For a decade, the stock answer to “what tires for a BMW 335i?” was the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. That answer needs an update: the PSS has been phased out, and its successors — the Pilot Sport 4S and the newer Pilot Sport S5 — now carry the crown. Here is what changed and what to fit on an E9x today.
The Pilot Super Sport legacy
The PSS earned its reputation honestly: developed alongside Le Mans programs, it gave the N54- and N55-powered 335i exactly what the chassis wanted — progressive breakaway, strong wet grip, and treadwear that made the performance feel free. It became the default upgrade over the run-flats BMW shipped on, which traded ride quality and grip for the ability to limp home without a spare. Swapping run-flats for the PSS (and carrying a repair kit) was the single most transformative money an E9x owner could spend.
What replaced it
| Tire | Status | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot Super Sport | discontinued, leftover sizes only | the legacy pick |
| Pilot Sport 4S | widely available | the direct successor and today’s default |
| Pilot Sport S5 | rolling out, OE-focused | the next generation, sitting above the 4S |
The Pilot Sport 4S is the tire Michelin built to replace the PSS, and by every published test it grips harder in the dry and sheds water better. It is the sensible fitment for the 335i’s common staggered 18-inch setups. The Pilot Sport S5 has begun replacing the 4S in original-equipment sizes on new performance cars; for an E9x, it matters mostly as a sign that 4S prices will soften. If you find genuine PSS stock in your size, it is still a fine tire — just check the date codes, because tires age even unmounted.
Getting the most from the upgrade
Two chassis notes make more difference than another tenth of tread compound. First, alignment: a decade-plus-old 3-series has almost certainly drifted from spec, and camber and toe settings decide how evenly those new tires wear and how eagerly the nose turns in — our camber, caster, and toe explainer covers what each number does. Second, basic health: tires can only report what the suspension and engine give them, so pair the new rubber with fresh fluids on schedule — the E90-generation oil change guide is the place to start if the car is new to you.
Tire lineup status per Michelin dealer and enthusiast-community reporting, September 2026. Photos: Axion23 (CC BY 2.0) and GT1976 (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
