Bridgestone to Good Year. Iffy handling...

[strugglinauthor]

Appreciate any views/experience out there.

I've just had two Good Year Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyres fitted to the rear wheels, the first time I've fitted anything other than Bridgstone. Even when driving home the car didn't seem happy to maintain a straight line and I felt as though I was having to make tiny adjustments all the time. I put this down to my imagination and maybe a slightly different feel to the tyres. Today, however, I had to do a longer drive with plenty of twists and turns. It felt as though I were in a completely different car and it wasn't good. The car always used to feel 'planted' but today it felt twitchy, as though at any moment I could lose the back end. And we're talking sedate/moderate driving here and certainly not pushing things. More worryingly is that the skid control light was flashing merrily away every time I entered anything other than the gentlest of bends.

I took it straight back to the fitter who checked everything out and said it was fine. I asked whether it might be anything to do with mixing manufacturers and the view was that as long as they're all run-flats and the correct size, which they are, then it shouldn't matter. He said the pressure was slightly too high and dropped it back, although having checked the cooled tyres later on they are now showing 2.6 bar, which is lower than I'd normally have them. That said, afterwards the car did feel a little happier in a straight line but entering a bend at anything other than a pedestrain speed set the skid control light flickering.


The guy did say any problems then come straight back, so I may well do that and just say 'please put some Bridgstones back on'. Before I do, has anyone else expereinced anything similar?

Thanks.

 

[Busterboo]

Your post begs the question, 'What's on the front?' :wink:

 

[flybobbie]

long as they're all run-flats and the correct size, which they are

Didn't know Good Year Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 came as run flats?
If standard (which i suspect) then it will handle awful if you have RFT say front, tramlining and the Goodyears are compliant to track straight.

 

[Pyranha]

Sorry to hear your new tyres have caused you issues. It does sound like something is wrong. I have just had the opposite experience.

Due to an unfortunate few weeks with nails and my z4's tyres I just replaced all the factory spec Bridgestone RE050AI run flats with Goodyear Asymmetric 3 non run flats - cost me £400 fitted with blackcircles 10% discount + £10 for 2 cans of tyre weld!

Tramlining is gone (can take hands off wheel on a straight road and the car keeps dead ahead - run flats would have quickly followed the slightest imperfection in the road surface), car does not crash over small bumps, much less noise off the tyres means I can hear the exhaust.

There is a little less bite upon turn in, i assume due to the softer side walls, but there is loads of grip.

 

[Player 1]

I've Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3's as well and would echo what Pyranha's said. I came from Michelin's and would say they've got 99% of the grip but with half the noise and a much softer sidewall.

Certainly no such problems as described! Did they play with the tracking or anything? They are directional but I can't imagine being backwards would cause that much trouble?
They didn't put the front wheels on the back did they? :wink:

 

[strugglinauthor]

Thanks for the replies, all.

Firstly the fronts are my usual Bridgestone RE05s, which are about 50% worn (at a guess).

Yes, the Asymmetric 2 does come as a run flat. I did check, in case this was the issue, but there are the comforting words 'run flat' on the side walls .

I've heard a lot of people have improved the handling by moving away from run flats, so it's interesting to hear your experience, Pyranha. But I just like the thought that, should the worst happen on a long journey, I can keep going. Maybe one day I'll make the move .

The guy did check the new tyres out and said that everything was fine, aside from the pressure. I'm not sure if the Eagles should have a lower pressure than the Bridgestones? But at 2.6 bar, if I were on my usual tyres I'd be pumping them up. The thing that concerns me most is the anti skid warning illuminating. Handling is always a subjective thing and it may not be better or worse, just different. But, being a reasonably sedate driver, in all the years I've owned the Z4 I don't think I've ever seen that illuminate other than once or twice on an icy stretch.

 

[JimsZ]

I swapped all four at the same time to Goodyear AS`s and came from Bridgestone runflats. Transofrmed the car for the better by a country mile for me.

Id consider matching the fronts if I was you or matching the rears back to the fronts.

Either way id highly recommend non-runflats

 

[ronk]

I’m a firm believer in identical manufacturers tyres back and front.
Tyres and their technology are more complex than just bits of rubber.

 

[strugglinauthor]

I’m a firm believer in identical manufacturers tyres back and front.
Tyres and their technology are more complex than just bits of rubber.

Thanks again for the replies. Ronk: I think this is the way I'm going to have to go. Bottom line is that I usually trust the Z4 100%, but having driven it today that 100% has vanished. Be interesting to see what the tyre company does. There isn't exactly a fault but it's not as simple as just personal preference. I'll post on here what the outcome is...

 

[Smartbear]

I’m a firm believer in identical manufacturers tyres back and front.
Tyres and their technology are more complex than just bits of rubber.

Thanks again for the replies. Ronk: I think this is the way I'm going to have to go. Bottom line is that I usually trust the Z4 100%, but having driven it today that 100% has vanished. Be interesting to see what the tyre company does. There isn't exactly a fault but it's not as simple as just personal preference. I'll post on here what the outcome is...

Hi, I’d guess the first thing the tyre company will advise is having a matching set of tyres :?
Rob

 

[strugglinauthor]

I’m a firm believer in identical manufacturers tyres back and front.
Tyres and their technology are more complex than just bits of rubber.

Thanks again for the replies. Ronk: I think this is the way I'm going to have to go. Bottom line is that I usually trust the Z4 100%, but having driven it today that 100% has vanished. Be interesting to see what the tyre company does. There isn't exactly a fault but it's not as simple as just personal preference. I'll post on here what the outcome is...

Hi, I’d guess the first thing the tyre company will advise is having a matching set of tyres :?
Rob

Correct. Which is what I'm going to ask for . The thing is I asked today whether it mattered that I had Bridgestones on the front and Good Year on the rear and the guy, who wasn't a callow youth, said it was fine. What I was really wondering is whether they'll just do a straight swap or charge me the full whack for a new set of tyres. Having searched around on the Net it seems there's a 50/50 split between those who say that all four tyres should be of the same brand vs those who say that as long as you have the same type on each axle then it doesn't matter.

 

[Smartbear]

Thanks again for the replies. Ronk: I think this is the way I'm going to have to go. Bottom line is that I usually trust the Z4 100%, but having driven it today that 100% has vanished. Be interesting to see what the tyre company does. There isn't exactly a fault but it's not as simple as just personal preference. I'll post on here what the outcome is...

Hi, I’d guess the first thing the tyre company will advise is having a matching set of tyres :?
Rob

Correct. Which is what I'm going to ask for . The thing is I asked today whether it mattered that I had Bridgestones on the front and Good Year on the rear and the guy, who wasn't a callow youth, said it was fine. What I was really wondering is whether they'll just do a straight swap or charge me the full whack for a new set of tyres. Having searched around on the Net it seems there's a 50/50 split between those who say that all four tyres should be of the same brand vs those who say that as long as you have the same type on each axle then it doesn't matter.

It’s unfortunate your car has reacted in the way it has but i can’t see the tyre company giving you a free pair of tyres to be honest, is that what you mean? :?
Rob

 

[strugglinauthor]

Hi, I’d guess the first thing the tyre company will advise is having a matching set of tyres :?
Rob

Correct. Which is what I'm going to ask for . The thing is I asked today whether it mattered that I had Bridgestones on the front and Good Year on the rear and the guy, who wasn't a callow youth, said it was fine. What I was really wondering is whether they'll just do a straight swap or charge me the full whack for a new set of tyres. Having searched around on the Net it seems there's a 50/50 split between those who say that all four tyres should be of the same brand vs those who say that as long as you have the same type on each axle then it doesn't matter.

It’s unfortunate your car has reacted in the way it has but i can’t see the tyre company giving you a free pair of tyres to be honest, is that what you mean? :?
Rob

The current tyres will only have about 100 miles on them so I'm not sure whether, as a goodwill gesture, they'll swap them to Bridgestones and perhaps charge me a nominal amount - or whether they'll charge me the full whack and say "you can keep the Good Years if you like". I'm sure they're well within their rights to do the latter and it will be interesting to see. In my time I've dealt with companies who do the bare minimum to comply with selling regulations and others who have been almost embarrassingly generous. You never can tell...

 

[Busterboo]

... But I just like the thought that, should the worst happen on a long journey, I can keep going.

At up to 50nph for up to 50 miles, which is slow and not far on a long journey.

 

[strugglinauthor]

... But I just like the thought that, should the worst happen on a long journey, I can keep going.

At up to 50nph for up to 50 miles, which is slow and not far on a long journey.

I've just Googled it and you're right I knew about the 50 mph but I thought it was a lot further than that...

 

[enuff_zed]

Correct. Which is what I'm going to ask for . The thing is I asked today whether it mattered that I had Bridgestones on the front and Good Year on the rear and the guy, who wasn't a callow youth, said it was fine. What I was really wondering is whether they'll just do a straight swap or charge me the full whack for a new set of tyres. Having searched around on the Net it seems there's a 50/50 split between those who say that all four tyres should be of the same brand vs those who say that as long as you have the same type on each axle then it doesn't matter.

It’s unfortunate your car has reacted in the way it has but i can’t see the tyre company giving you a free pair of tyres to be honest, is that what you mean? :?
Rob

The current tyres will only have about 100 miles on them so I'm not sure whether, as a goodwill gesture, they'll swap them to Bridgestones and perhaps charge me a nominal amount - or whether they'll charge me the full whack and say "you can keep the Good Years if you like". I'm sure they're well within their rights to do the latter and it will be interesting to see. In my time I've dealt with companies who do the bare minimum to comply with selling regulations and others who have been almost embarrassingly generous. You never can tell...

Why change all four?
Would it not be a better bet to put two more Goodyears on the front?

 

[strugglinauthor]

It’s unfortunate your car has reacted in the way it has but i can’t see the tyre company giving you a free pair of tyres to be honest, is that what you mean? :?
Rob

The current tyres will only have about 100 miles on them so I'm not sure whether, as a goodwill gesture, they'll swap them to Bridgestones and perhaps charge me a nominal amount - or whether they'll charge me the full whack and say "you can keep the Good Years if you like". I'm sure they're well within their rights to do the latter and it will be interesting to see. In my time I've dealt with companies who do the bare minimum to comply with selling regulations and others who have been almost embarrassingly generous. You never can tell...

Why change all four?
Would it not be a better bet to put two more Goodyears on the front?

Hi. I don't plan to change all four, just switch the newly changed rears to Bridgestone to match the fronts. If the fitter decides to charge the full price to do this then I may instead decide to replace the fronts with Good Years as the lesser of two evils... :wink:

 

[enuff_zed]

The current tyres will only have about 100 miles on them so I'm not sure whether, as a goodwill gesture, they'll swap them to Bridgestones and perhaps charge me a nominal amount - or whether they'll charge me the full whack and say "you can keep the Good Years if you like". I'm sure they're well within their rights to do the latter and it will be interesting to see. In my time I've dealt with companies who do the bare minimum to comply with selling regulations and others who have been almost embarrassingly generous. You never can tell...

Why change all four?
Would it not be a better bet to put two more Goodyears on the front?

Hi. I don't plan to change all four, just switch the newly changed rears to Bridgestone to match the fronts. If the fitter decides to charge the full price to do this then I may instead decide to replace the fronts with Good Years as the lesser of two evils... :wink:

Ah, ok, I follow you now.
I guess, for me, it would come down to wear remaining on the originals. Also, as most people seem to report, the Goodyears, even in RFT form, seem to handle better and be quieter. So, given that either way is likely to cost you, why not bite the bullet and try something new?

I should point out right now that my motives are entirely selfish as I'm planning the same move but hoping for some feedback to decide if I go RFT or Non-RFT on the Goodyears. So think of all the money you could be saving me 8)

 

[Lazza]

When I first fitted my Uniroyal Rainsport 3 non runflats I thought I had ruined my car. It felt wallowy, vague and dull. After 300 miles or so it started to feel better and after 500 miles it felt good. Now they are all fully bedded in it feels great. Still lacking a touch of turn-in sharpness due to being much softer than the Bridgestone RFs but much much better ride & grip. I honestly wouldn’t go back to the RE050 RFs if someone paid me!
I’d say replace the fri to with a matching set of the F1s and hen give it a chance to fully bed in the tyres. I bet you will be eating your words by then :driving:

 

[strugglinauthor]

When I first fitted my Uniroyal Rainsport 3 non runflats I thought I had ruined my car. It felt wallowy, vague and dull. After 300 miles or so it started to feel better and after 500 miles it felt good. Now they are all fully bedded in it feels great. Still lacking a touch of turn-in sharpness due to being much softer than the Bridgestone RFs but much much better ride & grip. I honestly wouldn’t go back to the RE050 RFs if someone paid me!
I’d say replace the fri to with a matching set of the F1s and hen give it a chance to fully bed in the tyres. I bet you will be eating your words by then :driving:

No worries, enuff_zed. Always happy to save a fellow forum member money

Thanks Lazza, that's interesting reading. I did wonder whether I'd feel differently after a while as these things are always subjective. But I still keep wondering why the anti-skid indicator was flashing like a Christmas tree light. Maybe it's all because I've mixed brands :? Anyway, the missus came up with a fine idea: have a new set of Bridgestones fitted and she'll bring the Good Years home in her (practical) car for storage. Based on past experience the new rears and the part-worn fronts should probably go at about the same time. When they do re-fit the stored Good Years to the rear and have two new Good Years fitted to the front. Sorted!