So Many Tire Choices!!

Hooy · 03-07-2011, 04:19 PM

I'm currently running 225/45/17 Dunlop Star Specs all around, but just got a staggered set of 18" OEM wheels.

I'm having a hard time deciding which tires I want to run. I'm on a budget and do not track the car, but still love the look and cornering grip of "extreme" summer tires. I live in Houston, so no need for anything short of Max summers...

Here's my list so far!

Extreme:
Dunlop Star Specs - have these now, love them, not sure if I want to try something different.
Hankook R-S3's - not much feedback out there, seems to wear faster than Star Specs? Love the look.
Nitto NT05 - I have such an erection for these, but they do not come in 255 widths. Does anyone have personal experience with these? Do they run skinny or wide? Can I run a 265 on an 8.5" rim, or should I go 245?
Falken 615K - Like the look,ish, but hear some negatives about them like sucking ass in rain and wearing too fast.

Max:
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - Pricey, new and largely untested, but looks to be the real deal.
Extreme Contact DW - The go-to max tire, but might be overshadowed by Super Sport real soon?
NT555 - know very little about it, but much better looking than the above
Invo - Looks are very hit and miss, mostly miss with me, but I hear great things about it.

I'm looking for a tire with a stiff sidewall and "blocky" and beefy appearance. My Dunlops have very square shoulders, and I love it. Here is my current setup!

I know the picture is big and my hood isn't seated right

VMRWheels · 03-08-2011, 12:20 PM

For a pretty affordable summer tire that works really well, I would look into the Dunlop Z1SS first. 2nd, I would take a look at the Falken RT615K or the Hankook RS3.

-Charles@VMRWheels

MicaCeli · 03-08-2011, 01:08 PM

Dunlops are fantastic. Stick with those.

Hooy · 03-10-2011, 12:20 PM

I'd really like someone with Nitto/Falken/R-S3 experience to chime in! I already have the Dunlops, so I wouldn't mind trying something new.

cisach · 03-10-2011, 01:40 PM

more on "Super Sport" ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttbmer

Yeah 1^ that.
Summer is coming up here in Vegas too, I don't drive much but I do need sticky tires too, don't really care abt the rain Cus it doesn't rain very much here. But I do want to go 295.

The Super Sport is a brand new tire replacing the PS2. Here's a link detailing its debut in Dubai.

bkrM3 · 03-10-2011, 03:18 PM

Sorry in advance for the

What color is your car? It's awesome

I'm currently trying to decide between Conti DW and Hankooks myself...I keep hearing the DW is so great but the sidewall is so soft blah blah. Coming from the stiffness of the oem RFT (and I like that sharp feel) I have no idea what to do...other than avoid spending 1500 on a set of michelins that im going to have to replace in another year lol

Hooy · 03-10-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkr335

Sorry in advance for the

What color is your car? It's awesome

I'm currently trying to decide between Conti DW and Hankooks myself...I keep hearing the DW is so great but the sidewall is so soft blah blah. Coming from the stiffness of the oem RFT (and I like that sharp feel) I have no idea what to do...other than avoid spending 1500 on a set of michelins that im going to have to replace in another year lol

Atlantic Blue

Pretty rare! I made a thread calling out the other AB members and there was only one other... and it was his first post.

Honestly, I think you get what you pay for with Hankooks (V12's?). The DW has rave reviews left and right, it's definitely the safer choice in terms of quality.

jeremy5000 · 03-10-2011, 04:01 PM

The Hankook V12s are a great tire from what I hear, but if you can afford it I'd just go with the Dunlops again.

Hooy · 03-10-2011, 06:29 PM

I've settled on NT05's! Thanks for any input guys.

jeremy5000 · 03-10-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooy

I've settled on NT05's! Thanks for any input guys.

I've heard good things about the NT05s, you will have to give a comparison to the Star Specs.

Hooy · 03-10-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy5000

I've heard good things about the NT05s, you will have to give a comparison to the Star Specs.

I definitely will, although it won't be fair. Star Specs are on 17x8 square setup whereas the NT05 will be on an 18" staggered setup. I assume understeer will be worse with the 18's just because they're staggered.

jeremy5000 · 03-10-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooy

I definitely will, although it won't be fair. Star Specs are on 17x8 square setup whereas the NT05 will be on an 18" staggered setup. I assume understeer will be worse with the 18's just because they're staggered.

Yea, staggered setup will cause more understeer, but a staggered setup on these e9Xs looks amazing.

Hooy · 03-10-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy5000

Yea, staggered setup will cause more understeer, but a staggered setup on these e9Xs looks amazing.

I will def post pictures and a review soon. Gonna need new spacers though, 20mm pushes the 8.5 wheels out a bit too far.

bkrM3 · 03-11-2011, 07:45 AM

Where'd you get the NT05s btw? Local? Online? Tire rack apparently doesn't carry those but I keep hearing they're great. Thanks!

Hooy · 03-11-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkr335

Where'd you get the NT05s btw? Local? Online? Tire rack apparently doesn't carry those but I keep hearing they're great. Thanks!

Local shop is ordering them from somewhere... you can find them on discounttiredirect.com , though.

03-07-2011, 04:19 PM	#1
Hooy Colonel 205 Rep 2,770 Posts Drives: E92 328i, E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 E92 328 [5.00]	So Many Tire Choices!! I'm currently running 225/45/17 Dunlop Star Specs all around, but just got a staggered set of 18" OEM wheels. I'm having a hard time deciding which tires I want to run. I'm on a budget and do not track the car, but still love the look and cornering grip of "extreme" summer tires. I live in Houston, so no need for anything short of Max summers... Here's my list so far! Extreme: Dunlop Star Specs - have these now, love them, not sure if I want to try something different. Hankook R-S3's - not much feedback out there, seems to wear faster than Star Specs? Love the look. Nitto NT05 - I have such an erection for these, but they do not come in 255 widths. Does anyone have personal experience with these? Do they run skinny or wide? Can I run a 265 on an 8.5" rim, or should I go 245? Falken 615K - Like the look,ish, but hear some negatives about them like sucking ass in rain and wearing too fast. Max: Michelin Pilot Super Sport - Pricey, new and largely untested, but looks to be the real deal. Extreme Contact DW - The go-to max tire, but might be overshadowed by Super Sport real soon? NT555 - know very little about it, but much better looking than the above Invo - Looks are very hit and miss, mostly miss with me, but I hear great things about it. I'm looking for a tire with a stiff sidewall and "blocky" and beefy appearance. My Dunlops have very square shoulders, and I love it. Here is my current setup! I know the picture is big and my hood isn't seated right
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03-08-2011, 12:20 PM	#2
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2038 Rep 25,989 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	For a pretty affordable summer tire that works really well, I would look into the Dunlop Z1SS first. 2nd, I would take a look at the Falken RT615K or the Hankook RS3. -Charles@VMRWheels __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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03-08-2011, 01:08 PM	#3
MicaCeli First Lieutenant 186 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 07 e90 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2000 996 C4 [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00] 2001 B5 S4 Avant [0.00]	Dunlops are fantastic. Stick with those.
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03-10-2011, 12:20 PM	#4
Hooy Colonel 205 Rep 2,770 Posts Drives: E92 328i, E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 E92 328 [5.00]	I'd really like someone with Nitto/Falken/R-S3 experience to chime in! I already have the Dunlops, so I wouldn't mind trying something new.
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03-10-2011, 01:40 PM	#5
cisach Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 217 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe BSM/CR Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Jax iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	more on "Super Sport" ?
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03-10-2011, 02:32 PM	#6
ttbmer Lieutenant Colonel 68 Rep 1,943 Posts Drives: space gray on black 07 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: las Vegas nv iTrader: (15)	Yeah 1^ that. Summer is coming up here in Vegas too, I don't drive much but I do need sticky tires too, don't really care abt the rain Cus it doesn't rain very much here. But I do want to go 295. __________________ PROCEDE, PWM Vishnu Kit, AR catless DP, BMS DCI, Helix IC, P3 gauge, 25% window tint, mattblack window trim, mattblack roof wrapped. Vorstainer CSL trunk, CF wrapped interior, 18'' Forgestar F14 Matt black, quaife LSD, M3 suspension bits, Mtech front bumper). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8JIB8C8HDA
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03-10-2011, 03:18 PM	#8
bkrM3 Major 73 Rep 1,388 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Main Line iTrader: (9) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [9.50]	Sorry in advance for the What color is your car? It's awesome I'm currently trying to decide between Conti DW and Hankooks myself...I keep hearing the DW is so great but the sidewall is so soft blah blah. Coming from the stiffness of the oem RFT (and I like that sharp feel) I have no idea what to do...other than avoid spending 1500 on a set of michelins that im going to have to replace in another year lol __________________ E90 M3 Space/Fox/6MT E92 335i BSM/Saddle/6MT - Sold
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03-10-2011, 04:01 PM	#10
jeremy5000 4 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 98 M3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Chester, PA iTrader: (0)	The Hankook V12s are a great tire from what I hear, but if you can afford it I'd just go with the Dunlops again.
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03-10-2011, 06:29 PM	#11
Hooy Colonel 205 Rep 2,770 Posts Drives: E92 328i, E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 E92 328 [5.00]	I've settled on NT05's! Thanks for any input guys.
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03-11-2011, 07:45 AM	#16
bkrM3 Major 73 Rep 1,388 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Main Line iTrader: (9) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [9.50]	Where'd you get the NT05s btw? Local? Online? Tire rack apparently doesn't carry those but I keep hearing they're great. Thanks! __________________ E90 M3 Space/Fox/6MT E92 335i BSM/Saddle/6MT - Sold
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