Do I need a new tire?

[Iwantbmwm3]

I noticed a gash on my drivers side tire's sidewall, roughly 1", and about .25" deep. I haven't lost any air in the last 10 days since I noticed it, and drives fine. I have attached a few pictures to show the gash, and a picture of me using my topgolf card to measure how deep it was.

1) Is this something that can be fixed or do I need a new tire? Tire still has 7/10 tread left so I'd hate to have to get a new tire.

2) If I need to replace that tire, I am thinking of getting 2 new Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4's on the front. I currently have Continental DWS 06 All Seasons but want to try a new all season tire. My rear tires are at 6/10 so I would replace them with 2 new Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4's when the time comes to replace them.

Would it be okay for me to run Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4's on the front, and my current Continental DWS 06 in the rear?

3) Does anyone have any experience with either the new Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4's or the new Continental DWS 06 Plus tires on our car? (I live in Chicago and commuted round trip 50 miles/day, pre-covid. These days I drive it maybe 200 miles/month ).

[nrubenstein]

I would replace that.

I would not combine PS4 AS tires with the DWS. They are VERY different tires.

[tbuck]

^Agree, that is a bad place for a cut like that. Also, if it lets go it will likely do so all at once, not like a slow leak from a nail. It looks like it is separating the sidewall structure from the outer shell.

Agree also it is generally not a good idea to mix different tires. Each tire behaves differently in a given situation and having 2 different tires front and rear could produce some possibly dangerous results when the car approaches the limit. It would be best to replace the 1 tire with an exact match, even if it has more tread than the remaining tires.

[Three Pedal Steve]

This happened to me with a new set of 4S Michelins from Tire Rack, who sent a free replacement tire directly to my indy shop asap.

[Iwantbmwm3]

Thanks for the replies! I knew this in the back of my mind but was hoping and wishing otherwise since all tires still have a good amount of life left.

I chatted with Tire Rack also, and they recommended changing both front tires, and ideally even replace all 4 tires since the DWS06 is discontinued and replaced with the DWS 06 Plus.

Anybody have experience on this car with the new DWS 06 Plus or the new Michelin All Season 4 tires?

[Mr. BMW]

Why do you want to put All Season tires on an M3? You are better off with summer tires and a second set of wheels with snow tires if you drive in the winter...

[SAMM3Y]

I'd glue it and move on, I'm guessing it's mostly a daily driver since it has all seasons on it. Throw some rubber cement in it.

[Iwantbmwm3]

Originally Posted by Mr. BMW

Why do you want to put All Season tires on an M3? You are better off with summer tires and a second set of wheels with snow tires if you drive in the winter...

I don't have a choice. I live in a condo in Chicago and have no storage to store a set of tires/wheels so I have to live with all-seasons. I don't track or autocross either, just spirited driving on open roads/highways. When I move to a house, I will have 2 sets of tires/wheels.

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

I'd glue it and move on, I'm guessing it's mostly a daily driver since it has all seasons on it. Throw some rubber cement in it.

Is that safe considering it's on the sidewall?

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by Iwantbmwm3

I don't have a choice. I live in a condo in Chicago and have no storage to store a set of tires/wheels so I have to live with all-seasons. I don't track or autocross either, just spirited driving on open roads/highways. When I move to a house, I will have 2 sets of tires/wheels.

Is that safe considering it's on the sidewall?

If you ask a place that sells tires they're gonna tell you no.. my truck has a few cut sidewalls.. I tow with it, it's up to you. The glue would be to stop it catching anything and getting torn any worse.

[tbuck]

Given the choice between those 2 tires, I would take the new DWS06+ all day long. Just got a set for my E46 and they are way better than the Michelins. I was not impressed with the PS AS when I had them on my E36 M3 which was then my daily. YMMV

[nick3753]

Originally Posted by Iwantbmwm3

I don't have a choice. I live in a condo in Chicago and have no storage to store a set of tires/wheels so I have to live with all-seasons. I don't track or autocross either, just spirited driving on open roads/highways. When I move to a house, I will have 2 sets of tires/wheels.

Is that safe considering it's on the sidewall?

I know some tire places in Detroit will store your winter or summer tires for a fee (I think it was 200 per year at Discount Tire). If you have to drive in the snow, it's a night and day difference between all seasons and snow tires. It all depends on your finances though.