Tires

[screenap]

When I bought my car in 2013, the dealer had replaced the tires with new, OEM run flats. I know many here dislike these tires, but I have kept them as I haven't minded them, and of course, they were new. Now, 7 years later, I am wondering about their reliable life. Any thoughts? I know some of the true high performance tires out there have "expiry dates", but I don't think these would qualify... although the RF mechanism might accelerate their degradation over time.

Patrick

[macfly]

It's always best to swap tires out before they age and degrade too much, and IMHO you're right at that age to change them out. It's a small price to pay to avoid the annoyance and possible cost of a tire failure.

The new runflats do get much more of a thumbs up than the old ones, but I think that most also feel the Michelin Pilot Sports are the best fit for the car.

[Norcal]

The run flats are hard and stiff when new.... 7 years later? Ha! Time for new for sure.

[Z8DinanS2]

When I bought my car in 2013, the dealer had replaced the tires with new, OEM run flats. I know many here dislike these tires, but I have kept them as I haven't minded them, and of course, they were new. Now, 7 years later, I am wondering about their reliable life. Any thoughts? I know some of the true high performance tires out there have "expiry dates", but I don't think these would qualify... although the RF mechanism might accelerate their degradation over time.

Patrick

You should fit a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. World of difference.

[StratusZ8]

Hi Screenap - I just went through this when replacing the original OEM tires that were mounted to the car at the factory. Unfortunately, at the moment, Michelin isn't making the P2S or P4S in the sizes for the Z8. I ended up having to go with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the car, which do the trick just fine. Did a bunch of research on the alternatives (such as the Continental ExtremeContract Sports) and there is plenty of feedback out there about the problems with extreme flat spotting, so I stayed clear of those.

[Z8DinanS2]

Hi Screenap - I just went through this when replacing the original OEM tires that were mounted to the car at the factory. Unfortunately, at the moment, Michelin isn't making the P2S or P4S in the sizes for the Z8. I ended up having to go with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the car, which do the trick just fine. Did a bunch of research on the alternatives (such as the Continental ExtremeContract Sports) and there is plenty of feedback out there about the problems with extreme flat spotting, so I stayed clear of those.

Now that's the perfect reason to upgrade to the Alpina wheels as those Michelin tires are in stock

[ron's rocket]

Hmm...I didn't know about that problem with the Continental ECS. I'd been waiting out this virus madness with the hopes that Continental would have them on their regular spring/summer sale. I can see a few comments online of flat spotting, but living in Southern California maybe less of a problem with warmer winter temps here. I'll do some more research, my car often sits for weeks/months at a time so it could be an issue for me.

[ron's rocket]

Now that's the perfect reason to upgrade to the Alpina wheels as those Michelin tires are in stock

A little more research and I'm still buying a set of the ECS tires, just got a notification that their rebate starts in June.

[Norcal]

It’s my understanding, that flatspotting while racing is a result of locking up the brakes and scrubbing a flt spot onto the the tire. This will get worse and worse as when threshold braking, the tire will stop at the same point and scrub more rubber off. What you are talking about is not a flat spot! There is no rubber missing. Just drive it a few miles and the tire will soften up and return to full round. Really people?

[Dogsbreath]

Those tires are pretty old. I am not sure if the newer run flats are much improved. When I bought my car (7000 miles) the inner casing of the run flats had begun to decay. There were literally coming apart in chunks inside. The outer casings looked perfect. Buy the Michelins.

[Charles]

I currently have almost 10 year old Michelin Pilot Sports on my Z8, and am looking to replace tires by the end of the year due to age, not mileage. I love the Pilot Sports, but Michelin website says only the all season 4s are now available. If anybody has moved from Pilot Sports to Continentals or whatever, I would appreciate your opinion. I have Continental True Contacts on my 2006 Subaru Forester (lot better than the stock Goodrich) and Extreme Contact Sports on my beloved E21 (now with new springs, BMW struts and thicker front and new rear sway bars) and have found them to be just right. Had nice Dunlops on the E21 before but they were too grippy.

[2112]

I have heard rave reviews on the 4S but mostly by guys who want to drive in colder weather.

[Charles]

Thanks. They do not make the 4S for the stock 18" rim I have, but I have not checked the other rim sizes. The only Michelin currently available for the stock 18" rim is the Pilot Sport All Season 4, considered an Ultra High Performance All-Season tire by Tire Rack.

[ron's rocket]

I've had the Continental Extreme Contact DWS06's on my car for six months and they're great. Really, my car sees so little mileage that the premium price for some tires isn't worth it. My last set of Michelin's came off the wheels with some good tread on them, but they were more then ten years old.

[Charles]

I've had the Continental Extreme Contact DWS06's on my car for six months and they're great. Really, my car sees so little mileage that the premium price for some tires isn't worth it. My last set of Michelin's came off the wheels with some good tread on them, but they were more then ten years old.

Thanks! There may be a number of us with stock wheels who need alternatives to Michelin unless they start making some version of the Pilot Sports in the future.

[macfly]

I know that Satch has been an enthusiastic proponent of the new generation of Bridgestone runflats. I've never tried them, but he's very keen on them.

[Charles]

I know that Satch has been an enthusiastic proponent of the new generation of Bridgestone runflats. I've never tried them, but he's very keen on them.

Thanks, Andrew! I think I read a Satch post where he might not prefer runflats, but thought the new ones were much better, and because he drives his car cross-country, thought them much less risk than risking a flat on a non-runflat that could not be cured with a can of fix-a-flat.