Hey everyone, I recently took delivery of my G80 M3 and it’s been an absolute blast so far. However, it came equipped with the standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and with temperatures starting to drop, I’m getting a bit nervous about the lack of grip on cold pavement. I’m looking to switch to a high-quality all-season setup so I can keep enjoying the car as a daily driver without worrying about every light dusting of snow or freezing rain.
I’m specifically looking for something that can handle the 503 hp of the Competition model without feeling too 'mushy' in the corners. I've been eyeing the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 and the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, as those seem to be the top contenders. I'm running the staggered 19" front and 20" rear wheel setup, so availability in those specific sizes is a big factor for me. My main concern is losing that sharp, communicative steering feel that makes the M3 so special.
For those of you who have made the switch, which tires did you go with, and how much of the performance did you actually have to sacrifice for the extra versatility? I’d love to hear your experiences with road noise and wet traction as well!
The consensus on the G80 forums usually boils down to two heavy hitters: the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 and the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus.
The Michelins are the go-to if you want to maintain that sharp "M" steering feel and dry-grip performance. However, if you deal with more standing water or light snow, the Continentals often get the nod for their superior wet traction and slightly smoother ride. Both are solid year-round choices for the G80's staggered setup.
Hey! Congrats on the G80 M3! For all-seasons, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 offers sharper steering and excellent wet/cold grip, closer to your PS4S. The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus provides great comfort and slightly better light snow traction, though potentially softer. Both handle 503 hp and are available in your staggered sizes. For minimal steering feel sacrifice, Michelins often edge out.
For your situation, I’d seriously look at the value play here. I’ve been running the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus on my G80 and honestly, it’s the best bang for your buck by far. While others mentioned the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 or Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+, those usually run $50–$80 more per tire. I picked up my set for around $1,100 total, whereas the Michelins were pushing $1,400.
Here’s how they compare from a budget/performance perspective:
- **Continental DWS 06 Plus:** Best value. Superb wet traction and very quiet. The sidewall is a tiny bit softer, but it’s barely noticeable for daily driving.
- **Michelin AS4:** Great performance, but you're paying a premium for the brand name.
- **Vredestein Quatrac Pro:** Another solid budget alternative if you can find the staggered 19/20 sizes in stock.
I’m really satisfied with the Contis—they handle the 503hp just fine. FWIW, check for rebates on Tire Rack; I saved an extra $100 last month! Good luck!
Honestly, I've had issues with the standard options feeling too soft on my previous builds, but if you want to keep that sharp G80 turn-in while gaining cold-weather safety, Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ is a solid alternative that feels a bit stiffer than the Contis. Just dont expect summer-level grip, obviously!
Honestly, I totally get the anxiety of driving a 500hp monster on freezing pavement. In my experience, I unfortunately found the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 to be a bit loud on certain highway surfaces, which was disappointing for the price. For your situation, I'd suggest the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus. They're usually cheaper—saving you around $200 a set—and handle the wet much better IMO. They feel slightly softer than the 4S, but teh grip is seriously impressive for the cost!
To add to the point above: most people overlook some of the newer UHP entries that arent Michelin or Conti. I spent weeks pouring over load ratings and tread patterns before I landed on the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate 275/35R19 and the matching Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate 285/30R20. I've always been more into the technical specs of the carcass construction than just brand hype. On my G80, these Goodyears actually felt surprisingly stiff in the sidewall during hard transitions. I remember one morning it was like 25 degrees and the road was slightly damp. Usually thats a recipe for disaster with summer rubber, but these bit into the pavement without any drama. The steering didnt go completely numb either, which was my biggest fear. They handle the torque of the Comp model way better than the Pirellis I tried on my old car. Honestly, for the price, the technical performance is there. Quick tips:
Same here!
Quick reply while I have a sec... honestly I had a pretty rough time trying to figure this out. Everyone pushes the Michelins or Contis but they're so expensive for tires you're basically using as a compromise. I actually went with the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus 3 and was kind of disappointed. They just dont have that bite when you're turning in hard, and the car feels a bit heavier than it should. My biggest issue though was compatibility. I spent forever looking at Yokohama ADVAN Sport AS Plus but realized the load index on some of these all-seasons doesn't always match what the G80 needs for that rear 20 inch wheel. If you go too low on the load rating because you're hunting for a deal, the sidewalls just collapse under the weight of the M3 when you're pushing it. It makes the car feel super floaty which is the last thing you want with 500 horses. TL;DR: Budget options like Pirelli or Yokohama are cheaper but you really lose that M-car sharpness, and you gotta be super careful with load ratings on the staggered 19/20 setup or the car feels like a boat.