[chrisbin]

Well after 21k miles I am rear tyre shopping again....

Original sizing is 265/35 R19

The original PS2's lasted c.11k miles, replaced with Conti's (£100 cheaper for the pair) and they have lasted c.10k miles.....(with no discernible difference in ride or handling).

Best price I can find for Conti's now is £550 fitted, or £515 online and then pay to have fitted...this is an increase of c. £100

Falkens seem to be recommended everywhere, but not available in this size...

Has anyone used 275/35's instead?

I've read that the Falkens seem to be quite "slim" so I'm wondering if the actual difference in width would be as great as 10mm??


/edited to correct duff information previously posted...

[doughboy]

They're amazing prices!!

My 18" conti 3's cost £600 and that was 18 months ago ago from the cheapest place i could find, and after haggling further.

At that rate the falkens must be free!! Where are you getting those 19" prices from? Did they fall off the back of a lorry?

Most places are nearer 1K for 19s contis / pS2 etc, your rear size lists at £300 plus, for one tyre on 3 places I just looked (event / black circles / camskill)

[chrisbin]

Prices are for a pair.....fronts are ok, and a different size!!

Sorry!

[creepy coupe]

I paid £106.00 each for the 452's I had on the 335i - 265.30/19

[chrisbin]

Falkens in 285/35 19 are £150 each......

[Hotcoupe]

Falken 452's are available in either:

275/30/19
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.p...=m55b443s342p0

275/35/19
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.p...=m55b443s338p0

The 285 is only available in '35'
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.p...=m55b443s474p0

I'm running 275/30's on the back with 235's on the front.

I would go up to a 285 on the rear if it was available in a '30'

[chrisbin]

Ahhhhh crap!!! I've been looking for so long I've confused myself!!!!

Sorry.....original size is 265/35, I'm considering going to 275/35....ignore the 285's.....!!!

Bloody tyres....!!!!!

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

I'm considering going to 275/35....ignore the 285's.....!!!

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.p...=m55b443s338p0

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.p...=m55b443s338p0

looks good....but any comment on how "wide" they are, or are not??

[Hotcoupe]

Chris, what wheels are you running - Classics or the Dynamics?

Classics come in both 9x19 & 9.5x19 - 8x19 & 8.5x19
Dynamics are just 9.5 x 19 and 8.5 x19.

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Chris, what wheels are you running - Classics or the Dynamics?

Dynamics mate

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

Prices are for a pair.....fronts are ok, and a different size!!

Sorry!

Sorry - my mistake - on a nice car like yours you'd consider using different tyres front and rear?? It's like putting a different shoe just on one foot, just cos one has got a bit more wear in it.

I'd always change all four, then sell the part worn fronts on ebay. I though everyone did that (who was an 'enthusiast', sorry for using that word).

To be able to assess or benefit from characteristics of tyres you need to run sets of the same type really, tyres are developed and tested always running the same tyre all round.

IMO no point in buying high end tyres, then mixing brands with possibly incompatible or opposing characteristics.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

Dynamics mate

So 8.5 x 19 & 9.5 x19.

Same size as my Alufelgens which I'm running with 275/30's.

They'll be fine on yours which is an E90 with more room in the rear arches.

Falken 452 - 275/30/19's ET35 on Bilsteins set quite low.

If you want a closer pic, shout.

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by doughboy

So on a nice car like yours you'd consider using different tyres front and rear??

I'd always change all four, then sell the part worn fronts on ebay. I though everyone did that (who was an 'enthusiast', sorry for using that word)

To appreciate or benefit from the matched characteristics of tyres you need to run sets of the same type really, tyres are developed and tested always running the same tyre all round.

IMO no point in buying high end tyres then mixing brands with possibly incompatible characteristics.

I've always understood that matched across axles was the key issue....

I changed rears to Conti's while I still had Michelin's on the front and I'm happy to say that there was no discernible difference...lets be honest, we're talking about driving on public roads here....

My opinion is there's a lot of bull surrounding tyres, given that these days there are so many quality standards/legislation etc that need to be met...

When the fronts wear out then I will get some of the same type to match up...as I always have....for the last 30 odd years......


ps not sure why you're apologising for "enthusiast"...??

[doughboy]

Absolutely, i'm not suggesting anything other than public road use.

I'm not saying it's dangerous either, just not a good place to be IMO.

When you've spent all that money on a nice motor, why compromise on what is the the most important apect of the cars ride and handling.

Falkens are so cheap you and SO different in look and feel from contis / PS2 etc you can't really object to changing all 4.

And people who aren't fussed about it will pay good money for part worns on ebay.

[chrisbin]

Hotcoupe - many thanks, very helpful. Any comments on how they "feel"....??

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

Hotcoupe - many thanks, very helpful. Any comments on how they "feel"....??

They do me Chris, and despite some people's thoughts/comments on Falken tyres, I and umpteen other BMW drivers on E90 Post/BMWland/Pistonheads and countless other forums generally rate the tyre.

As you say, generally most people drive on UK roads and within their own capabilities, which for some is at NSL's or for others at more than NSL's, within either of those boundaries the Falkens work for me.

I've been buying Falkens for years, not necessarily because there a cheaper tyre, but because they do what I require a tyre to do.
Sure there are better tyres out there, but I'm not one to buy a dearer tyre because of the brand name that goes around the perimeter.

The above is not a dig, just a general observation.

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

They do me Chris, and despite some people's thoughts/comments on Falken tyres, I and umpteen other BMW drivers on E90 Post/BMWland/Pistonheads and countless other forums generally rate the tyre.

As you say, generally most people drive on UK roads and within their own capabilities, which for some is at NSL's or for others at more than NSL's, within either of those boundaries the Falkens work for me.

I've been buying Falkens for years, not necessarily because there a cheaper tyre, but because they do what I require a tyre to do.
Sure there are better tyres out there, but I'm not one to buy a dearer tyre because of the brand name that goes around the perimeter.

The above is not a dig, just a general observation.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

ps not sure why you're apologising for "enthusiast"...??

Me neither! Just some might think it a bit cheesy (not me).

Falkens FK452 are great - no dispute there, i used them on my 06 E90 330i in the last few weeks before I sold it. The falkens are so soft (almost feel like the rubber that pencil erasers are made of), you can literally feel the rubber smearing on the road, I really can't imagine what they will drive like when mixed with a much firmer Conti 3 or PS2 up front.

Tyres are not uniform chunks of euro rubber all complying to the same specs, they are all very different in their characterisics. Of all the changes you can make to a ROAD car, the tyres will make the BIGGEST change in handling and ride.

So to say tyres are 'all the same' and that pricing is all down to brand image is a bit much IMO.

For example, mixing PS2 and Conti 3's, especially in the wet must be very hairy. The Contis have such progressive breakaway in the wet, whereas the PS2 are grip/no grip, with PS2 on the back you'll be lucky to stay out of a ditch for long!

But it doen'st matter I suppose - we've all got ESP now to keep us on the road... may as well buy some £50 nanchang-kamikaze's instead.

[chrisbin]

Thanks for the observations doughboy.

My actual experience of PS2's and Conti's as a mixture was very different from what you presume....so I guess we'll have to agree to differ there....

Don't think anyone has said that "all tyres are the same", I certainly don't think that. However, I DO think that the differences that we are supposed to feel, according to the motoring press, are overstated.

None of us seem to worry about swapping RFT's for non-RFT's (including me on a previous E92).....would seem to be significant differences there.....

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

None of us seem to worry about swapping RFT's for non-RFT's (including me on a previous E92).....would seem to be significant differences there.....

Significant differences yes, and changed as a full set of 4, no problems. But that's why mixing RFT and non RFT is specifically warned against and prohibited by tyre manufacturers, would invalidate insurance and possibly lead to prosecution after an accident.

I'm just a regular driver, but the real world difference between PS2 and Conti 3 in the wet are about as far apart as they can be for a summer tyre.

My experience with any tyre (CS3 and PS2 and FK452 included) has alwasy been in sets of 4, but I think from the initial post you had the better/safer mix - PS2 front / CS3 rear - so more wet-grip at the rear would just increase understeer tendancy and make the car more stable in wet conditions. The other way round would be more iffy for sure.


BTW - mine are up soon, so this debate is close to my wallet too. But i'll be changing all 4 . The falkens are so cheap, its seems a no brainer with all the + feedback they get.

[chrisbin]

Well, its tyre time again!!!

This time I'm looking for a set of 4 so that will keep doughboy happy!

I was pretty impressed by the Falkens on the rear last time - sized up to 275/30/19, partly due to the style and partly due to them not making 265/35/19.

Question is, what size fronts would I use...stick to the oem 245/35/19??

Any suggestions of other styles which are reasonably priced will also be welcome...Ta!