Writing about the
Vredestein Ultrac Satin given
83% (235-50-18-W)
Driving on
a combination of roads for 4800
average miles
I was in the need of a good tyre to fit under the E38. I have been driving three E38's for the past 6 years and had different tyres over those years.
The wheels under the E38 are original Styling 37 ''wide-wheels'' (I don't know the English word for it) using the following tyre sizes.
Front wheel size: 8x18
Front tyre size: 235/50R18
Rear wheel size: 9,5x18
Rear tyre size: 255/45R18
Suspension, steering, bushings and shocks are all new. Only A+ quality parts were fitted. Also a new 3D alignment has been done. The wheels are balanced with a Road Force balancer.
Comfort and road noise has been very good on all types of roads. This is what I value the most for a car like this. It needs to be comfy and low on noise. As of now I had no problems with flatspots after the car was not used for more then 12 hours. The previous Toyo Proxes T1 Sport had a horrible flatspot after 12 hours.
Grip in the dry is very good. Even on kickdown I can't get the wheels to spin. Cornering with a 5 meter long BMW is no problem for these tyes. They grip very good in the dry.
Grip in the wet hasn't been a problem for me. Doing a kickdown can get you a little wheel spin. Cornering in the wet takes no practice, but with tight corners and speed do take some caution. Sometimes it does feel the tyres are losing grip and the back of the car wants to break out.
Aqua planing. Having such wide wheels under a vehicle does give more chance of aqua planing. It is something that can't be avoided with sizes like these. The overall handling in aqua planing situations is good, the tyres do their job. But 2 hands on the wheel are required!
Overall handling and road feedback is good. The side wall is soft, and it is something that is noticeable in corners. I retrofitted a rear sway bar. This does a lot on the overall cornering issue with barges like these. And it keeps the car more stable in the corners, and in the end this takes some pressure and stress off the side wall of the tyre.
Wear is something I can't say that much about. As far is I can see it, they are holding up very good. It is the rear that wears out the quickest. The Toyo Proxes T1 Sport that were fitted before were completely worn out on the rear at 12000 kilometers. While the front Toyo's had 6.7mm left on them. I hope the Vredestein tyres at the rear will last the double amount of the Toyo's.
Would certainly buy these tyres again!