trading run flats for standard tires

[vetkarl]

I've had my first runflat flat tire... and now I need a new set of shoes for my baby. At $325 each (or more) I'm considering changing to standard tires. I am concerned that the new standard tires might impact the handling of my Z4 negatively.

Anybody out there that can give me feedback for such a tire swap? Any particular tires you're happy with?

My Z4 is a 3.0L sport package fyi.

Thanks much,
Karl

[maxer900]

I would like to know as well.
I am considering doing the same once my runflats wear out.
I would think you could improve the handling of the car as there so many great tires out there.
I know the Goodyear F1 tires are highly recommended.
I have had great success with Toyo T1-s tires.

Anyone??

[epbrown]

I switched to Goodyear F1s myself, though I've got my run-flats in storage on the original wheels. The handling and ride improved greatly since regular tire sidewalls have more give, but there is the worry over not having a spare. I've got the BMW Mobility Kit (used in the M cars, which don't have spares for some reason), but I'm hoping I'll never need it.

[Jeron]

Don't be concerned that non-run flats will negatively impact performance. It is actually the opposite that is true.

Give me a price range and rank these in order: price, performance, noise longevity and I'll recommend something. I like to talk tires. Do you need all season? Do you get much snow or rain?

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by epbrown
I switched to Goodyear F1s myself, though I've got my run-flats in storage on the original wheels. The handling and ride improved greatly since regular tire sidewalls have more give, but there is the worry over not having a spare. I've got the BMW Mobility Kit (used in the M cars, which don't have spares for some reason), but I'm hoping I'll never need it.

Never carried a spare in any of my Lotuses when I was driving them. Enroll in AAA and you're good to go.

[vetkarl]

I live in San Diego, so no true winter issues. Occasional rain, in a
good year. Hot summers (inland, we get to 100 and over for days at a time), and my Z4 is a daily driver.
>
I've looked into a set of wheels/tires through Tirerack.com, and I'm
interested in a set of ASA J8 wheels and perhaps a set of Goodyear F1
Eagles.
>
I'd love to hear recommendation for wheel/tire size. The car has stock
18" wheels, and front size is 225-40R18, rears are 255-35R18. I want to
avoid changing the profile (height) if possible. Tirerack.com recommends 225->40R18 but doesn't differentiate the rear size.

Any comments are welcomed

[Jeron]

The approx stock diameters are
25.09" 225/40R18
25.03" 255/35R18

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/brochure/info/tmpInfoTireMath.jsp

Don't be afraid of a small change to diameter.

The reason Tirerack isn't specifying the rear size it that they don't have those rims setup as a staggered setup although it appear they sell the rim sizes you would need for a staggered setup. If you get the 7.5F and 8.5R ASA J8 setup you can still use your factory sizes but you might be better off going down to a 245 rear.

You didn't rank: price, performance, noise, longevity so I'll just give you a few different ideas.

Cheap: Yokohama ES100 (this is what I run on my M3)
Quiet: ContiSport
Compromise: Avon M500
Best: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2

I generally don't like Goodyear because they are overpriced yet still offer only moderate performance. However, I have heard very good things about the Eagle F1 in particular.