Re: bmw-digest V9 #625

[Russ Poffenberger <poffen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 06:19:34 -0600 (CST)
> From: madsman@domain.elided
> Subject: Sumitiomo Tires for M3 wheels?
> 
> I never tried the Sumitomos, but I did have great experience with Nitto Exit
> 501 Gts...I found 
> them to compare favorably with the Pilots - 1) the ride quality was not as
> good-not that it was 
> bad, just that it wasn't up to the Michelins 2)the Nittos seemed to wear
> better, and 3) they were 
> a heck of a lot less expensive <$140? as compared to $265> 4) I never tracked
> the car with the 
> Nittos on it, but for agressive street and highway driving, I didn't see a
> difference, handling 
> wise.

I have used Sumitomo tires the last couple of times on my 1990 325i. Mainly
because they are pretty decent and pretty cheap. I put 30K miles/year on the
car, so I need cheap tires. I use 205/60R14 (a little wider than the stock
195/65R14 but maintains the same diameter).

I have a modified engine (2.9l bored/stroked/balanced/ported) putting out 210HP,
and I can easily spin the tires, especially in wet weather. It is actually
harder to spin the tires on my 1998 Mustang Cobra (305HP DOHC 32V V8) which has
BFG 245/45ZR17 tires under the same conditions.

1990 325i-2.9 BMW CCA #138716
1998 Mustang Cobra Coupe SCOA #1363


- --
Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: poffen@domain.elided
1601 Technology Drive
San Jose, Ca. 95110             Voice: (408)437-5254  FAX: (408)437-5246

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