>From: thai_at_hjinc.com (Thai Tjen)
>Date: Tue, 29 Jul 1997 09:30:44 -0400 (EDT)
>Subject: opinions wanted: E36 M3 tires

>my second set of tires is almost gone now (they're falkens GR-beta;
>lasted me about 13,000 miles). i need a new set of tires for
>my '95 M3. my options are:

>1. bridgestone S-02: read good things about them. never tried any

>                     performance bridgestones before (ie: expedia

>                     S-01, potenza RE-71). but always hear good
>                     comments. expensive!

>2. dunlop SP9000: new tires; haven't heard anything about them.

>                     almost as expensive as the bridgestones.

>                     i've tried SP8000s before, i like its dry/wet
>                     handling. but i've never had them on the M3.

>3. michelin MXX3: stock M3. a known product to me. a little
> less expensive than the bridgestones and dunlops.

>4. yokohama A008P: heard good things about them. never tried any
> performance yokohamas before. relatively inexpensive.

>i appreciate any comments/opinions. thanks.

>/thai

Dear Thai

Bridgestone S-02 are the overall best tires for the M3 if you want them 70% for the dry and 30% for the wet. Their limits are very high, but they are more difficult to handle when you start loosing control.

Yokohama are soft and wear out faster but may give you better grip for that reason.

Michelin: well, I currently use Michelin Pilot SX, which used to be the best before Bridgestone S-02 came on the market. If Bridgestone wasn't out there, I would still buy Michelin (I am about to change my tires and you already have guessed what make I chose).

Dunlop: their not as good.

So, conclusively, I'll go for the Bridgestone S-02. Note: I drive the M3 Sport Evolution (live in UK), and apart from my experience, I use the experience of all those people you have experimented with tires on M3's (and I know a lot of them, believe me).

Hope I helped you a bit.
George Nikas, London, England
M3 Sport Evolution