Replacing run flat tyres

[1340fxd]

My first Z4 is a 2.0 litre and I love the car and the handling.

But the ride is rock hard - OK that's down to the suspension but would fitting normal non-run flat tyres soften the ride? Can anyone recommend a tyre and confirm that it gives a slighty softer ride? Also what to do in the event of a puncture (use one of those foam tyre repair cans?)

Obviously such a change is quite an investment as I would only run all four tyres the same, so I would like to know it is tried and tested solution that works.

Thanks :?

 

[gannet]

Loads of threads here about this... have you done a search?

I've put Michelin ZP run flats on mine and it is much better than the standard bridgestones

Others here swear by the Falken FR452s...

 

[plowy]

Loads of info on this if you do a search, i have given alot of input on the subject too.
Swap the run flats....YES
Ride improvement....YES
car behaves better......YES
What tyres.......Falken FK452's, WITHOUT RESERVATION !
Puncture??........Tyre weld and 12v compressor in the boot, breakdown cover if that fails.

Now for the best bit, check out the price of 452's, i'm on my second set.

http://www.falkentyres.co.uk

:driving:

 

[cj10jeeper]

Falken tyres link repaired

 

[Dew's Z4]

I just replaced my runflats after having the car four years and frankly I'm embarassed that I waited so long.

I have the Eagle F1 assymetrics and the ride is significantly better. My only complaint is that I feel I've lost some of the tightness going around corners/turning.

 

[wooter]

That's because the Z4's non-M-suspension is adapted to driving with stiff RFT's. If you get non-RFT's, the right thing to do is to get stiffer suspension, but then you end up at the same rock-hard ride, but identical tightness as RFT's on standard suspension.

 

[GP20]

That's because the Z4's non-M-suspension is adapted to driving with stiff RFT's. If you get non-RFT's, the right thing to do is to get stiffer suspension, but then you end up at the same rock-hard ride, but identical tightness as RFT's on standard suspension.

BMW softened up the face-lifted Z4's suspensions to better match the RFT's stiffness. It's also non-sense to say when one switches from RFT's to non-RFT's he'd also need to stiffen up the suspensions.

 

[easty027]

Loads of info on this if you do a search, i have given alot of input on the subject too.
Swap the run flats....YES
Ride improvement....YES
car behaves better......YES
What tyres.......Falken FK452's, WITHOUT RESERVATION !
Puncture??........Tyre weld and 12v compressor in the boot, breakdown cover if that fails.

Now for the best bit, check out the price of 452's, i'm on my second set.

http://www.falkentyres.co.uk

:driving:

Cheers for the link, thinking about some new tyres soon. One question, do they have the rim protector on them ?.

 

[plowy]

Loads of info on this if you do a search, i have given alot of input on the subject too.
Swap the run flats....YES
Ride improvement....YES
car behaves better......YES
What tyres.......Falken FK452's, WITHOUT RESERVATION !
Puncture??........Tyre weld and 12v compressor in the boot, breakdown cover if that fails.

Now for the best bit, check out the price of 452's, i'm on my second set.

http://www.falkentyres.co.uk

:driving:

Cheers for the link, thinking about some new tyres soon. One question, do they have the rim protector on them ?.

No... But as i've spent ages re-furbing the 108's i park like a woman....

 

[cj10jeeper]

No... But as i've spent ages re-furbing the 108's i park like a woman....

So you mean you've kerbed them all and in multiple places then

 

[bigshurv]

I've just swapped to Goodyear F1 asymetricals and they are so much better. Had a 4 wheel alignment done at the same time and also had a broken spring replaced.It's like having a new car. Have booked a trackday in November to celebrate. Have bough a 12v compressor and a tin of jollop to seal the tyre if I get a puncture. A very happy bunny. :driving:

 

[Wondermike]

No... But as i've spent ages re-furbing the 108's i park like a woman....

So you mean you've kerbed them all and in multiple places then

 

[Sticks]

I'd be happy to recommend Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics. Just wish I'd done it sooner.

Btw, if you do replace them, might be best to keep the rfts. I didn't on my 120 and when I came to trade it in the stealer knocked £700 off trade in value to replace them. Went elsewhere

 

[cj10jeeper]

I'd be happy to recommend Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics. Just wish I'd done it sooner.

Btw, if you do replace them, might be best to keep the rfts. I didn't on my 120 and when I came to trade it in the stealer knocked £700 off trade in value to replace them. Went elsewhere

That's a good point. I'm sure lease companies would be the same about having OEM spec.

 

[Sticks]

....and best to tell your insurance company too, just to be sure.

 

[Smokin]

Hmmmmm, wonder if that will affect roadside assistance??????? If so, I'm keeping the RFTs until she's past warranty. I've also heard from others about trade-in value but since she's got a permanent home, that's not a consideration.

 

[AlanL]

I already had AAA Plus so I wasn't concerned about roadside assistance at least for the tires. I do carry a can of fix-a-flat, a small compressor and a flat repair kit.

 

[wooter]

BMW softened up the face-lifted Z4's suspensions to better match the RFT's stiffness.

... Is what I said.

It's also non-sense to say when one switches from RFT's to non-RFT's he'd also need to stiffen up the suspensions.

There is no need to do it, but desireable if you want to keep the same suspension performance under high speed driving with non-RFT ultra high performance tires. On the M, therefore, the suspension is stiffer than on the RFT equipped non-M-models. But chances are that, if you use the Z4 as a track tool, changing the suspension is on your list of things to do or to have done anyways.