[E90F30er]

Hi, I need to replace all 4 tyres but was thinking of trying something different from S001s but it has to be a Premium brand (i.e. Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli) and Run Flats.

Any suggestions are welcome. Also I want to pay roughly the same amount of £ or less than the S001s. Thanks.

P.S. I was told that only Bridgestone run flats can be repaired after puncture. Is this correct - other brands are non-repairable?

[mmm-five]

The possibility of a runflat repair will depend on where the puncture is and whether the tyre repair garage wants to do it (company policy may be to not offer repairs as they can't tell how far the tyre has been driven on flat).

But if you're looking at 4 new runflats, you've got a more limited choice of tyres than non-runflats.

What sizes are you running (I'm on staggered 19's, so what's available for mine might not be available for you - and I've got Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 3 RFTs).

[E90F30er]

Front: 225/45/R18/Y91

Rear: 255/40/R18/Y95

[mmm-five]

In premium runflats you’re probably limited to Goodyear F1 A3 ROF, Michelin PS4 ZP, Continental SportContact 5 SSR, Pirelli P7 Cinturato.

Next tier down would be give you the option of Hankook Ventus Evo 3 HRS, or Falken FK520 FEXM, but you’d be saving £10-£20.

I have the Goodyears on mine, but that because I only needed 2 and these were available next day, but I’ve got no complaints about them.

[sunnys1ngh]

If wanting RFT then Goodyears Asy are good. No idea what the latest RFT of goodyear are. But i switched my s001 RFT to Goodyear ASY 2 RFT and they were prefect. Grip well. Last Long.

Now running Non RFT ASY 6 and they are perfect too.

[mmm-five]

Originally Posted by sunnys1ngh

No idea what the latest RFT of goodyear are. But i switched my s001 RFT to Goodyear ASY 2 RFT and they were prefect. Grip well. Last Long.

The latest Goodyear runflat is the Asy 3.

If I’d needed 4 tyres then I’d have switched to non-runflats, probably the Continental SportContact 7.

My winter wheels run staggered 18” non-runflat Continental AllSeasonContact 2.

[sunnys1ngh]

Originally Posted by mmm-five

The latest Goodyear runflat is the Asy 3.

If I’d needed 4 tyres then I’d have switched to non-runflats, probably the Continental SportContact 7.

My winter wheels run staggered 18” non-runflat Continental AllSeasonContact 2.

I have run Non Rft rear and RFT front before. It honestly doesn't do anything bad and still handles like a dream. I didn't want to replace all 4 especially as the Fronts were still on 5mm tread at the time. I was sceptical at first as many had advised against it. But i didn't notice any bad effects. But i dont care about comfort in my car. So any harsher ride i prefer.

If RWD i suppose it wont do anything major mechanical wise.
Xdrive unsure on as they are fussy on tyres.

But doing this my Car still gripped well. Was good in the corners still. Putting ASY6 on front after ovs made things better. But thats also cause im running wider tyres now and also ovs got more grip new. But when i did do this set up. Worked a treat. Also know one other person who tried it and was fine

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

Hi, I need to replace all 4 tyres but was thinking of trying something different from S001s but it has to be a Premium brand (i.e. Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli) and Run Flats.

If premium brand and RFT I would stick with Michelin ZP, Goodyear, Conti in that order however, Michelin will be more expensive than Bridgestones and out of the lot Bridgestones are the worst rock hard and awful grip by comparison.

Although I can see why some favour RFT, why are you against non premium tyres? My 540i tourer came with Goodyear RFT, okay the profiles are low and suffered bulges etc due to that but they were pretty poor alround. I switched to Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 in the same sizes and non run flat and they are superb, equally as good as non runflat G/Y Assy 6 IMO. And I see no reason why the RFT version would not be acceptable.

FYI BMW & Audi both use Hankook tyres as OEM versions too...... Maybe work a look?
BMW * rated Hankook.... https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s505..._Noise%3A_69dB

[Ennoch]

I certainly don't recommend the Pirelli PZ4 RFT; feels heavy, glidey in the wet, aquaplanes more easily than many which combined with the glide and skittishness makes it feel quite unplanted in the wet. Almost as bad as the OEM Bridgestones!

[Kermit]

Im changing from F1 AS2s run-flats to F1 AS6s plus a goo kit shortly

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Kermit

Im changing from F1 AS2s run-flats to F1 AS6s plus a goo kit shortly

Best thing you can do IMO - plus they're superb tyres

[E90F30er]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

Front: 225/45 R18 91Y

Rear: 255/40 R18 95Y

Say for the Front, if 91Y are hard to find can I use 95Y? What about 91W?

Thanks

[mmm-five]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

Say for the Front, if 91Y are hard to find can I use 95Y? What about 91W?

Thanks

Higher number will be fine - just don't go lower than what's listed in the manual or on the door jamb as that could cause an issue in the unlikely event your insurer decides to inspect the car after an accident. Too high on the weight rating may just give you a stiffer sidewall, so more NVH into the car or through the steering wheel.

Y and W tyres are both rated for speeds in excess of 155mph anyway (168mph for W and 186mph for Y), so either would work fine on the car. Even 'Z' is rated for 155mph+.

[Sasquartch]

I've never really understood the hate for Bridgestones, they were absolutely fine on my 328i and lasted really well

I've had Continentals, Pirellis and Michelins and I never noticed a massive difference, Michelins seem a little softer and more comfortable (In Primacy flavour)

I generally just stick to premium brands, some midrange is good value eg Hankook, Nexen, Kumho. Just avoid the cheap Acceleras, Happy Gallops, Joyroad, Lingalong etc etc and you'll be fine

The problem is it's almost impossible to get truly accurate reviews, each tyre is available in multiple different sizes and ratings, can be fitted to a multitude of different cars and can't realistically be reviewed over their entire life. I'd probably bet that a brand new budget tyre feels better than a worn out premium make

[JimmyJab340]

We've just been in the same position and swapped out all 4 Bridgestones for the Goodyear F1 Asymetric 6. On a cracking deal with 20% off 4 tyres at our local National Tyres, who I have to say done a great job.

Car feels slightly less bumpy now!

[Kermit]

That's a good find! I cant see the * marked AS6s though, which is a shame... But do I care when saving £142!?!

[mmm-five]

Originally Posted by Kermit

That's a good find! I cant see the * marked AS6s though, which is a shame... But do I care when saving £142!?!

If you're running 19's, then:

Fronts:
https://www.blackcircles.com/brands/...?tyre=46150219

Rears:
https://www.blackcircles.com/brands/...?tyre=48108989

Both BMW * rated, but one of them also has BMW i rating for EV-readiness.

[JimmyJab340]

Originally Posted by Kermit

That's a good find! I cant see the * marked AS6s though, which is a shame... But do I care when saving £142!?!

Yeah, I can't say I was too fussed, getting 4 new tyres for £571 fully fitted!

[bennysbimmers]

I don’t use run flats, I currently run continental sport contact 7s, I find they have more grip and they’re also cheaper than PS4S

[Ennoch]

This last week I've found myself back in this position as the winters will come off at some point in the next 3-4 weeks (still had a wild drive down the A9 over the easter weekend so there's still the potential for snow to come). So I've been thinking of what to go with, and the answer, I think, is PS4S.

The car came with S001 RFT's which understeered and oversteered due to both a lack of grip, stiff sidewalls, and zero feel, and would sometimes do both in the same corner. Sure, better suspension would probably help but the core handling traits of the tyres would remain the same. Putting the PS4S's on was transformatory. Handling (for a road car) was balanced, with the ability to easily control under and oversteer from the inherent chassis characteristics, ride was much better, and the crucial communication from the wheels on rough roads was much improved. That set met its end with a hole in the sidewall from a pothole that left me stranded so when Highland Council paid out for the damage I went with a set of star marked PZ4 RFT's (especially as I'd not long had a transfer case replaced). These immediately took me back to the days of the S001's; glidey, not confidence inspiring, and generally crap. In fact they really hampered enjoyment of the car. Now it's not purely a RFT thing as the Sottozero 3's I was running at the time in winter were RFT too and they had none of these traits. In fact the traits of the PZ4 are similar to every single summer Pirelli I've ever used in the lack of feel and poor grip on greasy roads, despite lots of glowing reviews of them at the time (which is why I decided on them). So now, despite lots of people saying the PS4S are now an old tyre, that the Conti SC7 is much grippier, the Good Year AS6 cheaper etc, I just find myself being drawn back to the Michelins. The old PS2 was an amazing tyre, gripped well and lasted forever, right down to the wear markers which is something else Michelin seem to do better than anyone else, and which I thought they'd replicated well with the PS4S. I'm not even sure I want to go down the star marked PS4S as it has different compounds and sidewall structure, and I'm not sure whether that would help or hinder what the standard aftermarket tyre does so well. While a soft sidewall limits turn in sharpness, if you work with it there's less susceptibility for it to be bounced off line on rough corner tarmac.

So yeah, not sure that adds anything other than to say I don't believe tyre reviews online much, and neither do forums always give an unbiased answer as everyone wants different things; just because you have a quick car doesn't mean you drive hard on country roads, and nor does having the slower version mean you don't drive hard on country roads.

[Kermit]

In a similar vein Ive also taken the RFT WinterContact 860S off and I have to say they're lovely tyres. It could be that they're 18" not 19" that the summers are on, but they ride so well for a) a winter tyre and b) a run flat. Shame they turn to jelly at anything above 10 degrees but that's to be expected.

Im also a fully paid up member of The People's Front Against Bridgestones due to previous experiences but read that the PZ5s have turned the tables completely. Not seen any around though...?

[Ennoch]

Originally Posted by Kermit

In a similar vein Ive also taken the RFT WinterContact 860S off and I have to say they're lovely tyres. It could be that they're 18" not 19" that the summers are on, but they ride so well for a) a winter tyre and b) a run flat. Shame they turn to jelly at anything above 10 degrees but that's to be expected.

Im also a fully paid up member of The People's Front Against Bridgestones due to previous experiences but read that the PZ5s have turned the tables completely. Not seen any around though...?

I've got the slightly older TS850 P as the 860 wasn't available in the 245/45/18 I wanted but they're great. Three winters (so probably about 15k miles) and the rears are just about done in (2mm) but still great performance in the cold and snow. The previous Sottos I used were on 19's and like for like size to the summers I use and beat the PZ4's all round. My PZ4 experiment was enough to convince me that Pirelli just don't build a cool and greasy compatible summer tyre, probably because they don't put enough silica in but that's just a guess. The reviews could say the PZ5 were the best tyre they've ever driven and I'd still not believe them at this point.