Tyre fitted to: 2007 335i MSport
Tyres size: 255/35/18
Speed rating: Y (300kms/h)
Type: Non RFT
Category: Mid Range brand Ultra high performance (as per: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/ )
Price: R2970 (incl: balancing, fitting and alignment)
So Saturday morning I had my rear tyres replaced (Pirelli P Zero RFT) as the one was in a really bad condition, due to poor alignment (done by BMW) the inside of the rear tyres were badly worn out exposing the steel belt on the one tyre.
My initial choice of replacement tyres were the Falkens, however there are no Falkens available in the country at the moment, stock would only come through end July 2014. So I had to search for a couple of alternatives. My search led me to the Kenda and the Nexen brands.
The Kendas were a directional tyre so they were a little noisy as I expected to hear from the reviews from some of the forum members and the reviews on the web. But overall some good reviews.
Then I stumbled upon a brand called Nexen, the specific tyre I looked at was the Nexen N8000, which had the specs needed for the 335i in terms of weight and speed ratings.
A lot of the reviews that I have seen on the web leading up to the week that I needed new rubber, convinced me to go with the Nexen. The thread patterns are similar to the Conti SC 3 and they were on special at Mintys.
Noise Levels: Look the Pirelli’s are were worn out bad, but if I compare the Nexen N8000 to my Pirelli’s a year ago in terms of noise levels, the Nexen’s win. This could be due to the fact that they are non RFT tyres and have more flex in them.
Balancing the tyres: No issue’s at all when it came to balancing the tyres.
Tyre construction: It’s a soft tyre I must confess and don’t expect it to last all that long on the 335i. But considering I only use the car on the weekends. It suits my needs. Wifey doesn’t go looking for races over the weekdays either…….. I think………. and only travels 22kms a day
Handling: When launching hard, the traction control light would flicker with the Pirelli’s but again they were worn out. With the Nexen’s no traction control lights flickering (traction control on and the car is an Auto). Around the corners they feel very safe. However RFT’s do win the cornering section of this test due to the stiffer sidewalls. But this doesn’t mean the 335 goes drifting into every corner with the Nexen’s and I don’t through my car into corners.
Overall I am impressed with these tyres and will be replacing the front with Nexens N8000 at the end of the month, I knew I was not going to go with your high end tyres, because honestly, my car is bone stock and not taken on the track, for everyday use they are great and thus far I am happy with them. For obvious reasons a cant comment on wet weather handling due to the lack of wet weather in JHB. However the reviews I have seen on the tyres wet weather handing are positive.
I hope this review helps with any future tyre choices.
Tyres size: 255/35/18
Speed rating: Y (300kms/h)
Type: Non RFT
Category: Mid Range brand Ultra high performance (as per: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/ )
Price: R2970 (incl: balancing, fitting and alignment)
So Saturday morning I had my rear tyres replaced (Pirelli P Zero RFT) as the one was in a really bad condition, due to poor alignment (done by BMW) the inside of the rear tyres were badly worn out exposing the steel belt on the one tyre.
My initial choice of replacement tyres were the Falkens, however there are no Falkens available in the country at the moment, stock would only come through end July 2014. So I had to search for a couple of alternatives. My search led me to the Kenda and the Nexen brands.
The Kendas were a directional tyre so they were a little noisy as I expected to hear from the reviews from some of the forum members and the reviews on the web. But overall some good reviews.
Then I stumbled upon a brand called Nexen, the specific tyre I looked at was the Nexen N8000, which had the specs needed for the 335i in terms of weight and speed ratings.
A lot of the reviews that I have seen on the web leading up to the week that I needed new rubber, convinced me to go with the Nexen. The thread patterns are similar to the Conti SC 3 and they were on special at Mintys.
Noise Levels: Look the Pirelli’s are were worn out bad, but if I compare the Nexen N8000 to my Pirelli’s a year ago in terms of noise levels, the Nexen’s win. This could be due to the fact that they are non RFT tyres and have more flex in them.
Balancing the tyres: No issue’s at all when it came to balancing the tyres.
Tyre construction: It’s a soft tyre I must confess and don’t expect it to last all that long on the 335i. But considering I only use the car on the weekends. It suits my needs. Wifey doesn’t go looking for races over the weekdays either…….. I think………. and only travels 22kms a day
Handling: When launching hard, the traction control light would flicker with the Pirelli’s but again they were worn out. With the Nexen’s no traction control lights flickering (traction control on and the car is an Auto). Around the corners they feel very safe. However RFT’s do win the cornering section of this test due to the stiffer sidewalls. But this doesn’t mean the 335 goes drifting into every corner with the Nexen’s and I don’t through my car into corners.
Overall I am impressed with these tyres and will be replacing the front with Nexens N8000 at the end of the month, I knew I was not going to go with your high end tyres, because honestly, my car is bone stock and not taken on the track, for everyday use they are great and thus far I am happy with them. For obvious reasons a cant comment on wet weather handling due to the lack of wet weather in JHB. However the reviews I have seen on the tyres wet weather handing are positive.
I hope this review helps with any future tyre choices.