Max performance tire options?

[J.Belknap]

Very pleased with the Bridgestone HP Dueller Sport Non-RFT.

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by Syndicate

Thanks all,

From what I've read, the bridgestones and michelins are high performance, but not "ultra" performance like the dunlops. Still, I'm less than impressed by 80lbs of rotational mass on each corner, of which half of that is the tire.

I'm surprised by the Vredestein recommendations. I put those once on the M3, and literally gave them away after 1 month. The understeer that they caused was just unacceptable. Perhaps they build a better SUV tire?...

Oddly enough, I still haven't been able to find an X5 review on the yokohomas.

No problems with understeer with mine.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by blue dragon

How hard are you driving your X3 to experience handling at the limit?. I mean I have pushed my X5 in the corners, but nowhere near the limit of the tires.

That's the beauty of living in central VA at the foothills of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains.

I don't think twice about pushing the X3 to its max capabilities, usually 50km/h (30mph) on the tighter hairpins. Sharp turns posted at 20mph on mountain passes can easily be held at 60-70 (45mph) depending on the camber. One thing I like about the Continentals is that the understeer is well-tamed so I don't suddenly get into situations where I completely lose the steering......there's plenty of warning and feedback. When going downhill, I can balance and trail-brake the X3 so the rear-end comes around a bit (DSC has to be off for this though).

This would be a 70-80km/h corner (immediately after snapping this photo, I literally threw my phone onto the passenger floor)



In between corners, the gearbox holds gears to redline even when coasting and downshifts early in anticipation, like "race mode", with the 2.5 liter staying above 4000rpm all the time. Brakes are great, I usually don't have ABS cutting in. It's a hugely exciting car when pushed like on a racetrack.

I do try to stay on my side of the road at all times though, I don't cut corners in the off-chance of oncoming traffic. Virginia is pretty deserted. There's a small margin for error that I try to keep, but all the best roads are 2-lanes and many do not have shoulders. Overall, it's knowing the car and having the car talk back to the driver that really enables me to enjoy the full potential.

(I borrowed my mother's 325i sport for a week once. Max performance summer tires, rear-wheel drive, DSC off . I am very glad I don't usually have it because I would get in so much trouble with that........I went "driving" with it one night and did a powerslide at 60mph around an off-camber corner. Great fun but one day I'd probably end up hitting a mailbox or landing in the ditch. I'm not a race car driver and don't have perfect technique.)

[blue dragon]

Lol, you'd probably kill yourself in my old car.
Ground control track/school coilover suspension, ground control sway bars, ground control hybrid bushings



Thats it lifting the inside front wheel at an auto-x

[FSETH]

^ Awesome e46.

[Richard in NC]

Yes my old X3 ('06 non sport) handled great as does the new X5. I have pushed the X5 on the Tail of the Dragon (think BRP with much tighter turns) as hard as I would have an M3.

Sport tires do make a difference. Mainly in ultimate grip, but also in feel at the limit, and possibly braking distances.

I am driving with the Pirelli Scorpion winters now. On my favorite on-ramp, I've lost 2-3 mph prior to tire squeal. Surprising little difference (especially considering the huge gain in snow/ice traction) but I also lost a bit of feel at the edge and have more understeer as I'm approaching their limit.

[Fergcougar]

I just put Vreds on my X5 and love them.. Srt8's and SS seem to run Vreds and there is nothing but good news about these tires.

[autoque]

Originally Posted by Syndicate

I see that some folks have switched to Michelins, but then switched back to the RFTs due to DSC kicking in.

Why would any particular brand of tires cause the DSC to kick in?

[Edge647]

+1 for the Vreds

[soldmystang]

Originally Posted by autoque

Why would any particular brand of tires cause the DSC to kick in?

traction issues i would guess. if the tire is hard it will slip a bit and DSC would pick up on that.


i remember the day i brought home the wife's E53 from TN. i got tired of following the old woman on 321 and passed her on a downhill run. apparently she knew about the cambered 100 degree right hand rising turn at the bottom of the hill.

damn fun after i survived it. i really thought i was going to total the wife's new ride 45 minutes after i signed the papers. gotta appreciate that DE training.