New Shoes.....

[X5 Meister]

Good info. In regard to your last point, yeah what I wouldn't give to be able to test 5 or 6 different tires for a few thousand miles.!

Originally Posted by motordavid

Meister,
I have no need for RFTs, with my '01 E53 spare, regardless of what tire brand I
have/had, imo.

I have Sport on our '01: stiff enough and that added slightly stiffer sidewall may
exacerbate the ride.

I dumped the oe Goodyear Eagle RFTs that came on my '02 Vette, as they had
~33,000 miles on them, and I needed replacement for a trip. I considered both
RFT replacements and non-RFTs. I chose GY Eagle F1 non-RFTs partly due to
cost comparo and partly because I wanted to try non-RFTs on the Vette. The
downside of course, is I have a plug kit and mini-compressor for long trips.

Yes, I meant Turanzas; I loved mine. The MicheyDs are just ok, imo.

It's potluck buying tires, imo, and an expensive crap shoot, imo.
GL, mD

[msammy]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

That's an interesting point. Would you consider getting the OE E70 tires for the E53 in run flats?

OMG!!! An E53 sport with run flats would be like driving in a freaking 5 ton dump truck with a full load!!! I have RFT's on my 550i and would never consider putting them on my X5. I'm looking for new tires for the 5'er and I can't wait to get the original factory-installed RFT stones off of my race car. A totally harsh and punishing ride with the RFT's!!! Whoever invented run flat tires should be sentenced to a life sentence of commuting on the harshest roads one can find for their daily commute!!!

[1stE53]

Originally Posted by Bimmer4125

I'm currently finishing up my second set of Michelin Energy MXV4's. They worked well, but I wanted to try something different.....

Both my E class and 3.0 X came with the MXV4's. Thought they were ok, but was never convinced of how good people claim them to be. I replaced the X's with ContiProContacts and easily outclassed the Mich in EVERY situation. On most surfaces, I don't hear a bit of road noise, just wind . Wet traction is second to none, and light snow was 20X better. I was actually slowing down with these as opposed to the MXV4s. Don't know if I would get the same tire on the V8 but there you have my 2c

PS. Going with the Bridgestone Serenity for the E.

[X5 Meister]

Interestingly Michelin has already discontinued the "Diamaris 4x4" rear tire in 19" size (285mm) and while you can still get the front in 19" (255mm) apparently it too will be discontinued. The replacement OE BMW tire is the "Latitude Diamaris" which at the moment isn't even being made in 19" (255mm) size. Apparently the only change between the two is the name, they are identical otherwise. Nice development, huh?

[Wayne's World]

General Altimax HP - as good as everyone says they are. Got these on my 06' 3.0 sport on Style 135's.

[Bimmer4125]

So anyway.....after intensive research and way too much pondering, I went with the Yokohama Avid Envigor's. They ended up being $170.00 a piece mounted, balanced and out the door. So far so good...I like they ride and look. Thanks for all the input. Have a great afternoon..John

[Bimmer4125]

Sort of an update for anyone who is tire shopping.....after just a couple hundred miles I can feel a real difference between the Yokohama and the older Michelins.....they seem softer - more grip - great in rain as I discovered today during a couple standing water downpours. At this point they were a great investment.......have a great night...John

[xrandy]

Thanks for input - I have a 2006 3.0 Sport and at 50k was looking at Conti DWS. However, they are on back order with no due in date. TR rates the Yokohama Avid pretty high vs Bridgestone and General. Plus they're less $$$.
I'm in NJ (yeah, yeah, Exit 7A everybody here lives near an exit) and need a good handling all season tire to out drive the visitors on the Turnpike :-)

[1stE53]

Bridgestone HL Alenza is one of the best tires I have used. Have Conti ProContacts on my 3.0 and they are great on the wet and dry and extremely quiet. The Alenzas were a little more quite and amazing in snow and slush. I would have gone with them but got a great deal on the Continentals.

[WVMTNBIKER]

Originally Posted by Bimmer4125

Sort of an update for anyone who is tire shopping.....after just a couple hundred miles I can feel a real difference between the Yokohama and the older Michelins.....they seem softer - more grip - great in rain as I discovered today during a couple standing water downpours. At this point they were a great investment.......have a great night...John

Just ordered mine the other day from Discount Tire and got four of them for $485.00 delivered in 235x65x17. Of course I have local that will mount and balance reasonable. I read all the reviews too and it was my conclusion that after speaking with a Yoko rep at their main office, these were the tires for my '03 3.0i manual shift. These look great on your vehicle and I am currently waiting on mine to arrive via UPS. You made the right choice.