Great overall. Highway, wet road, fast road, Nürburgring. It performs well. Never tried on the snow even though they aren't meant for it.
My only concern is that they starts to show small cracks on the border of the tread.
Almost two years with them now, I would buy them again if the small cracks stays minimal.
255/35 R18 Tires
Everything we know about the 255/35 R18 tire size: 300 owner reviews covering 2,835,916 miles of driving, and EU label data for the tires you can actually buy in it.
- 300owner reviews
- 2,835,916 milescovered on them
- 378tires made in this size
The quick answer
| Season | Owners' pick | Owner rating | Latest test winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 9.3 Current version: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | 95% from 16 reviews | - |
Owner picks are the highest weighted owner score in 255/35 R18; test winners come from the most recent independent test conducted in this size. The full evidence is below.
The best rated 255/35 R18 tires
Rated only by drivers running this size. Each tire needs at least 3 reviews in 255/35 R18 to be ranked; the order weights a tire's score by how many reviews back it, so one glowing review cannot top a table.
Summer tires
The highest rated Summer tire in 255/35 R18 is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 - 95% from 16 owner reviews in this size. The current tire in that line is now the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
| # | Tire | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed | TR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport 5
|
95% | 16 | 115,613 miles | 9.3 |
| 2 |
Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta
Replaced by Vredestein Ultrac Pro
|
85% | 16 | 191,300 miles | 9.2 |
| 3 |
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
|
90% | 6 | 43,010 miles | 8.9 |
| 4 |
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
|
88% | 6 | 45,500 miles | 9.2 |
| 5 |
Avon ZZ5
|
87% | 5 | 26,508 miles | 8.2 |
| 6 |
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport S 5
|
85% | 6 | 110,015 miles | 9.2 |
| 7 |
Michelin Pilot Sport
Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport S 5
|
90% | 3 | 57,600 miles | 8.1 |
| 8 |
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
|
81% | 9 | 180,007 miles | 8.5 |
| 9 |
Falken FK452
Replaced by Falken Azenis FK520
|
78% | 9 | 97,900 miles | 7.8 |
| 10 |
Barum Bravuris 2
Replaced by Barum Bravuris 3
|
81% | 3 | 14,000 miles | 8.5 |
| 11 |
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Replaced by Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo
|
80% | 3 | 88,000 miles | 9.3 |
| 12 |
Continental ContiSportContact 5 P
Replaced by Continental SportContact 7
|
76% | 4 | 43,000 miles | 8.5 |
| 13 |
Primewell Sport 910
|
75% | 3 | 5,000 miles | 7.6 |
| 14 |
Pirelli P Zero
Replaced by Pirelli P Zero PZ5
|
74% | 3 | 28,000 miles | 8.8 |
| 15 |
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport 5
|
73% | 4 | 66,668 miles | 8.1 |
| 16 |
Bridgestone Potenza S001
Replaced by Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo
|
71% | 5 | 36,200 miles | 8.5 |
| 17 |
Continental Sport Contact 5
Replaced by Continental SportContact 7
|
69% | 4 | 71,000 miles | 8.3 |
| 18 |
Falken FK453
Replaced by Falken Azenis FK520
|
66% | 3 | 21,000 miles | 6.9 |
| 19 |
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
|
64% | 3 | 22,000 miles | 6.5 |
| 20 |
Accelera PHI
Replaced by Accelera PHI 2
|
66% | 9 | 57,500 miles | 3.2 |
| 21 |
Landsail LS588 UHP
|
60% | 3 | 36,000 miles | 3.8 |
| 22 |
Uniroyal RainSport 3
Replaced by Uniroyal RainSport 5
|
50% | 3 | 86,100 miles | 7.7 |
| 23 |
Uniroyal RainSport 5
|
51% | 4 | 21,000 miles | 8 |
| 24 |
Sunny SN3970
|
53% | 8 | 46,200 miles | 5.5 |
| 25 |
Nankang NS2
Replaced by Nankang Noble Sport NS20
|
49% | 6 | 53,515 miles | 5.5 |
| 26 |
Federal SS595 SUPER STEEL
|
41% | 4 | 25,676 miles | 5.4 |
| 27 |
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Run Flat
|
46% | 15 | 190,200 miles | 4.6 |
| 28 |
Maxtrek INGENS A1
|
22% | 4 | 2,500 miles | 5.2 |
Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best Summer Tires →
TR Score is the tire's overall Tire Reviews rating out of 10, built from independent test results and every owner review of that tire - not just the reviews from this car. The owner rating column is this car only.
255/35 R18 EU tire label data
EU label values are declared for each individual size, so the figures here are exact for 255/35 R18 rather than a range across a model. 241 tires carry label data in this size. The most common load index is 94 (up to 670 kg per tire). Speed ratings on offer: (Y) (301 km/h), Y (300 km/h), W (270 km/h), V (240 km/h), H (210 km/h), R (170 km/h), Q (160 km/h). 43 tires in this size carry the 3PMSF severe snow marking.
A Best wet grip
78 tires in this size hold the top EU wet grip rating, class A. The highest scoring on Tire Reviews:
- Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 Winter 9.8
- Continental SportContact 7 Summer 9.7
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 9.7
- Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 All Season 9.6
- Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo Summer 9.5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Summer 9.4
B Lowest rolling resistance
The most fuel efficient choice: 19 tires in this size reach rolling resistance class B. The highest scoring on Tire Reviews:
- Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 Summer 8.9
- Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN Summer 8.6
- Bridgestone Turanza T005 Summer 8.6
- Firestone Firehawk Sport Summer 8.6
- Vitour Tempesta P1 Summer 8.5
- Pirelli Powergy Summer 8.5
69dB Quietest tires
The quietest 255/35 R18 tires are labelled at 69 dB external noise:
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 9.7
- Falken Azenis FK520 Summer 9.1
- Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 Summer 8.9
- Linglong Sport Master Summer 8.9
- Bridgestone Potenza Race Summer 8.7
- Firestone Firehawk Sport Summer 8.6
Label values come from the EU EPREL database and apply to the EU market versions of each tire. Wet grip and rolling resistance run from class A (best) to E; noise is the measured drive-by figure. A good label is a floor, not a verdict - the tests and owner ratings above tell you far more.
How long do 255/35 R18 tires last?
Across 38 end of life reviews in this size, a typical set of tires was worn out after 10,000 miles. Half of all worn-out sets lasted between 8,000 miles and 16,000 miles.
Distances are self-reported by drivers whose review marked the set as worn out; figures are medians, so a single unusual report cannot move them. Driving style and the car matter more than the size itself.
What does 255/35 R18 mean?
A 255/35 R18 tire is 255 mm wide, its sidewall is 35% of that width (89 mm) tall, and it fits a 18 inch wheel. That gives an overall diameter of roughly 636 mm.
| Section width | 255 mm |
|---|---|
| Sidewall height | 89 mm |
| Rim diameter | 18" (457 mm) |
| Overall diameter | ≈ 636 mm |
| Circumference | ≈ 1,997 mm |
| Revolutions per km | ≈ 501 |
| Revolutions per mile | ≈ 806 |
Also written as
255/35R18 255/35 ZR18 255-35-18 255 35 18
Figures are calculated from the nominal size. A loaded, rolling tire runs a few percent smaller, and true widths vary slightly between makes.
What cars use 255/35 R18 tires?
The cars most often running this size in our owner reviews. Each links to the best rated tires for that exact car.
BMW 320D
16 reviews in this size
BMW Z4
15 reviews in this size
BMW 330d M Sport
12 reviews in this size
BMW 330CI M Sport
10 reviews in this size
BMW E46 3 Series
10 reviews in this size
BMW 330 Ci Sport
10 reviews in this size
BMW 320D M Sport
8 reviews in this size
BMW 325i M Sport
7 reviews in this size
BMW 335i
6 reviews in this size
Mercedes Benz CLK 280
6 reviews in this size
Every tire reviewed in 255/35 R18
The complete record, including discontinued tires and tires with too few reviews to rank, ordered by the amount of evidence. A further 91 tires have a single review each; they count toward the totals but are not listed.
| Tire | Season | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | Summer | 95% | 16 | 115,613 miles |
| Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta Replaced by Vredestein Ultrac Pro | Summer | 85% | 16 | 191,300 miles |
| Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Run Flat | Summer | 46% | 15 | 190,200 miles |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Summer | 81% | 9 | 180,007 miles |
| Falken FK452 Replaced by Falken Azenis FK520 | Summer | 78% | 9 | 97,900 miles |
| Accelera PHI Replaced by Accelera PHI 2 | Summer | 66% | 9 | 57,500 miles |
| Sunny SN3970 | Summer | 53% | 8 | 46,200 miles |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Summer | 90% | 6 | 43,010 miles |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Summer | 88% | 6 | 45,500 miles |
| Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 | Summer | 85% | 6 | 110,015 miles |
| Nankang NS2 Replaced by Nankang Noble Sport NS20 | Summer | 49% | 6 | 53,515 miles |
| Avon ZZ5 | Summer | 87% | 5 | 26,508 miles |
| Bridgestone Potenza S001 Replaced by Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo | Summer | 71% | 5 | 36,200 miles |
| Continental ContiSportContact 5 P Replaced by Continental SportContact 7 | Summer | 76% | 4 | 43,000 miles |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | Summer | 73% | 4 | 66,668 miles |
| Continental Sport Contact 5 Replaced by Continental SportContact 7 | Summer | 69% | 4 | 71,000 miles |
| Uniroyal RainSport 5 | Summer | 51% | 4 | 21,000 miles |
| Federal SS595 SUPER STEEL | Summer | 41% | 4 | 25,676 miles |
| Maxtrek INGENS A1 | Summer | 22% | 4 | 2,500 miles |
| Michelin Pilot Sport Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 | Summer | 90% | 3 | 57,600 miles |
| Barum Bravuris 2 Replaced by Barum Bravuris 3 | Summer | 81% | 3 | 14,000 miles |
| Bridgestone Potenza Sport Replaced by Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo | Summer | 80% | 3 | 88,000 miles |
| Primewell Sport 910 | Summer | 75% | 3 | 5,000 miles |
| Pirelli P Zero Replaced by Pirelli P Zero PZ5 | Summer | 74% | 3 | 28,000 miles |
| Falken FK453 Replaced by Falken Azenis FK520 | Summer | 66% | 3 | 21,000 miles |
| Dunlop SP Sport Maxx | Summer | 64% | 3 | 22,000 miles |
| Landsail LS588 UHP | Summer | 60% | 3 | 36,000 miles |
| Uniroyal RainSport 3 Replaced by Uniroyal RainSport 5 | Summer | 50% | 3 | 86,100 miles |
| Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun Replaced by Falken ZIEX ZE320 | Summer | 98% | 2 | 21,500 miles |
| Barum Bravuris 3HM Replaced by Barum Bravuris 5HM | Summer | 90% | 2 | 24,000 miles |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Summer | 88% | 2 | 2,200 miles |
| Uniroyal RainSport 2 Replaced by Uniroyal RainSport 5 | Summer | 87% | 2 | 32,000 miles |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 Replaced by Hankook Ventus Evo | Summer | 82% | 2 | 13,400 miles |
| Dunlop SP Sport 9000 | Summer | 81% | 2 | 28,000 miles |
| Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Replaced by Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo | Summer | 81% | 2 | 31,000 miles |
| Tomket Sport Series 1 | Summer | 80% | 2 | 4,000 miles |
| Falken ZE912 Replaced by Falken ZIEX ZE320 | Summer | 78% | 2 | 8,500 miles |
| Kumho Ecsta PS71 Replaced by Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72 | Summer | 75% | 2 | 13,000 miles |
| Avon ZZ3 Replaced by Avon ZZ5 | Summer | 73% | 2 | 11,000 miles |
| Bridgestone Potenza RE040 Replaced by Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo | Summer | 72% | 2 | 25,500 miles |
| Accelera 651 Sport | Summer | 71% | 2 | 6,010 miles |
| Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08RS | Summer | 70% | 2 | 18,000 miles |
| Michelin Pilot Super Sport Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 | Summer | 68% | 2 | 40,000 miles |
| Nexen N8000 | Summer | 66% | 2 | 2,500 miles |
| Delinte DH2 | Summer | 58% | 2 | 5,000 miles |
| Jinyu YU63 | Summer | 53% | 2 | 5,250 miles |
| Petlas Velox Sport PT741 | Summer | 44% | 2 | 8,000 miles |
| Primewell PZ900 | Summer | 39% | 2 | 26,000 miles |
| Fullrun HP199 | Summer | 24% | 2 | 12,100 miles |
Reviews only cover part of the market: 378 tires are made in 255/35 R18. Browse every 255/35 R18 tire →
What drivers say about their 255/35 R18 tires
The most recent owner reviews fitted in this size, in their own words.
Wearing 225/40s and 255/35s R18 on my W204, best decision I ever made for the price. Very good grip, feels very planted in the wet. This car I bought used to have Toyo Proxes CR1s on them and they really weren't great (not to mention the wrong tire size setup). These Hankooks are a lot more quieter, stable, planted, and they just feel damn good, both in driving and on my wallet
Decent road/track tire.
For normal road use its good, but for track days with some heatcycles tire becomes non-predicable during hot laps which is really bad. Would recommend either CSR or A052 / AD09.
AD09 Was perfect for what I was after, daily usable even in wet, and some hard track days.
Tire used on a 470 HP RWD 1.7 t car. If you want a tire that can do absolutely anything, this is the tire. Very good grip in both wet and dry conditions, low noise, and high comfort. However, for car enthusiasts, it offers very poor road feedback, the handling is kind of wobbly, and it is definitely not very precise. The tread also disappears very quickly.
I took it to the Nürburgring, and I have to say it handled very well and delivered stable performance even though it was a very hot day. The grip also did not decrease after a few heat cycles.
This is a tire that gives you almost everything, but I still believe that for us petrolheads who love driving, the sacrifice in feedback is just too much.
First time using 4's, normally have just the sport 4. Very impressed even in the cold and damp, once they have a bit of temperature they are really responsive. Very long life for a uhp.
After going through a set of Bridgestone RE-71RS, I had to go back to Yokohama A052 as I couldn't source a set of the former. The A052 are a fantastic track tire. Amazing grip and consistency through multiple heat cycles. For a novice track warrior, these are all the tire you'll need. I do prefer the Bridgestone though. I find it suits my driving style better and the stiffer sidewalls give me more feedback longer into a session whereas I find the Yokos get a bit spongy for me after about 4 hot laps. Both tires are street legal in Australia, and both are great in the dry. The Yokohama is slightly more noisy in my car than the Bridgestones, but they are both very noisy. I find the Yokohamas slightly more comfortable on the street as well. The Yokohama is NOT good in heavy rain and standing water though. I really struggle with it whereas the Bridgestone provides way more confidence in standing water. For track days, the Yokohamas are perfect, but I would not daily them again.
Been running three sets of these tires in 17" and 18" over the years. What I have found after aprox 50000 km is:
Wet grip is excellent when the tires are new, but starts degrading quickly after 10000 km or so. Wet grip becomes very unpredictable after that, and sometimes it's down right scary with oversteer situations out of the blue.
Dry grip is OK. However they are mushy when new due to the soft compound, resulting in a vague feel. Once they wear down to about 60-70% they feel like different tires.
Two of three sets have developed structural issues with the belts separating after wearing down to 40-50%. I would NOT buy these again and I don't advice anyone to buy them. It's a big safety concern. Value isn't great either when they fail before you can wear them down.
Wet grip is excellent when the tires are new, but starts degrading quickly after 10000 km or so. Wet grip becomes very unpredictable after that, and sometimes it's down right scary with oversteer situations out of the blue.
Dry grip is OK. However they are mushy when new due to the soft compound, resulting in a vague feel. Once they wear down to about 60-70% they feel like different tires.
Two of three sets have developed structural issues with the belts separating after wearing down to 40-50%. I would NOT buy these again and I don't advice anyone to buy them. It's a big safety concern. Value isn't great either when they fail before you can wear them down.
Very quiet tires, very nice comfort, real ok handling - for the price, best on market!
Drive on 255/35 R18 tires?
Review your tires and help the next driver choose. It takes about five minutes, and every review on this page came from a driver who took them.
Where this data comes from
Owner ratings are submitted through the review form on this site, naming the tire, the size and the distance covered, and are checked by hand before publication. Test results come from independent published tire tests indexed by size, and label values from the EU EPREL database.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 using independent test results and the full body of owner reviews, so you can check a car-specific ranking against the wider evidence.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.