Comfort level of popular Summer Performance tires?

GeoK · 01-29-2023, 11:17 AM

Tire experts, could you please help me sort the following tires with single and only criterion how comfortable they are?

Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 ($1,252 @ TireRack)
Michelin Pilot Super Sport ($1,278 @ Costco with current promotion)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport ($1,304 @ TireRack and Costco)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (around $1,400, everywhere out of stock)

Many thanks for your input!

PS Please note that I did my reading, and all four are more than enough (actually it's an understatement) for the way they will be used on my E92 garage queen. Current prices (for 245/35/19 front and 265/35/19 rear) added to save time to other forum members who might be in the market too.

PPS Here is TireRack's view: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...ay.jsp?type=MP

Cmassey3 · 01-29-2023, 07:01 PM

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above, only that the Pilot Super Sport is dated at this point, albeit it's the only one you can get with the BMW star OEM version.

If you're serious about comfort, swap to the base 18" wheels. The 19" 220m and 359 comp wheels roll harsher since there's less rubber.

TboneS54 · 01-30-2023, 10:13 AM

I like my ECS, but I should have just paid another $150 for PS4S (what I have on E46). They're just too good in every category other than price.

PS4S are so comfortable, that my 19" wheels with low profile and narrow PS4S (235/265 35/30 profile) which would normally be much more harsh, were MORE comfortable than the 18" (245/40-275/25) PSS I had on 18" wheels right before hand. Couldn't believe it. I was fully prepared for the 19" set to be harsher. Not that PSS were ever that comfortable (they're not).

My 19" (255/35-275/35) ECS on the E90 are very nice, it's just that PS4S are better, and saving $150 was a bit foolish. Not that ECS aren't fine enough. You'd be happy.

Bridgestones are heavy and have more road noise, and still not as comfy as ECS or PS4S.

Golddots · 02-23-2023, 08:45 PM

If this car won’t be driven very hard maybe consider the Michelin sport all seasons. Most people won’t notice the difference in grip.

Scrippy · 02-23-2023, 09:25 PM

I vote #2 FTW and #4 as a secondary. A lot of folks hate on PSS but I think it’s because they’re cheap and they’re only rated for like 16,000 miles. The grip is super gummy but to gummy for hot track days. Whatever you get will be good though man. Unless you’re pushing it you will never see the brink of any of these tires grip levels. For the street who cares other than proper figment really? PSS provides a thick bead that can protect your rims from curbs somewhat as well.

nycplumber · 02-26-2023, 06:51 AM

Ive had a few sets of both ECS and PS4S. And the only real difference I notice is to my wallet. ECS has slightly better wet grip and hydroplane resistance. The PS4S take longer to stop in the dry as well but have better handling and are quieter. ECS 340 tw vs PS4S 300

01-29-2023, 11:17 AM	#1
GeoK Private First Class 105 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 M3 COUPE (E92) [9.00]	Comfort level of popular Summer Performance tires? Tire experts, could you please help me sort the following tires with single and only criterion how comfortable they are? Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 ($1,252 @ TireRack) Michelin Pilot Super Sport ($1,278 @ Costco with current promotion) Bridgestone Potenza Sport ($1,304 @ TireRack and Costco) Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (around $1,400, everywhere out of stock) Many thanks for your input! PS Please note that I did my reading, and all four are more than enough (actually it's an understatement) for the way they will be used on my E92 garage queen. Current prices (for 245/35/19 front and 265/35/19 rear) added to save time to other forum members who might be in the market too. PPS Here is TireRack's view: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...ay.jsp?type=MP
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01-30-2023, 10:13 AM	#3
TboneS54 YNWA 1034 Rep 809 Posts Drives: 2004 M3 6spd & 2011 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	I like my ECS, but I should have just paid another $150 for PS4S (what I have on E46). They're just too good in every category other than price. PS4S are so comfortable, that my 19" wheels with low profile and narrow PS4S (235/265 35/30 profile) which would normally be much more harsh, were MORE comfortable than the 18" (245/40-275/25) PSS I had on 18" wheels right before hand. Couldn't believe it. I was fully prepared for the 19" set to be harsher. Not that PSS were ever that comfortable (they're not). My 19" (255/35-275/35) ECS on the E90 are very nice, it's just that PS4S are better, and saving $150 was a bit foolish. Not that ECS aren't fine enough. You'd be happy. Bridgestones are heavy and have more road noise, and still not as comfy as ECS or PS4S. __________________ /// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options /// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
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02-23-2023, 09:25 PM	#5
Scrippy Lord Scrip 1812 Rep 3,013 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: LA,Ca iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	I vote #2 FTW and #4 as a secondary. A lot of folks hate on PSS but I think it’s because they’re cheap and they’re only rated for like 16,000 miles. The grip is super gummy but to gummy for hot track days. Whatever you get will be good though man. Unless you’re pushing it you will never see the brink of any of these tires grip levels. For the street who cares other than proper figment really? PSS provides a thick bead that can protect your rims from curbs somewhat as well. __________________
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02-26-2023, 06:51 AM	#6
nycplumber Major 682 Rep 1,226 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	Ive had a few sets of both ECS and PS4S. And the only real difference I notice is to my wallet. ECS has slightly better wet grip and hydroplane resistance. The PS4S take longer to stop in the dry as well but have better handling and are quieter. ECS 340 tw vs PS4S 300
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01-29-2023, 07:01 PM	#2
Cmassey3 Second Lieutenant 411 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Raleigh NC iTrader: (0)	I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above, only that the Pilot Super Sport is dated at this point, albeit it's the only one you can get with the BMW star OEM version. If you're serious about comfort, swap to the base 18" wheels. The 19" 220m and 359 comp wheels roll harsher since there's less rubber.
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02-23-2023, 08:45 PM	#4
Golddots Second Lieutenant 85 Rep 280 Posts Drives: e90 m3 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: nova iTrader: (1)	If this car won’t be driven very hard maybe consider the Michelin sport all seasons. Most people won’t notice the difference in grip.
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