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E89 rear slippery on wet country roads - Best solution ? Tyres ?

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bluesun89

Member
Hi all -

I have a 2014 E89 2.0i M Sport Auto and really love the car - impeccable driving and reliability roadtripping in UK, France, Switzerland, Italy for nearly 1.5 years now. Absolutely no problem at all, and getting very good grip on dry roads..

However, when driving in the UK (especially uneven countryside roads, or bad pavement that doesnt absorb rain) I notice that the Rear of the car is quite often 'loosing traction' if i try to go above, say 40-50mph - also same thing when on highway and heavy rain, above 60mph.
Note that this is all done in in Comfort mode, when driving gently - so a little bit scary.

I am sure this has been debated before, and that this is more a common behaviour for a E89 (ie nothing wrong with my car) ; just curious as to whether you experienced similar thing ? and what is the best way to solve it ?

I am on the Bridgestone Potentezas runflat (same as stock), approx 30-50% used. Would changing my tyres drastically improve traction on wet roads ? or will it be the same ? (note that I dont mind the harsher ride, I'd prefer having runflats - given all the punctures here in the UK..) I believe people here are swearing by the Goodyear Eagle F1 ?

Other solution for me is, sadly, swapping for an AWD .. (911 or Ftype) but would be a bummer as I am 100% satisfied and happy with my Zed otherwise.

Any help or advice much appreciated !
 
Nice easy solution to that problem, change tyres, dangerous handling and a bone shaking ride is normal for runflat tyres.

The best tyres at the moment are Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S or Continental Sport Contact 6. I'm on my second set of Michelin Pilot 4 S and they are brilliant in all weather. No problems with standing water.
 
after swapping out the tyres and before considering AWD, you could give a try installing an LSD solution into the differential
 
Thanks for these advice.

So if I ditch the Bridgestone RFT, are there ''Good'' tyres models in RFT I can fit ? Or are they all a letdown in terms of wet roads grips, as opposed no non-RFT ?
(i don't mind about the harsher ride, but do care a lot about wet road grip)
 
Bridgestone tyres are about as sticky as Teflon, if you can stretch to it get Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, dont know if they do a RFT version.
The stiff walls of RFT also help the tyre 'break away' on corners instead of flexing to enhance grip.
Just ditch runflats, you think you dont mind the harsh ride but you will realise just how bad the car is with RFT once you ditch them..
 
Allright thanks I might go non-RFT then.. Im just nervous about getting a puncture - the state of UK roads, even highways filled up with potholes, is v shocking (I have a RAC cover etc.. but never used it thankfully)
 
bluesun89 said:
Allright thanks I might go non-RFT then.. Im just nervous about getting a puncture - the state of UK roads, even highways filled up with potholes, is v shocking (I have a RAC cover etc.. but never used it thankfully)
Click to expand...
How many flats have you had in all your years of driving?
If you have breakdown cover get rid of the rfts and enjoy the car
 
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=1/summer/t=1/car/p=1/continental/r=1/225-35-r19#&&/wEXEQUOcGNrX1RyTFNTc25JZHMFATEFFXBja19Mc3RTU29ydFBhcmFtZXRlcgUCMzcFCnBja19UckxTUEYFAzE1NAUVcGNrX1RyTFNTb3J0RGlyZWN0aW9uBQEyBQhwY2tfSU9GUAUCMjQFCXBja19UckxTUgUD4pSkBQdwY2tfSVBQBQIyNAUJcGNrX1RyNDhoBQPilKQFCnBja19UckxTUFQFAzE1NQUNcGNrX1RyTFNWVElkcwUBNAUMcGNrX1RyTERlZlNJBQPilKQFC3Bja19UckxTUk9GBQPilIIFB3Bja19DUGcFATEFC3Bja19UcklPbmx5BQPilKQFDHBja19UckxTU0lkcwUDMzI0BQpwY2tfVHJMU1NMBQIyMQUMcGNrX1RyTFNQSWRzBQIyNeLd5MvB8Yik+RvTQUuoja1m4aY5

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=1/summer/t=1/car/p=1/continental/r=1/255-30-r19#&&_wEXEQUOcGNrX1RyTFNTc25JZHMFATEFFXBja19Mc3RTU29ydFBhcmFtZXRlcgUCMzcFCnBja19UckxTUEYFAzE4MQUVcGNrX1RyTFNTb3J0RGlyZWN0aW9uBQEyBQhwY2tfSU9GUAUCMjQFCXBja19UckxTUgUD4pSkBQdwY2tfSVBQBQIyNAUJcGNrX1RyNDhoBQPilKQFCnBja19UckxTUFQFAzE4MgUNcGNrX1RyTFNWVElkcwUBNAUMcGNrX1RyTERlZlNJBQPilKQFC3Bja19UckxTUk9GBQPilIIFB3Bja19DUGcFATEFC3Bja19UcklPbmx5BQPilKQFDHBja19UckxTU0lkcwUDNDQxBQpwY2tfVHJMU1NMBQIyMQUMcGNrX1RyTFNQSWRzBQIyNSoomfMrLThZbEf7K_T6tvwZx8Wa

Most people swap to a variety of brands in non runflat..

There are some of the brands people use in run flat versions

One of the many premium brands in 19" sizes (you've not listed your wheel sizes) i've copied the link in for..

Others may advise from practical experience..
 
Runflats aren't really a solution to a puncture. The only real advantage over normal tyres is that they allow you to limp a short distance without damaging the wheel but you're still stuck waiting for recovery unless you happen to be close to home. They also don't really help in a blowout scenario.

A small space saver wheel is the best solution but eats up the already limited storage space. I've been carrying around a small 12v compressor and a can of foam but never had to use them, I think this solution is the best middle ground and gives you as much if not more mobility in the event of a puncture than a runflat tyre.
 
i think in 12 years of driving i've had one actual puncture... but even then, it still held enough pressure to get me home once it was reinflated (and checked every 20 miles). So personally, i'd just spend £20 on a 12V tyre inflator, and keep that in the boot of your car.

The other cause of flat/deflating tyres are either leaky valves, or tyres not seating properly on a corroded/flaky painted rim. but again, both of these can be solved in the short term with a tyre inflator.
 
Thanks guys for all the advice. I have just ordered 4 x Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (non runflat), to be fitted on Wed. And you are right, I care much more about not aquaplaning into a tree when the road is slippery, than about dealing with a hypothetical puncture.

I will add a 12V tyre inflator, that's actually great advice, didn't think that was an option.
 
I got one of these for mine, following recommendations on the forum.
Good price, and can be used as a standard inflator too.
 

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Ditched the OE run flats and replaced with 4 Vredestein Ultrac Vortis and they're phenomenal in the wet and dry. Got caught in a massive thunderstorm last week and they coped with flooded roads, gravel and rocks washed over the road and not one slip.
Now I just to figure out a way of removing the grass etc that have dried on the rad and intercooler behind the grille. Hoover attachments won't fit and I don't really want to poke a stick through the gaps in case the soft metal gets damaged.
Maybe an airline at a petrol station?
 
Ming said:
Now I just to figure out a way of removing the grass etc that have dried on the rad and intercooler behind the grille. Hoover attachments won't fit and I don't really want to poke a stick through the gaps in case the soft metal gets damaged.
Maybe an airline at a petrol station?
Click to expand...

Won't a hose do it?
 
Std tyres are the answer for sure.
My 5 series was lethal in the wet on any corner. Its the uk's less than smooth roads I think, the tyres just have no 'give' in them. Non run-flat tyres transformed the car completely.
 
When changing from RFT to non RFT tyres is it a straight swop size for size ? Or does the side wall aspect / width change? I also have worn Bridgestone run flats on asymmetric 18” inch rims and want to go down non RFT route. Is it a myth that your insurance company need to be told if you make the non RFT change ?
 
Fireball said:
When changing from RFT to non RFT tyres is it a straight swop size for size ? Or does the side wall aspect / width change? I also have worn Bridgestone run flats on asymmetric 18” inch rims and want to go down non RFT route. Is it a myth that your insurance company need to be told if you make the non RFT change ?
Click to expand...

On 18" rims normal Z4 Forum practice is to swap size for size..

Technically, since the car was not approved for run-flats you should notify your insurance company, others will plead the 5th amendment
 
It's a straight swap. No need to mess with tyre sizes. As for tyre pressures, that's more divisive topic than Israel on here but my experience is that you want to lower the pressures a little from what's written on the door jamb.

The knuckle draggers that work in tyre shops / dealerships will often tell you some crock about the wheel not being designed for non-runflat or that the suspension was designed specifically for runflats.

Regarding insurers, I wouldn't bother. Some like to quote small print about deviating from manufacturer specification but the reality is that you are deviating from manufacturer specification by not using BMW screenwash, not using the exact oil BMW recommended or by not having star marked OE versions of the exact tyre that came fitted. In fact a proper pedant would argue that even if you have your car serviced by BMW and they use the new spec Shell Helix rather than the original Mobil oil you should ring your insurers :rofl:
 
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