Writing about the
Toyo T1R given
86% (245-40-17-W)
Driving on
a combination of roads for 10000
spirited miles
I have owned 2 325's for combination of 3 years now and have had a several set of tyres on this model and I can honestly tell you that the Toyo T1-R is the best model of tyre that I have used yet. I have used Pirelli P6000's, Federal Super Steel 595's, Falken FK451's, Falken ZE512's, Michelin PS2's and Continetal Contact Sport 2's.
The absolute worst thing you can do if you drive spirtedly is put cheap tyres on your car,especially if you have a RWD BMW that is reknown to be tail happy. I know where you are coming from trying to save money on cheaper tyres as I thought the same thing. I had a set pair of 225 45 17 Federal SS595's on the rear and had used them for about 2 weeks (500 + miles) I was going round a large roundabout ( approx 20 seconds to drive round it) and the sidewall gave as i was turning . resulting in a blowout which sent my car absolutly flying. I had two choices, hit the traffic in the lanes next to me or aim for a place to ditch it. Picture the scene, its 12am at night, its raining and im running a 2.5 litre engine on one 225 45 17 and an alloy wheel with a tyre flailing around it.
I went across 2 lanes avoided all traffic, mounted the outer curb, took out a sign, an illumiated bollard and hit the massive steel reinforcements. Car was a Cat B write off.
Lesson Learned.
The tyre's I have used I would rate in the following order from the best to the worst.
Toyo T1-R's (now 245 40 17) Falken ZE512's, Michelin PS2, Continental Sport 2's, Falken FK451's, Pirelli P6000's, Federal SS595's. ( Do NOT buy this tyre ) it could cost you your car, your life or someone elses.
People have mentioned that the Toyo's have soft sidewalls, Toyo has addressed this, please choose a tyre with a Reinforeced Side wall, they ARE the tyres im reviewing here.
Pirelli P6000's are useless in the wet (205 60 15)
If I couldn't find any Toyo's I would get the ZE512's until I could get a set.
www.camskill.com offer good deals on any makes of tyres.