Need to get summer tires, but I'm having trouble deciding which...

R608 · 04-07-2012, 01:10 PM

I'm going in circles with what summer-use tires to get as replacements for my completely shot Bridgestone RE050s which have at least three seasons on them, and could be original for all I know.

The Bridgestones' ride hasn't bothered me, and I like the way they handle. The tramlining, however, has been bad (horrible if I don't keep the front tires inflated above 30psi), and I'd like the next tires not to have such a strong tendency toward doing that.

I'm trying to keep costs down while preserving the enjoyment of the car, so here are the options I was considering:

Khumo Ecsta 4X or Ecsta LE Sport -- These guys are cheap while still getting great reviews. I'm concerned about how civilized they'll be as they age, however. The scores don't really suggest a benefit to the summer-only LE Sport over the 4X, so I'm wondering why I wouldn't want to get the A/S 4X with it's longer tread life, unless the customer scores aren't really comparable between tire classes. (?)
Continental ExtremeContact DW -- These are still reasonably priced, but I'm worried about steering response, especially with my 17" wheels. I'm also not sure about Continental's quality, but maybe that's unfair.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport -- I'll confess to being somewhat of a Michelin fan, and these look to be almost ideal tires, but they're a little more costly up front, and I wonder how long they'll last. More importantly, I'm not even sure if they're an option. They used to come up as one of the choices for my car, but my 255/40-17 rear tire size no longer seems to be available?

I've read the reviews, but can anyone offer any other advice on these tires, or others that I should be considering instead?

asus389 · 04-07-2012, 03:33 PM

I have the same car as you and I just got the bridgestone s04 pole position (non RFT) because unlike the PSS, they make it in the rear 255/40 17 size. I picked them because according to the tirerack test they have better steering response than pretty much all but the PSS. Since I was switching from RFT, I was concerned to preserve a bit of this feeling since I knew I would lose some in the switch.

I am going to mount them in the next week or so after I get an alignment and I'll report back my impressions.

Gary@TireRack · 04-09-2012, 10:36 AM

If you're looking at customer survey data, keep in mind that those score are only comparable against other tires in the same category. In other words, an all season tire that scores an 8 for handling wouldn't be better than a max performance tire that scores a 7 in handling.

Like asus389 mentioned, in 255/40R17 the Bridgestone S04 Pole Position would be the way to go if you're after handling and grip similar to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (the PSS is not made in 255/40R17).

Both the Conti DW and Kumho ECSTA LE sport are good tires for the price, but both will have slower steering response and a bit less dry grip/corning grip than the PSS or S04.

Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ires/index.jsp

vasillalov · 04-09-2012, 10:58 AM

Michelin PSS.

/thread

Gary@TireRack · 04-09-2012, 01:01 PM

Unfortunately, the Pilot Super Sport is not made in 255/40R17.

VMRWheels · 04-09-2012, 04:48 PM

Go with the PSS if you're willing to pay a bit more. It'll be worth it imo.

R608 · 04-10-2012, 06:47 AM

I guess I'm inclined to drop the Ecsta 4X out of the running and stick to summer tires if those scores aren't directly comparable. Looks like the PSS is out too. I really wish those would fit.

The s04PP looks like it could be good, though there's very limited feedback on it and I'm not sure how bothered to be by the comments of excessive tread wear on them...

What about with regard to tramlining? Any feedback or reason to believe that any of these tires will be better or worse than the others, particularly as they age?

Thanks for the input so far.

04-07-2012, 01:10 PM	#1
R608 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 2011 328i M-Sport (RWD/6MT) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: WNY iTrader: (0)	Need to get summer tires, but I'm having trouble deciding which... I'm going in circles with what summer-use tires to get as replacements for my completely shot Bridgestone RE050s which have at least three seasons on them, and could be original for all I know. The Bridgestones' ride hasn't bothered me, and I like the way they handle. The tramlining, however, has been bad (horrible if I don't keep the front tires inflated above 30psi), and I'd like the next tires not to have such a strong tendency toward doing that. I'm trying to keep costs down while preserving the enjoyment of the car, so here are the options I was considering: Khumo Ecsta 4X or Ecsta LE Sport -- These guys are cheap while still getting great reviews. I'm concerned about how civilized they'll be as they age, however. The scores don't really suggest a benefit to the summer-only LE Sport over the 4X, so I'm wondering why I wouldn't want to get the A/S 4X with it's longer tread life, unless the customer scores aren't really comparable between tire classes. (?) Continental ExtremeContact DW -- These are still reasonably priced, but I'm worried about steering response, especially with my 17" wheels. I'm also not sure about Continental's quality, but maybe that's unfair. Michelin Pilot Super Sport -- I'll confess to being somewhat of a Michelin fan, and these look to be almost ideal tires, but they're a little more costly up front, and I wonder how long they'll last. More importantly, I'm not even sure if they're an option. They used to come up as one of the choices for my car, but my 255/40-17 rear tire size no longer seems to be available? I've read the reviews, but can anyone offer any other advice on these tires, or others that I should be considering instead? Last edited by R608; 04-07-2012 at 01:17 PM..
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04-07-2012, 03:33 PM	#2
asus389 Captain 68 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 11 E90 328i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i [0.00]	I have the same car as you and I just got the bridgestone s04 pole position (non RFT) because unlike the PSS, they make it in the rear 255/40 17 size. I picked them because according to the tirerack test they have better steering response than pretty much all but the PSS. Since I was switching from RFT, I was concerned to preserve a bit of this feeling since I knew I would lose some in the switch. I am going to mount them in the next week or so after I get an alignment and I'll report back my impressions.
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04-09-2012, 10:36 AM	#3
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	If you're looking at customer survey data, keep in mind that those score are only comparable against other tires in the same category. In other words, an all season tire that scores an 8 for handling wouldn't be better than a max performance tire that scores a 7 in handling. Like asus389 mentioned, in 255/40R17 the Bridgestone S04 Pole Position would be the way to go if you're after handling and grip similar to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (the PSS is not made in 255/40R17). Both the Conti DW and Kumho ECSTA LE sport are good tires for the price, but both will have slower steering response and a bit less dry grip/corning grip than the PSS or S04. Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ires/index.jsp __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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04-09-2012, 10:58 AM	#4
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose 1121 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Sedan, 2023 M3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 335i E90 [8.00]	Michelin PSS. /thread __________________ 6MT \| COBB \| AR \| AE \| Forge DV \| HPF \| P3 Gauge \| Hybrid Intake \| O.S.Giken TCD \| All M3 bits \| TCKLine \| StopTech \| UUC \| ER \| SPEC
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04-09-2012, 01:01 PM	#5
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	Unfortunately, the Pilot Super Sport is not made in 255/40R17. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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04-09-2012, 04:48 PM	#6
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]	Go with the PSS if you're willing to pay a bit more. It'll be worth it imo. __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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04-10-2012, 06:47 AM	#7
R608 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 2011 328i M-Sport (RWD/6MT) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: WNY iTrader: (0)	I guess I'm inclined to drop the Ecsta 4X out of the running and stick to summer tires if those scores aren't directly comparable. Looks like the PSS is out too. I really wish those would fit. The s04PP looks like it could be good, though there's very limited feedback on it and I'm not sure how bothered to be by the comments of excessive tread wear on them... What about with regard to tramlining? Any feedback or reason to believe that any of these tires will be better or worse than the others, particularly as they age? Thanks for the input so far.
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