[silverydragon72]

Anyone swap out their run flats for some Michelin PS4S non-runflat tires on the M550? Issue is I don't see star tires that fit my config. My M550 is running 245/35ZR20 front and 275/30ZR20 rears. If I go non runflat should I just stick with Michelin PSS instead as they have the star?

[GTFISH]

Originally Posted by silverydragon72

Anyone swap out their run flats for some Michelin PS4S non-runflat tires on the M550? Issue is I don't see star tires that fit my config. My M550 is running 245/35ZR20 front and 275/30ZR20 rears. If I go non runflat should I just stick with Michelin PSS instead as they have the star?

Don't do the PSS's. The PS4S is a much better tire. I made that mistake at my dealer when buying out my lease and regret it.

[MelbourneFinn]

Originally Posted by silverydragon72

Anyone swap out their run flats for some Michelin PS4S non-runflat tires on the M550? Issue is I don't see star tires that fit my config. My M550 is running 245/35ZR20 front and 275/30ZR20 rears. If I go non runflat should I just stick with Michelin PSS instead as they have the star?

I have MPS4S on my ‘21 550i - absolutely no issues! Guaranteed you would not notice a difference unless pushing 10/10 on a track, perhaps. And 550 is not a 10/10 car for a track anyway, if that’s your thing, get a proper M car… As long as the load rating is correct, maintain correct pressures and wheel alignment - you won’t find better tyres for your 550 until maybe when MPS5S are available (by the sound of it at least another couple of years).

[silverydragon72]

Originally Posted by MelbourneFinn

I have MPS4S on my ‘21 550i - absolutely no issues! Guaranteed you would not notice a difference unless pushing 10/10 on a track, perhaps. And 550 is not a 10/10 car for a track anyway, if that’s your thing, get a proper M car… As long as the load rating is correct, maintain correct pressures and wheel alignment - you won’t find better tyres for your 550 until maybe when MPS5S are available (by the sound of it at least another couple of years).

I just would like better ride quality with still good performance. Only concern was lack of star tires that fit. Bought it to be a daily driver that I occasionally push on some back roads but don't track it as I want a comfortable commuter. Also heard non star tires could cause warranty issues but not sure.

[JoeFromPA]

Bear in mind you don't know what the star rating means for that tire because BMW nor the manufacturer will share.

It could mean BMW told the manufacturer to sacrifice some grip for noise reduction in certain scenarios. Could mean BMW wanted the sidewall softer for better ride comfort at the expense of handling. Or it could mean BMW wanted a stiffer sidewall, grippier tread, and a flatter carcass so that in performance testing the car would do better - at the expense of treadlife.

You don't know.

So while the star rating is cool - you literally don't know why you want it other than "BMW gave input into this tire's spec" even though you don't know if that input is desirable for your use case.

[Joe-BMW33]

I have starmarked PSS's which were the OEM tire for my car. Very happy with them. I don't pay for them so I will keep letting the dealer put them on. Excellent tire, no experience with the 4's or 5's, but I could not imagine I would notice a discernible difference to an already great ride in terms of performance and comfort.

[pperc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I have starmarked PSS's which were the OEM tire for my car. Very happy with them. I don't pay for them so I will keep letting the dealer put them on. Excellent tire, no experience with the 4's or 5's, but I could not imagine I would notice a discernible difference to an already great ride in terms of performance and comfort.

Hate to bump an old post, Joe, but you don’t pay for them? Had to ask.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by pperc

Hate to bump an old post, Joe, but you don’t pay for them? Had to ask.

I have wheel and tire insurance and a VERY creative service advisor. 😉

[silverydragon72]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I have wheel and tire insurance and a VERY creative service advisor. 😉

What distance do you typically get out of them out of curiosity? Also are they the run flat kind or normal?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by silverydragon72

What distance do you typically get out of them out of curiosity? Also are they the run flat kind or normal?

Pilot Super Sports are non-runflat summer max performance tires. I get 25,000 to 30,000 miles out of them.

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I have wheel and tire insurance and a VERY creative service advisor. 😉

I've got the same kind of SA. It's all in how they write it up.

Just got back onto a new set of PS4Ss from a brief stint in the Conti EC Sport 2s.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Benjamin_Nicholas

I've got the same kind of SA. It's all in how they write it up.

Just got back onto a new set of PS4Ss from a brief stint in the Conti EC Sport 2s.

Exactly! I asked her last time how she got them to replace the good tire on the opposite side of the axle. I was willing to pay for it because I didn’t want two tread mismatches. She just smiled and said evidence of road damage. A good SA also knows the underwriting companies and what will fly.

My rears are nearing replacement. My Allstate wheel and tire runs out in April. I’ll be bringing it in this March. The first cosmetic repair was done at the dealer I bought the car and the area is flaking. I kind of knew it was a shit job because the area (1” rash repair) was rough to the touch. My MF cloth would get stuck on it on a wipe down. The dealer I’ve been going to for 25 years with the same SA has a great wheel guy. I’ll ask my SA if she can creatively get me two new rears. A nice bottle of wine goes a long way.

When this Allstate runs out, I’m buying the AAA plan.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by silverydragon72

I just would like better ride quality with still good performance. Only concern was lack of star tires that fit. Bought it to be a daily driver that I occasionally push on some back roads but don't track it as I want a comfortable commuter. Also heard non star tires could cause warranty issues but not sure.

Star tires are not needed, IMO. Just a money grab.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Star tires are not needed, IMO. Just a money grab.

You do you. They are supposedly manufactured to BMW standards. Not sure how it’s a money grab, they are the same price as the non startmarked. It’s not like BMW promotes them or markets them as a requirement to buy them or from them, tire rack has them. Most people don’t even know what a starmarked BMW tire is.

[JoeFromPA]

If you need them, define what is different about them.

You can’t. Because it’s private. You don’t know what changes were made to make them manufactured preferred. Are they softer? Wear faster? Did they sacrifice some traction to avoid a resonance at 63mph? Who knows.

Ps I say this while also knowing there are star tires made for specific vehicles that legitimately do produce better performance on those vehicles.

[Chappers 71]

Taken from a post by Lorcan of a quote by his Michelin rep

"It’s hard to define exactly what the construction differences are between standard and BMW tyres, as this is never disclosed. What we can say is that you only have to look at R117 labelling to see there are differences to these tyres, they’re certainly not the same. The * marked tyre will be tuned to meet the specific vehicle handling characteristics from BMW to offer best performance for a certain model. There will be differences in weight of each tyre, different attributes in terms of wet/dry/Rolling Resistance performance which could also include a slight change to tread pattern and tread depth & compound."

I then looked up R117 & couldn’t really make head nor tail of it all but have posted a link below for those that are more knowledgeable

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...D&opi=89978449

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

If you need them, define what is different about them.

You can’t. Because it’s private. You don’t know what changes were made to make them manufactured preferred. Are they softer? Wear faster? Did they sacrifice some traction to avoid a resonance at 63mph? Who knows.

Ps I say this while also knowing there are star tires made for specific vehicles that legitimately do produce better performance on those vehicles.

Don’t know, never felt the need to look into and don’t care. I love the pilot super sports in general and as I said, the star marked don’t cost anymore and that’s what the dealer carries.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Taken from a post by Lorcan of a quote by his Michelin rep

"It’s hard to define exactly what the construction differences are between standard and BMW tyres, as this is never disclosed. What we can say is that you only have to look at R117 labelling to see there are differences to these tyres, they’re certainly not the same. The * marked tyre will be tuned to meet the specific vehicle handling characteristics from BMW to offer best performance for a certain model. There will be differences in weight of each tyre, different attributes in terms of wet/dry/Rolling Resistance performance which could also include a slight change to tread pattern and tread depth & compound."

I then looked up R117 & couldn’t really make head nor tail of it all but have posted a link below for those that are more knowledgeable

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...D&opi=89978449

"as this is never disclosed"




What did P.T. Barnum say about this sort of thing?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Neusser

"as this is never disclosed"




What did P.T. Barnum say about this sort of thing?

Grouchy new guy, grab a beer over there whereever you are and enjoy life😉

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Grouchy new guy, grab a beer over there whereever you are and enjoy life😉

I am drinking a Rochefort 10 right now.

Let me know when you uncover the magic behind the star-spec tires.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Neusser

I am drinking a Rochefort 10 right now.

Let me know when you uncover the magic behind the star-spec tires.

I can assure you I won’t, because I don’t care. Was I promoting them in some way in this thread?

Anyway, when you get back home to the states, I’ll buy you something better than that shit😜. My treat, it will help with your stress.

[CnSky]

PS4S don’t come star marked for most 5 series (except M5)

There is a big difference, star marked va non star marked, there are you tube video where people have cut tyres to check and star marked have additional bands etc.

It’s all about noise and vibration reduction and I doubt has any effect on grip.

I tried both and the non star marker caused harmonic slight vibrations in my 530e so were taken back by BMW garage that fitted them.

Be wary it’s better to use star marked as some cars have this issue and other won’t.