Wow...A Night and Day Difference

Nhopkins1394 · 10-08-2010, 01:09 PM

I really need to do the same thing.
I didn't realize it was the RFT's that caused the tramlining.
And my odometer is off a couple of MPH's also.
I already have 18's on the Z4 but my wife complains about the rough ride.
Sounds like this will fix all the problems. Except one....

Don't think she even knows there is no spare in the trunk

M_Six · 10-08-2010, 07:27 PM

New V12's going on next Thursday. Can't wait.

jumpthewire · 10-08-2010, 07:43 PM

Mark, where are you getting your V12s?

M_Six · 10-08-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpthewire

Mark, where are you getting your V12s?

Tirerack. Drop shipped to the stealer for mounting.

jumpthewire · 10-08-2010, 08:16 PM

Very cool to know. I'll probably take the same approach.

jumpthewire · 10-08-2010, 08:23 PM

Any issues with dealers putting non RF's on the Z?

I thought i recalled reading that some won't do it?

M_Six · 10-08-2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpthewire

Any issues with dealers putting non RF's on the Z?

I thought i recalled reading that some won't do it?

All I've read are posts about how much better the car rides and handles. You do lose the relative "safety" of the run-flat, but the only flat tire I've had in the last 20 years was a run-flat on the Z. They're expensive and they wear out quickly. They make your Z ride and handle like crap. Not a great trade-off for being able to drive on a flat for a few miles.

epbrown · 10-08-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpthewire

Any issues with dealers putting non RF's on the Z?

I thought i recalled reading that some won't do it?

That's correct - some are anal about any non-factory spec and look at it as a way to get out of honoring the warranty.

Huz-Z · 10-12-2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epbrown

That's correct - some are anal about any non-factory spec and look at it as a way to get out of honoring the warranty.

In my case, the BMW dealer here in Atlantic Canada had no objection to installing the four Hankook Ventus V12's that I ordered for my car, and even agreed to have them shipped directly there from Tire Rack.

With respect to flat tires, get yourself a AAA membership and / or a roadside tire repair kit, can of spray flat tire goop that reinflates and plugs the tire and a 12 volt compressor. With the exception of the AAA membership, I bought all of that for less than $100 and keep them stowed in the trunk in one of those black reusable grocery store fabric shopping bags that are so popular these days.

bigdog16028 · 10-12-2010, 07:22 AM

And don't ever be fooled by the "safety" of run flats. If one gets a flat with a rft. it does not mean you can just blast down the road to your destination. You still need to stop driving within a very short time. And try finding a new rft at Billy bob's gas station in the middle of Nevada on hi-way 50.

Only two reasons BMW did rft's
1, Money saved from no spare.
2, weight. But mostly number one

SteveInfante · 10-12-2010, 10:38 AM

I just can't see the advantage because of the cost and trouble involved. I have towing on my insurance for up to 150 miles so no worries from me. I just changed the rears to BFG G Force Sports and the ride is so much better. I waiting for the fronts to wear out and then I'm replacing those too. They are wider at the rim than the RF's.

rkstar9 · 10-14-2010, 09:08 PM

hello could you say how much you got for the oem's and wher did you sell them

I would like to do this but not if im gonna be spending a lot of money

M_Six · 10-14-2010, 09:36 PM

Got rid of my RFs today finally. I noticed the difference just pulling out of the service area. Already felt smoother and quieter. Major difference on the highway. I was wondering for a sec why my engine sounded like it was working so hard at normal highway speeds. I looked and saw I was indeed in 6th, but I was turning just over 3g on the tach. Then I noticed I was at 95MPH, even though it felt smoother and quieter than 70 on the RFs. I'm going to really enjoy these tires if they don't get me into too much trouble.

Endless619 · 10-14-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rps

I replaced my 17" run flats and ASA wheels today with 18" M wheels and non run flats. The difference is amazing, no tramlining, or bouncing. The ride is great. If I had known this would have made such a difference, I would have done it a long time ago. As a side note, my speedometer is now accurate and agrees with the GPS, no more reading 3 to 4 miles an hour faster than the actual speed.

I agree with you. I am currently running a 30 series rear and 35 series front tire on my 19 inch Volks and it rides ok. When I put my OEM 18 inch M wheels/tires on my Coupe it was like night and day. So smooth and comfortable. So I went out and bought a spare set of E46 M3 OEM 18s and may slap on my OEM tires and run that. We will see.

WAMz4 · 10-15-2010, 01:01 AM

The best way I can think of to describe the difference is, with NON RFT I no longer feel like Im crashing into cracks on the raod, but rolling over them instead. I cant stress enough how bad the RFT idea was for this car, and I dont think enough people realize how bad the ride is cause they either dont know it can be better or they've bought into the bumpy sports car myth according to Jeramy Clarckson - "It reminded me of a Corvette which adheres to the American principal that sports cars should have no suspension at all." He's an ass, but he's got that one pegged.

Huz-Z · 10-15-2010, 06:45 AM

I wonder if Clarkson would have judged the Z4 less harshly, had he driven one that was equipped with conventional tires.

And more importantly, how many prospective customers between 2003 and 2008 drove a "non M" Z4 and were so turned off by the horrible feel of the run-flats that they went elsewhere and bought a different car? I think BMW could have had much better sales numbers for the 2003 - 2008 Z4 if it had been equipped with conventional tires and a mobility kit like the M version.

epbrown · 10-16-2010, 04:18 AM

Definitely. A bone stock Z4 3.0i could go toe-to-toe with the Boxster (cf. Fifth Gear comparo); one with the same tires would more than hold its own in performance and ride comfort. The difference is so dramatic I have trouble believing BMW developed the suspension for run-flats - they're too good to have gone that far wrong...

SteveInfante · 10-16-2010, 01:03 PM

I haven't had a Boxster try me yet but there are a metric crap ton of them running around eyeballing me when I'm out that it's only a matter of time. Jeremy from Top Gear is my hero.

rps · 10-19-2010, 09:43 PM

I just made a 500 mile road trip with the new wheels and tires. I couldn't believe the difference in ride at 80-95 on the interstate. Granted, I didn't do 95 for more than a minute or two, but crusing at 80 was really nice and comfortable. Just reinforces that I should have done this a long time ago.

10-08-2010, 01:09 PM	#23
Nhopkins1394 Accountant, 1st Class 8 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roadster, Black Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irving, TX where the Cowboys used to play! iTrader: (0)	Tramlining I really need to do the same thing. I didn't realize it was the RFT's that caused the tramlining. And my odometer is off a couple of MPH's also. I already have 18's on the Z4 but my wife complains about the rough ride. Sounds like this will fix all the problems. Except one.... Don't think she even knows there is no spare in the trunk
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10-08-2010, 07:27 PM	#24
M_Six Free Thinker 17029 Rep 7,456 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	New V12's going on next Thursday. Can't wait. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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10-08-2010, 07:43 PM	#25
jumpthewire First Lieutenant 26 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2007 silver/grey Z4 3.0si Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Mark, where are you getting your V12s?
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10-08-2010, 08:16 PM	#27
jumpthewire First Lieutenant 26 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2007 silver/grey Z4 3.0si Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Very cool to know. I'll probably take the same approach.
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10-08-2010, 08:23 PM	#28
jumpthewire First Lieutenant 26 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2007 silver/grey Z4 3.0si Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Any issues with dealers putting non RF's on the Z? I thought i recalled reading that some won't do it?
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10-12-2010, 07:22 AM	#32
bigdog16028 New Member 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 06 Z4 3.0si / 08 328i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Molschbach, Germany iTrader: (0)	And don't ever be fooled by the "safety" of run flats. If one gets a flat with a rft. it does not mean you can just blast down the road to your destination. You still need to stop driving within a very short time. And try finding a new rft at Billy bob's gas station in the middle of Nevada on hi-way 50. Only two reasons BMW did rft's 1, Money saved from no spare. 2, weight. But mostly number one
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10-12-2010, 10:38 AM	#33
SteveInfante NewFinishColumbia/detailer 604 Rep 2,096 Posts Drives: 2015 F31 xDrive Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	I just can't see the advantage because of the cost and trouble involved. I have towing on my insurance for up to 150 miles so no worries from me. I just changed the rears to BFG G Force Sports and the ride is so much better. I waiting for the fronts to wear out and then I'm replacing those too. They are wider at the rim than the RF's. __________________ 328 F31 xDrive/OSM/Venetian Luxury Line/Cold Weather/Premium/Driving Assist/Nav/Tech "Golden Goose" 78' Honda CB400A project http://www.instagram.com/steve_inf31
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10-14-2010, 09:08 PM	#34
rkstar9 First Lieutenant 75 Rep 392 Posts Drives: '10 X5 3.5D Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2)	hello could you say how much you got for the oem's and wher did you sell them I would like to do this but not if im gonna be spending a lot of money
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10-14-2010, 09:36 PM	#35
M_Six Free Thinker 17029 Rep 7,456 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Got rid of my RFs today finally. I noticed the difference just pulling out of the service area. Already felt smoother and quieter. Major difference on the highway. I was wondering for a sec why my engine sounded like it was working so hard at normal highway speeds. I looked and saw I was indeed in 6th, but I was turning just over 3g on the tach. Then I noticed I was at 95MPH, even though it felt smoother and quieter than 70 on the RFs. I'm going to really enjoy these tires if they don't get me into too much trouble. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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10-15-2010, 01:01 AM	#37
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	The best way I can think of to describe the difference is, with NON RFT I no longer feel like Im crashing into cracks on the raod, but rolling over them instead. I cant stress enough how bad the RFT idea was for this car, and I dont think enough people realize how bad the ride is cause they either dont know it can be better or they've bought into the bumpy sports car myth according to Jeramy Clarckson - "It reminded me of a Corvette which adheres to the American principal that sports cars should have no suspension at all." He's an ass, but he's got that one pegged. __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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10-15-2010, 06:45 AM	#38
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I wonder if Clarkson would have judged the Z4 less harshly, had he driven one that was equipped with conventional tires. And more importantly, how many prospective customers between 2003 and 2008 drove a "non M" Z4 and were so turned off by the horrible feel of the run-flats that they went elsewhere and bought a different car? I think BMW could have had much better sales numbers for the 2003 - 2008 Z4 if it had been equipped with conventional tires and a mobility kit like the M version. __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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10-16-2010, 04:18 AM	#39
epbrown Colonel 60 Rep 2,128 Posts Drives: BMW M Coupe, Porsche Boxster S Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Definitely. A bone stock Z4 3.0i could go toe-to-toe with the Boxster (cf. Fifth Gear comparo); one with the same tires would more than hold its own in performance and ride comfort. The difference is so dramatic I have trouble believing BMW developed the suspension for run-flats - they're too good to have gone that far wrong...
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10-16-2010, 01:03 PM	#40
SteveInfante NewFinishColumbia/detailer 604 Rep 2,096 Posts Drives: 2015 F31 xDrive Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	I haven't had a Boxster try me yet but there are a metric crap ton of them running around eyeballing me when I'm out that it's only a matter of time. Jeremy from Top Gear is my hero. __________________ 328 F31 xDrive/OSM/Venetian Luxury Line/Cold Weather/Premium/Driving Assist/Nav/Tech "Golden Goose" 78' Honda CB400A project http://www.instagram.com/steve_inf31
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10-19-2010, 09:43 PM	#41
rps Captain 35 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pace, Fl iTrader: (11)	I just made a 500 mile road trip with the new wheels and tires. I couldn't believe the difference in ride at 80-95 on the interstate. Granted, I didn't do 95 for more than a minute or two, but crusing at 80 was really nice and comfortable. Just reinforces that I should have done this a long time ago. __________________ NB8S Past Garage: Z4, 135i. Present Garage: 2013 X Drive X1 2.8i.
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