Z3M Roadster Tyre Replacement

[Sailorbaz]

I tried using the search function but found nothing (Maybe it was a operator error)

Well guys, I thought it would be prudent of me to replace the 16 year old rubber on my car despite them being like new, I understand the compound can deteriorate and since they are my only point of contact with the road, I wish them to be the best performing.

What is regarded as the best tyre out there for our car? Michelin PS3? Continentals? I can get PS3's for £340 supplied, which when compared to the £1300 I have to pay for PS Cups for my CSL, is considered quite cheap. #

Any advice greatly appreciated. Oh, and if anyone wants my used tyres let me know and we can work something out. I've done a couple of hundred miles on them and they feel fine to be honest, I just have it in my head that they're 16 years old now and probably past their best.

Cheers.

 

[Aceman]

Agree 16 year old tyres is not good and I would be suprised if they have not started to crack or craze around the edges. In terms of what is the best tyre I think the Michelin Pilot Sports have always been regarded as the top tyre by many but they do come at a price although from your post above that does not seem a consideration. Continentals are equally as good from what I have heard but what I would be careful of is tyres that have a directional tread pattern like the ones that have large V patterns across the entire width of the tyre as it is these that the Z3's do not like particulary on the front and cause the car to tramline and bump steer badly. Stick with asymetric which I believe the Michelin and Continentals are and you should be OK.

 

[AGT1953]

Hi,
I bought my Z3M in November and it had been fitted with tyres earlier last year. I am unhappy with the handling on the car and I think it is down to the tyres! They do have the large V pattern on them! Time to change I think!
So, PS3's the best way to go??

Thanks,
Andy

 

[Sailorbaz]

How bizarre, I was just looking at tyres again on tyre leader.co.uk and thus thread popped up again.

Pilot Supersports I think I'll be going for, but it'll be a good few weeks before they're fitted and tested.

 

[AGT1953]

Now those do look good - perhaps this is the way to go!
Andy,

 

[Lee]

Evening chaps, I run the Falcon 453's great tyres bags of grip on and off the track. Pick them up from www.tyreleader.co.uk.

About £74 for the rear and £62 for the front.

Lee

 

[Sailorbaz]

I run 452's a few years ago on my M3 and couldn't fault them. Shame the Z3 is 17" cause I've still a pair of fronts in the garage.

 

[Brian4]

Agree with Aceman regarding Directional/assymetric tyres. I was talking with the Continental Engineer a few weeks back regarding the work they do with manufacturers to get tyre approved for fitting from new and amazed at what goes into it. He was also saying that changing the type of tyre from that originally specified can have a marked change in vehicle chacteristics. ie the Z3 came with assymetric tyres and fitting directional ones can/will change how the car behaves.

I was looking to replace the tyre on the 5 series and there are tyres with specifics for BMW, Audi, Mercedes with the same tyre model and they are all built slightly differently, not a con as I've heard this from independent testers as well.

 

[DavidM]

I tried using the search function but found nothing (Maybe it was a operator error)

Well guys, I thought it would be prudent of me to replace the 16 year old rubber on my car despite them being like new, I understand the compound can deteriorate and since they are my only point of contact with the road, I wish them to be the best performing.

What is regarded as the best tyre out there for our car? Michelin PS3? Continentals? I can get PS3's for £340 supplied, which when compared to the £1300 I have to pay for PS Cups for my CSL, is considered quite cheap. #

Any advice greatly appreciated. Oh, and if anyone wants my used tyres let me know and we can work something out. I've done a couple of hundred miles on them and they feel fine to be honest, I just have it in my head that they're 16 years old now and probably past their best.

Cheers.

You can't go wrong with Michelin PS3.

 

[Phil]

PS3s for me as well

 

[AGT1953]

OK,
I will be ordering the PS3's then I suppose!

Andy.

 

[AGT1953]

Hi,
Alrighty then,
The new PS3's have been fitted this morning.
What are the views on tyre pressures?
They certainly appear harder than the Runways that came off and my tyre supplier is unsure about the correct pressure rating.
He set them at 33lbs psi.

Andy T,
Glasgow.

 

[Grumps]

I have a set of falcon 452's on my 2.8 and find them very good. I don't throw the car about to be fair but certainly more than upto the Job. I will go straight for the replacement 453's when the time comes.

 

[john1534]

AGT1953 says the suggestion for tyre pressures was 33psi. Do tyre pressure change depending on the type of tyre.

 

[oldcarman]

AGT1953 says the suggestion for tyre pressures was 33psi. Do tyre pressure change depending on the type of tyre.

Yes!

 

[t-tony]

No, only with tyre size but also with temperature too.

Do tyre pressure change depending on the type of tyre.

Tony.

 

[DavidM]

Have been running 35 psi all round on a 2.8 for over 2 years on budget tyres - no complaints so far. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[t-tony]

You're not wrong David, tyre pressures are "recommended" by the tyre and car manufacturers, it's not a hard and fast rule. For instance, if you have a 20 stone man driving a car it is logical the tyres would be carrying a heavier load than, say, a man of 12 stone driving the same car and tyre pressures would need to be adjusted accordingly. If your tyres are not wearing excessively in the centre of the treads then the pressure is not too high.

Tony.

 

[oldcarman]

No, only with tyre size but also with temperature too.



Tony.

Just want to ad that you're better off a lb higher than lower as it may be a stiffer ride but causes less wear on your tires. The absolute worst you can do is drive with differing pressures in all four tires. You are flirting with trouble there. Keep them consistent and set at the tire mfg recommended pressure. JIM