Getting rid of runflats

Tonymeister · Post by **Tonymeister** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 12:29 pm

Hi all, as with most E89s mine came with runflats on. General consensus in these knowledgeable parts is that the ride is significantly improved by moving over to standard tyres so that's my plan once these die.

My question is, since there's no spare, what are you lot on standard tyres doing to safeguard against punctures? Any tricks/things to know, or will you simply rely on your breakdown service?

brillomaster · Post by **brillomaster** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 12:36 pm

12v tyre inflator in the boot. In the very rare occasion i have had a puncture, its usually not so bad that it can't be fixed temporarily by simply reinflating the tyre, and checking the pressure every half an hour or so.

if that fails, then i have breakdown cover.

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 12:42 pm

Same here 12v inflator, I also have a couple of cans of “tyre weld”, used the inflator a couple of times but that it.

Zforbes · Post by **Zforbes** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 1:03 pm

Tonymeister wrote: ↑Thu Sep 30, 2021 12:29 pm General consensus in these knowledgeable parts is that the ride is significantly improved

I wouldn't expect ride quality to be massively different especially if you're running 19” rims, it’s the amount of grip that I noticed most.

I bought one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Slime-CRK0305- ... Y000&psc=1

its hidden behind the passenger seat, careful not to squash it though.

Don't really know how good it is but I have AA membership anyway

Tonymeister · Post by **Tonymeister** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 1:23 pm

Thanks all. I think I am running the 19" wheels (same as your profile pic by the looks of it). So you think a negligible difference in ride quality? I was quite shocked to discover how 'crashy' mine was when I picked it up.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 1:48 pm

Admittedly I have 18" wheels, but for me the ride quality was a huge improvement, from standard runflats onto GY Assy 5s.
Definitely NOT a negligible change.

Vornwend · Post by **Vornwend** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 2:00 pm

Worth checking that your breakdown provider will cover you for a tyre failure if you don't carry a spare - many don't

Zforbes · Post by **Zforbes** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 2:25 pm

Tonymeister wrote: ↑Thu Sep 30, 2021 1:23 pm Thanks all. I think I am running the 19" wheels (same as your profile pic by the looks of it). So you think a negligible difference in ride quality? I was quite shocked to discover how 'crashy' mine was when I picked it up.

The difference over the bumps on 19" rims is minimal, the handling and just how the car drives is the benefit IMO.

Depends what you mean by crashy, I'd say firm but positive on mine, maybe a suspension related issue?

biZ4rreMids · Post by **biZ4rreMids** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 3:39 pm

Tread depth makes a big difference too. When I took my Z for a test drive at the Dealers it was very crashy, running over cats eyes caused the car to lurch and the bang was quite an alarming experience, the tread depth on the rear runflats was approximately 3mm. When I picked the car up the Dealer had fitted brand new runflats and the ride was much improved although I’d booked the car into kwikfit the same day for a set of Goodyear non runflats which has made further improvements to the ride. I also increased the profile on the rears from 30 to 35. My wife finds sitting in the passenger seat a much more comfortable experience now compared to that earlier test drive.

wiseguy · Post by **wiseguy** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 4:22 pm

Runflats saved my bacon last month. I hit a highway pothole and damaged both left tires in the middle of nowhere.I managed to limp into a tire store 35 Miles away with both left tires deflated. Even having 1 spare would have left me stranded. I think I’ll keep buying run flats. I tried regular tires last time and the ride quality was only marginally better. Check out Firestone runflats. They don’t ride as rough as other brands I’ve used.

Southwestz4 · Post by **Southwestz4** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 4:48 pm

I ditched the run flats ( 18") and fitted Michelin pilot 4s and bought a Airman compressor/slime kit ...if that doesn't work I would be on the phone to the AA !

Zforbes · Post by **Zforbes** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 5:28 pm

biZ4rreMids wrote: ↑Thu Sep 30, 2021 3:39 pm it was very crashy, running over cats eyes

Now you mentioned cats eyes you've got me thinking, probably is less severe on non RFT's. I've learned to avoid them so hadn't picked up on that over the last 6 weeks or so since I've had them changed

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 6:09 pm

7 years ago i bought a spacer saver and been in the boot since.
Never needed it once in that time, car used daily for work.
Should i leave it out.

Or is that tempting fate.

304frp · Post by **304frp** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 7:57 pm

I changed to conti sport 6 after nearly convincing myself it was ridiculous on anything but a moth surface. They transformed the ride massively, quite comfortable now on the standard 19s

304frp · Post by **304frp** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 7:58 pm

Should read ‘smooth’ not bloody moth !!!!

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