Re: Z3 Tire, Grand Touring vs Ultra High Performan (archive)

I have a question or two if I may. For many years my wife and I motorcycled, so we appreciate that different tires have different characteristics and uses. Unfortunately we have passed the age where motorcycling is practical for us, so we sold all our bikes and purchased a 2000 BMW Z3 with 2.8 liter engine. Now we need to learn all over again about a new sport with different requirements. I must admit that the best motorcycle tires we found, at least for sport touring in the mountains on a Yamaha Venture, were either Pirelli or Bridgestone (although I admit that may have no bearing on car tires). The stock tires on our Z3 are Michelin Pilot HX MXM 225/50ZR16. They seem to be an excellent tire. I don�t think we will ever travel over 100 mph, so the Z rating is perhaps (?) un-needed. We do like the twisty mountain roads, and in fact live off quite a nice one. There is a local joke that you can almost read your own rear license plate on the road to our house. I think it would be fair to say we drive aggressively, especially in the corners. Our Z will be used mostly for sport touring in the mountains, and the twistier the better. We are enjoying our old motorcycle roads all over again.

I hope that explanation gives an indication of what kind of tires we need. The stock tires seemed to grip quite well, rarely if ever loosing traction on dry pavement. The rears will be due for replacement soon after 10,000 miles. The fronts will go a bit longer. The consensus on the web seems to be that your opinions are good, so I have contacted you twice to see what you suggest. The first person seemed to indicate that to notice any difference I needed to get the Potenza Pole Position tires. The second person (Kyle I think) seemed to feel that if I didn�t break the stock tires loose (which I don�t do) there was no sense in getting more aggressive (and therefore shorter life) tires. I�ve been considering this view, and it seems at odds to my motorcycle experience. On a motorcycle I NEVER wanted to have tires sliding, and yet I found a vast difference in handling characteristics between �cheap� and �expensive� tires. Since this is true on a motorcycle, why should it not be true, perhaps to a lesser degree, on a sports car?

I decided to try for a third opinion, and to enter it via the Z3 web site, thinking perhaps to get an answer with a bit more explanation. I notice the Z3 stock tires are grouped under Grand Touring and are, I believe, rated at 140 AA. I was considering trying the Bridgestone Potenza RE730 which is rated 300 AA, seems to cost half the price, and is rated number one in the Ultra High Performance category. Shouldn�t these outperform a Grand Touring tire? Why, or why not?

Incidentally I have ordered (and you have shipped) the Guardex 600 snow tire package I tried to buy via Kyle. He insisted they were not available, and that I needed to spend over $100 more for a different brand, but I noticed they were still on the web so I ordered via the web. I guess I can�t be positive they are correct till they get here in a few days, but I assume you shipped what you said. I realize a rear wheel drive car with minimal ground clearance will never be a great snow car; it was bought to replace motorcycles, and to be fun for what bikers call �sports touring�, not for snow. I have an ML320 SUV with Guardex tires on all four wheels for serious snow. On the other hand, I can�t wait to dare a little snow and ice in the winter with the Z (we always just had to store the bikes for 4 to 5 months).

Best Regards,
Chuck Clark

If you are a more aggresive driver I would also recommend the S02 Pole Position if you are looking for the best. The RE730 has a lot of the same technology but will not have the maximum dry weather handling. It will last longer with very similar wet handling at a much better price point.
The ultra high performance or maximum performance tires will handle better than the touring tires. The speed rating of the tires give the car a stiffer sidewall construction which will in turn give you better handling turn in response and lateral stability at any speed. It doesn't matter that you wont be driving over 100 mph. The Z speed rated tires will be better. If I can help let me know. Thank you

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