New tires for 03 Z4 with 18" rims

B

Backdoctor

Member
I am looking at new tires for the car. Have Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's that have been on for way too long. Prob 7 - 9 years. They have to have some dry rot by now. They look good, but they are old.

I am thinking of going back to runflats again. The Eagle F1's had a great ride. I only have 38,900 miles on the car. I do need to drive it more, an one thing that keeps me from going out of the area is a concern about getting a flat. The dealership actually has a good special going on for tires. Buy 3 get one free. Quote for Bridgestone Potenza REO 50A is $1543 for all 4 incl alignment, nitro fill and taxes.

What about Pirelli P Zero run flat? They have longer wear, which I guess is really not an issue, do they ride any better or worse?

Originally I was going to go with the Michelin Pilot Sports, but there is that issue with no spare and concern for flats.

Looking for input.
 
If eagle F1's have lasted 7 - 9 years then you'd probably be better just walking as you're not driving that car enough.


Either new Eagle F1's, Michelin Pilot Sport or any other half decent tyre.

Don't put runflats on it.
 
US$1500 sounds a lot for 4 runflats ($500 a tyre if they're buy 4 pay for 3), they're not called 'stealers' for nothing and tend to charge about double the street price for tyres.

18" Michelin PS4S from Tirerack are about $230/corner - so a set of 4 would only set you back less than $1000 fitted.
18" Bridgestones from Tirerack are about $165/corner - so a set of 4 would only set you back less than $700 fitted.

Bridgestone 'star rated' runflats are however considerably more, and I don't understand the almost 100% markup on them. Continental/Pirelli runflats are about $1000 for 4. But consider Bridgestone were not star-rated for BMWs when your Z4 was new - it was Michelin & Continental.

I've had 2 flat tyres in 160,000 miles, but carry a (unused) mobility kit for punctures - the first puncture was a 4 inch cut in the tyre wall, so runflats may not have helped. The 2nd was on my other car and was a screw in the tyre which I didn't notice until the tyre went flat over a couple of days.
 
Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 5s or Uniroyal Rainsport 3s if you don't want to spend Michelin Pilot Sport 4 money.

Do not go runflats.

How many punctures are you expecting?!
 
Like everyone has stated. Don't get run flats! I have them and hate them. I drive aggressively every now and again and the tires don't like being pushed in a corner. I did but a pump and a flat repair kit so once I've worn the Bridgestones out they will be replaced with a better non-run flat tire.
 
I still haven't got around to trying non-runflats on my Z4 yet. :oops:

But I've got Continental run-flats on my current 3 Series and I'd avoid them as much as the Bridgestones - they feel rock hard!

I've had Pirelli P7 run-flats on a 1 Series and a 3 Series and they give a noticeably better ride, so might be worth considering if you decide to stick with run-flats.
 
Welcome to the forum.
I put Michelin PS4 NRF on my new to me Z4. Car had worn RF on it when we got it and my wife says the ride is now transformed with the new tires on it... The driver is equally impressed. I carry a compressor with slime option, a rat tail or plug kit, a credit card, and a cell phone. I have AAA plus I have a roadside service contract that came with the Michelin tires free which includes a 150 mile tow free. Basically - I feel pretty well covered.
Michelin tires make the Z a driver's car. :thumbsup:
PS - Sister had a RF tire failure on her Porsche recently... tow truck took them from dealer to dealer to find a tire. :headbang:
 
I have the water soluble fix a flat and a portable compressor, so I will stick with non run flats and look at Michelin PS4's
I've read only good things with them. This will give me confidence to drive the car on the highway again, I was nervous with old tires.

Now to get the coolant and brake fluid changed.
 
Non runflat tyres certainly transform the e85 from a bone shaking death trap!

I'd also recommend getting back the bushes checked and a Hunter alignment done if the tyres are being changed.

I've had Michelin Pilot Sport on the car for around 18 months.

They seem to be harder wearing than the Goodyear Eagle F1's I had previously and more grip too.

It's noticeable that the limit of the tyres can be reached easily when the temperature is lower than 5 degrees. Yes I know they're not winter tyres!
 
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