What tires should I get

[TechBoyJK]

Getting new wheels, and need to pick out tires.

For a bmw z4. This car is my daily driver, but sometimes I go days without driving. I drive as little as possible in winter (i live 2 blocks from my job that I walk to every day), but I still want to know that if I have to go out and its freezing I can get around.

I'm looking at these two tires right now.

The least expensive, but rated slightly better is the General Exclaim UHP, which I've seen recommended many places online. BUt it is listed as a "summer/high performance tire". Many people have said they use them as their daily tires though.

TireRack.com --> General Exclaim UHP

The more expensive, but ALL season tires are Good years. Some people complain of road noise.

TireRack.com --> Goodyear Eagle F1

 

[Arkaign]

Get the summer tires, will be better performance, sounds like you wouldn't be totally up shit creek if you had to leave it parked in severe weather.

Also, if you can drive there on all season tires, you can do it on summer tires, the difference isn't all that gigantic. What you have to do is drive very slowly, plan your stops/turns, and avoid sudden movements. Unfortunately, none of this can counter the idiotic drivers of other vehicles that you may encounter, so safer not to drive in bad conditions unless it's unavoidable.

 

[Vette73]

I put the General Exclaim UHP on my 01 Vette. very good tire and does meet the M/S standards but they don;t test it so they don;t let anybody sell them as a M/S tire.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Get the summer tires, will be better performance, sounds like you wouldn't be totally up shit creek if you had to leave it parked in severe weather.

Also, if you can drive there on all season tires, you can do it on summer tires, the difference isn't all that gigantic. What you have to do is drive very slowly, plan your stops/turns, and avoid sudden movements. Unfortunately, none of this can counter the idiotic drivers of other vehicles that you may encounter, so safer not to drive in bad conditions unless it's unavoidable.

Well, I made it two winters on performance OEM runflats that came on the car.. I did get stuck in snow a few times, but that was only out of my own stupidity. I can't imagine the summer tires being any worse than what I had in the snow. Light, rear wheel drive car doesn't get any traction with even a tiny bit of snow on the ground.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
I put the General Exclaim UHP on my 01 Vette. very good tire and does meet the M/S standards but they don;t test it so they don;t let anybody sell them as a M/S tire.

lol, you actually quoted the murder weapon! i remember that.

I guess I will go with the Generals, everybody seems to be saying for the money there's not a better option.

 

[Viper GTS]

Take a look at Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas. Should be similar in price to the Generals. I absolutely love them on my Mustang, was under $600 shipped for the set.

I've used them in the rain, on snow, and of course on dry pavement they. Great tires.

Viper GTS

 

[mitaiwan82]

I got a set of Sumitomo HTR Z IIIs for my M3 a couple months ago. They're categorized in the Max Performance Summer tires, so it's even gripper than the Generals. I think they have a great amount of grip, and are a good value for some low-profile, performance tires.

Tirerack: Sumitomo HTR Z III

I have no idea how they would perform in the snow, but I wouldn't want to drive with the Generals in snow either.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82
I got a set of Sumitomo HTR Z IIIs for my M3 a couple months ago. They're categorized in the Max Performance Summer tires, so it's even gripper than the Generals. I think they have a great amount of grip, and are a good value for some low-profile, performance tires.

Tirerack: Sumitomo HTR Z III

I have no idea how they would perform in the snow, but I wouldn't want to drive with the Generals in snow either.

The tread wear is lower so yea they should grip better dry but will probable wear out faster.

I liked the generals as they were lower cost, good tread wear rating, and also meet the M/S standard.

 

[Vetterin]

The Generals are rated really good but if you are trying to save some money and don't need tires today you might try and wait for the Kumho Ecsta ASX to go on sale. I got a set in January for my Subaru (215/45/17) which I think is just 1 size smaller than yours for $45 each from TireRack. I had Discout Tire price match ended up spending $318 total. I live in Chicago and drive 72 miles a day and am very pleased with the overall performance so far.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: Vetterin
The Generals are rated really good but if you are trying to save some money and don't need tires today you might try and wait for the Kumho Ecsta ASX to go on sale. I got a set in January for my Subaru (215/45/17) which I think is just 1 size smaller than yours for $45 each from TireRack. I had Discout Tire price match ended up spending $318 total. I live in Chicago and drive 72 miles a day and am very pleased with the overall performance so far.

I need tires soon. and you have 17" wheels, I'm looking at 19".. the price difference is notable.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

I need tires soon. and you have 17" wheels, I'm looking at 19".. the price difference is notable.

19" on a daily driver... yeah, I pulled my stock 17's off when I hit a pothole and bent a rim. I now ride on 15 inch steelies and 50 dollar tires.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Vetterin
The Generals are rated really good but if you are trying to save some money and don't need tires today you might try and wait for the Kumho Ecsta ASX to go on sale. I got a set in January for my Subaru (215/45/17) which I think is just 1 size smaller than yours for $45 each from TireRack. I had Discout Tire price match ended up spending $318 total. I live in Chicago and drive 72 miles a day and am very pleased with the overall performance so far.

I liked the Kumho's I had. I almost put them on the Corvette but they seem to over rate their treadwear compared to others. I do not know if the generals do the same but I still went with them as I like them to last longer.

But I also put some Kumho's on my CTS recently as the Generals in the size I needed cost to much.

 

[alkemyst]

you looking for handling or comfort?

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
you looking for handling or comfort?

both.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: alkemyst
you looking for handling or comfort?

both.

I'd say stick with whatever Sam's or Costco is blowing out in your size then.

 

[halik]

STAY AWAY FROM GENERAL TIRE!

Those things are garbage, I had a set of summer ones (exclaim something) 255 or 265 rear on my CLK and they lasted about 6000 miles. Absolute crap!

 

[bananapeel42]

sams or costco probably won't even have his 19" tires at all..

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: halik
STAY AWAY FROM GENERAL TIRE!

Those things are garbage, I had a set of summer ones (exclaim something) 255 or 265 rear on my CLK and they lasted about 6000 miles. Absolute crap!

UHP come highly rated...however most of the ultra performance along with an alignment to match are lucky to last 10k.

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: halik
STAY AWAY FROM GENERAL TIRE!

Those things are garbage, I had a set of summer ones (exclaim something) 255 or 265 rear on my CLK and they lasted about 6000 miles. Absolute crap!

UHP come highly rated...however most of the ultra performance along with an alignment to match are lucky to last 10k.

Well, I hope my should last longer than 10k. I've got 4k on my Grabber UHP's and so far so good. A lot quiter than the BFG Gforce I had on previously.

 

[mitaiwan82]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82
I got a set of Sumitomo HTR Z IIIs for my M3 a couple months ago. They're categorized in the Max Performance Summer tires, so it's even gripper than the Generals. I think they have a great amount of grip, and are a good value for some low-profile, performance tires.

Tirerack: Sumitomo HTR Z III

I have no idea how they would perform in the snow, but I wouldn't want to drive with the Generals in snow either.

The tread wear is lower so yea they should grip better dry but will probable wear out faster.

I liked the generals as they were lower cost, good tread wear rating, and also meet the M/S standard.

On my M3, the Sumitomos are currently cheaper than the Generals. ($378 vs $388)

FYI the Generals came with this disclaimer from Tire Rack: "We do not suggest Exclaim UHP tires be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

 

[vshah]

be warned, summer tires will wear VERY fast if driven often in cold weather. doesn't have to be snowing, the cold temps are not what that rubber was designed for. i got 14k miles out of the michelins pilot exaltos that came with my car.

 

[alkemyst]

that has more than likely nothing to do with cold weather. I am lucky to get 15k out of any performance tire in the 70-90's here in florida.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82
I got a set of Sumitomo HTR Z IIIs for my M3 a couple months ago. They're categorized in the Max Performance Summer tires, so it's even gripper than the Generals. I think they have a great amount of grip, and are a good value for some low-profile, performance tires.

Tirerack: Sumitomo HTR Z III

I have no idea how they would perform in the snow, but I wouldn't want to drive with the Generals in snow either.

The tread wear is lower so yea they should grip better dry but will probable wear out faster.

I liked the generals as they were lower cost, good tread wear rating, and also meet the M/S standard.

On my M3, the Sumitomos are currently cheaper than the Generals. ($378 vs $388)

FYI the Generals came with this disclaimer from Tire Rack: "We do not suggest Exclaim UHP tires be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

My Generals are fine in cold weather, but I have never tried in snow. The first few miles have a bit less traction but then again I dont push the car when it's cold, anyways.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82
I got a set of Sumitomo HTR Z IIIs for my M3 a couple months ago. They're categorized in the Max Performance Summer tires, so it's even gripper than the Generals. I think they have a great amount of grip, and are a good value for some low-profile, performance tires.

Tirerack: Sumitomo HTR Z III

I have no idea how they would perform in the snow, but I wouldn't want to drive with the Generals in snow either.

The tread wear is lower so yea they should grip better dry but will probable wear out faster.

I liked the generals as they were lower cost, good tread wear rating, and also meet the M/S standard.

On my M3, the Sumitomos are currently cheaper than the Generals. ($378 vs $388)

FYI the Generals came with this disclaimer from Tire Rack: "We do not suggest Exclaim UHP tires be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

My Generals are fine in cold weather, but I have never tried in snow. The first few miles have a bit less traction but then again I dont push the car when it's cold, anyways.

Any summer tire will more than likely never get to the proper operating temps in freezing weather.

 

[Reckoner]

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