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[kingkevbo]

Hi,

I have an E88 with BMW performance 269 18 inch wheels, 7.5/8.5 front/rear. Currently the tires are the Dunlop SP Sport 01 Runflat 215/40 on the front and the 245/35 on the back.

The tyres are due for replacement, and I want to replace with non run flats. I've heard a lot about the PSS, so I'd like to give them a try. I also have heard that the pilot sport 4 is the replacement for the PSS.

I live in the Czech Republic, and here we can only use the same tyre sizes as on our registration document, so I cant use a different size.

Funny thing is, it seems that the PS4 is not available in 245/35, and the PSS is not available in 215/40. So i'd have to go with PS4 on the front, and PSS on the back.

Does anyone see any issue with this?

Thanks.

[John_01]

The PS4 is not a replacement for PSS. The replacement for PSS is "PS4-S". They are completely different tires. The PS4 is a lower priced, more comfort orientated touring style tire (not a performance tire).
You will notice softer steering response if you change to the PS4.

[c1pher]

I believe these were designed to replace the PS3, not PSS.

[kingkevbo]

OK, thanks for the replies guys. I cant see the 4S in 215/40 :-(

So if I can't have PSS or their replacement all round, should I be looking at a different set of 4 altogether, or something else on the front?

[Mach1er]

Unfortunately, they're still coming out with new/more sizes for the PS4S's and 19" and 20" are rolling out first.

I would absolutely do the same tire on all 4 corners if you're doing all 4 anyway.

If you can get them, maybe check out Continental's Extremecontact DW or Extremecontact Sport. If you're willing to go with an all-season tire, I've head a lot of good things about Michelin's Pilot sport A/S 3+.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by kingkevbo

Hi,

I have an E88 with BMW performance 269 18 inch wheels, 7.5/8.5 front/rear. Currently the tires are the Dunlop SP Sport 01 Runflat 215/40 on the front and the 245/35 on the back.

The tyres are due for replacement, and I want to replace with non run flats. I've heard a lot about the PSS, so I'd like to give them a try. I also have heard that the pilot sport 4 is the replacement for the PSS.

I live in the Czech Republic, and here we can only use the same tyre sizes as on our registration document, so I cant use a different size.

Funny thing is, it seems that the PS4 is not available in 245/35, and the PSS is not available in 215/40. So i'd have to go with PS4 on the front, and PSS on the back.

Does anyone see any issue with this?

Thanks.

When is your equivalent of MOT (annual tech inspection) due? You could go there on approved winter tires and slap BMW star-spec 225/245 Pilot Super Sports on your summer wheels. I did the same (sans the michelins) and I'm totally fine.

18" PS4S are scheduled to be released next year, I have been told.

[kingkevbo]

Good idea, I hadn't thought of that as a possibility, however, it's in August :-( . The winter tyres would have been off for a while, and the hassle of changing them back just for the MOT (or the STK as it's called in Czech) would be too much of a hassle for me. I don't have the facility to do it at home.

TBH, The lower performance PS4 is probably good enough for me. I spoke to Michelin, and the 245/35 PS4 will be out in June. I'll either wait until then or I'll explore other manufacturers. The reviews on the contis mentioned above seem good, just need to find a distributor in CZ

[kingkevbo]

So, after a conversation with my local mechanic, apparently it is possible to update my registration certificate to state a different tyre size, which means I can go to the 225/40 on the front, and get the PSS.

So, a couple more questions:

Should I also go wider on the back and get the 255/35? It seems that this size is discontinued my Michelin, but looks like there's plenty of stock about.

Are these tyres all * and XL spec or not? Should I purchase a particular one? Some websites don't state the * or XL, but I suspect that at least some are.

Thanks.

[Mach1er]

Originally Posted by kingkevbo

So, after a conversation with my local mechanic, apparently it is possible to update my registration certificate to state a different tyre size, which means I can go to the 225/40 on the front, and get the PSS.

So, a couple more questions:

Should I also go wider on the back and get the 255/35? It seems that this size is discontinued my Michelin, but looks like there's plenty of stock about.

Are these tyres all * and XL spec or not? Should I purchase a particular one? Some websites don't state the * or XL, but I suspect that at least some are.

Thanks.

Here a thread on the 255/35 size, it seems from a quick skim that it might rub, but you should probably read more than I did :P

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=751725

XL is a load rating, I think all PSS are XL rated. XL should deform less in corners, I think.

The star (*) designation is just to identify BMW Original Equipment tires. Pretty useless designation if you know what you're doing, but I think it's supposed to stop average Joe's from buying crappy tires for their performance cars.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by kingkevbo

So, after a conversation with my local mechanic, apparently it is possible to update my registration certificate to state a different tyre size, which means I can go to the 225/40 on the front, and get the PSS.

So, a couple more questions:

Should I also go wider on the back and get the 255/35? It seems that this size is discontinued my Michelin, but looks like there's plenty of stock about.

Are these tyres all * and XL spec or not? Should I purchase a particular one? Some websites don't state the * or XL, but I suspect that at least some are.

Thanks.

You don't need 255s on a 120d. Heck, not even on a stock 135i. And since PSS are a bit wider than other tires of that size, you miiiight experience some rubbing if your vehicle is lowered and/or has spacers.

Tires with a star are OE BMW specification, and the M140i and M240i come with Pilot Super Sports from the factory - 225/40 R18 88Y and 245/35 R18 92Y XL.

There are also "generic" (without the *) PSSs which come only in 92Y XL versions.

I'm not even sure if it is possible to get "generic" PSS in that size anymore, especially 225s. Maybe there are some older laying around. But, OE tires are a safe bet.

Originally Posted by Mach1er

The star (*) designation is just to identify BMW Original Equipment tires. Pretty useless designation if you know what you're doing, but I think it's supposed to stop average Joe's from buying crappy tires for their performance cars.

It's not useless. The star-specs are physically different.

[Mach1er]

Originally Posted by swagon

=
It's not useless. The star-specs are physically different.

Do you know how? Quality control?

Edit: Found this F30 thread response from Tirerack:

The Star spec tires are OEM approved BMW tires. When a tire gets the star rating, it means BMW had the tire manufacture make some changes to the tire to complement a specific BMW vehicle. Unfortunately, BMW and Michelin both do not tell us exactly what was changed.

Weird.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Mach1er

Do you know how? Quality control?

Edit: Found this F30 thread response from Tirerack:

Weird.

Different compound, tread depth & width, section width, weight, etc. It's like two people cooking the same thing when the end result is not the same.

245 OE PSS have a wider tread and weigh less than normal PSS, for example.

[John_01]

245/35 will be fine on the rear with the 225/40 fronts. Its the same tire combination used on the M140i and M240i models.

[kingkevbo]

Thanks for all the info guys. So I'll go for the 225/245 combo.

Agreed that the 120d doesn't need the 255, was just asking as it seems many other people go that way. Probably best to avoid the rubbing risk anyway.