Changing tires. Opinions wanted.

LarThaL · 10-12-2011, 07:02 AM

I am going to change out the miserable Continental Contisport tires that came on my '11 M3 ZCP. They will be replaced with Michelin PS2. My question is related to sizing:

Option #1:
Stay with stock sized tires. Going to the better tires will be enough to give me the much needed added grip.

Option #2:
255/35 front and 275/35 rear. Slightly more rubber all around. Maintains the F/R size differential, but the 255's are 2 lbs heavier each than the 245's.

Option #3:
Stay with 245/35 front and go to 285/30 rear. This will maximize rear grip while giving identical front/rear rolling diameter. The 2% decrease in rear diameter shouldn't affect DSC too much and make driving without DSC much more enjoyable.

Right now, I am running 12mm spacers all around. I would keep these in front. I am not sure whether I could fit the rear 275's with the spacers and if I got the 285's, the rear spacers would obviuosly need to go.

Any and all input appreciated. Thanks.

pbonsalb · 10-12-2011, 07:49 AM

I like option #2. DSC operation will remain unchanged. If you never drive in the rain or snow and always drive with DSC off, then the effect on DSC does not matter. As for heavier tires, both options 2 and 3 make the tires heavier. Michelins are pretty light as tires go -- look at even higher performance tires like Advan 08s and you will see they are heavier for the same size. I would buy PSS over PS2 if available in the sizes you want. The only option I don't like is #1.

elh0102 · 10-12-2011, 09:23 AM

I think the PSS is available in the 275/255 configuration. I have a set of PSS in 275/35-18, and they are great tires.

Martin_D · 10-12-2011, 09:38 AM

255/275 PSS is a great combination as others have said.

Test with spacers of course and see what works and what you like "looks wise"...

F82_SID · 10-12-2011, 10:41 AM

Dont get PS2s! Not that PS2s are bad, I actually really liked mine. However, all reports and reviews say that PSSs are better and cheaper! I just ordered a set of PSSs to replace my stock PS2s. I cant wait to try them out. I had to order slightly larger sizes in PSSs since the stock 265&245s were sold out so I opted for 275&255s. A little extra lip coverage never hurt lol.

Fyi, Michelin has a special going on until the 22nd where if you order four Michelin tires then you get a 70$ prepaid Visa back.

lm1z · 10-12-2011, 06:02 PM

PSSs. 255/275.
Go!

PS2s are fantastic but have always been overpriced.
PSSs are supposed to outperform them at a cheaper price (as the previous member stated)!

a burrito · 10-13-2011, 03:16 PM

I agree with everyone that 255/275 is a great tire combo for street and track.

riyatch · 10-13-2011, 07:44 PM

Replaced stock ps2 with 255/275 pss and the new set up is far superior.

10-12-2011, 07:02 AM	#1
LarThaL Colonel 336 Rep 2,940 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Changing tires. Opinions wanted. I am going to change out the miserable Continental Contisport tires that came on my '11 M3 ZCP. They will be replaced with Michelin PS2. My question is related to sizing: Option #1: Stay with stock sized tires. Going to the better tires will be enough to give me the much needed added grip. Option #2: 255/35 front and 275/35 rear. Slightly more rubber all around. Maintains the F/R size differential, but the 255's are 2 lbs heavier each than the 245's. Option #3: Stay with 245/35 front and go to 285/30 rear. This will maximize rear grip while giving identical front/rear rolling diameter. The 2% decrease in rear diameter shouldn't affect DSC too much and make driving without DSC much more enjoyable. Right now, I am running 12mm spacers all around. I would keep these in front. I am not sure whether I could fit the rear 275's with the spacers and if I got the 285's, the rear spacers would obviuosly need to go. Any and all input appreciated. Thanks. __________________ **Audi S6 Audi S3 * Porsche Cayman GTS* --Former BMW M3 owner** Last edited by LarThaL; 10-12-2011 at 01:10 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-12-2011, 09:38 AM	#4
Martin_D Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,787 Posts Drives: Ford Super Duty Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (34)	255/275 PSS is a great combination as others have said. Test with spacers of course and see what works and what you like "looks wise"...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 10:41 AM	#5
F82_SID Brigadier General 207 Rep 3,153 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C 6mt HK Silver Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO. USA iTrader: (2)	Dont get PS2s! Not that PS2s are bad, I actually really liked mine. However, all reports and reviews say that PSSs are better and cheaper! I just ordered a set of PSSs to replace my stock PS2s. I cant wait to try them out. I had to order slightly larger sizes in PSSs since the stock 265&245s were sold out so I opted for 275&255s. A little extra lip coverage never hurt lol. Fyi, Michelin has a special going on until the 22nd where if you order four Michelin tires then you get a 70$ prepaid Visa back. __________________ 2011/E92/M3/MR/BB/ZCV/ZP2/EDC/2MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 06:02 PM	#6
lm1z Major 194 Rep 1,278 Posts Drives: 2017 GT350 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (22)	PSSs. 255/275. Go! PS2s are fantastic but have always been overpriced. PSSs are supposed to outperform them at a cheaper price (as the previous member stated)! __________________ PAST 2007 Black Sapphire E90 335i, 2010 Jerez Black E92 M3, 2012 Mineral White E92 M3, 2013 Singapore Grey F10 M5, 2016 Azurite Black F80 M3, CURRENT 2017 Oxford White GT350
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2011, 03:16 PM	#7
a burrito Lieutenant Colonel 56 Rep 1,962 Posts Drives: Urus, 958.2 TTS, 997 S Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	I agree with everyone that 255/275 is a great tire combo for street and track. __________________ Peanut Butter Chunky
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 07:49 AM	#2
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5212 Rep 10,594 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I like option #2. DSC operation will remain unchanged. If you never drive in the rain or snow and always drive with DSC off, then the effect on DSC does not matter. As for heavier tires, both options 2 and 3 make the tires heavier. Michelins are pretty light as tires go -- look at even higher performance tires like Advan 08s and you will see they are heavier for the same size. I would buy PSS over PS2 if available in the sizes you want. The only option I don't like is #1.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 09:23 AM	#3
elh0102 Captain 15 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 2009 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I think the PSS is available in the 275/255 configuration. I have a set of PSS in 275/35-18, and they are great tires.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2011, 07:44 PM	#8
riyatch Lieutenant 15 Rep 474 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Vegas iTrader: (1)	Replaced stock ps2 with 255/275 pss and the new set up is far superior.
	Appreciate 0 Quote