In reply to your question on M3 tires - I replaced my MXX3's when they wore out with Yokohama AVS Intermediates, and have the following comments

Plus

• - much cheaper $170 vs $260
• - quite a bit quieter
• - smoother ride

Minus

• - not as good turn in, more squishy response, not as much fun
• - nowhere near as good wet adhesion

If I had to do it again, I'd probably opt for the MXX3's.

Having said that, I was forced to run with the Yok's for the last day of a 3 day track session, after I wore through an R1. They were surprisingly sticky on the track. Not up the R1's of course, but I was still able to pass a few R1 shod Euro M3's with them (the event was in Canada, where they have Real M3's). I feel better now about the tires, but still miss the MXX3's, and hope I will not ever need the extra wet braking margin they offered.

Regards;
Jerry '95 M3