Runflat tyre Q

C

ClareS

Member
 Hampshire
It's been a long time since I posted on here, it's nice to be back!

I know this debate will rage for decades yet, but can someone give me advice on tyres? Specifically has anyone tried both Bridgestone Potenza and Pirelli P Zero runflats on their Z4?

The local tyre place recommended the pirellis to me, but I'd rather get advice from on here. I've run bridgestones on the car ever since new so don't have an opinion on anything else.

Weirdly, the first set of bridgestones were appalling, the second set have been absolutely fine.... And before you say it, I'm not going to ditch the runflats this time around.
 
Bloody hell Clare, that has been a long time. I was on the meet you did a few years ago.

Regarding the tyres all I can say if the Bridgestone Run Flats are the worst tyre you could have. Why not swap to a non run flat though, the ride will be much better.
 
Yeah I remember. It was a great day's driving, particularly the early morning bit. I'll try and get back on here a bit more often!

RE: non run flats, just concerned about getting punctures especially with the huge amount of potholes in the area I live in. I know you can use tyre weld, but I think it'd play on my mind if I didn't have them.
 
Run flats are stiffer and so more likely to get punctures through sharps and pot-holes. Have just changed to non-RFTs myself, and can vouch for their vast superiority in terms of ride and stability (i.e. safety).
 
Claire,

The Pirelli's are generally regarded as a more complaint tyre than the Bridgestones and so will ride better, but still nothing like as good as conventinal tyres

I understand the sentiment about punctures and concerns you have.
Just consider when you last had a puncture and if the poor ride and much more expensive tyres couldn't be mitigated by your recovery service and a credit card.

My daughters just moved from Bridgestones to Falkens on that exact logic for her 1 series
 
I had Pirelli P Zeros until recently. They are a better ride than the Bridgestones, quieter and also have a rounded shoulder so they don't wear on the inner at the back of the car. They are still run flats though and still have a harsh ride compared to non run flats. I now run Michelin Pilot Super Sport non run flat with a can of sealant in the boot. They have transformed the car from a harsh noisy ride to a more comfortable and quiet ride while also enhancing grip. Its brought some quality back to the car.

Back on the pirelli topic, on the negative side, they are not as grippy in the wet as the bridgestones.
 
Hi Clare,

I can understand your concerns re not having runflats and personally like yourself I would prefer to rely on runflats than mess about with a can of foam at the side of road. I'm on Bridgestones and find them absolutely fine, however of the runflats the Dunlops I had on my previous 1 Series M Sport were far superior especially where ride is concerned so i would certainly have a look at these. Can't comment on the Pirelli's however reading opinions of Bridgestones v Dunlops vs Pirelli the Dunlops seem to be favoured.

Tim.
 
My 1 series has dunlop run flats too, and tbh the ride is fine. Doesnt tramline like the bridge stones did on my Z... And have lasted over 17K miles and the fronts have loads of life left (rears not so much)


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aquazi said:
My 1 series has dunlop run flats too, and tbh the ride is fine. Doesnt tramline like the bridge stones did on my Z... And have lasted over 17K miles and the fronts have loads of life left (rears not so much)
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Different car entirely tho... 1/3/5/6 series all have run flats and ride acceptably. The Z4 does not ride acceptably on run flats IMHO and for anyone that uses it daily going non run flat is best IMHO. Most other brands have normal tyres, for a reason.
 
I had a 123D coupe on runflats - awful tramlining, not so different that the Z4.
 
Maniac said:
aquazi said:
My 1 series has dunlop run flats too, and tbh the ride is fine. Doesnt tramline like the bridge stones did on my Z... And have lasted over 17K miles and the fronts have loads of life left (rears not so much)
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

1/3/5/6 series all have run flats and ride acceptably. .
Click to expand...

I've never driven a 1, 3 or 6 with runflats so can't comment. I have however driven an e61 with them and I can assure you it drives equally as bad as the Z with runflats.

I'm guessing there's a reason why they don't put RF's on the M5.
 
thanks for all the responses.

If anyone's interested, I went for the Pirellis in the end. I've only driven about 20 miles so far on them, but they seem to be a slight improvement over the Bridgestones when going over uneven roads and possibly slightly quieter. I'm yet to test them on a proper drive though so comparisons this early on may be unfair.

Maybe next time I'll ditch the run flats, but knowing the law of sod I will get a puncture on the way home from having them changed!
 
Well comparing my old E87 to my E89 the Dunlops were better than the Bridgestones but then I find the E89s ride on the Bridgestones acceptable :)

Tim.
 
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