08-21-2012, 06:21 PM | #1 |
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BMW needs to provide better OEM tires
The X3 is a very capable vehicle in terms of handling and I really wish BMW would provide higher grip OEM tires. I understand the X3 is not meant for high speed cornering but I am starting to think that with higher grip levels the X3 can be an even better handler. Could you imagine a set of Pilot Super Sports?
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08-21-2012, 08:09 PM | #2 |
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I think that the nature of the car (and AWD SUV) make super high performance tires a poor choice for OEM fitment, in my opinion. Just look at the hatchet job Clarkson did on the X6 -- most of the content of which was because of its summer tires performing poorly on anything other than clean, dry, warm road.
It is an all-season car, and it should be shod with all-season rubber. That being said, the Goodyear LS2s that came with my car are an absolute disgrace and there are far better choices out there. They are absolutely the bottom rung in wet/snow. If you are going to sacrifice some dry performance you should at least get something for that trade. |
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08-22-2012, 08:31 AM | #4 |
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My 2012 X3 2.8 came ith Michelins RFT's.
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08-22-2012, 08:27 PM | #7 | |
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(plus a AAA card as a backup) The DWS are phenominal in snow ice, and noticably better than the Goodyears on dry. |
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08-22-2012, 09:45 PM | #8 |
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I have 2 sets of factory wheels on my 07 TL- S, one summer and one winter set. Works great for me. I'm looking at F25 with M Sport package and all season tires are not my first choise.
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08-22-2012, 11:08 PM | #9 |
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Mine came with staggered Pirelli P Zeros. I like them very much. I run Pirelli Sottozeros in the winter.
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'96 911 C4 Cab (276,000 1 owner smiles) '11 X3 35i Black Sapphire/Beige,SAP, CP, CWP, DHP, PREM, TECH, Sat radio, Hi Fi, BMW apps, smartphone, 19" w/mixed performance tires. |
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08-23-2012, 04:34 AM | #10 |
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I'm a fan of the P Zeros as well, and run the Sottozeros in the Winter. The P Zeros didn't come on the vehicle, but should have. Performance and ride improved dramatically with them.
I'd love to see the P Zero Neros available in X3 sizes. Given the nature of the vehicle, I'd think a performance All Season tire would be attractive to many owners at least for 3 seasons, and for some the fourth. I'd put them on for their balance of improved wet weather performance while retaining high cornering capability, a nice ride, and good tracking.
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08-23-2012, 06:10 AM | #11 |
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I also have the staggered P Zeros. They seem fine for the time being, but then again, I only have 3,300 km. I'll have to see how they wear out.
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08-23-2012, 07:11 AM | #12 | |
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Good to hear someone trying them on the X3. Do they feel a bit softer than the OEM tires? Encouraging that they feel better than the GYs in the dry. These will probably be what I replace the RFTs with in the near future. |
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08-23-2012, 11:57 AM | #13 |
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It's good to hear owner experience with different tires. I am glad to hear about the Pirelli winter and summer tires as this is one of my top choices.
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08-23-2012, 12:07 PM | #14 |
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I'm running S drives as my summer set. I've always loved this tire. Works great on the track, and great in the wet. They are a summer tire though, so i'll never run them in the winter. I can't comment on thread life because I'm pretty sure I leave half of the rubber on the track.
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08-23-2012, 03:47 PM | #15 | |
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The LS2 on ice was terrifying - like driving on a hockey puck. I pulled them at 2000 miles and the difference is like night and day. |
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08-25-2012, 09:44 AM | #16 |
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I can't say much about the Sottozeros. It didn't snow this past winter.
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'96 911 C4 Cab (276,000 1 owner smiles) '11 X3 35i Black Sapphire/Beige,SAP, CP, CWP, DHP, PREM, TECH, Sat radio, Hi Fi, BMW apps, smartphone, 19" w/mixed performance tires. |
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08-28-2012, 07:04 AM | #17 | |
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Quick question, what size DWS tire did you go with? I'm having trouble finding the exact OEM size. Looks like I can get 245/45s but not 245/50. I'm not sure how the slightly smaller sidewall would look. |
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08-28-2012, 07:17 PM | #18 |
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Yes, the turn-in on the DWS isn't as crisp as some tires. While not stellar, it is acceptable to me, and I figure that it is part of the trade-off for how amazing they are in rain/ice/snow.
I went with 245s - Mine is an Msport with non-staggered wheels, so they were no change from OEM size. I'm not sure how they'd look on a staggered rim setup. |
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08-30-2012, 06:43 AM | #19 |
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Right, I see several DWS options that come with a 245 width, but what about the sidewall height? I couldn't find and DWSs that came in 245/50. I do see a 245/45 option. Is that what you went with? Tire would be slightly smaller than OEM and I'm curious to know how it fills the wheel well. It might not even be noticeable.
On edit, never mind, with the M Sport package you got the 19" 369 style wheels so different size than our smaller 18" wheels on our non MSport. Last edited by n55x3; 08-30-2012 at 06:50 AM.. |
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08-30-2012, 07:23 AM | #20 |
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In here we have Pirelli P7 Cinturato and they are ok summer tyres.
But of course one has to buy a second set of tyres for winter. I have Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7, and they are perfect for proper winter driving. No one in their right mind would drive whole year round with one set of tyres. |
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08-30-2012, 07:45 AM | #21 | |
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My dealer warned me when I ordered my cars regarding alternative tyres - more precisely sticking to exact measurements as it is 4x4, especialy on stagered set-up |
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