M3 Tires

Initial Review, 500 Miles on Tires
December 25, 2012

I have used an earlier version of this tire on my previous car, the 2005 G35 coupe. I remembered the amazing winter performance of this tire so when it came time to get dedicated snow set for my new BMW I went straight for the Bridgestone WS70. On the burn in I notice them wander some on dry 40F+ road while doing 75+ mph. Below those speeds they are more than acceptable in 'warmer' conditions, I expect them to improve with burn in. Last night I had a chance to experience them in below freezing conditions with 1+ inch of snow. They are amazing. You do have to be somewhat easy on the throttle though as any moderate acceleration will spin these tires with the 300 torque the 335i has. In New York, in the summer, Ultra performance summer tires are the way to go, in the winter stud-less ice and snow are the ticket. You will sacrifice quite a lot of the dry performance BUT! you will be unstoppable in the winter conditions. I have maneuvered around countless SUVs with there AWD and all-season tires while they are struggling to keep in straight line. I have had now 10 years of blizzak winter performance use, I have used winter sports tires in the past (dunlop m3 sport) and although they are better behaved in dry conditions, they do not measure up in bad winter weather.

Bridgestone WS70 ... like a boss.

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
December 03, 2012

My last set om Michelin Pilot Super Sports (255/35/19) lasted less than 2500 miles (no track days), but the grip was excellent so I opted for a wider set (and reduced my rear camber) to hopefully slide a bit less and help the tires last a bit longer. These tires in a wider size grip amazingly well - it's like the car is on rails! I live in Germany, and I love being able to confidently power through the mountain roads where I live, and these tires do not disappoint!

Initial Review, 15,000 Miles on Tires
November 10, 2012

Excellent dry weather performance. Sticks like glue to the road. But in wet weather, I've once slid sideways while turning left onto a freeway on ramp in 3rd gear, fortunately, letting off the throttle allowed me to regain control.

Loud enough when new...but: when 50% of the life is through the tire drones/vibrates/hums so loudly that it's hard to hear your radio's treble (or bass for that matter). It's the worst when you're coming to a stop from about 40-0 mph. I changed the front tires to Michelin and the excessive tire slap vibrations when slowing down was gone from the front.

Tire life ain't bad, as I drove 15k mi on them and still have about 40% in the rear.

The only tire I've ever owned with more dry weather road holding ability is the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Positions. And I've owned many summer tires before.

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
November 18, 2011

Well, I wanted to buy another set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3's but they are not availabkle anywhere - only reason I can guess is that the sunami screwed up this summer's shipments... so I needed something else. After considerable research on both Tirerack and Consumer Reports websites, I just bought a set of 4 of these. Despite misgivings about the unaggressive tread design, I have read nothing but favourable reviews. My summer tires are Michelin Primacy MXV4s and are also V rated. In just switching tires recently there has not yet been any real snow or ice to test them in, but there has been slush and rain. Snow is coming soon - an inevitability here in Canada. My initial impressions? Well, the tread doesn't look very aggressive (what you would think a winter tire should look like), but the other reviews said `not to worry'. The overall ratings are quite impressive and hard to ignore.
In driving down the road with these I forgot I had switched off of the Primacys and to the Alpins... feels almost the same for handling and driving along. Noise is the same... cornering abit less rigid but not much. So - so far so good! One thing to remember is - yes - I am the only Chevrolet using these it appears, but my vehicle is tweeked with the police package pretty much - I have an Impala LS with the 3.8L engine and run V rated tires, have put in the police HD quickstruts, have larger heavier brake rotors (tres expensive) and pads, and stiffened up the suspension in other little ways (I do some trailering as well). I will update this review at the end of the winter to let people know my official verdict.

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
October 27, 2012

These tires were an upgrade to PS2's and although similar in nature, the Super Sports are a huge upgrade. I can't comment on the tread life but the tire is very soft and sticky to the touch - more than any other street tire I've owned. They immediately feel like there is 25% more tire gripping the road but the turn in is much quicker and requires less effort. Ride feels more controlled - no squishy feeling when cornering on throttle, but is also softer when going over uneven, broken road surfaces - car doesn't shake up and down or side to side as much as the PS2s - very compliant. Probably a 50% improvement in ride quality and quieter than the PS2s. Wet grip is awesome - no sense of hydroplaning up to 130km/h in misty conditions and I couldn't even get the tires to start to break away at 80km/h on damp backroad highways. Overall a very worthwhile upgrade on the PS2s.

Initial Review, 7,400 Miles on Tires
October 23, 2012

These tires were a major let down. Only lasted 7,400 miles for 400+ bucks. Very sub par. I have purchased many tires from tire rack and always try new tires. These I will not purcahse again. Tread life was horrible.

Initial Review, 200 Miles on Tires
November 22, 2010

I ordered these tires a week ago. Installed them on a Saturday, drove 160 miles on dry roads and was amazed at how quiet they were, not noticably louder than my summer Yokohama performance tires. The next day I took them for a spirited drive up a twisty canyon road (still dry) and was even more amazed at how they cornered, much better stability than my old Blizzak tires. Then last night we recieved 4 inches of snow, the difference in handling in my car is amazing. The summer tires spun on everything, these don't seem to want to let go, I have to WANT VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) to engage, otherwise they just grab on and go, even ABS won't engage, the tires don't slide.

These are the first tires I've put on my Civic Si, but they make it a whole new car in the snow, can't wait for some mountain driving to really put them through the paces. I'd definately choose them over the Blizzaks I had on my old car (Chevy Cobalt).

I put 4 on the car, the back end stays attached to the road just as I would expect, even through slick turns. Great tire. Highly recommended.

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
November 05, 2012

If your looking for a great track tire that gets good grip and last a long time these are the ones. Ive done close to 600 track miles on this set and they wear very well and have consistent grip. Gets these you'll love them.

Initial Review, 7,500 Miles on Tires
August 30, 2012

I've used this tire for both street and track driving. It has served mostly to get me to and from the track for HPDE's, and as my rain tires on track. I've left them on a few times when the track was dry to test them out as well. I would say they are one of the best street tires that can be used on track. There might be a handful of other tires (RE-11, AD08, PSS to name a few) that are just as good, or slightly better in dry conditions when being pushed to the limit on a racetrack.

Pros: The Z1 Star Spec offers excellent feedback, sharp steering response, good breakaway characteristics, and is very consistent lap after lap on track.

Cons: Noise is not bad for the first few thousand miles, but becomes unacceptable for a street tire after being used for a while. Comfort is OK at best.

Initial Review, 2,945 Miles on Tires
October 16, 2012

I have a little less than 3,000 miles on these tires that came as OEM on my 2012 BMW M3 Coupe Competition Package. To be honest, I haven't been able to test the limits of the tires yet, except for a few cornering exhibitions when DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is off, resulting in lots of understeer. Most of my normal driving is city with the occasional highway, but spirited nonetheless. It's starting to get cold now so the tires do take a little time to warm up in the morning, as with every Summer Performance Tire. The problem I am having (and a good problem at that) is that this car is so good, I'm not sure if the cornering stability, steering responsiveness and ride comfort is more the car or the tires. Noise level is non existent since I have a modified exhaust but I'll be sure to monitor as the miles accumulate. I don't have any complaints on these tires as of yet. Wet traction seems to be good, and no problems with hydroplaning. Treadwear won't be an issue to after 10K miles but so far, no unusual wear patterns and tread is even. Based upon the early review, I am happy with them.

Initial Review, 15,000 Miles on Tires
September 13, 2012

Have had many snow tires in the past Dunlup M3, Bridgestone Blizzak (Various Models) this is my favorite snow tire thus far for a crossover. ESP kicks in later around turns than the blizzak (means it is holding the road longer) on a particular road I drive all the time in snowy condition.

Initial Review, 7,500 Miles on Tires
November 20, 2009

Reviewed the tire with 3000 miles! Now at 7500 and they feel better than before. The tire allows me to drive at my limit with confident. Yes, they are a little noisy and ride "hard" but this is a high performance tire, that's what it is designed for and I would imagine Bridgestone (who for those who don't know) and the sole supplier of Formula 1 tires and comfort and noise would not have the top priority when designing it.

Wear doesn't concern me, performance and safety does and that's exactly what I'm getting at the moment.

Buy them again? Absolutely!

Recommend them to someone else? Absolutely

Initial Review, 3,000 Miles on Tires
August 20, 2012

These are fantastic tires. I can not trace a difference between these and the Conti DW's I had on the car before. They are quiet, grip well, are fantastic in the wet, break away with a very easy to manage linearity, and for the price, cannot be beat. They need a little time to warm up before they really start sticking, but I have had zero control issues on the street - I know exactly where the car is at all times. The rears are wearing quite a big faster than the fronts, but I drive an M3 and I drive aggressively so that's to be expected.

Initial Review, 135 Miles on Tires
June 10, 2012

If you drive any hardcore sports car on the street, this tire is a must have. I just spent years and years with many sets of Pilot PS2s on my M3 and when I heard Michelin had designed the SS to supposedly have every bit as much grip and response, but with more treadlife and even lower noise levels, I thought it was impossible without giving up something. I just threw a set of 4 onto my '06 Evo 9 and have so far only torn up some canyons and an autocross track on them (with no break in!) and they are every bit as sticky as the PS2.

I cannot comment on treadlife with only 1 weekend on these tires, but they are the quietest high-grip tire I've ever owned and made it through a downpour with me stomping the gas in standing water at full boost with losing grip.

If these tires really do last longer than the PS2 I might even get a whole year out of them! For all hardcore sports cars driven hard, these are a must. These tires are proof that price can be directly proportionate to quality of a product. If you do not choose this tire for your hardcore sports car, it can only be to save some money. These tires are superior in every way to the stock tires on my Evo.

I almost cried when they said they'd stop making the PS2, but I guess I'll get over it.

Tire Rack only allows "Spirited" driving in pulldown. I'd describe my on track driving as "maniacal".

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
June 01, 2012

i have 1000 miles of dd with an autocross and a track day/hpde thrown in. i'm loving these tires. having signed up for a track day, i decided to get familiar with the sti at an autocross. well, i had no threat of losing traction at autocross (24f,22r sways). since i was not familiar with the sti i took it easy (well kinda). i shaved a second off each successive lap and would have finished second save for a 1 cone penalty on my last run. very predictable and confidence inspiring tire. wound up in the middle of class (mostly e46 m3's).

as a daily driver i have no complaints. dry and wet grip are fantastic. the ride is smoother and quieter than star specs.

went to njmp last weekend and ran the thunderbolt course with the intermediate group. it's more technical than lightning and i was curious to see how the sti and pss would do. they were excellent. started at 33/31 psi on the first run. at the end of the run i felt control was starting to go. hot psi were 40.5/38.5 (approx 90 degree day!). again these tires were very predictable. loss of traction was gradual and easy to control. i bled to 37/35 and waited for my next run. unfortunately i didn't check pre run psi. the first lap of subsequent runs were a little less well controlled until a lap was done and the tires heated up, then they were dialed in again with end of run psi 37.5/35.5. i really felt like i could move the car around confidently with these tires. there was no daily driver car that could hang with this set up. i started near the front and was passed by 2 cars (both track toys) the entire day.

so in sum, i don't see a better jack of all trades tire out there. i'm looking forward to some "real" head to head data vs. star specs. this tire definitely blurs the distinction between extreme and max perf. summer tires!

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
May 29, 2012

Great tire if you track your car even only occasionally. This tire provides a ton of grip and is progressive, never lets you down or catches you buy surprise. For highway driving, it could be somewhat of an overkill.
I cannot rate wet traction much less snow given the conditions I've had so far.
A strong successor to the venerable PS2, treadwear looks great so far.

Initial Review, 30,000 Miles on Tires
August 26, 2012

I am very impressed with what this snow tire can do. I was passing cars during a storm three times as expensive as mine all due to these tires. Well worth the price. These tires grip snow and ice like cat claws on a carpet. I will definitely buy these again. the road noise is loud and fuel is reduced by 2-4 miles per gallon depending on how aggressive you drive.