Tyre Recommendations 205/60 R15

BigToe · 23 Dec 2011 at 18:23

As above, I'm after tyre recommendations in 205/60 R15.

I was thinking around £75 to £85 per corner, unless there is something particularly good above or below. I'm looking for a "sporty" tyre with good feedback, little side-wall flex and decent wet performance.

They will be going on an E36 328i Touring.

Thanks!

[TW]Fox · 23 Dec 2011 at 18:31

This is going to be a bit of a tall order really. That's a particularly unsporting size, it'll have a large squidgy sidewall as standard as 60 profile is quite tall! It's not found on many, if any, more sporting vehicles and this is reflected in the tyre choice you have available. A quick glance at Camskill reveals none of the major manufacturers offering much in the more performance orientated range in this size, it's most all mid-range touring tyres.

I think you'd really benefit from a new set of wheels on this car. A set of 16 inch Style 32's won't break the bank, and will let you run something like a 225/50/16 which is still not exactly ideal but increases your selection and allows you to pick something like ContiSportContact but they'll be over £100 in that size

BigToe · 23 Dec 2011 at 18:48

Thanks for the response, although I was hoping you wouldn't say that!

I actually have an immaculate set of Style 30s and a very good set of Style 154s that I was going to sell, but I may consider keeping one. The thing is, I actually think I prefer how the E36s handle with 15" wheels. They feel more responsive and less lumbering to me. It must be something to do with the unsprung weight but admittedly I haven't tried any of the best 16" tyres in 205/55 and 225/50.

What about Continental Premium Contact 2 or Bridgestone Turanza ER300?

[TW]Fox · 23 Dec 2011 at 18:52

The PremiumContact is a decent enough tyre, but it isn't sports orientated so there will be little consideration given to feel etc. It would be my choice in that size though, I put 4 on my sisters car.

BigToe · 23 Dec 2011 at 20:24

Thanks, I'll need to have a good think about whether to stick with 15" or go back to 16".

mjt · 23 Dec 2011 at 22:03

TBH I didn't rate the PremiumContacts in the wet, although maybe that was me being far too heavy-footed in a FWD

[TW]Fox · 23 Dec 2011 at 22:03

mjt said:
TBH I didn't rate the PremiumContacts in the wet, although maybe that was me being far too heavy-footed in a FWD

Relative though isn't it? Amongst its peers the wet performance seems reasonable good. It's not going to be as good as a SportContact 5 for obvious reasons, but then neither is a Bridgestone Turenza!

Clarkey · 23 Dec 2011 at 22:32

Conti PC2's on shoes e36 in that size. I drove it pedal to the metal at the RR (wet and really cold) with no hint of slip or slide. Heck, they can hook up a full bore launch on a damp sub-zero road. I think so say they aren't good in the wet is absurd. Get these tyres and you will not regret it.

shoes · 25 Dec 2011 at 00:02

Aye, the PC2 seem fine to me in that profile - I've put 230bhp through them on cold wet roads and have no slip whatsoever. I only put a pair of rears on at first as I had matched pirelli's on the front. I was so impressed with them on the rear that I bought two more for the front wheels. They handle beautifully, they do offer a significant amount of grip, tracking and braking. Very very good braking in the wet.

BigToe · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:03

Thanks for the replies.

I'm torn as to which route to go down now. I can stick with the 15" alloys and get 4 x Continental PC2 for £292.52 delivered, or I can use my 16" alloys and get 4 x Continental SC2 for £253.16 delivered. Whichever option I pick, I can sell the unused set of alloys.

The SportContact2 option sounds like a no-brainer; they are cheaper and sportier. However, if I stick with the 15" alloys and get the PC2s I'll have less unsprung weight and I can probably recuperate more money by selling the 16" wheels than I could by selling the 15" ones.

Perhaps I won't notice the weight difference as much with my touring as I did my 318iS coupé. The coupé is 200kg lighter and I found switching from 16" to 15" quite a significant change. It was the same story when I had my old 316i.

shoes : your E36 sounds interesting, what have you done to it? I will be doing the M50 manifold mod to mine at some point in the near future.