Steering

bfwollen · 09-05-2012, 04:12 PM

Have a 2006 Z4 roadster. The steering is very sensitive it likes to follow the ridges and valleys on the freeway caused by traffic wear. Is this normal? Is there something I can do about it?

The HACK · 09-05-2012, 04:20 PM

Normal.

It's part of the charm on a car equipped with MacPherson strut up front. You can either minimize it through alignment and combination of tires, but you will NEVER get rid of this charming effect.

Reducing camber and increasing front toe, in conjunction with softer sidewalls on the tires is your best bet. That or trade it in for something with double A arm design up front.

WestCDA · 09-05-2012, 04:22 PM

If you have the original OEM runflat tires, yes. Check the pressures to ensure they are correct, as it can greatly exacerbate the situation. Many have replaced them with non runflats because of this, ride quality, noise, price, etc.

Do a search on 'Z4 tramlining' - that should give you plenty of reading on the subject ...

Huz-Z · 09-05-2012, 04:52 PM

Yes, as WestCDA says, if you still have run flat tires, the best thing you can do is replace them with a set of four new conventional tires. I did that and the difference was like night and day - its a brand new car. Quieter, smoother and much better steering. I used Hankook Ventus V12 tires from Tire Rack. There are other brands of tire that will also do the trick, just as long as they are NOT run flats.

Many threads and comments to be found on this forum on this topic. Good luck!

tennman · 09-12-2012, 07:50 AM

I have been reading good things about the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFTs.
Does anyone here have any experience with them?
Some are saying the ride is equal to non rft's.

09-05-2012, 04:12 PM	#1
bfwollen Enlisted Member 4 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Olympia Washington iTrader: (0)	Steering Have a 2006 Z4 roadster. The steering is very sensitive it likes to follow the ridges and valleys on the freeway caused by traffic wear. Is this normal? Is there something I can do about it?
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09-05-2012, 04:20 PM	#2
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1820 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	Normal. It's part of the charm on a car equipped with MacPherson strut up front. You can either minimize it through alignment and combination of tires, but you will NEVER get rid of this charming effect. Reducing camber and increasing front toe, in conjunction with softer sidewalls on the tires is your best bet. That or trade it in for something with double A arm design up front. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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09-05-2012, 04:22 PM	#3
WestCDA Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 273 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4R 3.0si Join Date: May 2011 Location: Calgary, Alberta iTrader: (0)	If you have the original OEM runflat tires, yes. Check the pressures to ensure they are correct, as it can greatly exacerbate the situation. Many have replaced them with non runflats because of this, ride quality, noise, price, etc. Do a search on 'Z4 tramlining' - that should give you plenty of reading on the subject ...
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09-05-2012, 04:52 PM	#4
Huz-Z Brigadier General 846 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Yes, as WestCDA says, if you still have run flat tires, the best thing you can do is replace them with a set of four new conventional tires. I did that and the difference was like night and day - its a brand new car. Quieter, smoother and much better steering. I used Hankook Ventus V12 tires from Tire Rack. There are other brands of tire that will also do the trick, just as long as they are NOT run flats. Many threads and comments to be found on this forum on this topic. Good luck! __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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09-12-2012, 07:50 AM	#5
tennman New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	I have been reading good things about the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFTs. Does anyone here have any experience with them? Some are saying the ride is equal to non rft's.
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