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Mixed RFT on 35i

Alloy wheels and tyre discussion
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Lazza
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Mixed RFT on 35i

Post by Lazza » Thu Nov 16, 2017 7:09 pm

I’ve only had my 2009 35i for a couple of weeks but I’m just not feeling the confidence with the handling, particularly on the damp greasy roads we are having at the moment. It feels a bit skittish, like it’s skating over the road rather than really gripping it. I haven’t actually had it sliding around (other than one time when I was testing the acceleration and it stepped out on the up shift to 3rd) but it just feels a bit “disconnected”.
They tyres fitted to the car (which look pretty much new) are Pirelli P Zero on the front and Bridgestone RE050A on the rear, all run flats. Ignoring the RFT bit for now, do you think it could be the differing grip levels front to rear that I am feeling?
Or maybe, while the tyre combination might not be ideal, if it should at least feel stable, could it be in need of a re-alignment?

For background, I come from an MX5 background having owned them since 1998 with the last one being supercharged with over 240bhp and with no electronics (stability/traction control) to help out, I’ve had to learn how to handle a powerful front engine, rear drive sports car
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Mixed RFT on 35i

Post by Zoomer » Thu Nov 16, 2017 7:21 pm

How worn are the tyres and are the pressures spot on. Runflats tend to tramline very easily particularly if worn badly or the wrong pressure. Might be worth checking the suspension for issues as well. I found non run flats an all round better tyre though so you may find it's just the run flats don't suit you . If they are over 5 years old they degrade as well.
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Lazza
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Mixed RFT on 35i

Post by Lazza » Thu Nov 16, 2017 7:31 pm

They all look almost new. Not had a chance to check pressures yet. What should they be? I can pop out now to check/adjust.
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Lazza
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Mixed RFT on 35i

Post by Lazza » Thu Nov 16, 2017 7:59 pm

Pressures were on the door sticker. Went for the standard pressures, 2.4 & 2.9 bar.
Front left was only around 1.9. Rear left around 2.5. Both rights were pretty much spot on.
I’m out in it tonight so I will report back on how it feels :thumbsup:
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Lazza
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Mixed RFT on 35i

Post by Lazza » Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:34 pm

Driving it today was much better though the roads were also much drier so I won’t say for definite that it’s tyre pressures that caused all of the problem just yet. :thumbsup:
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ronk
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Mixed RFT on 35i

Post by ronk » Sat Nov 18, 2017 12:40 am

Ive never been keen on mixing tyres and I’m sure that’s the problem.
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Mixed RFT on 35i

Post by Lazza » Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:44 pm

ronk wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2017 12:40 am Ive never been keen on mixing tyres and I’m sure that’s the problem.
Me neither, especially when the grippier (guessing) tyres are on the front: P Zero front, RE050 rear.
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