XL Tyres (Extra Load)

[Zedtastic]

Hi all,

Sorry if this is a silly question. I'm looking for a tyres in sizes 225/45/18 (front) and 255/40/18 (rear). Many of the Michelin, Bridgestone and Pirelli options state 'XL'. I thought these were for big heavy 4X4s. If I rule out run flats and XL, there's little choice. Is there any harm in using XL rated tyres on a Z4C?

[buzyg]

XL tyres should be fine. It's a load rating system. The growth in heavy 4x4s has created a glut of strong tyres in lots of sizes. A sports cars also needs a strong tyre due to the force generated going fast. So we can use those tyres too. Just be sure the speed rating matches your cars requirement as well.

[Zedtastic]

XL tyres should be fine. It's a load rating system. The growth in heavy 4x4s has created a glut of strong tyres in lots of sizes. A sports cars also needs a strong tyre due to the force generated going fast. So we can use those tyres too. Just be sure the speed rating matches your cars requirement as well.

Thanks buzyg
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 have speed ratings of Y and W. Is it OK to have, say, Y on the front axle and W on the rear? I'm guessing it doesnt matter as the Z4 is limited to 155mph anyway. (Not like I'll be driving that speed anyway! ).

[road warrior]

all will be fine, thats what i have for summer

[MACK]

XL tyres aren't reinforced sidewalls like runflats, thats a popular misconception. An XL tyre is design to run at higher pressures than its non XL equivalent, so it can carry a bigger/heavier load. They do this by reinforcing the bit of the tyre under the tread, not the sidewalls. The manufacturers etc state that you wont be able to tell any difference in terms of ride quality etc.

A good example is I recently changed the front tyres on mine due to bad tram-lining. The PS3 i took off had noticeable harder side walls than the F1s that replaced them (something noted in various reviews/tests) and why I picked them over the PS4. I can tell that's this is true in the subtle but noticeable difference in ride quality. However the PS3 has a load rating of 91 whereas the F1s are 95. So you would expect the ride to be harder on the F1s if the load rating was related to reinforcing of sidewalls ect

[Zedtastic]

XL tyres aren't reinforced sidewalls like runflats, thats a popular misconception. An XL tyre is design to run at higher pressures than its non XL equivalent, so it can carry a bigger/heavier load. They do this by reinforcing the bit of the tyre under the tread, not the sidewalls. The manufacturers etc state that you wont be able to tell any difference in terms of ride quality etc.

A good example is I recently changed the front tyres on mine due to bad tram-lining. The PS3 i took off had noticeable harder side walls than the F1s that replaced them (something noted in various reviews/tests) and why I picked them over the PS4. I can tell that's this is true in the subtle but noticeable difference in ride quality. However the PS3 has a load rating of 91 whereas the F1s are 95. So you would expect the ride to be harder on the F1s if the load rating was related to reinforcing of sidewalls ect

Thanks MACK . Really informative. Did you go for the GoodYear F1 Asymmetric 2 or 3?

[Ewazix]

The Oponeo tyre site says the below on XL tyres, I've got XL Eagle AS2's and they are an excellent all-round tyre with better dynamics and comfort than the old run-flats.

What Benefits Do Reinforced Tyres Bring?
The advantages of reinforced tyres results from their increased load capacity. This includes:

When normal and reinforced tyres are used in the same way, the latter will last longer. XL tyres can travel for a greater total distance without suffering internal damage, even when under intensive use. This applies so long as the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure is being adhered to.
Resistance to mechanical damage caused, for example, by driving at high speeds into the kerb.
Better traction and adhesion properties. The tyre’s greater rigidity ensures stability, more effective transmission of the vehicle’s power to the road surface, better handling on corners, a faster reaction to turns and a greater resistance to additional loads and forces.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Reinforced Tyres?
Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect tyre. All models are a designed and calculated compromise between various parameters and this still applies to reinforced tyres. The more important drawbacks to reinforced tyres are:

Higher noise levels. The tyre certification requirements permit reinforced tyres to produce 1 dB (decibel) more noise than normal tyres.
The use of reinforcement may involve increasing the thickness of the face (under the tread) and shoulder of the tyre. This, in turn, can cause increased rolling resistance and greater fuel consumption.
Reinforcement usually involves an increase in the tyre’s weight and mass, which again leads to higher fuel consumption.
Modifications may lead to a lowering of the driving comfort, when compared to using normal tyres, although such differences will be minimal and rarely felt by the driver.

[MACK]

XL tyres aren't reinforced sidewalls like runflats, thats a popular misconception. An XL tyre is design to run at higher pressures than its non XL equivalent, so it can carry a bigger/heavier load. They do this by reinforcing the bit of the tyre under the tread, not the sidewalls. The manufacturers etc state that you wont be able to tell any difference in terms of ride quality etc.

A good example is I recently changed the front tyres on mine due to bad tram-lining. The PS3 i took off had noticeable harder side walls than the F1s that replaced them (something noted in various reviews/tests) and why I picked them over the PS4. I can tell that's this is true in the subtle but noticeable difference in ride quality. However the PS3 has a load rating of 91 whereas the F1s are 95. So you would expect the ride to be harder on the F1s if the load rating was related to reinforcing of sidewalls ect

Thanks MACK . Really informative. Did you go for the GoodYear F1 Asymmetric 2 or 3?

I went for the A3, got a deal at Costco a few weeks back on one of their offers, just over £200 fitted in the M Spec 225/45/18 which I didt think was too bad. It got rid of most of the tramlining which is what I was hoping for.

[buzyg]

XL tyres should be fine. It's a load rating system. The growth in heavy 4x4s has created a glut of strong tyres in lots of sizes. A sports cars also needs a strong tyre due to the force generated going fast. So we can use those tyres too. Just be sure the speed rating matches your cars requirement as well.

Thanks buzyg
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 have speed ratings of Y and W. Is it OK to have, say, Y on the front axle and W on the rear? I'm guessing it doesnt matter as the Z4 is limited to 155mph anyway. (Not like I'll be driving that speed anyway! ).

Not something I have ever tried, but I can't see any issues mixing ratings that exceed requirement. Other that you might be able to get the higher rated tyre cheaper at the lower rating, if you shop around.