I will be taking delivery of a 2009 535i (sport package, sport auto, premium package) next month. I'll get some new wheels and michelin X-Ice's from TireRack which I'll use for the next 5 months. New summer tires will be installed on the factory 18" staggered wheels.

For my summer-only tires, I'm looking for good handling qualities, and a quiet and smooth ride (excellent bump absorbing qualities). Unnfortunately, the roads where I'll be driving most of the time are anything but smooth. Given the sport package and the low profile tires (35's), I anticipate the ride will already be quite firm. Therefore, I'm prepared to give up a bit of handling precision for ride comfort. I'll not be driving at anything near 10/10, or even 8/10. As the car has a (compact) spare, I'm staying away from RFT's.

From what I've read, it seems the best choices might be:

1. Michelin Pilot SS;

2. Continental ExtremeContact DWS

3. Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport;

4. Continental ExtremeContact DW.

I welcome comments/observations about these tires, and any others you might suggest. Obviously, winter weather considerations don't apply.

Thanks.

I'm on my second set of Potenza 760s. No complaints. My indy guy recommended them when I wore out the OE run flats. Fronts will go about 25-27k miles, and rears will get about 16-17k or so, if you have a staggered setup.

Great grip in wet and dry, consistent response when cornering.

DWS's are popular among members but are all seasons -- not summer tires.

I roll on Hankook Ventus V12 Evos as my summer tires. They have an outstanding ride over the rough stuff, have great grip and are so very affordable.

i would not buy another set of 760s!! I bought new tires and they only lasted 10K miles. Also couple of days ago I swapped those tires onto my new wheels, i dont know what happened, but they started leaking around the beat area. We inspected the tire and saw the beat area was literally decomposed and cut in many places, and the steel was exposed. Had to buy a new set of continental sport contact 2, so far the ride seems quieter and more grounded. Also continental sport contact 2 have this rim protector, which from the looks of it seems like a really good idea! They do however seem wider, maybe the corners are more flatter, versus bridgestone rounded ones, and the car slightly rubs on dips.

So my conclusion...I will soon be replacing all my tires with continental sport contact 2, they are however more expensive. Almost twice the price of Hankook v12.
I am curious to see how many miles you can get from hankook v12, with regular city/highway driving.

Tirerack has UHP Summer Conti's with one less letter (S) = DW

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....remeContact+DW

Guess the one letter makes a big difference. My OEM Contis wore out in a heartbeat but they did grip well