BFG ZR experiences

Subject: BFG ZR experiences
From: Peter Rhim <0006877381@domain.elided>
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 96 10:22 EST
On Aug 1, Mike Hood-Douda <raindance@domain.elided> asked about BFG ZRs:

Mike,

I have 235/45-17 BFG ZRs on my 5er.  I think they are great.  The qualities I
was looking for in a tire were: 1) excellent dry, good wet traction 2) good
tread life and 3) reasonable price.  The ZRs fit the bill.  Unidirectional 
(channel water), deep tread, stiff sidewall (what sidewall?!?), fairly quiet,
excellent dry, very good wet traction (although I've never had them on the track)
), good price, high miler (expect ~30K w/no track time).  

Before buying them, I posed the same question you asked to the BMW list.  Not
much response.  At the time, I was also on the Porsche list so I decided to post
the question there.  I got back over 15 responses, most were praising the tire. 
Many had used them on the track and said they were very good there as well. 
Don't get me wrong, there are definitely higher performance tires out there.  It
depends what you want to use the tire for.  Street use - I don't think you can
beat them for price, performance, and tread life.  There is always a tradeoff
between traction and tread life.  The stickier the tire, (typically) the shorter
the life.

I see you are in Oregon.  I don't know how much snow you get but I'm not sure
the ZRs would do very well in the snow (or any high perf tire for that matter!).
 I'm in Atlanta and the ZRs have never seen snow.  Something to think about...

I have no experience with the ZR4s.  What I would expect, though, is that they
would be completely different from the ZRs (apples to oranges).  I do have
experience with the A509s.  I didn't like them all that much either...  Good
luck!

Regards,
Pete
90 5er
6877381@domain.elided