Run Flats

J

jonnyfive

Senior member
 Berkshire
Hi all

After getting use to driving my new zed i am surprised i haven't hit a parked car the tram-lining is almost biblical, I've been reading over posts on the forum and the general view is to switch to normal tyres.How bad is the tram-lining or could i need the tracking done?
The car seems to have a mind of its own pulls to the left and then to the right Its really ruin my enjoyment of the car , every thing ells iam loving but its just a chore to drive at the moment and for country lanes would scare the cr*p out of me.
I dont want to start the debate again but just a rough idea what i should expect from run flats .
 
To me it seemed worse on the 2003 - 2005 models and to the point I considered dangerous.
Not as bad on the 2006 to 2008's but still annoying.
 
I have just recently changed the rear tyres on my e89 after 22,000 miles. I couldn't believe how bad the car tramlined with the new runflats on. From that i surmise that they do 'bed in' somewhat over time and you should find the ride gets better.
 
I have to agree...It can be a pretty scary experience when your driving 60 mph and your steering wheel decides it has a life of it own to lead. I own a 2008 3.0si Z4 and often wonder if its worth keeping the run flats...Good Luck! 8)
 
Another new z driver here - and same as you, its crazy. Mine's got fairly new tyres on - so maybe they'll bed in.

Reckon I'll switch away from runflats when the time comes though.
 
nicko said:
jonnyfive said:
the tram-lining is almost biblical
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double-check your tyre pressures, I think under-inflation makes it worse
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+1

I am now running on my winter tire/wheel set (details & photos in my garage under album name "Winter Set UP")

When I was running on my summer set RFT I found that I had to adjust the tire pressure up a few pounds every week. Bottom line, if you run on RFT do check your tire pressure regularly. The main problem with RFT as we all know is that we cannot see if the tire gets low or not. You could be at 20 PSI and your tire looks normal, there is no backup on your TPMS as far as I know so if it is defective and you don't know it then what happens if you are running low on tire pressure.
 
My favourite subject! Sorry but I’ve gone on endlessly about the Bridgstone RFTs having had the same scary experiences. This tyre has two problems, firstly the side walls are too stiff to allow the suspension to work, cold weather will further stiffen them and make matters worse. Secondly there is clearly something inherent in the Bridgstone tread pattern or construction which promotes tramlining as other more expensive brands of RFT are apparently better and are mentioned on various threads.

I had a full suspension survey, four wheel alignment and played with pressures but the change to non-RFTs was like someone fitting new suspension, tyres and steering as well – it drives like a dream. I went for Falkens as the boss of my tyre suppliers had done a track day back-to-back with other tyres, including Goodyear Eagle F1a and another, and the Falken came out on top. He had them on his M3 so that was good enough for me at those prices.

My RFTs were 1/2 -2/3 worn and were horrible so I doubt they will get better with bedding in, my experience with low profile tyres in the past suggests that they get more lively on white lines etc as they wear, but others may have found different.

IMO a change from Bridgstone RFTs is the best value real-world road performance mod you can make on these cars.
 
This topic is rhetorical, just change and get it over with!
 
I changed over to normal tyres about 4 months ago now and the difference is night and day! No tram-lining and such a more comfortable ride. I would recommend this change to anyone :D The wheels are still looking as fresh as the day I put them on now:-

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may be its just me, but i have never felt this, i feel 100% with the handling of my car - i have been none to push it on the odd occasion and still i feel confident
 
RFT's are dangerous on a sports car.My Z4 would jump all over the place and if your not paying attention the tramlining can pull you of the road.
 
I put Falken's on last Saturday, have a look a few threads down at early X-mas Gift! Thats me and its the best move Ive made! :D
 
Cheers guys

I will check tyre pressure first to see if that improves and then a new set of Falken tyres in the new year.

Is there much need for second hand run flats as the tyres have at least 4mm of tread on them and one rear was fitted recently by previous owner so almost like new. I expect ebay is the first port of call and the sell and buy section on hear.

Would it be best to sell as a set or individual as the rears dont match ? ( previous owners choice)

And what sort of price could i achieve?
 
Yeah Jonny I was thinking what to do my mine! Ive got 225/40/R18 x2 with 5mm on both and two rear 255/35/R18's with 7mm on both! May wait untill after X-mas to shift them or keep them as I would love to do a European Road Trip and they may come in handy for that! I Paid £334.86 from Camskill's for the Falkens plus £40 to fit them so I suppose you need to work out how much you need to re-gain back to make it worth your while! My reason for the change was my safety, I thought its only a matter of time before I crashed my pride and joy.
 
Hi Pauly

I know what you mean, the handling is shocking so i will give camskill a email to check price, did you find thay where the best price you could find. Also on my car i have some deep dish rims which could do with a refurb the polish rim has some corrosion when veiwing the car it looked like break dust on surface but sadly not. :(
so maybe when weather gets better wheel refurb and new boots. Thats going to cost :cry:
 
Taz x said:
may be its just me, but i have never felt this, i feel 100% with the handling of my car - i have been none to push it on the odd occasion and still i feel confident
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Agree with Taz yes my car tramlines but no where near as bad as my Calibra did plus the Calibra could be scary under heavy braking on some roads unlike the Z no probs there plus i know loads of people who run cars on wide low profile tyres who all experience tramlining.

The Z can move about on a bad road but get her over to France and shes a dream on the RFT no movement at all.
 
jonnyfive said:
Hi Pauly

I know what you mean, the handling is shocking so i will give camskill a email to check price, did you find thay where the best price you could find. Also on my car i have some deep dish rims which could do with a refurb the polish rim has some corrosion when veiwing the car it looked like break dust on surface but sadly not. :(
so maybe when weather gets better wheel refurb and new boots. Thats going to cost :cry:
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jonnyfive are they aftermarket rims ? that could be the problem if the offset is to far out
 
Hi i think the last post was ment for me .

The wheels are aftermaket not to sure what make etc but the rears are bigger then the fronts and seem to have the correct size tyres on and dont look out of place in the wheel arch might have to look at all the paper work it came with ,there might be a invoice for them somewhere.
 
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