Tyre Options

[Wilko58]

I'm just about to buy a new set of tyres and narrowed it down to:

Uniroyal Rainsport 3

and

Dunlop SportMaxx RT2

I'm running staggered 225/40 and 255/35 18s on a pre-facelift 2.8. The Dunlops are around £60 dearer for the set.

Which would you buy or suggest an alternative?

Cheers

 

[5harp3y]

Ive run Uniroyals in the past and liked them.

never had Dunlops (on anything apart from a moped)

 

[IJSK]

Really pleased with my Rainsport 3s on my 2.2i. Very surefooted in the wet and comfy ride - only 16” wheels though.

 

[Dino D]

I’ve got the Hankook Ventus V12 on my 17’s. They feel great I wet and dry.

They don’t have an ‘outside’ marker so you can swap them over on the rims to balance the camber wear - not an issue if you don’t do big miles though as the tyres will probably age first!

 

[Wilko58]

I had Rainsport 3s on the rear but then switched to the Dunlops (rear only) both seem good to me.
Only asking as I've got a new set of wheels that need tyres and want the whole matching set.
The only difference in labelling is that the Dunlops are supposed to be 3db quieter.

 

[andyglym]

I've got Avon's on mine, work a treat and very happy.

 

[Howard]

I have Firestone’s on my Z3(3.0i), went back to the original size of 16 inch rims. Handles so much better as the suspension was designed and set up by BMW, I’m sure many folk will disagree.
H

 

[G4FUJ]

I've got Avon's on mine, work a treat and very happy.

Which ones Andy?
I'm contemplating ZV7 in the future. The virtually new tyres on the car when I bought it are not great. Sure they stick, but tramline badly. Can't remember the make/model at present (and it's dark out). I have been playing with pressures around the recommended but no difference noted.

 

[andyglym]

Which ones Andy?
I'm contemplating ZV7 in the future. The virtually new tyres on the car when I bought it are not great. Sure they stick, but tramline badly. Can't remember the make/model at present (and it's dark out). I have been playing with pressures around the recommended but no difference noted.

I think that's the ones mate, looked through my progress thread but can't seem to find the bit about tyres. Post shocks and tyres I have no tramlining whatsoever. Sorry, can't look as I'm miles away at the mo.

 

[Antm72]

I have rainsports too great tyre but have an outside edge so csn not be rotated if camber cause wear but very happy with the tyres

 

[andyglym]

Which ones Andy?
I'm contemplating ZV7 in the future. The virtually new tyres on the car when I bought it are not great. Sure they stick, but tramline badly. Can't remember the make/model at present (and it's dark out). I have been playing with pressures around the recommended but no difference noted.

Got it.

255/35/R18 Avon ZZ5 94Y XL Rears
225/40/R18 Avon ZV7 92W. Fronts.

 

[G4FUJ]

Got it.
255/35/R18 Avon ZZ5 94Y XL Rears
225/40/R18 Avon ZV7 92W. Fronts.

Thanks for that Andy. I'm only on 16" wheels (don't believe in rubber band tyres for road use ) and I know ZV5 have been superseded by ZV7 so I think my 225/50 should be OK with ZV7, assuming available.
Talking rubber bands: 35% aspect probably have a lesser sidewall than the last steam ploughing engine I played with (admittedly solid tyres ). The ZV7 appears to be well thought of by many drivers (Morgan, MX-5 plus more run of the mill motors).

Cheers,

 

[andyglym]

Thanks for that Andy. I'm only on 16" wheels (don't believe in rubber band tyres for road use ) and I know ZV5 have been superseded by ZV7 so I think my 225/50 should be OK with ZV7, assuming available.
Talking rubber bands: 35% aspect probably have a lesser sidewall than the last steam ploughing engine I played with (admittedly solid tyres ). The ZV7 appears to be well thought of by many drivers (Morgan, MX-5 plus more run of the mill motors).

Cheers,

I take your point, rubber bands . Seem to work OK when pootling around the Lakes passes which are rougher than a 13 year olds face

 

[Howard]

All ways a good debate when tyres are mentioned... it often comes down to super looking larger wheels with very low profile tyres or standard size wheels & tyres which work better with standard suspension.
Also depends how the roads are, here in rural South West France a lot of the roads can be atrocious.
H

 

[G4FUJ]

Seem to work OK when pootling around the Lakes passes which are rougher than a 13 year old's face

Excellent description!
I have driven a number of motors around the area - mostly LR family with plenty of sidewall!
I will run the Z3 up there sometime this year. One of my Morgan pals has returned to his home village of Arnside (he's a former Z3 and Z4 owner), so a revisit to the village is in order, plus a few days meandering the passes

 

[billz]

I have Firestone’s on my Z3(3.0i), went back to the original size of 16 inch rims. Handles so much better as the suspension was designed and set up by BMW, I’m sure many folk will disagree.
H

The original size on the Z3 3.0 when it came out was both 16" and 17" It was not a case of one size fits all when they were released

 

[Howard]

Agree, my particular car had 16 inch from the Factory.
H

 

[aspron]

When I changed from lesser known far eastern front tyres to goodyears 95% of the tramlining disappeared. My motto is only buy "good" tyres ( from the well known big manufacturer) as they are the only things between a great drive and kingdom come!!

 

[Madtoady]

I bought my car in August 2017 and just changed my tyres from late 2007 16" Austone tyres to late 2017 17" Continental Premium Contact 6 tyres and the difference was astonishing!

 

[Wilko58]

Cheers all. I think I'll be going with the Rainsport 3s - won't do many miles on them so should last a while (I've got a second set of wheels).