Tires for E 36

I have bought a nice '94 325is coupe, 5 speed. All it needs is tires, 225/50/16.

This will be just a street car. I'm looking for really crisp turn-in and "feel," excellent rain tire. Car will see some cold weather but no snow. I don't need a race tire but super-long life is not that important. I won't say price is no object, but I expect to pay for a really good tire.

Thanks in advance.

Continental Extreme contact DW or DWS, under $100 each from the TireRack, you should be able to find a local tire store willing to meet or beat that price.

I have been happy with the Kumho Ecsta spt on my WRX. For being ultra high perf. summer tires they aren't bad in the cold. Snow and ice is a different story though. $85 each at tire rack.

ansonivan wrote: Continental Extreme contact DW or DWS, under $100 each from the TireRack, you should be able to find a local tire store willing to meet or beat that price.

I have not owned these tires but a friend of mine whose opinion I trust (experienced, capable autocrosser) agrees that the Contis are very nice. He's got them on his E46.

Meanwhile, I own a set of Kumho SPTs that, with plenty of tread remaining and only a couple years old, seem to have lost all of their stick, and are not confidence-inspiring in the rain like they were when newer. Probably will try the Contis next time.

ansonivan wrote: Continental Extreme contact DW or DWS, under $100 each from the TireRack, you should be able to find a local tire store willing to meet or beat that price.

I have the Conti DWS on my 750, and they will not suit your needs. The DW tires may; I've not driven them. The DWS replaced a mixed set of OE Michelin Pilots up front and Hankook Ventus Evos out back. I ran the tread off the 'kooks in one summer season but higher than optimal tire pressures and several autocrosses probably hurt that; correct pressures and the ability to rotate (I'm stuck with staggered 19s) could easily double their life. On the prior tires the car turned in sharply and stuck like glue - obviously going to an all season like the DWS has severely compromised that behavior. For an all season they handle well, but that's like saying I'm pretty fly for a white guy - I'm still the embodiment of "stiff white guy" on the dance floor...

The price/performance ratio was very favorable on the Hankooks; I'd look at whatever their current top dog extreme summer tire is. As long as you're not running in snow or frequently under 40 degrees an extreme summer tire is what you want. If you want "The Best" there is only one - Michelin Pilot Sport - but they are $pendy.

Thank you, folks.

i have old Bridgestone S-03's on my M3 which felt pretty good for autocrossing and HPDE but i was astonished how good they are in the wet... almost not fun? they dont make them anymore but i'm sure their newest version would offer something similar in performance.

i have autocrossed the hankook rs-3 on pseudosport's turbo miata and they felt great. its what i'll likely replace my s-03's with when i can afford to.

Second on the SPT if you can get them in the right size. I had them on my DD 325is. I even ran them as "rain" tire during some track events and autoXs. They are an AWESOME rain tire. I couldn't find a set in the size I needed for 17" (235-40-17). So I went for Fuzion ZRi. So far they are really good tires for the $$$ (GRM reviewed them as well)!! They do run a little narrow. The 235s I got for the 318 look more like 225.