BMW X4 - Changing from Pirelli P Zero Run Flats

Discussion in 'Wheels and Tyres' started by Phil GIBSON, Sep 1, 2019.

  1. pinewood
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    pinewood

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  2. Phil GIBSON
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    Phil GIBSON

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    Hi. Another question. My wheels are 19 inch, so do you think it is worth moving down to 18 inch alloys? My tyre width is off set with 245 front 275 back. If I get smaller alloys do I need to consider this?

    I am not sure what configuration to go for to improve the comfort the most.

    Remove run flats and fit the same tyre size etc.
    Or
    Remove alloys fit 18 inch. Put on non run flat tyres.

    I just want to make one change that makes the most difference.
     
  3. pinewood
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    pinewood

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    The 19" alloys look better on the X3/X4 , so i would go for the non runflat option (also cheaper to swap just the tyres)
    I also have some basic 17" wheels shod with winter run flats - they are so quiet and comfortable.
     
  4. Phil GIBSON
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    Phil GIBSON

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    Thanks for all the advice. Took the decision getting Michelin primacy 3 front and Yokohama advan sport back. Both non run flat but with bmw fitment. Really hope it makes a difference.
     
  5. snrbrtsn
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    snrbrtsn WARLORD

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    I would suggest a rethink!
    Your x4 has a xdrive box mixing tyres will cause problems
    Ultimately if you want to switch to non RFTs you “have” to make the switch to bmw * Approved tyres with matched sets front and back

    A bit brutal, I appreciate however it shall save you problems with your transfer box later on, BMW will book your car on report of problems and the first check shall be the tyres....

    Ultimately Bmws are renowned for firm ride, its part of the sporty characteristics
    (Hence I opted for a Merc... cushioned ride but pretty vague in comparison)
     
  6. Phil GIBSON
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    Phil GIBSON

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    Cancelled the order with two tyre types, emailed BMW direct to see what they recommend.
     
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  7. Phil GIBSON
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    Phil GIBSON

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    Hi all, looking for some peace of mind if you can help.

    I posted about a month ago about charging from run flat pirelli p zero tyres to non run flat tyres.

    My tyre size is
    245/45/R19 front
    275/40/R19 back

    I took the plunge after many hours if research and conversations with BMW, I purchased pirelli p zero in the non run flat version, as they were the only set I could find in my tyre size non run flat, so basically a * marked like for like replacement.

    So I had them fitted on Friday, then did a drive from Kent to Birmingham over this weekend.

    All I can say is the ride quality is much worse than before feel every bump, every shock through the cabin, rumbling feedback through the steering wheel, feel like I am on a roller coaster waiting to be thrown about by the car again.

    I am hoping this is just the tyres needing a bedding in period. I have also tried reducing the pressure slightly, but it's still not helping.

    Do you think this could be something else, as I spent £750 on the new tyres and I am getting close to putting the old run flats back on just to return to normal!!

    Help appreciated.
    Cheers.
     
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  8. Peter
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    Peter WARLORD

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    Not making any sense, for the ride quality to be worse. A softer more supple tyre will be noticed from the off. Are you running the recommended pressures for normal use?

    BTW, what suspension have you got fitted? Any chance the previous owner changed springs and/or dampers to a more sporty setup?

    Peter
     
  9. Phil GIBSON
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    Phil GIBSON

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    I had when driving to Birmingham 38PSI back and 36PSI front. I have since dropped this to 33PSI back and 31PSI front, it has made a slight difference with less vibration etc. however the crashing and general movement of the chassis over most bumps, undulations and pot holes is still present. I really thought this would make it better, as I had got used to the setup (however harsh it was with the run flats) and now it is worse which given the softer tyre should not be the case as far as all research suggests.

    Nightmare, the only thing I can do now is probably get my main BMW dealer to test drive it with me to see if they feel the same.
     
  10. Peter
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    Peter WARLORD

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    At those lower pressures it makes even less sense. What suspension is fitted? The real 'outsider' considering the age, any possibility of the transportation blocks still being there?

    Peter
     
  11. Phil GIBSON
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    Phil GIBSON

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    Hi it is the standard x4 xline xdrive without any modifications. I can only think of taking it to three BMW garage and getting there opinion it's only 2 and a half years old, so should be fine. Extremely frustrating!!
     
  12. snrbrtsn
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    snrbrtsn WARLORD

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    It suggests there is something wrong if the results are worse with non run flats
    Is there signs of wheel refurbishment, possibly having the wheel to disc surface coated not allowing proper seating of the wheel to hub?
    Any evidence of suspension work... clutching at straws though does flag worn components or alignment albeit not with the age.
    I had the x4 out on test drive albeit back in February and comparing against an E70, whilst firm I wouldn’t have said it was any more so....
    Is there a realistic option to get in touch with the selling garage to farthom our fault as opposed to at your cost?
     
  13. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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    The car and the suspension is designed for runflats, so the suspension characteristics, damping etc. will be setup to give optimum performance.
    But I cannot understand why non runflats would give a harsher ride. Are you sure that the new tyres have been balanced properly? If it is out, it would give an erratic ride and some vibration etc. I would also suggest that reducing tyre pressures well below specified values will just result in accelerated wear.

    I have Pirelli P Zero runflats, in a similar size on 19 inch wheels, fitted to my F30 xDrive and don't find them harsh at all. They give precise handling and a smooth ride. But I do have the adaptive MSport suspension which works well. FYI - my specified tyre pressure is 2.6 Barg (38 psig) and it's been fine.
     
  14. Phil GIBSON
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    Phil GIBSON

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    I have put the tyre pressure back to the recommended level this morning to see what difference it makes. I will check over the next 24 hours. If no improvement I will discuss with BMW and then see where I go from there.
     
  15. bmwzoom
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    bmwzoom WARLORD

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    Running PS4's all round excellent tyre much better than the run flats originally fitted
     
  16. GunRunner
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    GunRunner WARLORD

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    I cannot believe I missed this post and thread over a year ago. Anyway, I agree with this comment. I had a puncture at about 15k miles (run flats) that I had to drive on for about 50 miles. After research I found that there was the equivalent Pirelli tyre (s) (staggered set up) for my X3 xDrive 30d M Sport, so I purchased a set from Black Circles. I sold the car and went to an Audi S line 2litre TFSI Quattro for 2 years. The ride was similar in many ways.
    As I am now even more old and decrepit, the wife and I have decided to go to one car and it is a 2020 X1 xDrive 2.0i M Sport that is due to be delivered to the dealer in a matter of weeks. We have been advised it has been built and is due to be with BMW logistics soon.
    Anyway, because the road test of a 1.8i demonstrator in early July that had standard rubber (non run flats) showed that the ride was supple but still firm with low road noise, we made sure that the car came with standard NON run flats on 18" M Sport wheels, but for convenience we have specified the space saver spare wheel with jack. There is space in the floor for it. We have also specified the adaptive suspension. A no brainer considering that it is only a £150 option from new.
     
  17. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I can imagine they are better, but what do you do if you get a puncture?
    Carry a spare and take up all the boot space, or one of those repair kits that would be hit and miss.

    The other thing - I would not want to end up stranded on a section of smart motorway, even in the emrgency lay-by. So I'll stick with the runflats.
     
  18. Jaycee
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    Jaycee

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    I'd like to jump in on this topic if I may as I'll be replacing the runflats on my girlfriend's xDrive 30d M Sport soon. It's a no-brainer for me, I always bin the runflats as, amongst other reasons, they're uncomfortable and wear out much much quicker. On my 640d I went straight for Michelin PS4S non-runflat non * rated as I couldn't get the * rated in my sizes.

    In regard to Michelins for the X3, my initial thoughts were the PS4S, however they now have the PS SUV version; the X3 is more of a lighter SAV than an SUV but obviously still has the SUV style high centre of gravity, so does the X3 warrant SUV tyres?

    in regard to * rated tyres, at Blackcircles the only Michelins available are runflats so they're out, but what is available in the correct sizes and * rated are the Pirelli P Zeros. Hmmm, not really sure as Pirellis don't normally stack up well against Michelins! Any thoughts out there on Pirellis?

    When I checked Blackcircles last night they had PS SUV for the fronts at £176.23, right now they're almost £70 more at £244.15, perhaps I missed a chance there! The rears are still at £176.23 but cost isn't the biggest factor for me, although a saving of £140 on exactly the same couple of tyres isn't to be sniffed at.
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2021
  19. aldo
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    aldo

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    I love the P Zeros on my X5, however I haven’t compared them to any other brand (on a X5) and in non run flat guise.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
     
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    Last edited: Sep 28, 2021

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