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      05-03-2017, 12:42 PM   #1
jonathanthehornet
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Pirelli P Zero vs Bridgestone Potenza

Just wondered if anyone on here has opted for and has experience with the Pirelli P Zero tyres over the standard Bridgestone Potenza tyres? My dealer tells me that Bridgestone Potenza are still the only BMW recommended tyres.

The Pirelli website has an i8 specific option and I think they come in a variety of colours: https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-gb/...i8/31808/2014/





Interested to know people's thoughts 👍🏻

Thanks

Last edited by jonathanthehornet; 05-03-2017 at 12:52 PM..
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      05-03-2017, 01:43 PM   #2
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Interesting that they are specifically promoting the tyre for i8.
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      05-03-2017, 04:52 PM   #3
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I have the P Zero. Been happy with it...although it's the only one I've had, so no comparison to be made. Road noise, comfort and grip are all top-notch in my opinion. Wet performance would be my only complaint (on the max summer version).

Pretty cool that they have other colors.
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      05-03-2017, 05:12 PM   #4
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Quote:
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although it's the only one I've had, so no comparison to be made.
You've never had the original factory fit Bridgestones?
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      05-03-2017, 05:50 PM   #5
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You've never had the original factory fit Bridgestones?
Well, yes...but these are 30mm wider. The grip from the width alone makes it hard to compare. And on the flipside, it's hard to say how much the width impacts the difference in wet performance.
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      05-03-2017, 06:33 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skinrock View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JasH View Post
You've never had the original factory fit Bridgestones?
Well, yes...but these are 30mm wider. The grip from the width alone makes it hard to compare. And on the flipside, it's hard to say how much the width impacts the difference in wet performance.
Website says only available in 245/215. That's what my car has in bridgestones
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      05-03-2017, 06:35 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by skinrock View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JasH View Post
You've never had the original factory fit Bridgestones?
Well, yes...but these are 30mm wider. The grip from the width alone makes it hard to compare. And on the flipside, it's hard to say how much the width impacts the difference in wet performance.
Website says only available in 245/215. That's what my car has in bridgestones
I meant the ones I personally have.
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      05-03-2017, 07:18 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skinrock View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by skinrock View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JasH View Post
You've never had the original factory fit Bridgestones?
Well, yes...but these are 30mm wider. The grip from the width alone makes it hard to compare. And on the flipside, it's hard to say how much the width impacts the difference in wet performance.
Website says only available in 245/215. That's what my car has in bridgestones
I meant the ones I personally have.
Oh so you have 275/245 pirelli pzero on yours? Same wheels?
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      05-04-2017, 01:41 AM   #9
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No, I have a set of forged Vorsteiners.
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      05-04-2017, 07:44 AM   #10
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I just replaced my tires and went with the P Zeros. I haven't pushed the car hard yet, but in my normal daily driving, I think they are really nice.

Taking a road trip to Austin this weekend. I'll have a better feel for them.
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      05-04-2017, 08:13 AM   #11
jonathanthehornet
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Did you go for one of these colour variants or just plain black?
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      05-04-2017, 09:17 AM   #12
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Did you go for one of these colour variants or just plain black?
Mine are black. I wasn't aware of the color options (although, I still would have chosen black)
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      05-04-2017, 10:50 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jnkirk1974 View Post
I just replaced my tires and went with the P Zeros. I haven't pushed the car hard yet, but in my normal daily driving, I think they are really nice.

Taking a road trip to Austin this weekend. I'll have a better feel for them.
Size?
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      05-04-2017, 12:21 PM   #14
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Do those wheels come in blue?
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      05-05-2017, 11:08 AM   #15
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Just got the Pirelli's---so far, so good even in the rain.
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      05-11-2017, 05:10 PM   #16
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Size?
Standard sizes for the i8. I didn't get anything larger.
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      05-14-2017, 07:04 PM   #17
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Quote:
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Standard sizes for the i8. I didn't get anything larger.
Yeah, standard OEM size here too. I figure that BMW i8 engineers sized these tires for a reason. So far, this car is awesome with these tires and no need to fiddlefart with success.....
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      05-17-2017, 08:40 AM   #18
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Yeah, standard OEM size here too. I figure that BMW i8 engineers sized these tires for a reason. So far, this car is awesome with these tires and no need to fiddlefart with success.....
That was my thinking. Obviously, we can fit larger wheels and tires on the i8. However, there is a point where you are disrupting the airflow around the car.

The aerodynamicists designed an air curtain that flows down the side of the car, which essentially seals off the wheels. When you fit larger wheels, you break that seal and hurt the aerodynamic advantage that the i8 has.

Let's face it, it's the aerodynamics of the car that makes it great. It certainly isn't the horsepower.

So, even though I prefer the looks of wider tires and wheels, I'll just go with BMW's recommendations on this one.
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      05-17-2017, 08:50 AM   #19
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the only reason that would make me change the standard wheels would be to go for much lighter items. I would keep the same size for the reasons mentioned above.

I actually really like the skinny wheels / tyres and the fact that this car is going against the established thinking.
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      05-17-2017, 02:45 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Yeah, standard OEM size here too. I figure that BMW i8 engineers sized these tires for a reason. So far, this car is awesome with these tires and no need to fiddlefart with success.....
Serious question - in that case why not stick with the standard Bridgestones?
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      05-17-2017, 02:49 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jnkirk1974 View Post
That was my thinking. Obviously, we can fit larger wheels and tires on the i8. However, there is a point where you are disrupting the airflow around the car.

The aerodynamicists designed an air curtain that flows down the side of the car, which essentially seals off the wheels. When you fit larger wheels, you break that seal and hurt the aerodynamic advantage that the i8 has.
Interesting point

It would be interesting to know what the wheel width limit is for that.

I am pretty sure that BMW used skinny tyres for fuel economy alone though.
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      05-17-2017, 04:56 PM   #22
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The aspect ratio of the tyres is quite clever...well thats my understanding.

If you look at dimensions they are quite unusual. it gives a comparable contact patch as say having a smaller diameter fatter tyre. so you get the grip with reduced rolling resistance.

I would go with the Pirellis for the coloured side wall...sad I know. Looking at the website I dont see an i8 option?
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