RE-11 Impressions

AxisMagi · 10-26-2012, 12:59 AM

Hiyall,

I've really enjoyed running Bridgestone RE-11's on my E90 ZCP for the last
year. They have excellent grip (even with supercharger), good wet performance, and a much better
ride than the Pirelli P-Zeros that came with the car. When they do break loose it seems
very predictable. I run them year round since the winters here in AZ are really mild.
I got about 12k miles out of them with frisky street/canyon driving. When it was time to
replace tires I reviewed info here for optimal tire recommendations and found
most suggesting larger sizes so I decided to try RE-11's in 255/35/19 front and
285/35/19 rear (Unfortunately they do not come in GTS size 285/30/19).
The back tires were very close to the fender but did not rub.
(I didn't try with any passengers in the back).

The larger tires really changed the feeling of the car for the worse and
I was surprised since many forum members prefer running
larger tires. Perhaps it was the extra rear height diameter and added
stagger that exaggerated the loss of nimbleness and precision that I so
much love about the M3. The larger tires provided amazing grip but at
the expense of feeling. After a week on the larger tires I decided to change
back to stock sizing.

I'm mostly driving on the street and just starting getting into tracking.
My plan is to keep the stock 245/265 setup for now and get a
dedicated set of wheels/tires if I need more grip for the track.

Cheers,

Axis

**ben@tirerack** · 10-29-2012, 05:08 PM

Thanks for posting. This is a good reminder to everyone that feel is very subjective when it comes to vehicle handling, and the setup that works best for one person may not be the same as what works best for another. There is no one single ideal setup, it always depends on what you are doing and what your priorities are.

Z K · 10-29-2012, 05:13 PM

Larger tires usually require larger rims to stretch them out. Larger tires on the same size rims means there is more tire flex when cornering. Also, larger tires weigh more so it dulls the response in both acceleration and cornering.

sensi09 · 10-29-2012, 05:28 PM

I think larger front tires in general take away from that "nimble" feeling. It's all preference though, but I think it's something you get used to and is a fair trade off for the extra grip.

MStar · 10-29-2012, 05:42 PM

THX for sharing this..I have held all along that this extreme plus sizing of tires was overkill and just adds unsprung weight and not "that" much benefit with grip...IMO the OEM sized tires are perfectly adequate.

10-26-2012, 12:59 AM	#1
AxisMagi Private First Class 11 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 Lemans Blue Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (0)	RE-11 Impressions Hiyall, I've really enjoyed running Bridgestone RE-11's on my E90 ZCP for the last year. They have excellent grip (even with supercharger), good wet performance, and a much better ride than the Pirelli P-Zeros that came with the car. When they do break loose it seems very predictable. I run them year round since the winters here in AZ are really mild. I got about 12k miles out of them with frisky street/canyon driving. When it was time to replace tires I reviewed info here for optimal tire recommendations and found most suggesting larger sizes so I decided to try RE-11's in 255/35/19 front and 285/35/19 rear (Unfortunately they do not come in GTS size 285/30/19). The back tires were very close to the fender but did not rub. (I didn't try with any passengers in the back). The larger tires really changed the feeling of the car for the worse and I was surprised since many forum members prefer running larger tires. Perhaps it was the extra rear height diameter and added stagger that exaggerated the loss of nimbleness and precision that I so much love about the M3. The larger tires provided amazing grip but at the expense of feeling. After a week on the larger tires I decided to change back to stock sizing. I'm mostly driving on the street and just starting getting into tracking. My plan is to keep the stock 245/265 setup for now and get a dedicated set of wheels/tires if I need more grip for the track. Cheers, Axis __________________ _____________________________ 2001 E46 Race Car - S54 Swap - Moton Suspension - CAE Shifter 2011 E90 M3 - ESS VT2-625 Supercharger - Stoptech Trophy BBK - Ohlins Road & Track - MP Exhaust Last edited by AxisMagi; 10-26-2012 at 10:34 AM..
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10-29-2012, 05:08 PM	#2
ben@tirerack M3Post Supporting Vendor 87 Rep 964 Posts Drives: 740i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Bend, IN iTrader: (0)	Thanks for posting. This is a good reminder to everyone that feel is very subjective when it comes to vehicle handling, and the setup that works best for one person may not be the same as what works best for another. There is no one single ideal setup, it always depends on what you are doing and what your priorities are. __________________ _______________________________________________ I have accepted a new position at Tire Rack and am no longer in the sales department. gary@tirerack.com is available to assist with M3 questions.
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10-29-2012, 05:13 PM	#3
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Larger tires usually require larger rims to stretch them out. Larger tires on the same size rims means there is more tire flex when cornering. Also, larger tires weigh more so it dulls the response in both acceleration and cornering.
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10-29-2012, 05:28 PM	#4
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	I think larger front tires in general take away from that "nimble" feeling. It's all preference though, but I think it's something you get used to and is a fair trade off for the extra grip.
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10-29-2012, 05:42 PM	#5
MStar Banned 6 Rep 290 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Here and there iTrader: (0)	THX for sharing this..I have held all along that this extreme plus sizing of tires was overkill and just adds unsprung weight and not "that" much benefit with grip...IMO the OEM sized tires are perfectly adequate.
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