Death to Runflats!!!

I wrote the original post after struggling to enjoy my new toy with the Bridgestone RFT's. The admittedly cheap and nasty tyres I replaced them with, £401 for all for corners fitted and balanced, made a profound difference to the ride and handling of the car. So, I have replaced all of my tyres for less than the cost of 2 runflats, however, this is not without risk. Should I encounter a puncture, I am forced to rely on the Holts tyre Goo and a little compressor to get me home. As I originally remarked, I upgraded my recovery to "Everything". I suppose if I were to buy the latest generation of runflats, which, as many of these posts have suggested are far removed from the stone age Isambard Kingdom Brunel unsprung solid Bridgestones which are universally accepted as unfit for purpose, I may of enjoyed a nicer, more manageable ride. What we must ask ourselves is why we bought such a car in the first instance. Were we after a multi purpose commuter/school run taxi/delivery van? Not really. What we bought was a sports car. Something that is fun to drive and rewards us for all the time we spend working and smiling at the remarks of a boss who, like the Bridgestones, is usually unfit for purpose.
Driving a fast car is inherently risky and doing so on normal pneumatic tyres without a spare is doubly so! Viva la risk, welcome the cash saving and enjoy the car feeling it's way down the road of self congratulation in a sure footed confident manner. :D
 
I have followed this thread with interest as I am seriously considering moving away form Run Flats - my missus described the ride in my recently acquired Sportster as being "like a go Kart" much to my disgust! :)

In speaking to a colleague he advised if I changed to non runflats I would need to change the RIMS, potentially the suspension settings and ultimately my insurance company.

Can anybody enlighten me please?

Thanks
 
Unclepip said:
I have followed this thread with interest as I am seriously considering moving away form Run Flats - my missus described the ride in my recently acquired Sportster as being "like a go Kart" much to my disgust! :)

In speaking to a colleague he advised if I changed to non runflats I would need to change the RIMS, potentially the suspension settings and ultimately my insurance company.

Can anybody enlighten me please?

Thanks
Click to expand...

There is stacks to be found on this topic through searching the site. To spoon feed you though...no, you don't need to change the rims or the suspension settings (although regular alignment checks are always a good idea irrespective of tyre choice) and yes, let your insurance company know to be safe but don't expect to pay an increase in premium. :)
 
I like run flats, sure they r not as comfy but at least you've got peace of mind. Maybe it's because I've gotten so many flat tires in my life I find it reassuring now that I never have to go through it again. My wife is picking up a Q5 with 20" wheels next month and if there were run flats available for that would fit I would get them in a heart beat :)
 
AndyG said:
I fitted a full set of Kumho Extensa normal tyres to my 3.0i 2004 roadster as my girlfriend refused to go anywhere in the car. The ride was similar to a food processor set to rough chop. I've got 18" ellipsoids as the pic shows and I absolutely guarantee that it is now a different car. The handling with the RSC (Runflat System Component) tyres is exactly as Clarkson described it, "Unacceptable"!! This is an issue which I am passionate about as I have done less than a 1000 miles since I bought the car and I really regretted buying the Zed. I cannot over emphasize the astonishing improvement to the handling and quality of the ride. For gods sake do it as the car is hiding so much behind the mask of runflats.
Click to expand...
I wondered why you waited 7 years, but you probably bought the Z4 only recently, I presume. I have normal Michelin PS2 since the first set RFT was worn out (-isch) and I can confirm that not only the ride is a lot better, the handling is much more refined also. Even before that, I did something else that improved things dramatically: swap the short springs from my (optional) sport suspension for the normal, longer springs. I kept the firmer dampers and the thicker, firmer anti-rollbars ofcourse. If you are a fan of Top Gear (aren't we all?), you will remember some items where the team visited the Ford longevity test track in Belgium. The one with the cobblestones... If you are a cycling fan also (aren't we all?) and watched the "Ronde Van Vlaanderen" and Paris/Roubaix, you know these darn cobblestones are everywhere over here (Roubaix was in Flanders, hystoricaly). You can not ride over cobblestones with a Z4 with sport suspension. That's a scientific fact! But now, I fly over these things! So, never mind if Clarkson is right about the satnav in the Z4 also: it uses medieval backroads if you have the balls to use "shortest route" mode... The satnav once tried to send me through a pipe hole below a railtrack, to small to stand. I chose to pass that one!

Greetings from Belgium. I'm the one nutter who came from Belgium to the (2nd?) Wales Z4 meeting, must have been in 2004. Great times.

O, and thanks for the tip that the PS2 are now the Super Sports and not the PS3. But the Pilot Super Sport is not avalable in 18" and 255, like I have on the rear? Are we sure? I have the 2003 Z4 3.0 with 107 wheels, 18" front W 225 and rear W 255
 
Hi,

just put a spare set of wheels on my Z4 (3.0i , M Sport Suspension) while I get the original 108's fitted with run flats refurbed. Spare wheels fitted with new Falken FK452's I did this to see how they compare to the run flats. Have to say the ride is much better and the tyres are quieter. Tram lining not so bad either. However, I miss the quick turn in of the run flats.The Falkens just don't have the same response and that's what a car like the Z4 is about after all. Also straight ahead steering is more vague.
Wondered if anyone else has experienced this or does it highlight a possible problem with suspension/steering on my car? Or do I play with the tyre pressures. At the moment, on balance, I'm looking forward to getting the runflats back on!!!
Any help/comments appreciated,
Cheers,
Roland
 
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