... I changed from run-flat to conventional tyres.
VERY MANY THANKS to all on this forum who gave me the confidence to do this. The conscientious tyre fitter I use was reluctant to fit the non-runflat tyres onto the runflat rims, and it was with the backing I had here that I said to him to go ahead.
I am normally very reluctant to change a car from its factory specification. Even with this change, I kept the factory spec wheels and stayed with the Bridgestone tyres 225-45 on the "Style 103" 17-inch rims. I even like the idea of runflat tyres, and have actually run on a flat tyre much to my convenience. I just don't like their implementation.
But what a difference! All of the horrid "brittle" ride on British roads has gone. No more does a tarmac seam cause a crash-crash through the car. There is no tramlining. There is much less road noise. Practicalities over, now for the fun. When pushing on, the limit of "on-rails" grip comes earlier. But what happens, is the car starts to slide ever-so gradually. Its attitude can be adjusted by steering and throttle.
The grip from the runflats lasted longer on a smooth road, but then the car just let go, hopped sideways, and landed to regain grip. This was horrible! On loose gravel, it was a positive menace, switching from understeer to oversteer faster than an '80s 911! (I owned an '80s 911!)
I did buy a BMW mobility kit, which seemed expensive. However, since I needed to replace all four tyres, four runflats would have still cost more than four conventional tyres plus the kit. Much more than that, it has saved me thousands because I am much happier with the car, and I will keep it longer.
I am more happy with my car now than at any time since I bought it, so I will stop going to look at Boxters (at least until the 987 comes into my price range
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A
VERY MANY THANKS to all on this forum who gave me the confidence to do this. The conscientious tyre fitter I use was reluctant to fit the non-runflat tyres onto the runflat rims, and it was with the backing I had here that I said to him to go ahead.
I am normally very reluctant to change a car from its factory specification. Even with this change, I kept the factory spec wheels and stayed with the Bridgestone tyres 225-45 on the "Style 103" 17-inch rims. I even like the idea of runflat tyres, and have actually run on a flat tyre much to my convenience. I just don't like their implementation.
But what a difference! All of the horrid "brittle" ride on British roads has gone. No more does a tarmac seam cause a crash-crash through the car. There is no tramlining. There is much less road noise. Practicalities over, now for the fun. When pushing on, the limit of "on-rails" grip comes earlier. But what happens, is the car starts to slide ever-so gradually. Its attitude can be adjusted by steering and throttle.
The grip from the runflats lasted longer on a smooth road, but then the car just let go, hopped sideways, and landed to regain grip. This was horrible! On loose gravel, it was a positive menace, switching from understeer to oversteer faster than an '80s 911! (I owned an '80s 911!)
I did buy a BMW mobility kit, which seemed expensive. However, since I needed to replace all four tyres, four runflats would have still cost more than four conventional tyres plus the kit. Much more than that, it has saved me thousands because I am much happier with the car, and I will keep it longer.
I am more happy with my car now than at any time since I bought it, so I will stop going to look at Boxters (at least until the 987 comes into my price range
A