards from the dealer. Replaced them a month later. Comfortable and fine in dry and wet but just took a lot of handling feel away fromthe car and were awful in snow. Replaced with non RFT AS 3+ and couldn't be happier. Car is responsive and sharp and did fine when it snowed here for a few weeks. I'd expect the RFT version to be harsher and heavier.

[wdeerfield]

curious if anyone else has experience with the driveguards. Im looking to put them on my f10 to replace the awful GY Eagle LS2 RFT

[chuckles01]

Originally Posted by arvi604

My '13 F30 came with Driveguards from the dealer. Replaced them a month later. Comfortable and fine in dry and wet but just took a lot of handling feel away fromthe car and were awful in snow. Replaced with non RFT AS 3+ and couldn't be happier. Car is responsive and sharp and did fine when it snowed here for a few weeks. I'd expect the RFT version to be harsher and heavier.

Thanks, that's very helpful!

How do you find the ride / comfort / noise of the non run flat AS 3+s? The tread pattern of the run flat versions is the same so I'm guessing it'd be similar, by maybe just a tad firmer ride with the run flat like you said.

Did you notice a difference in dry / wet grip between the Driveguards and the AS 3+?

[arvi604]

Originally Posted by chuckles01

Thanks, that's very helpful!

How do you find the ride / comfort / noise of the non run flat AS 3+s? The tread pattern of the run flat versions is the same so I'm guessing it'd be similar, by maybe just a tad firmer ride with the run flat like you said.

Did you notice a difference in dry / wet grip between the Driveguards and the AS 3+?

The AS 3+'s ride is quite comfortable, maybe ever so slightly harsh and quiet. Huge difference between dry wet grip vs Driveguard. Much sharper, grippy feel. Honestly made the car way more fun to drive.

[chuckles01]

Originally Posted by arvi604

The AS 3+'s ride is quite comfortable, maybe ever so slightly harsh and quiet. Huge difference between dry wet grip vs Driveguard. Much sharper, grippy feel. Honestly made the car way more fun to drive.

You may have just sold it to me

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by chuckles01

It's about time to replace the OEM Pirelli Cinturato all-seasons on my F30, and I've narrowed it down to a few choices. I've thought long and hard about ditching run flats, but at the end, knowing my luck (and the extremely sh*t roads around where I live), I've decided to stick with run flats for a piece of mind.

I'm thinking of going from the stock 225/45/18s square --> 245/40/18, which gives me more options.

I've narrowed down to these 3. Does anyone have experience on these tires specifically?

1. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ ZP
2. Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT
3. Bridgestone DriveGuards

I don't track or race my car, just occasional spirited driving. I'd love extra grip of a higher performance tire, since my current OEM Cinturatos aren't great. Ideally not something that's super harsh or loud. I know in terms of comfort I'm handicapped by the fact that I'm going with run flats, but I've been reading that all these 3 tires are at least "okay" in the comfort / noise category. I know the DriveGuards are supposed to be comfortable and quiet, but they're my last option since they're all seasons so would probably be similar in terms of grip compared to my current OEM tires.

My top choice is currently the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ ZP, but they're listed as "new" on tirerack without any reviews. I know there's a non run flat version of this tire that has good reviews, but thought I'd check to see if anyone else on here has experience with the run flat versions, and/or with any of the others I'm debating between. The Bridgestone Potenzas also seem to have great reviews on tirerack, so... .

Thoughts appreciated in advance!

Michelin or Yokohama avid envigor

[Rhyme333]

Chuckles - did you get the tires?!?! I need new ones for my 340xi and wanted to know how these turned out for you?

[chuckles01]

Hey Rhyme333, sorry just seeing this message. Yes, I did end up getting the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ Run Flats. I've driven about 1000 miles on them and don't regret my choice.

My car originally came with the OEM all-season Pirelli Cinturatos, so for the Michelins I got a 245/40/18 square setup. The most noticeable improvement is steering response. Whereas the OEM Pirellis were a bit slow to respond and had a noticeable dead spot in the steering, the Michelins respond immediately when you turn. The steering feels a tad lighter due to the lower weight of the tires as well. The downside is, when I'm on the highway and it's windy out, I find myself having to make more minor corrections in the steering to keep the car straight. I took a few spirited corners in backroad driving and on highway onramps and the grip is great, although other than that I haven't had the chance to really push the car to test the limits of the grip, but so far so good. It hasn't rained since I got them, so I can't speak accurately to wet traction.

In terms of ride comfort, when I first got them, the ride felt just a tiny bit firmer than the Pirellis. It was most noticeable over sharp bumps or holes. However, the ride seems to have softened a little bit after those first 100 miles, maybe because the tires had the chance to wear in a little. Now, I don't feel a discernible difference between the ride on the Michelins vs. the Pirellis. For how the ride is on a performance run-flat tire, I can't complain. Noise levels are also just slightly higher, but honestly the difference is not noticeable after you've driven these for a while.

I have noticed that the ride on these tires is much more sensitive to tire pressure than the Pirellis were. The recommended pressure on my car is 32 front / 35 rear. I typically run a few more psi above the recommended, like 35 front / 38 rear. On the Pirellis, the ride was pretty much the same whether I ran on the recommended pressure vs. a few psi over. However, on the Michelins, the ride is noticeably firmer if I inflate them a little more.

Hope this helps - I think they're great tires and if I had to purchase them again, I would.

Originally Posted by Rhyme333

Chuckles - did you get the tires?!?! I need new ones for my 340xi and wanted to know how these turned out for you?

[chuckles01]

Originally Posted by Rhyme333

Chuckles - did you get the tires?!?! I need new ones for my 340xi and wanted to know how these turned out for you?

Here are some photos of the new tires and fitment: