Run Flats or Not Run Flats
- Thread starter IanzZ4
- Start date
Spaldingski
Again thanks to you all for sharing your experiences. Still looking like a new set of premium brand tyres is going to be the remedy. Looking forward to hearing the results of the inspection Monday. Will share it with you all, probably from the tyre shop waiting room 
Ditch finders - that takes me back to my RS2000 days
Have a good weekend all.
Ditch finders - that takes me back to my RS2000 days
Have a good weekend all.
Just my two penneth, I had those god awful Bridgestones on mine - got the dealer to replace the ones on the front with brand new ones as they looked a little too worn. Drove it home and was terrified on the M25 with the behaviour - went to my trusty mechanic, nothing untoward noticed on the ramps other than 'f**king nice little motor there' from him.
Resigned myself to the handling, but heard a lot about the RFTs - swapped them out for Goodyear Eagle Assymetric 5,got a blinding deal from Formula 1 autocentres - they had a "we'll beat anyones' price" offer - so I played them off against the others and then downloaded some vouchers before getting to the checkout.
As regards insurance, I've renewed it three times, none of the companies have objected to the car having non-RFTs, but I got them to confirm it in writing/email and no cost implication either.
Resigned myself to the handling, but heard a lot about the RFTs - swapped them out for Goodyear Eagle Assymetric 5,got a blinding deal from Formula 1 autocentres - they had a "we'll beat anyones' price" offer - so I played them off against the others and then downloaded some vouchers before getting to the checkout.
As regards insurance, I've renewed it three times, none of the companies have objected to the car having non-RFTs, but I got them to confirm it in writing/email and no cost implication either.
Hi All, Just back from the workshop.
The good news is everything under the car is straight, in good condition and in full working order, which is a relief.
Now for the interesting bit.....
The Yokohama run flats fitted on the front aren't new. They're deceptive, with a good level of tread showing on both. However, on close inspection of the side walls and cleaning off the tyre paint, many small cracks in the rubber are revealed. Either they are perished, or it maybe due to them having been 'run flat' and repaired, which is a no no. The garage's opinion is that these structurally worn out Yokohama's on the front is the main cause of my car's directional troubles. The combination of the budget Churchills on the rear and the fact they are all run flats just serves to make the situation worse and worse.
Armed with this plausible diagnosis I feel confident now to spend the money on a new set of premium, non-run flat tyres; Michelins judging by your experiences and that will get me a BMW that handles like one should.
I'll get that sorted in the next week or so and post the result.
BTW - I had the AC re-gassed during this workshop visit. The system was absolutely empty, so hopefully it's not a leak and has just happened because previous owners didn't realise it's not good to switch your AC off for long periods. Anyway as I say, hopefully, that won't turn into another topic.
Thanks once again for all your help and advice to date. You were all right to point toward the tyres.
Best regards
Ian
PS To anyone based in the Maldon, Essex area I would highly recommend Hallmark Autos in Heybridge.
The good news is everything under the car is straight, in good condition and in full working order, which is a relief.
Now for the interesting bit.....
The Yokohama run flats fitted on the front aren't new. They're deceptive, with a good level of tread showing on both. However, on close inspection of the side walls and cleaning off the tyre paint, many small cracks in the rubber are revealed. Either they are perished, or it maybe due to them having been 'run flat' and repaired, which is a no no. The garage's opinion is that these structurally worn out Yokohama's on the front is the main cause of my car's directional troubles. The combination of the budget Churchills on the rear and the fact they are all run flats just serves to make the situation worse and worse.
Armed with this plausible diagnosis I feel confident now to spend the money on a new set of premium, non-run flat tyres; Michelins judging by your experiences and that will get me a BMW that handles like one should.
I'll get that sorted in the next week or so and post the result.
BTW - I had the AC re-gassed during this workshop visit. The system was absolutely empty, so hopefully it's not a leak and has just happened because previous owners didn't realise it's not good to switch your AC off for long periods. Anyway as I say, hopefully, that won't turn into another topic.
Thanks once again for all your help and advice to date. You were all right to point toward the tyres.
Best regards
Ian
PS To anyone based in the Maldon, Essex area I would highly recommend Hallmark Autos in Heybridge.
Good news indeed.
To add to your tyre choices, I am a fan of the Goodyear Assy5, though I believe there is now an Assy6 out there too.
There are many opinions and you'll probably find that, like me, people have tried one and liked it.
The differences in performance are so subtle that you probably would hardly notice.
Of course, on a forum, everyone is channelling Ayrton Senna so they will give you infinitesimal detail on the differences.
To add to your tyre choices, I am a fan of the Goodyear Assy5, though I believe there is now an Assy6 out there too.
There are many opinions and you'll probably find that, like me, people have tried one and liked it.
The differences in performance are so subtle that you probably would hardly notice.
Of course, on a forum, everyone is channelling Ayrton Senna so they will give you infinitesimal detail on the differences.
Hi all,
I took the plunge and had a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 5’s fitted to my car last Tuesday. The transformation was immediate. The car stays straight when I want it to too and grips like I expected it too round the twisty bits. No vagueness or tram lining. This is now the car I thought I was buying in the first place.
It looks like premium non run flats is the way to go in my case. Difficult to say whether it was the mix of cheap tyres or the run flat capability or both. I’m just glad it’s sorted.
Thanks everyone for your help and advice. Hopefully my experience will help others in the future.
Best regards
Ian
I took the plunge and had a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 5’s fitted to my car last Tuesday. The transformation was immediate. The car stays straight when I want it to too and grips like I expected it too round the twisty bits. No vagueness or tram lining. This is now the car I thought I was buying in the first place.
It looks like premium non run flats is the way to go in my case. Difficult to say whether it was the mix of cheap tyres or the run flat capability or both. I’m just glad it’s sorted.
Thanks everyone for your help and advice. Hopefully my experience will help others in the future.
Best regards
Ian
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