The ultimate Z4M handling upgrade

[peteslag]

I've been umming and arrr'n about selling the Z4m since buying it earlier in the year. I could never quite get on with the way it handled compared to other performance cars I've owned, particularly the way the rear of the car breaks traction.

Last week I noticed that the rear tyres were in much worse shape than I thought, plenty of tread but they were really badly cracked in places. That's the problem with super low mileage cars, the tyres go hard and lose their grippyness with age.

I fitted Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 5 tyres on Monday and I'm now realizing that there was never anything wrong with the car. What a difference!!!! I've never known a car to be so sensitive about what tyres are fitted. With traction control off I booted it in second gear on a cold greasy road and I could feel the back of the car trying to "dig in" (rather than try and launch me sideways into the nearest hedge).

What an incredible machine, rather than terrifying it is now really exciting to drive :driving:

I'm going to take the Z4M off the market and sell my VX220 instead. Never thought I'd consider doing that. If only the wife would let me keep both.

 

[Special Kay]

I've just had some alloys refurbed and put the same goodyear asymmetric tyres on the wheels. The z4c is sorn'd until April, so they're sitting in the garage waiting to go on in the new year. I read loads of reviews from drivers and including yours I'm happily reassured I've made the right choice. I'm glad the tyres made you realise, what an incredible car you have

 

[peteslag]

I've just had some alloys refurbed and put the same goodyear asymmetric tyres on the wheels. The z4c is sorn'd until April, so they're sitting in the garage waiting to go on in the new year. I read loads of reviews from drivers and including yours I'm happily reassured I've made the right choice. I'm glad the tyres made you realise, what an incredible car you have

You won't be disappointed, fantastic tyres.

 

[R60BBA]

What tyres did you have before?

 

[peteslag]

What tyres did you have before?

Michelin super sports. They were really old so probably not fair to compare them to the Goodyears.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well firstly congratulations on keeping your MC.

I bought my car fitted with 19" CSL Reps with spacers, MPSS tyres and H & R coil-overs.

First jobs were getting the spacers off to save the arch-liners and raising the ride height so it didn't ground on speed bumps. :roll:

That improved usablity, but while the MPSS tyres were great on warmer days they really struggled for grip when it was less than 10 degrees C especially when roads weren't completely dry.

First handling improvement came after I bought some 224s and had Kumho Ecstas fitted - it was so much better on cooler damp days. But after all that swapping about the biggest transformation was after I had a 4 wheel alignment to M3 CSL geometry. Although I'm coming to the conclusion the H & Rs are too stiff for the UK potholes with bits of road in between!

How long can you get away with not managing to sell the VX220? :wink:

 

[grannyknot]

I'll bet your braking improved as well, gotta love sticky tires.
If you don't have them already your next move is replace the tired rubber rear trailing arm bushings with poly or one of the mono ball bushings, that will make your corning faster and more predictable.

 

[peteslag]

Well firstly congratulations on keeping your MC.

I bought my car fitted with 19" CSL Reps with spacers, MPSS tyres and H & R coil-overs.

First jobs were getting the spacers off to save the arch-liners and raising the ride height so it didn't ground on speed bumps. :roll:

That improved usablity, but while the MPSS tyres were great on warmer days they really struggled for grip when it was less than 10 degrees C especially when roads weren't completely dry.

First handling improvement came after I bought some 224s and had Kumho Ecstas fitted - it was so much better on cooler damp days. But after all that swapping about the biggest transformation was after I had a 4 wheel alignment to M3 CSL geometry. Although I'm coming to the conclusion the H & Rs are too stiff for the UK potholes with bits of road in between!

How long can you get away with not managing to sell the VX220? :wink:

I've just landed a great new job but it means a longer commute. I need something a bit more comfy and slightly more frugal. The vx220 has to go now really.

 

[peteslag]

I'll bet your braking improved as well, gotta love sticky tires.
If you don't have them already your next move is replace the tired rubber rear trailing arm bushings with poly or one of the mono ball bushings, that will make your corning faster and more predictable.

I need to get it on a dry track day and wring it's neck. Then I'll know what to do next.

 

[Secondtothird]

I've the same tyres on my coupe, terrific all rounders.

Owen

 

[buzyg]

:driving:

 

[tomscott]

I had vredestein ultrac sessanta on mine and they were a great tyre, grippy but would like the tail move and it was super predictable. Really enjoyed the car with them and they also did a tonne of miles around 20k in total which is impressive really.

Ive got Mich PS4S on now and I think its spoiled the car a bit. It is so grippy the thing doesn't move what so ever, I think they are a bit too much tyre for the car.

 

[Argenta]

Agreed tires makes all the difference sometimes! I've been happy with my Michelin PSS since 2015, now on new PS4S it lost a lot of its firm predictabilities, it seems PS4S have a lot softer sidewalls - no fun on track. I'll be getting something else soon, just a shame I've paid so much already & the Michelins are hardly worn. Good to hear about the GoodYears!

Anyone using Cup 2 on both street/track..?

I sort of regret I didn't buy those.

 

[Special Kay]

I had vredestein ultrac sessanta on mine and they were a great tyre, grippy but would like the tail move and it was super predictable. Really enjoyed the car with them and they also did a tonne of miles around 20k in total which is impressive really.

Ive got Mich PS4S on now and I think its spoiled the car a bit. It is so grippy the thing doesn't move what so ever, I think they are a bit too much tyre for the car.

I have Vredesteins on my daily, I would wholeheartedly agree, they're a fantastic tyre. I don't drive an awful lot of miles throughout the year (probably 5-7k pa). I've driven them in all weathers and always felt in control even in icy snow conditions. Next to continentals, I wouldn't hesitate to buy Vredestein again.

 

[Beedub]

i polybushed the whole car, VT race billet engine mounts, and spherical solid top mount suspension RTAB limiters..... car feels insane!

 

[peteslag]

Agreed tires makes all the difference sometimes! I've been happy with my Michelin PSS since 2015, now on new PS4S it lost a lot of its firm predictabilities, it seems PS4S have a lot softer sidewalls - no fun on track. I'll be getting something else soon, just a shame I've paid so much already & the Michelins are hardly worn. Good to hear about the GoodYears!

Anyone using Cup 2 on both street/track..?

I sort of regret I didn't buy those.

I had PS4S on my TTRS, they suited the AWD setup perfectly. Ridiculous amounts of grip. I was going to put them on the back of the Z4M, glad I didn't now.

 

[abar121]

All of the Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric variants have been great tyres for the Z4M. Myself and two other owners I know, always run these.

Excellent in the dry, great in the wet and a good improvement in ride compared to most of the competition, at least on stock wheels. If you do a lot of track use, there are better options for sure.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Mine is wearing these, but I don’t recommend them on a wet day :evil:

 

[BMWZ4MC]

All of the Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric variants have been great tyres for the Z4M. Myself and two other owners I know, always run these.

Excellent in the dry, great in the wet and a good improvement in ride compared to most of the competition, at least on stock wheels. If you do a lot of track use, there are better options for sure.

I have these on my RS4 and it’s fantastic in any weather (other than compacted snow)…. At least it is until the tread depth hits about 3mm, at which point the handling in standing water is terrifying!

 

[beanie]

I have these on my RS4 and it’s fantastic in any weather (other than compacted snow)…. At least it is until the tread depth hits about 3mm, at which point the handling in standing water is terrifying!

I found the same on the asymmetric 2 when they still had 4mm of tread. I’d driven through France in torrential rain and they’d been fine, but once on to the M25 and in particular the concreter sections, they were lifting up and stepping out at only 50-60mph. Although I can’t blame the tyres entirely, it was one of the most stressful drives I’ve ever had.