Run-flats vs normal performance tires???

Z

Z4M_CSL

Member
 Nottingham
Not sure if this question has been asked on the site, apologies if it has, but I want to know if anyone has had experience on switching from run-flat to normal performance tires on a Z4 e89?

The general consensus I've read is that they are not as good as normal performance tires.
 
Lots and lots of threads here on this topic. Try a search.

RFTs are good for mobility but non RFTs are better for comfort, cost, possibly also handling.
 
I swapped to Goodyear F1 A2's, superb tyre which was quieter and gave better grip, turn in was a slightly worse due to the sidewall. I think if you went to 19" then non RFT's would be an all round improvement.
 
I have an 08 E85 3.0 SI
I listened to all the noise about how awful run flats are.
So I purchased a new set of Lorenzo 21 rims with Michelin Pilot Super Sports.
The Michelins are supposed to be near the top in most categories.
The stock Bridgestones vacationed in the basement, next to the Michelin Snow Tires on Moda 14 rims.

The Pilot Super Sports are excellent. Probably more than what I need for how I drive the car.. (Light Touring into New England.

The plot thickened as I was required to attend a wedding, 1700 kms away in Prince Edward Island.
I have acquired a tire repair kit, but with the thought of a 4000 km round trip, thoughts of the advantages of Run Flats bubbled to the surface.
So after a summer on the Pilots I switched back to the stock Bridgestones and ...
Well handling might be a tad inferior, I hardly noticed at the speeds and roads I was meandering on.
The last day we made a blast for home. Super slab highway ...an amazing 1189 kms in one day ...
In all honesty I found the Bridgestones quieter than the Michelins.
I don't really feel that upgrading to the Michelins was a good decision given the minor improvement in performance for 'my' driving.

Now when I mentioned my experience here and there ...given all the complaining about Run Flats (hard ride and tramlining etc) I was told by several that the newer Bridgestone Run Flats were an improvement over the older versions.

The moral of my Tale ...If you have newer Runflats (mine are from 08) ..Save your money and just run with them.

Good Luck ...Tires and Rims ..Just like candy

Bumpy
 
Tyres performance is probably the most subjective things to measure when purchased and tested.
There's a lot of psychological stuff going on never mind trying to compare to previous tyres that were probably way past their best.
Being able to refit the previous tyres lessens the above a lot and is probably the closest the average forum member will get to making an objective comparison.
Have there been any back to back tests done by car mags comparing run flats to the other?
I know various car mags have stated that the latest BMWs are far superior to when they first started using them.
 
K99 said:
Tyres performance is probably the most subjective things to measure when purchased and tested.
There's a lot of psychological stuff going on never mind trying to compare to previous tyres that were probably way past their best.
Being able to refit the previous tyres lessens the above a lot and is probably the closest the average forum member will get to making an objective comparison.
Have there been any back to back tests done by car mags comparing run flats to the other?
I know various car mags have stated that the latest BMWs are far superior to when they first started using them.
Click to expand...
+1

A lot on this topic on US Z4 forum
http://e89.zpost.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=196
There appear a good number who have changed to Non-RFTs.

Bridgestone's 3rd Gen RFT - the POTENZA S001 RFT
We have all read of Bridgestone's lauded 3rd generation RFT. This came out with a fanfare in 2009 accompanied by "accolades" from the motoring press with the 'ride' being almost the same as a 'normal' tyre.
Then it all went quiet.
Indeed, searching google, you get the initial impression that it's been available for some time.
Nope...certainly not here anyway, indeed no 3rd GEN RFTs were ever sold in the UK (up until now).
When I enquired 18 months ago, I was told by Bridgestone that the only markets they were released in were the USA & Japan. There being no planned 'roll-out' date for the UK as yet.

However, an updated version is at last now available to purchase in the UK AND..............for only a few £s more than the older Potenza RE 050 A2
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Bridgestone/Potenza-S001.htm
http://www.rezulteo-tyres.co.uk/bridgestone-tyres/potenza-s001-tyre/test-review-119218

$64,000 question....has anyone here tried this tyre yet????

Bridgestone
http://www.bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2011070102.html
Bit miffed as gave up waiting for this tyre and 6 months back purchased a pair of Continental SSRs for the rear..... :headbang:
 
As BMW don't put them on the M models that says it all really, but would be interesting to compare a 35is standard against a 35is with a Quaife LSD and the best tires from either Michelin or Continental. Maybe throw in some Eibach springs and a set of anti-roll bars, now that would be interesting, or a KW DDC when they do one for the car, LOL.
 
Initially I was concerend about RFTs on my 19" rims but that was soon dispelled as I found them to be on a par for comfort and grip with a lot of other performance tryes I have expereinced from Bridgestone, Pirelli, Continental and Michelin (Michelin PS2s being my favourite although I haven't tried the latest PS3s or Supersports). However, that inital satisfaction withered away when the ambient temeperature fell below 5C and the grip of the RE050 RFTs fell off quicker than the temperature. In bone dry conditions at or around 0C the RFTs are very disappointing - they really are just a summer tyre.
 
friend of mine changed his rft's to regular tyres and like many Zed-owners, he will never go back to rft's... says enough I think
much less tramlining too
 
I got 19s and find the RFT's too hard a ride. Was going to get the non-rft michelin PSS tyres but would be interested in the new Bridgestone RFT's if they are better for comfort. have checked though and cant find them in the UK :(
 
Or a blow out at the legal speed limit of 90 sorry 70. I have rfts I have had a blow out on the motorway. The harsh ride I will live with. It ok ages to clear all the sh1t of my tts seat and my pants......
 
Bumpy said:
I have an 08 E85 3.0 SI
I listened to all the noise about how awful run flats are.
So I purchased a new set of Lorenzo 21 rims with Michelin Pilot Super Sports.
Click to expand...

Really 21's? yikes! How do you keep the stock or lower ground clearance? There's only so far one can stuff the tires into the wheel well and retain any real suspension action or turning radius. Can't say I'm a fan of the 80's urban pimp look. Esp on a sports car. Guess it goes along with the 4" wide watches that seem to be the fashion rage these days. But hey. It's (for the time being) a free world. So to each their own. :) But then I'm an old sod that actually buys pants that fit my waist. :oldman: So what do I know.
 
bigdog said:
Bumpy said:
I have an 08 E85 3.0 SI
I listened to all the noise about how awful run flats are.
So I purchased a new set of Lorenzo 21 rims with Michelin Pilot Super Sports.
Click to expand...

Really 21's? yikes! How do you keep the stock or lower ground clearance? There's only so far one can stuff the tires into the wheel well and retain any real suspension action or turning radius. Can't say I'm a fan of the 80's urban pimp look. Esp on a sports car. Guess it goes along with the 4" wide watches that seem to be the fashion rage these days. But hey. It's (for the time being) a free world. So to each their own. :) But then I'm an old sod that actually buys pants that fit my waist. :oldman: So what do I know.
Click to expand...

Lorenzo 21 is the model of rim ...
You can see them at the Tire Rack site ...
Basically a 5 spoke with machine finish and black, with machine finish rim surface.
18 x 8 fronts ...18 x 9.5 rear ...
They do list a 20 " but that's overkill in my opinion ...
I an old school and like a reasonable sidewall on my tires.

http://s1266.beta.photobucket.com/user/jafxdwg/media/IMG_0172_2.jpg.html?sort=3&o=8

These are my summer rims with Michelin Pilot Supersports

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=WL02188052742BMF&wheelMake=Lorenzo&wheelModel=WL21&wheelFinish=Machined+w%2FBlack+Accent&showRear=yes&selectedRear=WL02189552748BMF&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=Z4+3.0si+Roadster&autoYear=2008&autoModClar=Sport+Package&filterFinish=All&filterSize=All&filterBrand=All&filterSpecial=false&filterNew=All&filterWeight=All&sort=Brand

These are my winter rims shod with Michelin Ice Radials


http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&wheelMake=moda&wheelModel=MD14&wheelFinish=Machined+w%2FBlack+Accent&autoMake=Ford&autoModel=Mustang+Coupe&autoYear=2012&autoModClar=Automatic+Transmission
 
One more thing ...
For winter tires I went with smaller rims (17 ").
At the time I wasn't even sure if I would take the Zed out of the garage and into the salt fields that the Dept. of Transportation spreads at any hint of snow.
So smaller rims and narrower tires are called on.
Not sure what they do in Gt Britain. I do know that in colder parts of Canada, where salt doesn't work ..Sand and pea gravel are substituted.
You can tell a vehicle from such a place (Alberta. :poke: ) by the numerous cracks on the windshields.

The best snow tires I have ever owned were Nokians ...

Cheers and a Bump
 
Bumpy

That's quite the deceiving name for a wheel. Had me fooled. :lol: I just couldn't wrap my mind nor even picture a Zed with 21's.
I too use a 17" winter set up with Hankook icebears in 225/45/vr17. They have done well.
 
Bigdog ...

Do they use salt and sand on the roads in Germany ?
Just curious how they deal with snow.
 
Over here they use magnesium chloride. Not quite as corrosive as sodium chloride. But it does leave a residue behind and can be very slippery until it's wash away by rain. I would prefere plain old sand.

In the USA the EPA in their infinite wisdom (sarcasm alert) have deemed sand a pollutant because it will turn to dust. And therefore put rather large (1/4-3/8") stones. Which makes no sense as many folks have to respray the front and replace the front glass quite often. Which I would think causes more pollution than sand which is a normal inert earthly organic substance. So much for government intelligence. :thumbsdown:
 
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