Best Tires for the BMW Z4

I drive across Germany into Poland every winter, so required a snow rated tire for my 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i. After fitting I went for a test drive, sub 8°c and wet. They felt like what I imagine a qualifying tire feels like compared to my summer ContiSport Contact 7s, which noticeably lose grip in the cold.

The rain was very heavy when I left Euro tunnel in France, and became near biblically torrential in Germany. The Sottozeros felt like I was driving on warm tarmac - no exaggeration whatsoever. The rain completely overcame my windscreen wipers at points causing me to slow, the tires gave me no reason to slow. At very high speeds there was a sense that they weren't able to clear the surface water entirely, but at 90mph felt solidly connected to the road.

On the return journey, we went via Quedlinberg where it was snowy, icy, and the roads were ungritted. I had to slow for this as the car was sliding and I was too tired to enjoy it. I doubt anything other than a spiked tire would have been any use in those conditions.

I've done this trip twice now with the tires, plus daily driving as I fit them as soon as the temperature drops consistently below 9°c, roughly 4,000 miles, with no observable wear yet.

I would never be without a tire like this in winter now, even in GB where it is not mandatory. They clear surface water like nothing I've ever experienced before and don't just feel safe in extreme rain, but actually enjoyable.

These tires have impressive grip in both dry and wet conditions. You really have to push the car to get these tires to break grip and understeer. They give great road feel, allowing you to feel when the tires are near their peak grip (and when you exceed it) which allows you to quickly make any necessary corrections. Even in the wet, these tires have a progressive enough feeling to give you the confidence to push the car a bit more, and the grip to accompany.

In my few-thousand miles of use, these tires have barely shown any wear, but I haven’t had them long enough to accurately say how long they are likely to last. However, they appear to wear quite slowly, which is a nice benefit.

The Eagle F1s are very comfortable, with little road noise and a smooth ride. This is especially impressive given the level of grip and road feel these give when driving at a greater pace.

Overall, the grip and handling is sublime in both dry and wet conditions. And despite this, the Asymmetric 5s still offer great comfort, making them excellent all round tires for a sports car.

These tires have shown consistently poor performance from when they were fitted, right up to when they were replaced. The dry grip has been average; definitely not impressive, but not problematic. The wet grip, however, has been absolutely atrocious. They lose grip under any sort of load, and definitely cannot be relied on if you intend on driving in a ‘spirited’ manor.

They appear to give decent feedback of the road, so when they do inevitably break traction, you can usually feel it pretty quickly.

I cannot complain about the comfort. The ride quality and the noise levels are both more than good enough for most people.

The Pilot Sport 3 does appear to wear quite quickly, though this may be somewhat due to how prone it is to breaking traction.

Overall, i would not recommend the Michelin Pilot Sport 3. Grip is average in good conditions, and dire in less-than-ideal conditions. The only silver lining is that they do appear to be quite comfortable and quiet.

The inside contact point with the wheel rim failed leading to complete loss of pressure.
This looks like a material failure.
Tires were fitted 23 months ago and 24,000 miles. We’re wearing well and the car handled well albeit well inside its suspension capacity.
Just about replace the dead and remaining three tires for a better brand.

Amazing performance tires. I had PS4 before and over my favorite mountains i was able to overheat. Potenza Sport on the same roads showed no dip in performance, they take longer to get heat up. In wet/cold and before they heat up they perform worse tho. Amazing tires for performance driving but you are giving up grip in worse conditions.

Got fitted to Z4 by the garage as it was the only tire they had in stock this size. Absolutely shocking tire, way too soft. Feels like sponge. Rear slips non stop, roundabout, corners etc.. and going at 40-50 kmph. This tire is not safe by all means and should not be allowed to retail. There are plenty budget brands for this price which does the job rather well. Be safe. Do not buy it!

They seem very bouncy and unstable compared to the Michelin sports they replaced, bunny hopping sideways in corners.
They feel pretty dangerous to me, it's like the sidewall has too much flex in it.
I am going to up the tire pressures, see if it improves.
I would not buy them again.
They seem to be better in the wet no aquaplaning so far.
My car is off lease in 4 months, if I was keeping it I would be looking to get them checked and replaced.

These tires would appear to be made from cheese and not cheddar, the soft kind like Feta. The merest hint of a curb and large chunks fall off the side wall. I will have to replace the two front tires after 6 months and 700 miles to get the car through MOT. The previous tires were on the car 8 years so it’s not the drive, my wife who’s not a brilliant driver to be honest, but the previous tires stuck around for 8 years so I’m pretty sure I won’t be buying Devanti tires any time soon. Appalling bad tires.

Only do about 4000miles a year. The tires were brand new when I bought the car I’ve done 12000 miles & thought all was good until yesterday when I got a flat tire warning - on checking there was a 10 inch rupture on the inside wall of the rear near side . The other is showing signs of cracking on so it’s going to be replaced tomorrow. I certainly wouldn’t have again.