Thinking Of New Tyres, Advice & Help Needed

[RustyZ4]

Well I have been thinking of ditching my run flats for a while, but they have loads of tread so I kept dragging my feet on doing it (plus£££) well I have decided to get on with it, and I know the benefits from doing this on my old E85. although the E85 was particularly bad on them.

I have 19" wheels, and my research tells me to go for Michelin pilot sports, but if anyone else has views and experience of other tyres, would love to hear them,

The big question is do I change the rear wheel profiles to 35 (they are 30 at the moment), I know some say this helps with the infamous cracking alloys, but does it have any other plus or minus`s ? e.g does it affect the speedo reading

Thanks in advance

Russell

 

[Phoenixboy]

Watching with interest

 

[Lazza]

Good timing. Also watching.

If you up the rear tyre profile, should the front profile also be increased?

 

[Dr-Jon]

I,m sure Mr Wilks will be along soon to help...

 

[Silverzedtom]

I’m a fan of Vredstein Ultrac Vortis. They’re particularly good on dry roads and got me through last winter without any issues but they're definitely a summer tyre. If you like a spirited drive when it’s dry I’m sure you’ll like them.

I’m not sure if it will be the same in the e89 but my e85 reads 1.5 mph above gps with 35 fronts and 30 rears so If I went up a size I’d imagine it would read pretty much spot on.

I wouldn’t want to raise the rear profiles alone personally as it might make it more prone to understeer, neither generation of z4 is great with understeer already IMO

Whatever you end up doing you’ll be glad you ditched the runflats :driving:

 

[Kozach75]

I ve just put on Pzeros. huge diff from the runflats but the road noise is more than average. Next time I ll try the Michelln although one of my friends with a boxster S says they are way overrated and takes forever to warm up.

 

[Angie4m]

I ran Eagle F1s on my 1 series convertible before the Zed. I never changed the RFTs on the E89 but I’ve got the Michelin‘s on the M4, they are also 19s and they are so comfortable and grippy. Got them on the 595 too again very grippy and hold you to the road like glue but they are pretty pricey.

I’m sure there will be lots of feedback on what options are there for you.

On a side note I heard someone complaining at a BMW garage recently as they had bought a 1 series and it didn’t have RFTs, the guy claimed that he loved them on his previous 1 series. I almost choked! And I did mutter something about not hearing that everyday

 

[john-e89]

After trying a few different brands, albeit all not on a 35is, I only buy Michelin pilots. Fantastic grip in the wet and dry and very very comfortable too. I’ve had MPSS’s on 19’s on the 2 35is’s I’ve had, no complaints whatsoever.

 

[MrPT]

I think everybody with 19s and a Z4 should go up a rear profile size.

Pilot 4S seems to be the tyre of the moment. Same dry handling feel as the MPSS but with better wet performance and wear rate. Not cheap, mind.

 

[R.E92]

Depends on budget. The best tyre would be the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S closely followed by the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (This is the old version of the 4S)

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 are also a good if you can't find either of the above in your size.

On a budget you could look at Vredestein or Uniroyal. I think there's a few members that rate them when performance isn't as much as a priority as saving money

For tyre profile some like to go a size up. Seems like a good idea if you are on stock wheels and springs and there's no risk of rubbing. Increasing the rolling radius of the wheels by one size will make the speedo more accurate as with the standard setup it reads 3-5% high.

 

[Anonymous]

Had several sets of Uniroyal RS3 on my zeds and they've always been great. A bit cheaper too

 

[HillWalker]

I went for Goodyear Eagle F1s a real good tyre but nearly £200 pounds for a set of four cheaper than than the Michelins and I've been really pleased with them, best money ever spent to get rid of the run flats, and yes I did increase the profile 235/35x19 front and 255/35x19 rear perfect, no rubbing, better comfort and rim protection and I think they look better as well.

 

[Rathean]

I switched from run flats to Michelin PS and the transformation has been remarkable - better ride, handling and more importantly the tyres absorb a lot more impact from pot holes so the car bumps over them now instead of causing the whole car to shudder.

I made the switch at the same time I replaced the OEM alloys with Alpina wheels, also got a space saver with the new wheels although it means a few less Sainsburys shopping bags in the boot now... my missus is delighted oke:

 

[djstan]

I've got Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 on mine at the moment; I chose them because they - along with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Ass 3 - had the lowest db ratings, highest fuel and grip ratings combined.

I like them! They're noticeably quiet, seem quite grippy and are certainly more comfy than the runflats!

 

[JimsZ]

As above I went with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Ass 3 because they had a combination of all the right attributes at the right price.

Not one regret for dumping the runflat tyres...

Id consider upping the profile nnext xhange but didnt know enough about the options at the time I was looking.

Now I know I will do that too :driving:

 

[RustyZ4]

Thank all for the advice,, not sure now what tyres to go for

 

[Busterboo]

Buy the most expensive you can afford (from the cheapest seller, of course).

Then at least you can eliminate the 'If only I'd paid a bit more' factor.

 

[Zed Baron]

Ive recently changed from Pirelli's to Goodyear Eagle F1s (better rating in the wet) on my 19s, on the rears this time I went for 255/35/19 instead of 255/30/19. The Goodyears cost just under £600 for the four.

 

[buzyg]

Can't beat the old MPSS IMHO. Coming to the end of my second set, having had Conties, VReds and MPS previously. So for sure I will be buying for a new set of Michelins. If I can find another set they will be MPSS. If not then the experiments start once more?

Note: I am on my oiginal 18's though.

 

[Nick9one1]

I'll be buying new rubber soon as well.
Here's a comparison from tyrereviews.co.uk




I think I'm going to go with the vorti's.

255 35 19
MPSS are £175 72 decibels
Vorti's are £125 70 decibels
Eagle F1 £125 69 decibels
SportMaxx £125 69 decibels
SportContact 6 £145 73 decibels
Rainsport £110 73 decibels