Run flat tyres on Z4, anyone change theirs to normal tyres?

Run flat tyres on Z4, anyone change theirs to normal tyres?

Author
Discussion

V8Smith

Original Poster:

3,510 posts

254 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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A colleague of mine has a Z4 with run flat tyres, she is wondering whether to stick with the run flats or change to normal tyres, has anyone done this?? Im just wondering whether the handling etc may be not the same if the tyres change?? your advice would be appreciated guys...

Regards

Mike

Mclovin

1,679 posts

199 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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totally transforms the car for the better..ditch em

henrycrun

2,449 posts

241 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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Have a search at www.zroadster.net

VladTheDad

1,086 posts

218 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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The previous owner of mine did it for me so I can't compare. Still seems to tramline a bit but the ride is fine.

She'll want to get a can of Tyre Weld for the boot just in case.


Edited by VladTheDad on Thursday 2nd October 13:14

Sticks2

8,777 posts

252 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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I've recently done this on my 04 (18"s) and am very pleased with the result. It's as firm, but no jarring. Feels lower if anything, more planted. Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics.

That being said, I had put up with the rfts for ages, so they're not as bad as some, and if you were mainly driving on the motorway or good roads I'm not sure its worth it.

If you do though, keep the rfts if you can. My local stealer will only take cars supplied with rfts with rfts, and if you've binned them they'll knock that off the trade in.

bras0782

59 posts

202 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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Just about everyone who has switched says it is much better

Ment-Al

16,988 posts

196 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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Mine has RFT's and I would consider changing when i need new tyres as they are so expensive and supposedly destroy the ride quality? I'm not so sure. I do mostly motorway driving.

Question, if you do get rid, do you need to do all 4 at the same time? i.e. could i put front RFT's on rear when i replace them and put new none rft's on front? Then when rears need replacing again, do the rear two with none rft's?


Z4monster

1,440 posts

261 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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I swapped mine out on my first Z4 (2003) but haven't bothered on my 2007 one. Went for Micheclin PS2 for the first car and was happy with the changeover. Howver the new car is nothing like as bad with RFT on it. Yes it's hard, Yes it tramlines, but so did was the first Z4 once the tyres got worn in.

I wouldn't swap two tyres out and wait to do the second set later. They will handle very different to each other and I would say it will make it very unpredictable. Once did this on an MX5 and had to ditch the tyres within a few weeks as I nearly lost it several times on well known corners. Once all were changed over it went back to normal.
RFT handle differently to normal tyres and mixing them soounds like a disaster waiting to happen to me.

Romanymagic

3,298 posts

220 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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bras0782 said:
Just about everyone who has switched says it is much better
Yep!

Moved over to Goodyear F1's about a year ago, oh so much better, grips better, rides better, looks better. Had a battle with the tyre firm though - had to sign an agreement that I would not sue the firm if my car suddenly decided to leave the road due to being on non RFT's.

Z4 is going back in 3 months (contract hire) not sure how the stealer is going to handle the change in tyres...

Fox-

13,241 posts

247 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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Our Z4 came with runflat tyres on the back and normal Pilot Sports on the front. Is this right? It was an AUC..

Ment-Al

16,988 posts

196 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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Fox- said:
Our Z4 came with runflat tyres on the back and normal Pilot Sports on the front. Is this right? It was an AUC..
Doesnt sound right to me... did it not have a spare? Bit dodgy it something happens to one of the fronts.

Fox-

13,241 posts

247 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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No spare. Didnt even realise until I was putting tyre shine on it the other day and thought 'Hang on, this isnt an RFT..'

Ment-Al

16,988 posts

196 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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Fox- said:
No spare. Didnt even realise until I was putting tyre shine on it the other day and thought 'Hang on, this isnt an RFT..'
I wouldnt be happy with that.

dan101smith

16,802 posts

212 months

Friday 3rd October 2008
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Switched from the RFT to PS2s on swmbo's Z4, definitely a good thing.

Sticks2

8,777 posts

252 months

Friday 3rd October 2008
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If you do change it's worth remembering to tell your insurance company.

Yes, I know it's not a significant change and no, shouldn't affect your policy, but if you're in a serious accident they will go over your car closely with a view to reducing their liability, thus increasing yours.

Luvmyzed

64 posts

188 months

Tuesday 7th October 2008
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Just done mine. Ditched the Runflats for Goodyear F1 asymetricals. Did all 4 togtether. It's like have a new car, so pleased I did it. I now have a can of tyre weld and a 12v compressor in the boot in case of a puncture.