Best Tires for the BMW E39 5 series

This is my second car on PS5s (the other set is on a family Civic), and on the E39 with Koni Sport, M tech 2 package, and brake upgrades. The steering comes through as quite direct, clean, and composed. Compared with Bridgestone’s sportier options I had on this car (Potenza Sport / RE004), the PS5 feels a touch lighter in steering weight, a bit slower in that first instant of turn-in, and more sidewall flexes. The upside is that the handling is progressive at the limit, slides are easy to hold, and it never feels spiky or nervous.

Against the older PS4, dry grip is a small step up, while the general handling character is broadly similar. Corner entry and line-holding are solid, and the car stays nicely balanced. Interestingly, the tire seems to suit RWD BMWs better than it does our FWD Civic: on the Civic, it feels a bit vaguer on turn-in and carries more understeer than it did on older RE003s, whereas on the RWD BMW it feels more natural on the PS5. Perhaps a little more sidewall support for FWD cars would help the initial response and hold the line through the corners.

Wet performance on the PS5 is impressive. Hydroplaning resistance is very strong—clearly better than RE004, and roughly on par with Potenza Sport. It’s also a small improvement over PS4 in the wet. Wear has been good so far too—much better than Potenza Sport and better than PS4 in my experience. Ride quality is another win: it’s more compliant and refined than the Potenza Sports and RE004s I’ve run before, which have stiffer sidewalls.

Overall, perhaps not the sportiest-feeling tire, but a strong all-rounder—secure in the wet, durable, comfortable, and still plenty capable in the dry, especially on a well-sorted RWD chassis.

In the dry the Primacy 4's been excellent. Grip feels almost infinite, to the point where I find it hard to use all of it on public roads. In terms of comfort, it's a quiet, pleasant tire to cruise with. At highway speeds up to 180 km/h I can't really find any fault with the tire. It's relatively quiet and absorbs enough of the road to almost feel like driving on a cloud.
In the wet the grip is still above average, much better than my current winter tire (Vredestein Wintrac Pro in the same tire size). Comfort and noise levels are in check, although it's harder to judge noise with all the extra noises introduced by the water on the road.
One thing I sometimes miss is communication during turn in and feedback from the road. I guess this could be party because of the relatively meaty sidewall but to me it was noticeable enough to point it out.
Regardless of that downside, overall a great tire that suits the characteristics of a 5 series well.

According to an Article found online:
(The Maxxis Premitra HP5 has been awarded the highest honour at 2015 Motor Trend magazine's ‘Tire of the Year' award ceremony in Shanghai surpassing the likes of industry leaders Pirelli, Bridgestone and Goodyear.)
I decided to give the Maxxis Premitra HP5 a try.
Not expecting much from chinese brands, I was positive surprised !

Outstanding performance in wet and dry weather conditions !
The EU - Tire label rated A for wet conditions is spot on !
Never had that great street performance experience on other tires.Not even the Continental Winter Contact tires I had were that god on rainy conditions.
I drive once a week a 49 km mountain road.
The grip on the curves is just incredible god.
Minimum vibration and rolling noise.On freeway,Highway speeds even lover
sounds like beeing in a airplane.
Wear is not visible jet. but because of its full-silica rubber compound I guess these will last for a long time.
I understand now why the Maxxis Premitra HP5 beat Pirelli, Bridgestone and Goodyear at the‘Tire of the Year' award ceremony in Shanghai last year.

I highly recommend these 225/55/16 sized Maxxis Premitra HP5 tires
for BMW and simmilar build and weighted cars.
Tire size 205 to 235 may be same or simmilar god.
Please do not complain later, If you need big tires for SUV or sports cars.
Big tires are different in handling and noise levels.Wait for a review with the
big sized tires you need.

Outstanding wet and dry grip !! very comfortable for 265/35 ZR18 tire. I would recommand for E39 or any rear wheel drive car, pedal to the metal in wet curbs and no DSC ! i would definitely buy again you won't be disjointed of PS4. i Would go Michelin for winter as well very good tries also good wear 2000 miles and they are just like new !

I was so disappointed about the comfort and steering of my 5er when her 18" M alloys wore P Zero and Eagle F1. The car drove like an overloaded lorry in ruts and on flat tires. I was about to give up 18" in favor of standard 16" but decided to give them a very last chance, with reasonably priced tires this time. I went for Falken ZIEX 912 (now 914) and - my goodness - what a change! Where have you been whole my life? Finally the car drives like it should! Road cracks nicely damped, great handling on wet (confident ride 160km/h on autobahn in the rain), reasonably long lasting. What can you ask more? It's a 3rd pair of 912/914 I order today. For 1,5t saloon, it's a tire worth of every penny.

Sensational performing tire - the only down side is an abysmal wear rate.

Lasted 10000 miles on the rear of a 5 Series.

I had several E39s over the years and the only tire coming close to or being equal to the Michelin Primacy 3 ST - yes ST as new development made for Pacific region by Michelin - is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 as 17" model. They are unbelievable re noise level, grip like a high performance tire but cost less. Impressive around bends in the wet even when accelerating hard. Transformed the car completely and as I have driven Michelin Pilot Sport 3 on same E39 type before I can say they are the same but the Primacy are cheaper. Cannot comment on wear at all though.

I found these tire really good. I ran them on my BMW 528i for 15,000 miles, and during that period they lost around half of theor tread depth. I find that wear rate pretty good considering I drive fairly hard. Dry grip is excellent and they are very progressive. In the wet they grip is slightly behing most newer premium tires but considering the cost difference I find this acceptable.
They are quite and give a smooth ride, and grip in the snow is reasonable for a summer tire. I would certianly buy them again.

Awful, pattery ride, caused car to pull left and felt unstable at speed. Inherited these and couldn't wait to remove. I've had several of these cars and this one feeling odd, skittish and vague was all down to the tires. They have no redeeming qualities, avoid.

Been very happy with my ZZ3s. I bought my 528i with these fitted on the rear, 255/35/17s, so already part worn, and I've done 9000miles now with no concern for wear, I drive every day, I drive hard when the traffic allows, I turn off ASC for some fun sometimes, and yet the tires are still going strong. I would suspect any issues people may have are due to incorrect suspension geometry on your car.
I'm not looking for replacements yet, but my wifes Saab needs tires and am considering Avons again or Vredestein Sessanta due to a mate with a 530i highly recommending them too.