The Best BMW 335i Tires: Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Tires are probably the easiest, most efficient method to help your BMW carry out better on the street or track. As we all know, tires are the only part of a vehicle that physically touch the road while driving (hopefully). Acceleration, braking, managing, guiding, and comfort are all figured out by your cars tires. For this reason, I will constantly run max performance summer season tires on my 2007 BMW 335i and Michelin’s Pilot Super Sport tire provides in every imaginable method.
BMW Hankook and Bridgestone Tire Experiences
- Tire Rack: Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2
- Tire Rack: OEM Bridgestone Run-Flats
Before acquiring a 2007 335i, I drove a 2008 BMW 535i that was at first equipped with the OEM Bridgestone run-flat tires, which were utter and complete trash to state the least. The tires were unpredictable in all manners; turn-in felt good at initially, however without alerting they constantly found a method to break out through quick corners. As soon as the Bridgestone run-flat tires broke loose it was difficult for them to collect traction for a couple of moments until the car lastly decreased a bit.
The ride quality of the stiff Bridgestone tires did not make for pleasant cruising. I rapidly changed the run-flat tires out, and selected Michelin Pilot Super Sports. I understand comparing the performance of a run-flat tire to Michelin Pilot Super Sports is not always a fair contrast; although the Bridgestone tires were still considered a max performance summer season tire.
When I purchased my 2007 335i the car came equipped with an alternative max performance summer season tire, Hankook’s Ventus V12 evo2 tires. Originating From Michelin Pilot Super Sports on the 535i I was not impressed with Hankook Ventus evo2’s. I must keep in mind that it remained a drastic enhancement over the Bridgestone run-flats.
The Hankook evo2’s were much more foreseeable throughout cornering, and offered enough grip while braking and speeding up. The flight convenience was mediocre all-together, however likely above average for a max performance summertime tire.
My above-mentioned experiences with the Hankook and Bridgestone tires are not suggested to be exhaustive reviews, rather I want to highlight the vital importance of high performance tires. The latter 2 tires are categorized as “Max Performance Summer Tires”, which is the highest ranking for a dry/wet street tire.
Compared to other offered street tires when it concerns performance, anything within this category is merely the top of the line, the very best of the best. When examining these high-performance tires there is more to be wanted, even. More performance to be had. Get in Michelin’s Pilot Super Sport tire.
BMW 335i Michelin Pilot Super Sport (PSS) Review
- Tire Rack: Michelin Pilot Super Sports
I sat here for quite a long time trying to determine a way to present Pilot Super Sports and battled with analyzing how to explain what makes the Michelin’s as good as they truly are. The performance information is there and the real-world results exist, however there is a lot more to the Michelin PSS.
It’s a sensation that is simpler experienced behind the wheel than it is described. Michelin PSS’ deliver an unequaled sensation of confidence behind the wheel; usually, I would be inclined to say it is over-confidence, however the tires do not permit that.
Turn-in to high speed corners is impressive. The tires react instantly, bite into the corner with excellent force, and relatively plead for more. Obediently, you go into the throttle and the car continues shoot straight where you are guiding. As you near speeds that are, by all elements of your imagination, impossible for such a corner, the Michelin PSS’ start screeching lightly yet the tires stay un-phased as they keep the car firmly planted and dead on track. Appropriately, you push the car harder and dig even more into the throttle around the corner.
Michelin’s PSS tires start shrieking louder, and this time they break ever so somewhat loose triggering the car to enter a minor understeer that is easily fixed. It is a brief, subtle suggestion – you are not behind the wheel of an F1 car on a prepped race course, however rather you are still driving a 2007 335i on public roads. To summarize, the PSS tires break loose progressively and supply terrific wheel feedback.
Unlike the Michelin PSS, the Bridgestone and Hankook tires had an extremely fine line in between remaining in control and all hell breaking loose. There is no fine line with the Michelin’s– it is progressive. They permit you to with confidence push the car and tires to the limit, and when you pass the limit the Pilot Super Sports are extremely forgiving.
Turn-in, stability, cornering, and dealing with are without a doubt a few of the greatest points about the Michelin PSS; that is not to say this tire falls short in the other classifications including velocity, braking, and comfort. Acceleration is as good as it can get in my 335i. Depending on the road conditions my Michelin Pilot Super Sports do sometimes lose traction from a dig (full throttle from a dead stop). This is to be expected in a modded 335i that does not have a minimal slip differential, and only has 255 tires in the rear.
Related: BMW E90 Oil Change & Oil Filter Replacement Guidelines
I need to mention– even when the Michelin PSS tires do lose traction during velocity they handle to keep the car well planted, pointed straight, and transport the car rapidly through 1st gear. Wheel spin is a non-issue outside of 1st gear, except for the periodic small chirp throughout the 1-2nd and 2-3rd shifts. Braking is also extraordinary in my 335i with the PSS tires.
Once again, the tires find a method to apparently dig into the road with unbelievable force and bring the car to a stop quickly. Wet traction is yet another area where the tire delivers incredible performance; I would want to wager the Super Sport tire delivers more grip on wet roadways than a vast bulk of tires can gather on bone-dry roads.
I did not wish to explain the truths of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires in excessive depth; as discussed, the real-world performance information is out there. The following link to TireRack ranks and examines max performance summertime tires (click on Michelin PSS for further details): Michelin Pilot Super Sports on Tire Rack.
Super Sports have actually proven their worth on paper and in the real life, however, most importantly they provide an unequaled, mysterious experience behind the wheel. The Michelin PSS tire was initially launched in 2011 and has stayed the king of the streets because that time. Although, Michelin’s recently developed Pilot Sport four tires might be here to dismiss the long-reigning Pilot Super Sports.
Michelin Pilot Sport Four
- Tire Rack: Michelin Pilot Sport Four
In 2017, Michelin introduced a new tire to the “Max Performance Summertime Tires” category– the Michelin Pilot Sport Four. Their new tire is planned to change the PSS’, and Michelin will start phasing out production and availability of the Pilot Super Sports. For rather a long time, the Pilot Sport 4S’ were not available for 17″ or 18″ wheels, however are now readily available for my 2007 335i with 255/35ZR18 in the rear and 225/40ZR18 in advance.
I have actually not had the opportunity to evaluate the PS4 tires yet, however, I require new rear tires once I switch my summer season tires back onto the car. I can say with certainty I will be changing my Michelin Pilot Super Sports with Michelin’s all new Pilot Sport four. Once I install the brand-new tires and have the chance to evaluate them out a little bit, look for a review on the Michelin PS4S.
Best 335i Tires Summary
I have not tested every max performance summertime tire readily available I can say with self-confidence– the Michelin Pilot Super Sports were probably the best performance street tire available. Michelin’s PSS tire did everything in warm weather condition with ease.
Velocity, braking, cornering, and stability were all at the top of their particular class in both dry and damp conditions. The Super Sports likewise deliver an unparalleled experience behind the wheel; they provide incredible steering wheel feedback and impart a feeling of security and confidence I have actually not felt with any other tires that I have actually used.
Based upon existing screening and reviews, it appears the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S are the new king of the streets. As soon as I have the opportunity to test their brand-new tire, more info to come. In the mean-time, for those trying to find a tire to optimize their BMW’s performance, it is difficult to go wrong with either Michelin’s Pilot Super Sports or Pilot Sport 4S.