[SpiritedDriver498]

I did some research on tire replacements for the stock 225/40R18 wheels that came with my 2017 M240xi (since the pirelli P zeros are garbage) that i wanted to post in case anyone else was in a similar situation. The below is based on a mix of posts on this forum and tirerack reviews

I ultimately landed on the Conti DWS06 but pulled together some options:

• Bridgestone Turanza T005: Summer RFT, reports of accelerated ware
• Contisport 5's SSR: Summer tire, RFT
• Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP Run Flat: Poor winter performance and hyrdroplaning risk, some accelerated ware
• Conti DWS06: well rated all season on BMW sites but some complaints about grip on tirerack. Not RF
• Michelin AS/3: This was recommended on various posts but Tire Rack doesn't have a 225/40 R18--I think it's discontinued.
• Michelin AS/4: Accelerated ware and 'chunking' complaints. Not RF
• Michelin PS4s: Supposedly poor spirited performance. Not RF

[M3SQRD]

You have quite the mix of different tire performance categories

IMO RFT are horrible all around, such as poor ride quality, harsh impacts on expansion joints, worse road feel, etc. and so many failed/exploded sidewall if you accidentally hit a pothole, etc. We’ve only had RFT tires on a 230ix we had leased and within the 3 year lease period, we got four exploded Pirelli RFTs. Over the same time frame and driving on the same roads we did not get a single flat/nail on our two e92 M3s with PSS nrft tires and on our R56 MCS with PSS nrft tires.

The Mich PS4S may come with a softer sidewall, imo, it outperforms the PSS in all categories. Have a set on my f82 m4ans on one e92 m3s. The MPS4S is one of the best street max perf summer tire category.

[SpencerC_6MT]

Since your profile says Chicago, I'm not sure I'd suggest PS4S, at least for year-round duty. If you have a winter set as well, I'm wholeheartedly onboard with PS4S for the summer set. However, also consider Conti ExtremeContact Sport 02's. Cheaper than PS4S and a generation ahead, until Michelin starts selling PSS5 to the public that is.

In my experience, both of those tires have enough grip in sub-freezing weather, but I've never driven them much below freezing. They lose noticeable amounts of traction, but there's still plenty enough to keep you on the road, akin to light rain in milder temperatures. i have no experience with these tires in snow or cold rain. However, summer tires are also very sensitive between the 20-40 degree range, and anything under 20 Fahrenheit likely destroys the rubber.

[M3SQRD]

Installed a set of Mich Pilot Sport AS 4 on my mother’s BRZ and for an AS tire they had surprisingly good grip and response. Haven’t heard about chunking issues but they come with a warranty so if they chunk then they’ll get replaced for free. However, I still prefer to have a dedicated summer and winter sets of wheels over an AS single setup. AS tires feel like they’re a compromise in all seasons.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

AS tires feel like they’re a compromise in all seasons.

This is why they're called no-season tires.

That said, the wife's FWD Mazda 3 did fine on 4" of snow over a nice layer of ice one day last winter with Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4s. This wasn't just on the flat; it included moderately steep sections on both city streets and interstate highway. It's worth noting that the tires had ~9/32nds of tread depth. And the driver had extensive experience and training in winter driving.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by dradernh

This is why they're called no-season tires.

That said, the wife's FWD Mazda 3 did fine on 4" of snow over a nice layer of ice one day last winter with Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4s. This wasn't just on the flat; it included moderately steep sections on both city streets and interstate highway. It's worth noting that the tires had ~9/32nds of tread depth. And the driver had extensive experience and training in winter driving.

I refer to them as all suck season tires. I’ll always have dedicated spring-summer-fall setups and winter setups. Swapping wheels twice a year is easy and the advantages are plenty.

The MPSAS4 is probably the best AS tire available. Recently had a set installed on my mom’s BRZ. Surprisingly good dry grip.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

The MPSAS4 is probably the best AS tire available. Recently had a set installed on my mom’s BRZ. Surprisingly good dry grip.

I agree and also find them to be very good in the dry on the MZ3. They are a confidence-inspiring all-season tire.

I lean on the Mazda fairly hard in the twisties here in town, and the tires always respond very predictably.

[SpiritedDriver498]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

We’ve only had RFT tires on a 230ix we had leased and within the 3 year lease period, we got four exploded Pirelli RFTs. Over the same time frame and driving on the same roads we did not get a single flat/nail on our two e92 M3s with PSS nrft tires and on our R56 MCS with PSS nrft tires.

^^ SAME problem with the pirellis. I have conti RFT on my old 2011 328 and they were rock solid. Not the most comfortable but still happy with their overall performance

I decided on the Conti DWS06. So far so god (except the tire replacement shop broke the valve so now it's leaking, go figure)

Has me thinking about tire pressure--what do you guys keep yours at? my TPMS is freaking out at 32-34 for the tires but it seems fine. BMW recommended pressure is 34 front/ 39 back (with the stock pirellis)

What do you guys think on pressure?

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by SpiritedDriver498

^^ SAME problem with the pirellis. I have conti RFT on my old 2011 328 and they were rock solid. Not the most comfortable but still happy with their overall performance

I decided on the Conti DWS06. So far so god (except the tire replacement shop broke the valve so now it's leaking, go figure)

Has me thinking about tire pressure--what do you guys keep yours at? my TPMS is freaking out at 32-34 for the tires but it seems fine. BMW recommended pressure is 34 front/ 39 back (with the stock pirellis)

What do you guys think on pressure?

For the spring/summer/fall I keep the F (225/40-18) at 34 psi and the R (245/35-18) at 36 psi. If I’m going on a road trip with sustained high speed driving, I do run the F/R 100+ mph pressures in the owner’s manual which I can’t recall right now. In the winter I run winter performance tires (235/40-18 square) and have the pressures set at 34 psi all around.