Slow Guy

My '97 BMW M3's rear tires are toast in the middle (both tires). I thought I was doing a better job of monitoring air pressure o this car than I obviously was. Anyhow, the fronts have about 1/3rd tread left and they're uniform, no issues.

As this car gets driven regularly in the winter and in the rainy cold slush we get here I want to stick with the All Season tires, they've been good so far.

Currently it has Mich. Pilot Sport All Season's on it and I would leave the current fronts on until they're worn out but I would like to replace the rears with Conti ExtremeContact DWS, also a All Season tire. They're much cheaper than the Mich.'s and I've heard very good things about them.

Would it be acceptable to mix the Conti's with the Mich.'s?

I just finished replacing all 4 shocks/struts w/ Bilstein Sports, the originals were absolutely toast.

TRINITONY

I wouldn't, but the experts will chime in.

edit: m3...well depending on how it's driven..

FranzBlamRacing

If you drive aggressively, we would recommend replacing the set. If your M3 lives more of a pedestrian life, buying a pair should be fine, though you may want to replace the fronts as the winter gets in full swing.

95 NC 993

My understanding (from endless internet sites) is that the tires should NOT be mixed. With so little left on the front tires anyway, get the Contis and you don't have to think about it anymore.

Slow Guy

Forgot I had a tread depth gauge, they register just over 6/32 and new is 10/32. Still, most likely I'll replace all 4. Thanks.

993Brendan

FWIW, I run Kuhmos on the back of my E46 M3 and Continental ContiSports on the front. I haven't notice a difference and my car is my daily driver. I plan to put Kuhmos on the front when the ContiSports wear out. For some reason, I keep wearing out the rears faster!

Rinty

When I was younger and foolish, we used to mix various brands of radial and bias ply tires on the same axes.

Somehow, we survived.

NP993

You can mix the tires, I've done it numerous times, even on the track.

I love these threads -- all the nervous nellies. Can anyone explain why you can't have a different brand of tire on the front axle vs. the rear? I mean, explain exactly why -- not just that this is what someone told you to do?