New BMW Z4 2006 3.0si Owner, intro..and questions.

[agent47]

Hey guys just want to introduce myself to your forums. I'm a new 2006 BMW Z4 3.0Si Sterling Silver Roadster owner since November last year, based in Australia.

I've been lurking around your informative board right up until the purchase of my Z4, to gain much needed insight and feedback. This is my first BMW and my opportunity of owning "the ultimate driving machine".

Previously had an "MX5, & R32", but decided to get a Z4 due to its nice balance of POWER and POISE.

Here is a quick picture of my car.

What my questions allude to are basically the "dreaded" run flat tyres that came equipped with the car. Now before someone chimes it i did thoroughly scan the forums i think 15pages worth but can't recall anything mentioned about specifically the real loss of steering feel and excessive force required to maneourve the car during hot weather. Im not sure why that is but the steering feels "sticky" and not as "loose" when the weather is colder.

The car drives like its "alive" when its in the dead of night or during a cold morning, so wondering if changing from RFT (the bridgestone RE050A potenaza OEM) will alter that at all.

Running Tyre pressure 33/33 all around, and tried also 33/36 as via the placard to no aid.

In addition, after experiencing first hand the crashing/tramlining/handling issues people speak of im considering changing my tyres are narrowed it down to these.

Whats the consesus on the best choice;

-Falken FK452
-Michelin Preceda Sport Pilot ZP (RFT)
-Continental ExtremeContact DW

Thanks guys your input is exceedingly valuable.

 

[gannet]

Hello and welcome

interesting photo

Im in the minority here that sing the praises of the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP (no idea how they relate to the Michelin's you mention) I find them in a different league to the standard OEM Bridgestones, all the tramlining and crashiness just disappeared

The Falkens come highly recommended round these parts also though Ive no experience

 

[Mr Whippy]

The Falkens are ok, but I want to try Eagle F1's next...

You won't be upset with the FK452 next to the Bridgestone RFT lets put it that way, but I feel maybe my FK452 are feeling past their best at the rear, almost ready for replacement after 12,000 miles, while the fronts are only half worn.

Dave

 

[Dreamer]

Welcome
Car looks nice, seeing more and more of those style wheels now.

Im guessing it gets pretty hot there, not something us brits can really empathise with :roll: . This will affect the tyres performance a bit but shouldnt make it feel sticky really, more grippy.

If you go Non-run flat there are loads of options, I went with Toyos. As gannet (regularly ) says, he finds the Michelins a great option if you want to stick to RFT's.

Are you sure its the car that feels alive at night and not just you?? You could be a blood sucking creature of the night

 

[AlanJ]

The improvements in engine feel and response at night time driving and during a cold morning are caused by a 'denser' air mass entering the engine - cold air is denser hence more oxygen content - bigger bang more power more feel...... Ways to help this are by alterations to filtered air entering the engine. Different set ups and filter kits ensure air entering the engine is routed away from any other component which may increase its temperature and therefore alter its mass - cooler air = denser air = improved combustion.

 

[agent47]

Hey guys thanks for your warm and inviting comments. My motivation for that picture was to try and make my car look like an oversized die cast model. I think the engine bay helps to give that illusion LOL.

Yeah i was reading comment's echoed about the; "Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP" and praise is mostly unanimous by those who tried it. Those tyres are featured on the 335i from what i can recall, which i got the chance to test drive. The "falkens" are a much low cost investment which i won't disregard either. Not so concerned over lack of a spare.

Although here in Australia, we are blessed with some sunny skies it can be quite unbearable on days for Top-Down driving, today reached 43 degrees for instance :fuelfire: , but i am empathic to you guys in the UK, i was there one holiday during winter, and man i wanted to just stay indoors.

Do you guys think it essential should i change the tyres to enlist BMW or a tyre speciliast to fulfil this job. Or can just some regular joe do these.

 

[agent47]

Yeah i think you are right about that, during the colder climates the engine feels alot more responsive, which would be the cold air feeding the engine. I guess to counter this i could always consider a cold-air intake of some sort. Are our Z4's fitted with OIL COOLERS?

 

[AlanJ]

Hey guys thanks for your warm and inviting comments. My motivation for that picture was to try and make my car look like an oversized die cast model. I think the engine bay helps to give that illusion LOL.

Yeah i was reading comment's echoed about the; "Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP" and praise is mostly unanimous by those who tried it. Those tyres are featured on the 335i from what i can recall, which i got the chance to test drive. The "falkens" are a much low cost investment which i won't disregard either. Not so concerned over lack of a spare.

Although here in Australia, we are blessed with some sunny skies it can be quite unbearable on days for Top-Down driving, today reached 43 degrees for instance :fuelfire: , but i am empathic to you guys in the UK, i was there one holiday during winter, and man i wanted to just stay indoors.

Do you guys think it essential should i change the tyres to enlist BMW or a tyre speciliast to fulfil this job. Or can just some regular joe do these.

It's best to find a 'trusted' tyre dealer to change your tyres to avoid any damage to your alloys. Regular 'roadside' type tyre dealers are sometimes less than careful with alloy rims (yes bitter experience....). I currently run PS2s' and carry an emergency tyre inflation kit in case of punctures but fortunately haven't had to use it yet (now there's tempting fate). As tyres are your only contact with the road it's best to go for the best you can afford in terms of performance, grip, overall tyre wear and safety. This will also depend on local road surface construction which also impacts on overall tyre grip. Much of the road surface in the UK is layered with a top surface of Shell Grip or a similar product this consists of granite stone chips of uniform size bonded with tarmacadam (and other 'glue' components) and then layered under pressure (a roller) onto a base surface. I find PS2s when up to temperature are excellent on this surface - and many other tyres are as well but this is my preference and suits my driving style - speed limit compliant but progressive when opportunity presents. You will notice a significant improvement in changing from RFTs to 'normal' structure tyres.

 

[zeddy]

Hey guys thanks for your warm and inviting comments. My motivation for that picture was to try and make my car look like an oversized die cast model. I think the engine bay helps to give that illusion LOL.

Yeah i was reading comment's echoed about the; "Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP" and praise is mostly unanimous by those who tried it. Those tyres are featured on the 335i from what i can recall, which i got the chance to test drive. The "falkens" are a much low cost investment which i won't disregard either. Not so concerned over lack of a spare.

Although here in Australia, we are blessed with some sunny skies it can be quite unbearable on days for Top-Down driving, today reached 43 degrees for instance :fuelfire: , but i am empathic to you guys in the UK, i was there one holiday during winter, and man i wanted to just stay indoors.

Do you guys think it essential should i change the tyres to enlist BMW or a tyre speciliast to fulfil this job. Or can just some regular joe do these.

Hi
<waves to fellow Aussie Zed driver>
I had a 2006 si , it made a huge difference getting rid of the runflats. There was less road noise, and the car didn't tramline anywhere near as much.

I had the tyres changed by "tyres and more", but I had tested them out previously on a cheaper car, so I know they do a good job. Just need to point out to them that you have pressure sensors. BMW will probably charge you an arm and a leg.

 

[paddy wright]

welcome

 

[martinf]

Hiya

If your steering is sticky or 'notchy' then you may have same problem I had. Does it feel jerky when you unwind from full lock? Dealer said it was something to do with bearing clearances on the steering shaft and replaced the whole electric steering system. Thank goodness for warranties.
I have seen lots on this on US forums(I guess it is hotter there). Mine tended to play up after a long journey and made the car horrible to steer (and the RFTs made it horrible to steer the rest of the time!). Don't delay - get it sorted.

 

[WLH]

agent47, welcome to the forum.... :driving:

 

[nfc]

Hi and Welcome!

I also have a 2006 3.0si, and even with the 40+ degree heat we've just had here in Sydney I didn't notice any real difference in the willingness for her to "get up and go"...

I'm also in need of new tyres and after many conversations have narrowed the choice down to the Michelin PS2 ZP (RFT) or the same brand in non-RFT.. Whilst the Falkens get decent reviews on here I have been told a few times that they aren't really in the same league and don't seem to get as much praise here in Australia..

So, Micheline PS2's it is for me, unfortunately the best price I have been quoted is $2300 fitted for all four tyres..

Good luck and enjoy the drive! :driving:

Cheers,

Nelson.

 

[ajolly]

Melbourne Z4 2.5 2005 driver here.

Recently replaced my runflats with Kumo Escata's and they work really well.

Melbourne 43+ multiple days per year.....

AJ

 

[bigshurv]

As its the middle of winter here in the Uk, and the weather here is pretty crap anyway,I'm totally envious of you Aussies and your lovely sunshine.I'd love to have weather where it is too hot to have the roof down!!! I've read that with the Falken 452's ,once they've worn down to half way performance drops off dramatically.Thinking of changing at 12,000 miles is a bit poor I think, my Goodyear F1 Asymetricals still look like new after 10,000 including 6 fast sessions at a Donington track day.Good to hear from all you Aussies,enjoy the summer.

 

[Smokin]

One thing no one has mentioned--our tires are "ultra high performance SUMMER tires". They stick like glue when the weather is warm/hot and not so much when cool We've had 2 weeks of below normal temps (highs of 30F instead of 50F) and I could tell a great difference. When temps get close to freezing, the tires are almost "slippery". Today was warmer and I could tell the difference-car wants to get out and play!

 

[agent47]

Yeah i think you might be right, they are established as "Summer" tires within the Tirerack description, which probably explains why i've encountered a really twitchy rear with anything remotely resembling a slippery surface. I guess i can't really see a sense in complaining, since its only the tramlining that is giving me the major headaches, things get a bit hairy once you push the car and it follows the roads undulations. Catches other cars off guard that for sure!

 

[Smokin]

The biggest thing to remember with the tramlining---don't fight it! Soft hands on the wheel and let it settle in the grooves. If you start fighting to keep in on the path YOU want, it will win. 8)