New tyres needed for Z4 Coupe

[dasherdiablo1]

Hi all,

I need new tyres all the way round and am desperate to get rid of the rubbish run flats that ruin the car. I'm after tyres that will improve handling, and if they are better wearing and cheaper then even better.

BMW have told me that there will need to be upgrades to the suspension in order to do this, also will it affect the warranty?

I would really appreciate the recommendations of people that have made the change.

Thanks,

 

[GP20]

As usual, BMW dealers are full of sh!t. You'll be fine with stock suspensions - unless you also upsize your rims to 19" in which case the car would look funny without a drop but lowering still isn't required.

Not sure about the tires affecting the warranty in the U.K. You folks in the U.K. have some weird warranty and insurance policy rules. You could put a different grade of gas in your Z4 or change the scent of the little tree hanging on your rearview mirror and your insurance company would require you to notify them so they can jack up your premium.

 

[Smokin]

What GP20 said. Not to mention, afaik, in the UK you have the tire pressure monitor that works off the ABS so using a can of fix-a-flat won't goo up the transmitter.

A lot of guys on here have switched to Falkans, I would just be careful if you want to sell the car before those wear out, though.

 

[gannet]

Some makes of runflats are good...

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP for example :roll:

 

[Smokin]

Some makes of runflats are good...

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP for example :roll:

Right on time! :lol:

(actually, I'm looking at those for when I need new ones. I have the in-tire pressure things so don't want goop. They're making a fitment for Corvettes now so should be more available)

 

[timscuba]

Do not go with Falkans 452. I put those on and they make a lot of noise. Sounds like brakes are rubbing. They where ok at first but as I put miles on them they get worse. I had Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 before and I will go back to them. The 452's are good in the twisty roads and hold the road but noise at slow speeds. I saved about $400 on them but as they say you get what you pay for.

 

[gannet]

Some makes of runflats are good...

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP for example :roll:

Right on time! :lol:

(actually, I'm looking at those for when I need new ones. I have the in-tire pressure things so don't want goop. They're making a fitment for Corvettes now so should be more available)

Sound like a stuck record don't I? A Lone voice in the wilderness singing their praises 8)

:driving:

 

[dasherdiablo1]

I've just been told by 2 tyre fitting centres that they can't put standard tyres on as the alloy rims are different for standard & run-flat tyres! They won't do the work as it could be dangerous to use the car!!! Both also mentioned about the suspensions set up.

This definitely concerns me as they are turning down work and are in no way connected to BMW.

 

[mmm-five]

I've just been told by 2 tyre fitting centres that they can't put standard tyres on as the alloy rims are different for standard & run-flat tyres! They won't do the work as it could be dangerous to use the car!!! Both also mentioned about the suspensions set up.

This definitely concerns me as they are turning down work and are in no way connected to BMW.

Are you sure this has nothing to do with the exhorbitant price they can charge for run-flats as opposed to the cheap non-RFTs you're trying to use :?

 

[dasherdiablo1]

I've just been told by 2 tyre fitting centres that they can't put standard tyres on as the alloy rims are different for standard & run-flat tyres! They won't do the work as it could be dangerous to use the car!!! Both also mentioned about the suspensions set up.

This definitely concerns me as they are turning down work and are in no way connected to BMW.

Are you sure this has nothing to do with the exhorbitant price they can charge for run-flats as opposed to the cheap non-RFTs you're trying to use :?

No I've told them outright I don't want run-flats and want standard tyres, they've told me to go elsewhere! This makes me think there really must be a reason for it.

Maybe the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 ZP are worth going for as I can get a full set fitted for £670!

 

[Mr Whippy]

I've just been told by 2 tyre fitting centres that they can't put standard tyres on as the alloy rims are different for standard & run-flat tyres! They won't do the work as it could be dangerous to use the car!!! Both also mentioned about the suspensions set up.

This definitely concerns me as they are turning down work and are in no way connected to BMW.

Are you sure this has nothing to do with the exhorbitant price they can charge for run-flats as opposed to the cheap non-RFTs you're trying to use :?

No I've told them outright I don't want run-flats and want standard tyres, they've told me to go elsewhere! This makes me think there really must be a reason for it.

Maybe the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 ZP are worth going for as I can get a full set fitted for £670!

The seat for the bead is identical, just there IS a concession for the bead braking on the RFT on the inside of the rim (non-symmetric apparently)

So, the rims with RFT's are infact capable to run any tyre, just they have a design feature to ease fitting/removal...

They clearly are not a very good tyre place because they think that this feature flaws the wheels for non-rft use, when infact it's a feature to ALLOW the use of rfts more easily.

Find somewhere else for your own sake

Dave

 

[gannet]

I've just been told by 2 tyre fitting centres that they can't put standard tyres on as the alloy rims are different for standard & run-flat tyres! They won't do the work as it could be dangerous to use the car!!! Both also mentioned about the suspensions set up.

This definitely concerns me as they are turning down work and are in no way connected to BMW.

Are you sure this has nothing to do with the exhorbitant price they can charge for run-flats as opposed to the cheap non-RFTs you're trying to use :?

No I've told them outright I don't want run-flats and want standard tyres, they've told me to go elsewhere! This makes me think there really must be a reason for it.

Maybe the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 ZP are worth going for as I can get a full set fitted for £670!

That is a good price for them

Ride comfort between Bridgestone and Michelin is night and day - Michelin's remove all the harshness and the car feels so much more composed and comfortable

 

[Mr Whippy]

Are you sure this has nothing to do with the exhorbitant price they can charge for run-flats as opposed to the cheap non-RFTs you're trying to use :?

No I've told them outright I don't want run-flats and want standard tyres, they've told me to go elsewhere! This makes me think there really must be a reason for it.

Maybe the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 ZP are worth going for as I can get a full set fitted for £670!

That is a good price for them

Ride comfort between Bridgestone and Michelin is night and day - Michelin's remove all the harshness and the car feels so much more composed and comfortable

That IS a good price for them...

Where is that from, I'd drive there and buy them now at that price!

Dave

 

[dasherdiablo1]

Have ordered them.....I got the price slightly wrong....came in at £693 fitted & balanced..for the Michelin ZP's which I still think is a pretty good price. I'll let you know how I get on once I've had them fitted next week.

 

[Smokin]

The other thing that has me looking at the Michelins is their wear rating is much higher!

 

[Mr Whippy]

Have ordered them.....I got the price slightly wrong....came in at £693 fitted & balanced..for the Michelin ZP's which I still think is a pretty good price. I'll let you know how I get on once I've had them fitted next week.

That is still very very good for ZP PS2's!

They are in the staggered 18" size aren't they?

If they are actually under £700 fitted and balanced including VAT I'll be wanting to know where you are getting those 8)

Thanks

Dave

 

[dasherdiablo1]

Have ordered them.....I got the price slightly wrong....came in at £693 fitted & balanced..for the Michelin ZP's which I still think is a pretty good price. I'll let you know how I get on once I've had them fitted next week.

That is still very very good for ZP PS2's!

They are in the staggered 18" size aren't they?

If they are actually under £700 fitted and balanced including VAT I'll be wanting to know where you are getting those 8)

Thanks

Dave

Costco!!!! Cash n Carry is the best!

 

[Sticks]

For non rfts I'm very pleased with the Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics (18s) I had fitted. All the jarring over bumps is gone, no extra road noise, turn in is far better. Almost makes the car feel it's sitting lower. Cost me £590.

I've kept the rfts in case I trade in at some point as the stealer will charge you for putting rfts back on.

 

[Mr Whippy]

Have ordered them.....I got the price slightly wrong....came in at £693 fitted & balanced..for the Michelin ZP's which I still think is a pretty good price. I'll let you know how I get on once I've had them fitted next week.

That is still very very good for ZP PS2's!

They are in the staggered 18" size aren't they?

If they are actually under £700 fitted and balanced including VAT I'll be wanting to know where you are getting those 8)

Thanks

Dave

Costco!!!! Cash n Carry is the best!

Ooo fantastic, Costco near work and they give us cards if we want them

Can get some Bunderberg Ginger Ale too

For that price it'd be silly to get anything else I think!

Dave

 

[dasherdiablo1]

Thought I'd post a quick update; had the Michelin Pilot ZPs fitted today and although I only drove the 5 miles home, the difference is astounding!

Steering is sharp and crisp with plenty of feedback yet at the same time doesn't give the same twitchiness as the crappy Bridgestones.Overall the car feels much more stable and planted.

Will give a more informed review once I've broken them in and covered some good and bad twisties!