My new daily

[Wondermike]

Thanks guys for your opinions. I will start my search for a new set of 18" RF tires then.
Winter tires are already RF's but 17" so they feel more comfy to me.

What brand does BMW put on there wheels by the way?

[Jeroen]

Agree with the others. I still prefer non-RFT but without a decent spare things are different and I don't think you drive the car on the edge, or every day either.

Anyway, who cares what deal BMW closed on tires 7 years ago > what size do you need? Believe stock is 225/40-18 fronts and 255/35-18 rears. Further, I'm pretty sure they were supplied with Michelin PS2 fitted back in the day and these were ok. The current PS3 are eco rubbish.

[Wondermike]

Tire size is correct Jeroen. Load index 92 speed index Y. It's our daily car but almost only family trips, no circuit intensions yet.
For me rolling noise is more important or rather less noise. So a softer tire then?
Running Nokian now which are defo silent ones.

[Jeroen]

Nokian do a good job, their WR A3 Winter tyres are the best ones I've ever had. But in these sizes they apparently don't have any summer tyres anymore. Pirelli PZero RFT's may be a good alternative, even though it is likely they don't have them in the higher load indexes anymore.

So from what I can see what's available here this might be the best option: 225/40-18 88Y and 255/35-18 90Y
I see that there are still PS2's available in 88Y and 92Y but they are likely to be a bit more noisy

Since you don't need Y spec, I checked if W spec opened more options but not really

[Wondermike]

Nokian do a good job

Not really on my summer tires. Dotcode 2008 and completely dried out on the inside and outside.

[Jeroen]

Hmmmm I bought my winters last year with a 2012 production code. But these won't last more than 1 or 2 more winters so I guess we'll never know how they compare.

[TopCat]

Continental?

quieter than Khumo Ecsta

I run 18 standard on my MG ZT-T

have now got some 15 Granny Rover wheels with Winter tyres (Alpins) and decided to stick with 15 summer tyres - much better and quieter ride than the 18s and they last more than 12k miles!

[Jeroen]

Not available in both sizes it seems. I must say I was not too impressed by how the E46 handled on 18's even though they belonged to the M Tech kit. Too nervous in my opinion. Changed to 17's for both winter and summer and it's a much more relaxed ride, and more predictable when you cross the limits of grip. But I've never been a big fan of huge wheels, E30's do best on 15 or 16" as well and for an E21 I find 15" just fine.

[TopCat]

Honest John of the Daily Telegraph motoring section has a much more insidious explanation!

He claims that cars these days are supplied new with ludicrously low profile tyres at significant discount (to manufacturers ) as a money making exercise by the tyre suppliers who know that
1 the low profile tyres wear more quickly
2 they can charge more for these


and all because of the fashion for lower and lower profiles
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car ... tyres.html

[Jeroen]

People may like the looks but I don't like the handling.

[luke]

Agreed + there's the wheel weight to consider too - a typical aftermarket 18 inch rim weighs a lot more than a 15 inch rim, adding less responsive suspension to the fidgety ride!

I don't envy you guys needing both winter and summer runflats! We're spoiled down here in most parts of Australia as we only need summer tyres.

[Jeroen]

Just was at the local dealership and they hardly use anything else than Bridgestone RE 050 or S01's. Still available in both sizes and good overall and quiet. They even have them in stock in both sizes (RE 050). Load index 90 and 92 I believe.