RF vs non-RF Tires

B & Js Z

Member
 N.E. Kansas
I am a very first time Newbie so please bare with me. I have a 2003 Z-4 2.5i. Power top, computer, power memory heated seats, Sterling Gray, Black Top, Black leather, and a few other goodies. I have been reading a lot here about the pros & cons of run flat tires. I have felt that I don't like mine but not sure what to do about it. I.E. what brand and size to change to. I have 225/50/16 Potenza on now. I feel they ride hard, don't handle well and are really noisy on concret roads. But I am between a rock and a hard place as the front two are brand new and the back two need replacing. I hate to buy 4 new of non-RF and throw away the two new front ones. I guess my two questions are...could I run non-RF on the back with RF on the front and what brand and size would people recomend for non-rf? Any ideas would be appreciated...thanks.
 
Welcome to the forum... :thumbsup:

I don't think that you will find anyone here that would suggest that you mix run flats and normal tires. I would recommend against mixing normal tires of different brands as well. I am sure you will get a lot of recommendation concerning the tires you might consider.

You might want to try clicking on the TIRERACK link at the top right of this page.... :thumbsup:
 
WLH, agree absoutely.

Because the RFTs are more expensive to buy, it might be best to swap all 4 for normal tyres, and sell the 2 RFTs you have on Ebay or on here.
 
PhilDZ4 said:
Ditch the RFT's. Goodyear or Michelin are the choices many go with. Look at tirerack.com for more info.

Right on! But it should read: Goodyear...or nothing! (from a 20+ year Goodyear associate :rofl: :rofl: )
 
I do like my Pirelli's, much to the dismay of most others :wink:

BTW, welcome to the forum! :thumbsup:
 
Welcome to the forum :)

Ive just switched from Bridgestone RF to Michelin RF and the difference is amazing, much better - seems RF technology is getting better. Wouldnt mix RF with non-RF though!
 
Ditch the run flats,, but fit Falcon 452`s , fitted them 3 months ago the difference is huge :thumbsup:
 
Welcome!!! I'm an Eagle man myself -- Goodyear Eagle F1s all the way baby!!! (just gotta wait for my RFTs to wear out first, again) :headbang:
 
This may be a stupid question, but here goes...

For everyone that has ditched the runflats, what do you do if you get a puncture? Has anyone got the foam (i think it is) in a can like you get in the Clio 182's, or do you just have to call the RAC?
 
This may be a stupid question, but here goes...

For everyone that has ditched the runflats, what do you do if you get a puncture? Has anyone got the foam (i think it is) in a can like you get in the Clio 182's, or do you just have to call the RAC?
 
Yeh I carry a small compressor and the green slime, but go for the falcons, best kept secret on tyres :thumbsup:
 
z44me said:
I have Bridgestone RF. and I have no problem with them.

I can respect that, but I guess you have to drive the same car without RF's to realize the significant difference in ride/drive characteristics.
 
powerontap said:
PhilDZ4 said:
Ditch the RFT's. Goodyear or Michelin are the choices many go with. Look at tirerack.com for more info.

Right on! But it should read: Goodyear...or nothing! (from a 20+ year Goodyear associate :rofl: :rofl: )

Nothing? Would that not damage your alloys? :poke:
 
Incidentally, don't forget our older cars were worse on run-flats. IMHO standard tyres are better, but I think the difference is more noticeable on pre 2006 cars.
 
Good point Sp3ctre,

I have just switched to Michelin ZP and can honestly say they are 100% better than the Bridgestone RF before it. All the crashiness has gone and it is much more comfortable.

Think the tyre manufacturers are getting better at the RF now :)
 
gannet said:
Good point Sp3ctre,

I have just switched to Michelin ZP and can honestly say they are 100% better than the Bridgestone RF before it. All the crashiness has gone and it is much more comfortable.

Think the tyre manufacturers are getting better at the RF now :)

Yeah, also the later BMW's apparently had the suspension set to cope with the run-flats, the early ones had run flats as an after thought. Not sure how that leaves the difference between pre and post update cars when both put on normal tyres.
 
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