New Tires Needed
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From: San Diego, Ca.
My Ride: 2011 550i; Alpine White/Black Dakota/MSport/SAT/IAS/Driver Assistance/ConveniencePkg/Prem Pkg 2/4 Zone AC/Side-Top Cameras/HUD & Black panel/BMW Apps-iPhone 4 Media/M Decklid spolier /Ventureshiled clear bra/ V1 -Ordered 4/9/11, Production 4/19, Shipped on Martorell 4/23,Arrived Port Hueneme 5/19,Delivered 5/21/11
my OEM Conti 2's are toast at 18.5K.
Ive narrowed down replacement tires to be either:
Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S Pole Position
or
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Biggest reason for the A/S is tread life as I dont like doing this every year.
These tires match up pretty closely, Michelins look modestly better drivers tire and slightly more $, Potenza's a litttle quieter but with strong reviews over many more miles (see tire rack).
Forum members have commented favorably on RE960's, but havent see much on this version of Michelins.
Think I'm inclined to go with the Bridgestones, looking for input and any commentary with regard to the Pilot Sport A/S Plus.
THOUGHTS?
Ive narrowed down replacement tires to be either:
Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S Pole Position
or
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Biggest reason for the A/S is tread life as I dont like doing this every year.
These tires match up pretty closely, Michelins look modestly better drivers tire and slightly more $, Potenza's a litttle quieter but with strong reviews over many more miles (see tire rack).
Forum members have commented favorably on RE960's, but havent see much on this version of Michelins.
Think I'm inclined to go with the Bridgestones, looking for input and any commentary with regard to the Pilot Sport A/S Plus.
THOUGHTS?
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Originally Posted by v_therussian' post='898925' date='Jun 3 2009, 07:43 AM
Potenzas RE960 are actually sportier and cheaper, so it is kind of a no-brainer IMO
The summer Conties are a "don't buy"!
All non-RF's, of course.
The A/S tires are not good either in summer nor winter.
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Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='899541' date='Jun 3 2009, 12:40 PM
...and the Michelin's...are lousy on wet.
That said, the OP is in San Diego, so the need for anything other than summer (+33F) tires probably isn't an issue.
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From: Houston
18.5k out of the OEM Conti's is good, most people (myself included) only get around 12k 
I would caution you against mixing the Conti's on the front with RE960's on the back. They are quite different tires - sidewall stiffness, grip, etc. and will likely screw up your handling. A more suitable tire may be the Potenza RE760 Sport, which is classified as an Ultra High Performance Summer and has a better treadwear rating than the OEM Conti's, but I still would mix the tires front to rear.
I recently decided to go with another set of OEM Conti's on the rear and will probably replace all four with something different next time round. Hope this helps.
I would caution you against mixing the Conti's on the front with RE960's on the back. They are quite different tires - sidewall stiffness, grip, etc. and will likely screw up your handling. A more suitable tire may be the Potenza RE760 Sport, which is classified as an Ultra High Performance Summer and has a better treadwear rating than the OEM Conti's, but I still would mix the tires front to rear.
I recently decided to go with another set of OEM Conti's on the rear and will probably replace all four with something different next time round. Hope this helps.
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Originally Posted by 550i now' post='898920' date='Jun 2 2009, 09:38 PM
my OEM Conti 2's are toast at 18.5K.
Ive narrowed down replacement tires to be either:
Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S Pole Position
or
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Biggest reason for the A/S is tread life as I dont like doing this every year.
These tires match up pretty closely, Michelins look modestly better drivers tire and slightly more $, Potenza's a litttle quieter but with strong reviews over many more miles (see tire rack).
Forum members have commented favorably on RE960's, but havent see much on this version of Michelins.
Think I'm inclined to go with the Bridgestones, looking for input and any commentary with regard to the Pilot Sport A/S Plus.
THOUGHTS?
Ive narrowed down replacement tires to be either:
Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S Pole Position
or
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Biggest reason for the A/S is tread life as I dont like doing this every year.
These tires match up pretty closely, Michelins look modestly better drivers tire and slightly more $, Potenza's a litttle quieter but with strong reviews over many more miles (see tire rack).
Forum members have commented favorably on RE960's, but havent see much on this version of Michelins.
Think I'm inclined to go with the Bridgestones, looking for input and any commentary with regard to the Pilot Sport A/S Plus.
THOUGHTS?
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My Ride: 2007 Sapphire Black Metallic 525i. Beige Dakota Leather, Premium package, bluetooth, BMW Assist, Xenon adaptive lights, Sirius radio
Originally Posted by jsal' post='900643' date='Jun 4 2009, 08:58 AM
I am trying the Flaken 452's after having Conti-Contact-2's. They are about $400 cheaper for a set than the Conti's and supposidly have better tread life. I expect them to be similar in the rain. I only have about 500 miles on them, but so far I am happy.
my 2 cents
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From: Houston
Originally Posted by Spyglass' post='899700' date='Jun 3 2009, 03:06 PM
18.5k out of the OEM Conti's is good, most people (myself included) only get around 12k
I would caution you against mixing the Conti's on the front with RE960's on the back. They are quite different tires - sidewall stiffness, grip, etc. and will likely screw up your handling. A more suitable tire may be the Potenza RE760 Sport, which is classified as an Ultra High Performance Summer and has a better treadwear rating than the OEM Conti's, but I still wouldn't mix the tires front to rear.
I recently decided to go with another set of OEM Conti's on the rear and will probably replace all four with something different next time round. Hope this helps.
I would caution you against mixing the Conti's on the front with RE960's on the back. They are quite different tires - sidewall stiffness, grip, etc. and will likely screw up your handling. A more suitable tire may be the Potenza RE760 Sport, which is classified as an Ultra High Performance Summer and has a better treadwear rating than the OEM Conti's, but I still wouldn't mix the tires front to rear.
I recently decided to go with another set of OEM Conti's on the rear and will probably replace all four with something different next time round. Hope this helps.
Just saw a typo in my post, it should read "...but I still wouldn't mix the tires front to rear..."
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I replaced my rf's with michelin ps2's from tire rack last week. Noticeable improvement in noise level and ride.
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From: San Diego, Ca.
My Ride: 2011 550i; Alpine White/Black Dakota/MSport/SAT/IAS/Driver Assistance/ConveniencePkg/Prem Pkg 2/4 Zone AC/Side-Top Cameras/HUD & Black panel/BMW Apps-iPhone 4 Media/M Decklid spolier /Ventureshiled clear bra/ V1 -Ordered 4/9/11, Production 4/19, Shipped on Martorell 4/23,Arrived Port Hueneme 5/19,Delivered 5/21/11
Originally Posted by 550i now' post='898920' date='Jun 2 2009, 09:38 PM
my OEM Conti 2's are toast at 18.5K.
Ive narrowed down replacement tires to be either:
Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S Pole Position
or
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Biggest reason for the A/S is tread life as I dont like doing this every year.
These tires match up pretty closely, Michelins look modestly better drivers tire and slightly more $, Potenza's a litttle quieter but with strong reviews over many more miles (see tire rack).
Forum members have commented favorably on RE960's, but havent see much on this version of Michelins.
Think I'm inclined to go with the Bridgestones, looking for input and any commentary with regard to the Pilot Sport A/S Plus.
THOUGHTS?
Ive narrowed down replacement tires to be either:
Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S Pole Position
or
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Biggest reason for the A/S is tread life as I dont like doing this every year.
These tires match up pretty closely, Michelins look modestly better drivers tire and slightly more $, Potenza's a litttle quieter but with strong reviews over many more miles (see tire rack).
Forum members have commented favorably on RE960's, but havent see much on this version of Michelins.
Think I'm inclined to go with the Bridgestones, looking for input and any commentary with regard to the Pilot Sport A/S Plus.
THOUGHTS?
well, i've decided...
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus are soon to be installed.
After additional research I believe the driving feel, dry traction, comfort and quiet factor to be superior than the Potenza's.
For those 10 days a year when we get some rain, I'll be in good shape, but with a 500 treadwear factor I'll take the tradeoff for the other 355 days
Think these will enhance driving experience with far longer life than OEM Conti Sport Contact 2's
Tire rack has best price, local installer I am familiar with ..so lets go
Road Review in a few thousand miles.
Stay tuned...