[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Yeah is unfortunate, I thought with him being a fellow G31 owner & maybe that he’d been in Germany too long & it was just ‘Zat crazy German sense of humour’ I’d give him the benefit the doubt but he’s proved to be a sarky fucker & not funny with it either, so I just cant be bothered now.

I hope his bloody diff explodes because of not using BMW star marked tyres

Yeah, this forum has been one of the best with all great and respectful contributors. It’s the exception. Most forums have a know it all stir the pot Nassar.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by MrLatte

Ive been told that MPS4S are much better than MPS4? Not sure that MPS4S have a BMW specific set.

I don’t believe that they do now.
I recall that one of the improvements of the 4S was a stiffer sidewall, well as I couldn’t get the 4S in a star marked ZP despite my ordering in a set, so I went with the 4 & being a ZP the sidewalls stiffer than a go flat 4S so I figured they’d be fine…& they are. If the 5 is available I’ll try those next time.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

I found this an informative and useful thread, but it is now becoming less fun. Can't we stick to facts and analysis rather than personal attacks? Just my $.02.—Bob

Facts would be nice Bob, that’s my point. In terms of name calling, trust me, I’d rather throw a punch when someone taunts me, but the personal attacks are appropriate and fact.

[silverydragon72]

As just an FYI I ended up going with Pilot Sport 3 ZP tires as they worked with my staggered setup, are star tires, and are still run flats instead of getting a spare. So far very happy with them much softer ride than the original Pirelli's. Biggest reason overall was sticking with run flat tires.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by MrLatte

I am looking to replace my tyres, I knew they were due soon but a nail in my rear run flat means Im swapping sooner rather than later.


Are the tyres for £260 not suitable as they do not have a star?

star no star you won't notice

each tire type will have slight differences but unless you're trying to set qualifying lap time on the nurburgring you are not going to notice the difference.

i'm assuming because you have a 5 series.

if you have M3 or a GT4 - well you might drive qualifying laps on public roads, maybe even when it's wet, you might notice those differences between a "good" tire line and an "average" one.

regarding star or no star those differences still won't matter as the non star is still good.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by g21

star no star you won't notice

each tire type will have slight differences but unless you're trying to set qualifying lap time on the nurburgring you are not going to notice the difference.

i'm assuming because you have a 5 series.

if you have M3 or a GT4 - well you might drive qualifying laps on public roads, maybe even when it's wet, you might notice those differences between a "good" tire line and an "average" one.

regarding star or no star those differences still won't matter as the non star is still good.

Indeed.

And there is no evidence that star tires do anything other than kick back a few bucks to the marketing budget. They are about 40 bucks more per tire here, but even if they weren't the PT Barnum tactics would steer me away.

Getting a set of F1 Supersports mounted in a few weeks. Planning a drive to the 'Ring in May, with a small cooler full of Belgium's best.

[MrLatte]

Ive found this thread useful, as I hadn't noticed that PS4S were not starred and while I was impressed with them same tyres on my Yaris Im now in 2 minds about going for non star tyres.

I suppose an option would one to swap to M5 789m wheels, but probably a little extreme.

Im now thinking of going for SportContact 7, they are a lot cheaper (£840 vs 1150 for the PS4s). The Continentals won the 2023 evo performance tyre test so definitely worth consideration. https://www.evo.co.uk/tyre-reviews/1...ance-tyre-test

[jsf721]

Porsche does the same thing and the dealer will not install a non porsche approved tire. The better imho newer tire technology is not updated. So if you drive an older P car your stuck with older tech or you go off label.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by jsf721

Porsche does the same thing and the dealer will not install a non porsche approved tire. The better imho newer tire technology is not updated. So if you drive an older P car your stuck with older tech or you go off label.

Many years ago, Audi wouldn't give me an alignment until I installed some of their shitty wheels and mediocre Conti snow tires (who they had a deal with).

"Only Audi wheels could guarantee a proper alignment on a Quattro" vehicle the Audi Schrauber claimed.

[ezaircon4jc]

Got a quote from my dealer for replacement tires for my F10 with staggered tires. They want over $2100 for the set, MUCH higher than either Discount or Costco, by A LOT!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Got a quote from my dealer for replacement tires for my F10 with staggered tires. They want over $2100 for the set, MUCH higher than either Discount or Costco, by A LOT!

That sucks. My dealer charges a small premium for the star tires. Like $50 bucks more per tire than tire rack. It’s not worth the hassle of going elsewhere or having them shipped to a shop and worrying about scratching my wheels.

[silverydragon72]

I asked them for the best price they could do when I was there for some warranty work and needed my tires replaced. They managed to get close with a rebate they had running where it wasn't enough more for me to care to take it to somewhere else. Id recommend you do the same and see what they can do. I basically pointed out that I could go somewhere else for less so how close could they get. I did end up getting an alignment as well as I was already planning to on this set. Next set I will probably just do a replacement.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

That’s my point Joe. Why not, right? It’s his entire “marketing magic more expensive ” rhetoric that is completely unsupported.

I have no idea if the star means they are better for a BMW or not, but I certainly know they aren't worse than non-starmarked, so again, why not?

You don’t have to buy them from the dealer and they aren’t more expensive.

There is adding value, and then there is being a douche just to be a douche.

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but this adds further insight into the Star marked tire differences directly from the manufacturer and not an independent test site. Just saw this 15 minute presentation by a Michelin engineer on the differences between the "generic" Pilot Sport 4S and the N-Spec tires for Porsche. You can be sure that BMW engineers prioritized certain characteristics when defining their Star mark tires in a similar way that Porsche did for their N-spec tires.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but this adds further insight into the Star marked tire differences directly from the manufacturer and not an independent test site. Just saw this 15 minute presentation by a Michelin engineer on the differences between the "generic" Pilot Sport 4S and the N-Spec tires for Porsche. You can be sure that BMW engineers prioritized certain characteristics when defining their Star mark tires in a similar way that Porsche did for their N-spec tires.

Great find. I have seen similar reviews or analysis by BMW and Michelin. Like I said, why not? Same price.

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Great find. I have seen similar reviews or analysis by BMW and Michelin. Like I said, why not? Same price.

I'm all about getting the factory tire, as that is what the car designers specified to maximize the attributes of the car. Remember that they will eventually be discontinued as the cars and demand lessen. Get em while you can. For the M550ix, in non run flats, Bridgestone is discontinuing the star marked Potenza Sport already! The Bridgestone Potenza S007 star mark is still available, as is the Michelin Pilot Super Sport star mark.

I ran into that issue with my Ferrari. Pirelli made a very specific "K spec" P Zero Corsa tire for my 430 Scuderia, but with roughly 2000 cars made world wide, and long out of production (2009) they quit making the tires around 2020. They were very specific to this car, with special compounds and tread patterns. Even had specific "left" and "right" rear tires. Got a set of Michelin Cup 2 which is a better, and more modern tire...but still.

There is an article in a recent issue of Forza magazine where they interview an engineer with Goodyear in Germany. Goodyear has a separate factory and engineering that colaborates with the USA Goodyear team. They talked about how Ferrari sent out a Request For Proposal to all the major tire manufacturers for tires for their upcoming (now released) Cilidri car. Ferrari provides all the attributes and specifications they require, then manufacturers submit their initial designs. I think he said only 4 or 5 companies provide submittals. Then they provide tire samples for use on the car...and go through several changes before they may get approved and awarded a contract. Eventually the final designs were approved for Goodyear and Pirelli, IIRC. Can't be a lot of money in such a low production car.

[tsbrown]

At least we don’t have our resident conspiracy theorist here to dispute any of this. A refreshing change.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

At least we don’t have our resident conspiracy theorist here to dispute any of this. A refreshing change.

OK... You MUST have *-marked tires!!!!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

At least we don’t have our resident conspiracy theorist here to dispute any of this. A refreshing change.

You’re welcome 😉. One of my most satisfying accomplishments of 2025.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

I'm all about getting the factory tire, as that is what the car designers specified to maximize the attributes of the car. Remember that they will eventually be discontinued as the cars and demand lessen. Get em while you can. For the M550ix, in non run flats, Bridgestone is discontinuing the star marked Potenza Sport already! The Bridgestone Potenza S007 star mark is still available, as is the Michelin Pilot Super Sport star mark.

I ran into that issue with my Ferrari. Pirelli made a very specific "K spec" P Zero Corsa tire for my 430 Scuderia, but with roughly 2000 cars made world wide, and long out of production (2009) they quit making the tires around 2020. They were very specific to this car, with special compounds and tread patterns. Even had specific "left" and "right" rear tires. Got a set of Michelin Cup 2 which is a better, and more modern tire...but still.

There is an article in a recent issue of Forza magazine where they interview an engineer with Goodyear in Germany. Goodyear has a separate factory and engineering that colaborates with the USA Goodyear team. They talked about how Ferrari sent out a Request For Proposal to all the major tire manufacturers for tires for their upcoming (now released) Cilidri car. Ferrari provides all the attributes and specifications they require, then manufacturers submit their initial designs. I think he said only 4 or 5 companies provide submittals. Then they provide tire samples for use on the car...and go through several changes before they may get approved and awarded a contract. Eventually the final [...]

Great info and feedback as usual Dave.

I just had two starred PSS’s put on last month. This is a tire they have been rumored discounting for 4 years but the dealer has no shortage of stock.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

You’re welcome 😉. One of my most satisfying accomplishments of 2025.

Joe is making Bimmerpost great again. Thank you!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Joe is making Bimmerpost great again. Thank you!

That literally made me laugh out loud. I’ll have some hats made.