Tire for 250 whp

[ZDan]

Tire Rack test info for PS A/S 3 and other all-season tires:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=177

Tire Rack test results for PSS and other Max Perf summer tires on the same car (2012 328i):
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=174

Dry slalom
A/S 3: 4.96 seconds (+3.6% relative performance)
PSS: 5.14 seconds

Wet slalom
A/S 3: 5.49 (-2.7%)
PSS: 5.34

Dry autoX
A/S 3: 30.16 sec (-0.2%)
PSS: 30.09 sec

Wet autoX
A/S 3: 33.82 sec (-1.5%)
PSS: 33.31 sec

Dry braking
A/S 3: 83.60 ft. (-5.6%)
PSS: 78.90 ft.

Wet braking
A/S 3: 100.00 ft. (-4.9%)
PSS: 95.10 ft.

Dry skidpad
A/S 3: 0.93 g (-5.1%)
PSS: 0.98 g

Wet skidpad
A/S 3: 0.84 g (+1.2%)
PSS: 0.83 g

On average, the A/S 3 is less than 2% off the performance of the PSS in (presumably) "normal" temperature conditions.

Below 45F I would bet money that the delta is much larger with the advantage going to the A/S 3.

I know for a fact that the PSS's on my FD, while fantastic in warm weather, don't grip as well as the General GMax AS-03's on my wife's Mazda3 in temps below ~45F.

I would expect the A/S 3 to maintain a lot more of its warm-weather grip characteristics at lower temps vs. the PSS.

[kaybee123]

You guys are amazing. Seriously.

Looks like I'm going to get myself some Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 based on your recommendations.

It sucks that it I'll be driving it in 0C / 32F weather sometimes... but if I want to make the most out of the car, that's what I have to deal with in Canada! When it gets colder, I'll have it in storage.

I learned that because of those conditions, I shouldn't get summer tires because the rubber can crack at those temperatures and I would likely have very little grip if I were to drive anyways.

As for throttle control... like some guys pointed out, of course in 1st or 2nd gear, I expect to be able to throw the car around.

However, what I was talking about is turns at around 50kph-140kph. At those speeds, with the stock tires, I feel as if I have to really watch it while turning so I don't risk losing the backend.

I would love to be able to put power down earlier at the exit of a turn and to feel safer on the higher in the event I need to dodge an obstacle... so I'm expecting a big improvement over the stock tires.

I guess my only follow up question would be:

If I'm investing in the tires... and I like the stock rims, should I just keep them? Or should I be getting new rims in order to get wider/bigger tires?

I don't really feel like recalibrating the speed with bigger tires :\

[wparsons]

If you like the stock wheels, keep them. I'm running 17x8 with 225/45's and the speedo still reads accurately.

Going wider might give you a bit more grip, but is more useful for cars that overheat tires in a narrower width. CSG found that 225's were faster than 245's in the same tire because they could keep the 225's at a better temperature.

A 215/45 or 225/45 on the stock wheels will be fine.

[maksfrs]

hey, I actually have same question regarding tires..

but what's everyones opinion on:


Nitto Neo Gen vs Hankook V12s vs Toyo Proxes 4 ? looking to have on 18s, its daily driver, but going on track and trying to reasonably modify it this season with headers-back 3" exhaust/Ecutek free it up a bit.


same weather.

[SpeedR]

+2 on the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by kaybee123

If I'm investing in the tires... and I like the stock rims, should I just keep them? Or should I be getting new rims in order to get wider/bigger tires?

Originally Posted by wparsons

If you like the stock wheels, keep them. I'm running 17x8 with 225/45's and the speedo still reads accurately.
Going wider might give you a bit more grip, but is more useful for cars that overheat tires in a narrower width. CSG found that 225's were faster than 245's in the same tire because they could keep the 225's at a better temperature.
A 215/45 or 225/45 on the stock wheels will be fine.

Totally agree, 215/45 or 225/45 = no problemo. Wider tires than that won't necessarily be "better" or grippier, and new wheels cost $$$! If you want beefier-looking tires (slightly taller sidewall, a little more bulge), go with the 225s. Otherwise, 215s are totally fine. Tire width is less important than having the best compound/construction for your overall usage!

[SkAsphalt]

I am actually pretty happy I grabbed all seasons for my new rims next season. I drive my car right until the snow falls. The stock rubber is dangerous soon as it gets to like 10 degree's (Celsius) so driving them when it is -5 or colder was always an experiment in drifting.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by maksfrs

but what's everyones opinion on:
Nitto Neo Gen vs Hankook V12s vs Toyo Proxes 4 ? looking to have on 18s, its daily driver, but going on track and trying to reasonably modify it this season with headers-back 3" exhaust/Ecutek free it up a bit.
same weather.

Well, the Neo Gen and Proxes 4 are all-seasons, and the Hankook V12 is a summer tire, so you're looking at two different categories...

It's going to be a trade-off between trackability and cold-weather grip on the street. The Michelin Pilot A/S 3 would almost certainly be a better choice for a trackable all-season tire than either the Neo Gen or Proxes 4.
Or for a little less $$$, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season, or Bridgestone RE970AS.
Tire test showing relative performance of these all-seasons:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=177
Might go with 225/45-17 size, as a bit more tire should stay in optimal temp range a bit longer (probably not a huge amount, realistically) before starting to overheat.

If you're willing to live with poor cold-weather grip in order to get a more trackworthy tire, then a Max Performance summer tire might be the way to go. I don't know if the Hankook V12 is the best choice though. It's not rated terribly well for responsiveness: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...wdp=N&showcm=N
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=149

Michelin Pilot SuperSport would be my first choice in this category, but pricey... Bridgestone S04 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 look like good lower-priced alternates.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=162

Root around Tire Rack's site for test data and customer survey results on tires. Lots of very useful info in there...
Avoid anything that's tested or rated poorly for wet grip.

[WolfsFang]

Yokohama A048, I have these tires on my CCW and have driven in weather around 5F and no problems for around 2 months (yeah i know bad but i had no choice). Aside from my bead popping due to a stretch on my rear wheel they are great tires.