https://tirehungry.com/pirelli-p-zero-v ... -sport-4s/
In my experience as P-Z4 wear down the grip tails off markedly. Once at 3/4mm they seem to last forever but with significantly reduced adhesion.
Would like to try them but it seems Pilot 4s don't come as a * marked version in G31 B5 sizes?
D5s tyre wear
-
- ALP
- Posts: 258
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2020 10:53 pm
Re: D5s tyre wear
John
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo Touring #336 - Sophisto Grey
(Brunhilda)
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo Touring #336 - Sophisto Grey
(Brunhilda)
Re: D5s tyre wear
Well, I have scrapped the Michelin plan for a couple of reasons. This may be of interest to G30/31 owners but very dull to everyone else!
Firstly, interesting videos regarding * marked tyres, (for anyone who doesn’t know the * ones are the BMW approved ones) but for * Michelins they have very little - if any - relevance to the G30/31 Alpina. As only BMW M and Alpina don’t use runflats, (thankfully), when searching for Michelins, the only tyres that match for size are rears (295/30/20) from the F10/11 M5 (and M6) and fronts (255/35/20) from the same generation Alpina D5/B5. The current M cars all have different sizes.
Looking at such nuanced differences on the track video with * tyres specifically designed for the M3/4 chassis compared to non * ones, to then buy * tyres for my D5s based on their suitability to a previous gen Alpina on the front and previous gen M5 at the back makes no sense whatsoever.
Furthermore, I couldn’t actually find 4 Michelin PS4S in the right sizes anyway at any combination of Camskill, Blackcircles, Mytyres or Oponeo - I have used them all in the past except Camskill. I could get Pilot Super Sport and PS4 for BMW, but PS4S only in the right size for Porsche/ Mercedes. I guess this is because BMW have no current M models using these sizes in the more modern PS4S, therefore it doesn’t exist and you are looking for older tyre editions or non *.
I had never heard of Camskill until someone mentioned them here - rang them for advice and they were very helpful - said absolutely stick with the Alp branded Pirelli (this was before I watched the videos but he basically he said the same things about tyre construction and how they are specifically matched to the car).
Just for info the four Pirelli PZ4 Alp tyres I ordered were £943 from Camskill, compared to £970 Oponeo, £1106 Blackcircles and £1223 Mytyres - very easy to order and they arrived within 48 hours. Whilst I don’t think that’s too bad for Alpina specific high performance tyres, I bought a full set in April 2019 for my last D5s for 25% less, such is inflation!
The second reason is a proper schoolboy error on my part. Somewhat ironically, I have a Michelin digital tyre gauge, which had provided the results for my catastrophic tyre wear report. When the new Pirellis landed, I checked them and they were all 6.5mm rather than 8mm which I thought was odd. Anyway, the chaps across the road who fitted them have an old fashioned manual one which showed 8mm all round. The Michelin gauge is in the bin.
Therefore, apologies to Pirelli as my calculations were utter tosh, and the wear is fine (for my driving style and roads). The new ones are on and I now have 3 spares with 5.5 - 6mm left and one scrapped rear with the sidewall bulge. Sottozeros with the second set of wheels actually have 6.5mm left.
I asked for them to be set at 2.6 bar as the winters had been. The front end grip is just phenomenal wet or dry - interesting to read John’s point about losing grip at 3-4mm on the PZ4s as I have had 2 sets of Sottozeros which have done exactly the same thing with just over 3mm left. I wondered if the bottom of the tread block is harder therefore less grippy.
I thought the ride a tad firmer but have noticed over the weekend that they have actually been set at 2.8 - again, John made the point about pressure sensitivity to the ride quality, but happy with the sharper handling for now with the new tyres as the ride is still exceptional - I don’t know how Alpina do it, or other manufacturers don’t/can’t!
Firstly, interesting videos regarding * marked tyres, (for anyone who doesn’t know the * ones are the BMW approved ones) but for * Michelins they have very little - if any - relevance to the G30/31 Alpina. As only BMW M and Alpina don’t use runflats, (thankfully), when searching for Michelins, the only tyres that match for size are rears (295/30/20) from the F10/11 M5 (and M6) and fronts (255/35/20) from the same generation Alpina D5/B5. The current M cars all have different sizes.
Looking at such nuanced differences on the track video with * tyres specifically designed for the M3/4 chassis compared to non * ones, to then buy * tyres for my D5s based on their suitability to a previous gen Alpina on the front and previous gen M5 at the back makes no sense whatsoever.
Furthermore, I couldn’t actually find 4 Michelin PS4S in the right sizes anyway at any combination of Camskill, Blackcircles, Mytyres or Oponeo - I have used them all in the past except Camskill. I could get Pilot Super Sport and PS4 for BMW, but PS4S only in the right size for Porsche/ Mercedes. I guess this is because BMW have no current M models using these sizes in the more modern PS4S, therefore it doesn’t exist and you are looking for older tyre editions or non *.
I had never heard of Camskill until someone mentioned them here - rang them for advice and they were very helpful - said absolutely stick with the Alp branded Pirelli (this was before I watched the videos but he basically he said the same things about tyre construction and how they are specifically matched to the car).
Just for info the four Pirelli PZ4 Alp tyres I ordered were £943 from Camskill, compared to £970 Oponeo, £1106 Blackcircles and £1223 Mytyres - very easy to order and they arrived within 48 hours. Whilst I don’t think that’s too bad for Alpina specific high performance tyres, I bought a full set in April 2019 for my last D5s for 25% less, such is inflation!
The second reason is a proper schoolboy error on my part. Somewhat ironically, I have a Michelin digital tyre gauge, which had provided the results for my catastrophic tyre wear report. When the new Pirellis landed, I checked them and they were all 6.5mm rather than 8mm which I thought was odd. Anyway, the chaps across the road who fitted them have an old fashioned manual one which showed 8mm all round. The Michelin gauge is in the bin.
Therefore, apologies to Pirelli as my calculations were utter tosh, and the wear is fine (for my driving style and roads). The new ones are on and I now have 3 spares with 5.5 - 6mm left and one scrapped rear with the sidewall bulge. Sottozeros with the second set of wheels actually have 6.5mm left.
I asked for them to be set at 2.6 bar as the winters had been. The front end grip is just phenomenal wet or dry - interesting to read John’s point about losing grip at 3-4mm on the PZ4s as I have had 2 sets of Sottozeros which have done exactly the same thing with just over 3mm left. I wondered if the bottom of the tread block is harder therefore less grippy.
I thought the ride a tad firmer but have noticed over the weekend that they have actually been set at 2.8 - again, John made the point about pressure sensitivity to the ride quality, but happy with the sharper handling for now with the new tyres as the ride is still exceptional - I don’t know how Alpina do it, or other manufacturers don’t/can’t!