Tire wear-a word to the wise

[Flycaster]

I dont really mind having a harder ride i dont think...but maybe if i was older...creaky bones and all..
Just a little dig there..

x2

The only reason I changed the rears to non runflats when they needed replacing was because of the high cost of the runflat and the pain in the ass I had when trying to get a puncture repaired in one

I've had my Z4 for 4 years and during the drivinging time and considering all the posts I've read on the subject of RFTs, the RFTs (Potenza 050 225X50 16, on all corners) on my model car definitely are known to give a rather harsher ride than non-RFTs. On smooth roads they are OK, but once you get onto roads not so smooth, you feel it...car gets antsy. Also, carry a portable air compressor and a plugging patch kit with me just in case I get a fixable flat (puncture in the tread and not in the side wall), BTW, if this is how one gets a flat, the RFTs are definitely fixable...although BMW won't fix them.

Surprised that you added non-RFTs to your rears. Thought that was a no-no, to mix RFTs with non-RFTs.

 

[Woots]

Wow..good response..
So basically i need to work part time begging on the street to go towards the "Adam feels inadequate compared to bigger wheeled Z4's so would like some nice 18's please" fund... and then whap on some grippy non-run flats :lol:
Wouldn't mind seeing how M6 alloys look on Z4..i love them but not sure if i'd love them on a Z4..and 19's (i think they are) might look too big which would mean id then need to get it lowered...and i can beg on the street all my life.
Aaaahhhhhh

 

[gannet]

that sounds like a plan
:lol: :lol:

 

[Woots]

Hey Woots - you need to take a ride in a few variants back to back to see the difference. Much comment is listed in this thread to to try to pull it together....

iirc you're on 17" rims facelift, with standard suspension and the the RFT's. To a large extent the slighty better tuned suspension, it being softer standard and taller sidewalls mitigate a lot of the RFT issues.

The biggest complainers are pre facelift, ///M sport suspension on 18's This really compounds the problems with at least 3 factors against ride comfort causing a lot of crashing and banging, the overly stiff sidewall and wider tyres causing tramlining and wandering and handling. The ///M sport is 15mm lower and that takes one more cushion out of the system (assuming standard crap springs) In this case don't mistake harder ride for better as there are too many compromises in the set up.

So when you come to replacement and find that you can get RFT's at about £225 each or a full set of Falknes for around £320, better handling, more comfort, less crashing, etc. then you'll see why we change. Hell that saving would get you some better wheels.

Wooaaahhhhh!!
Am i reading that right?
£225 each!! EACH!
I dont suppose thats like ugandan pounds? Thats pound sterling?
Thats it.... they have to go!

 

[no fit state]

Surprised that you added non-RFTs to your rears. Thought that was a no-no, to mix RFTs with non-RFTs.

Some people don't like the idea, doesn't bother me at all and have had no problems in the year I've had them mixed.

 

[cj10jeeper]

That's about it woots - blackcircles run to about £225 RFT Bridgestones supply only for the rears (18") £115 Falkens and £115 vs £69 fronts.
Falkens seem to have gone up, but still around half the price.

no fit state - rft's and non rfts mixed is just not advised. Of course 99% of the time it makes no difference, but on the limit, on a tricky corner or emergency then it'll show up as their grip characteristics are so different.

 

[no fit state]

no fit state - rft's and non rfts mixed is just not advised. Of course 99% of the time it makes no difference, but on the limit, on a tricky corner or emergency then it'll show up as their grip characteristics are so different.

I've been hearing that for the last year on here. Like I said, doesn't bother me, driven in loads of different conditions including heavy snow (well for the UK anyway lol) and not come across any problems. Each to their own

 

[csmith319]

Lets be clear here - £225 is the BEST you will get too - I went for tyre insurance when I got mine as I tend to get a fair few punctures around my area (country roads, and a lot of housing development seems to mean screws and crap on the lanes).

So - fair enough, got a puncture after a couple of months, so just went to Kwik Fit - full price was £280 for a rear 18" Bridgestone run flat - the insurance cost me £250, so I'm a happy bunny! But if I was paying myself, I wouldn't be happy.

I've heard the runflats are repairable, but I've been using them for 7 years now - and have never found a tyre shop that will repair them!

 

[E85]

great advice

 

[hotdog3147]

North East Tyres and Exhaust in North Tyneside *near newcastle* repair runflats depending on manufacturer. I've got Goodyears and Goodyear allow repairs, Pirelli and Bridgestone don't (IIRC) and they won't repair them. I had a nail in one of my rears and it was repaired for about £15.