I mentioned to a friend of mine that I was looking for some new tires for the M3... specifically the Michelin PS2 or Bridgestone S03s. Somebody in the area heard that I was looking for tires and decided to join the conversation. Says to me... why not consider Brand X (I forgot the actual name). I shrugged cause I had never heard of them.

I explained that I was partial to Michelin or Bridgestone because of the hard driving that I do and I've been around the way with crappy tires before. The person then begins to explain to me about how this tires looks so cool. I gave him that confused look as if I didn't understand what I was talking about and he started to go on about how the tread pattern looks awesome compared to the Bridgestone or Michelin equivalent.

I asked him how they perform... and he proceeded to tell me that he wasn't sure, but he was thinking about putting the tires on his Acura. I told him that I would prefer a tire with performance over looks afterall, it's a critical component in handling.

Is this what it has boiled down to now... people picking tires due to how the tread is designed for looks, not performance? I was taken back a little.

How many miles should I realistically expect to get on Michelins Pilot Sport Performance Tires on a 2003 530i Sport Package car ? I know driving habits and maintenance of the car is critical - I drive and maintain rating would be average ???? Is 15,000 miles realisitc or expect more ???

My Michelin Pilot Sports only lasted me about 9,000 miles on the rear of my car, the PS2s lasted twice as long on the rear. The fronts, I can't remember, I think the front were upwards of 15-16k, but I had to change them off because I was upgrading tire sizes.

The fronts which are still PS2s look to have some decent tread left on them, but the rears are so smooth now, they make a baby's butt look like a porcupine in comparison.

<shrug> People buy tires for less educated reasons, like "the name."

I know folks that think they can only replace their factory overpriced, underperforming Michelins with more overpriced, underperforming Michelins.

There are other options that are less expensive and just as good (if not better) but they don't have the $100/tire Michelin Markup.

JV

‘Looks’ may be the priority for the Acura driver, more so than driving dynamics. He bought an Acura, while you bought a BMW. I think there’s enough separation there to form your opinion about his advice and musings regarding tire purchases.

Kev, I am sold on the tried and true SO3s on the e46 M3 chassis...imo they out perform the PS2 (they don't give up as the tire wears down to nothing). Funny, I hear people talk about tread design and weight. Rediculous if the tires can't hook up.

Guys, come on, look how AWESOME his tires look:
http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/10/01/autoTiresAllBF_Goodrich_Scorcher_T_A_Yellow_205_40 _VR161-resized200.jpg
:eyecrazy

You guys need to get into the new trend, lol.

You made me remember how many people told me that my tires have a "cool tread pattern".