Best tyres for Z4 roadster?

[MD San]

Hi guys

My long suffering tyres are due (overdue!) for replacement. Has anyone got any suggestions as to what the best tyres are from a handling perspective? Should i ditch the run flats and go regular?

[douglasr]

There was a test in either Autocar or Autoexpress recently where the stopping distance of a Z4 increased by about 3 metres from 70 iirc if a switch was made to non runflat tyres.

[CatherineJ]

The Bridgestone runflat was the group test winner. We have them fitted our 3 series M Sport and I am impressed with their ride quality.

[z4monster]

Check out the Z4UM. Great bunch on here and a quick search will give you the best opinions on tyres. My choice was Non RFT Michelin PS2 which have served me well over the last 18 months. Much better ride quality and handling than RFT and cheaper too. Got mine from Costco for around £115 a tyre.

SWapping them out is pretty well supported. I don't agree with them spoiling the handling at all. It's much better without the RFT. Not noticed that stopping distance is badly affected either.

[gwatson]

douglasr said:

There was a test in either Autocar or Autoexpress recently where the stopping distance of a Z4 increased by about 3 metres from 70 iirc if a switch was made to non runflat tyres.

Yeah but the Z4 never had it's suspension designed or tunned for RFT's like other BMW models have. It was a last minute decision, therefore I am pretty sure the Z4 is much better on normal tyres. In fact my RFT were dangerous in the wet, perhaps not in braking but cornering, other Z4 owners have said the same. That and the ride are the main reason I changed. Do it, best mod ever to a Z4.

G

Edited by gwatson on Tuesday 17th October 23:12

[MD San]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Non RFT Michelin PS2 it is then! Will let you know how they feel. Yesterday I replaced the brake pads with EBC Greenstuff performance pads - absolutely brilliant! Great feel and stopping power.

[NickB12]

I was thinking of ditching the RFTs on my Z4 (18's) and found your earlier useful contributions, thanks. A couple of things though....

What about tyre pressures? Given the structure of the tyre is different, the pressure is likely to be too.

Interesting about the stopping distance. Has anyone who's changed mentioned it to their insurance co, and had any issues with them? I can imagine they'd argue, if they chose to, that it was a deviation from the standard spec, more than just changing a brand, say, and as such they should be notified.

Thanks

Nick

[plowy]

Before you go spending LOADS OF your hard earned on big name branded PS2's hear me out on this one. Like all my Z4 3.0i came with RFT's, the ride was shocking no feel etc etc we all know the deal here, the option to go non run flats is the best thing for this chassis without doubt, I too was a great fan of PS2 rubber having had my previuos E46 on them but I was pursuaded to try these.FALKEN FK452's. Given you can get 4 for the cost of 2 PS2' thereabouts, I thought nothing to loose, WELL this must be the best kept secret in the tyre world, and certainly are a better tyre than any branded one i have ever run, I drive my car quite hard, have done a track day this year and so i feel well qualified to recommend these tyres, i told everyone on www.bmwland.co.uk all about them and those who made the change from branded stuff will not go back, even an E46 M3 owner who trips to the Ring a few times a year, check prices here.. www.falkentyres.co.uk As for wear rate then the current rears on my car have covered 10000 miles and have done one track day with still 3/4mm remaining, So what do you do ???, spend twice as much on Michelin or try the unknown, give it a go, you will not go back to spending big bucks on branded ever again..

Edited by plowy on Thursday 2nd August 08:14

[NickB12]

That's interesting, thanks, I'd not heard of them.

Nick

[gizlaroc]

Totally agree Plowy, I love the Falken FK452's as well.
I have them on the 120d at the moment, another car that is ruined buy run flats, and they are great.

For 99% of situations I would say they are better than PS2's, the difference with PS2's is they way they let go. The Falkens will keep grip for longer and when they go they really go, where as the PS2's will let go earlier but you can really feel what is going on and have loads of control, however, how many people seriously slide round every corner or get the back end out when taking a corner at 90mph?? not many would be my guess and that is the reason I think the Falkens are better for most people.

Oh, and then there is price, I got all 4 fitted for £290, can't be bad.

Edited by gizlaroc on Friday 3rd August 19:31

[plowy]

What car have you got them on ???

[NickB12]

Plowy,

meant to say, what pressures do you use with the non RFTs?

Cheers

Nick