[ChrisMWard]

Originally Posted by Jude1

Suspension set-up?

Why do you ask about the centres?

It's just that I ran Falkens on one of our BMs a while back and although they gripped well and the ride was good, they wore the centre of the tread pattern out quite quickly when used at BMWs recommended pressures. We got less than 10K miles out of a pair of rears.

Regards

Chris

[Jude1]

Originally Posted by ChrisMWard

It's just that I ran Falkens on one of our BMs a while back and although they gripped well and the ride was good, they wore the centre of the tread pattern out quite quickly when used at BMWs recommended pressures. We got less than 10K miles out of a pair of rears.

Regards

Chris

Well mine have done the same Chris, but I ran higher pressures than I normally would for a non RFT and think this may have contributed. The reason I have ran fairly high pressures (40-42), is to compensate for the softer sidewalls and greater flex, if I dropped the pressures any lower then the car feels noticeably wallowy in the bends and corners and the back end feels "soft" when under sharp acceleration. As I've mentioned in the past I liked my previous set up on the Michelin RFT's and only swapped over due to cost. Now the exercise is over I think I will be going back to Michelin RFT's.

Jules.

[gIzzE]

RFT's are run at much higher pressures than regular tyres, if you run say 38 front and 42 rear on a RFT you will only need 34 front and 38 rear on a regular tyre.

If you have run the pressures even higher you will reduce tyre wear by more than 50%.

It will feel soft at first, but then so does the M3, but when pushing on I find there is actually far more bite that allows more speed in and out of corners.

The difference between RFT and non RFT is so big that it takes a while to get used to.

[Jude1]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

RFT's are run at much higher pressures than regular tyres, if you run say 38 front and 42 rear on a RFT you will only need 34 front and 38 rear on a regular tyre.

If you have run the pressures even higher you will reduce tyre wear by more than 50%.

It will feel soft at first, but then so does the M3, but when pushing on I find there is actually far more bite that allows more speed in and out of corners.

The difference between RFT and non RFT is so big that it takes a while to get used to.

I hear what you are saying. When I changed to the Falkens I found them to give a much softer ride which is what you would expect. I then experimented with tyre pressures to get the "right feel" for my driving style (40psi), unfortunately this meant increasing the pressures as I find with anything below 35psi then the tyres feel too soft for the set-up of the car. I just could not get on with it like this and I prefer the feel of the tighter set-up of the M-Sport suspension and RFT's. Feeling soft and wallowy going into and out of corners is not my thing no matter how well the tyres are gripping, the car also feels wallowy when changing lanes at speeds when running below 40 psi.

I've given them a try and whilst they were good I don't think they are for me so will be going back to Michelin RFT.

Do you not mean that increasing the tyre pressures "increases" tyre wear by 50%?

Jules

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by Jude1

I hear what you are saying. When I changed to the Falkens I found them to give a much softer ride which is what you would expect. I then experimented with tyre pressures to get the "right feel" for my driving style (40psi), unfortunately this meant increasing the pressures as I find with anything below 35psi then the tyres feel too soft for the set-up of the car. I just could not get on with it like this and I prefer the feel of the tighter set-up of the M-Sport suspension and RFT's. Feeling soft and wallowy going into and out of corners is not my thing no matter how well the tyres are gripping, the car also feels wallowy when changing lanes at speeds when running below 40 psi.

I've given them a try and whilst they were good I don't think they are for me so will be going back to Michelin RFT.

Do you not mean that increasing the tyre pressures "increases" tyre wear by 50%?

Jules

Well you have to put on what you like, no one else can tell you your preference.
I must admit that I have Falken FK452's on my car at the moment, I think the main problem is no other road tyre has the bite and turn in of a PS2. This is the first time I have gone from a PS2 to a Falken on the same car and wheel set up and the loss of turn in and feedback is quite remarkable.

I am seriously tempted to go back to PS2's again, even though these tyres have only done 2000 miles.

The PS2 is an incredible tyre and worth every penny for anyone who likes to push on in their car. The extra comfort and lack of road noise (non run flat) is also an added bonus that you don't realise is there till you move to something else. The way the tyre lets you control the back end is also sublime, I have no problem driving round with the traction off with the PS2's on the car, wouldn't dream of it with the Falkens in every day driving.

The run flat version is pretty damned good and better than most other brands non run flat, but the non run flat is the best road tyres available.


All imho of course!

[sheps]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Well you have to put on what you like, no one else can tell you your preference.
I must admit that I have Falken FK452's on my car at the moment, I think the main problem is no other road tyre has the bite and turn in of a PS2. This is the first time I have gone from a PS2 to a Falken on the same car and wheel set up and the loss of turn in and feedback is quite remarkable.

I am seriously tempted to go back to PS2's again, even though these tyres have only done 2000 miles.

The PS2 is an incredible tyre and worth every penny for anyone who likes to push on in their car. The extra comfort and lack of road noise (non run flat) is also an added bonus that you don't realise is there till you move to something else. The way the tyre lets you control the back end is also sublime, I have no problem driving round with the traction off with the PS2's on the car, wouldn't dream of it with the Falkens in every day driving.

The run flat version is pretty damned good and better than most other brands non run flat, but the non run flat is the best road tyres available.


All imho of course!

I've made a good choice then in ordering the PS2's?

[Jude1]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Well you have to put on what you like, no one else can tell you your preference.
I must admit that I have Falken FK452's on my car at the moment, I think the main problem is no other road tyre has the bite and turn in of a PS2. This is the first time I have gone from a PS2 to a Falken on the same car and wheel set up and the loss of turn in and feedback is quite remarkable.

I am seriously tempted to go back to PS2's again, even though these tyres have only done 2000 miles.

The PS2 is an incredible tyre and worth every penny for anyone who likes to push on in their car. The extra comfort and lack of road noise (non run flat) is also an added bonus that you don't realise is there till you move to something else. The way the tyre lets you control the back end is also sublime, I have no problem driving round with the traction off with the PS2's on the car, wouldn't dream of it with the Falkens in every day driving.

The run flat version is pretty damned good and better than most other brands non run flat, but the non run flat is the best road tyres available.


All imho of course!

It's all good feedback.

Each driver has a different style and whilst the Falkens were fine on mine they have only lasted 10k, this is more likely than not because I have over inflated them, but that was my choice and gave me a decent feel again of the car for my driving style. Most would be happy to run them at a lower psi giving the softer feel than compared to the RFT's, as this is what most people don't like about the RFT's.

All good stuff.

Jules.

[ChrisMWard]

Well I actually ran Falkens on a BM that had non runflats as standard fitment so I ran them at the recommended pressure for a non runflat tyre. Fortunately I had some friends in the tyre business and the consensus was that the cases ballooned during driving causing the centre tread wear.

What I can't understand is why BMs run such high tyre pressures. I ran an MG ZT for a while on 18" wheels. The car was a similar size and weight to a three and yet the tyre pressures were 28PSI all round. I ran PS2s (non RFT) on it and the ride and grip were superb. Tyre wear was good and very even across the whole width of the tyre. The other stupid thing was the car had BMW designed suspension. If only it had been put together decently and had a proper dealer network it would have been a good car.

Regards

Chris

[gIzzE]

I think the recommended pressures for the 18" non run flats are 32psi front and 34psi rear. No where near the 38 and 42 of the rft.

[ChrisMWard]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

I think the recommended pressures for the 18" non run flats are 32psi front and 34psi rear. No where near the 38 and 42 of the rft.

On the 335d on 18" Runflats it's 35 and 36 (normal loads).

Regards

Chris

[gIzzE]

I might be thinking of the 19's then, I know the non run flats are around 4psi lower when the car is unloaded.

[Mark II]

The Michelin PS2's are obviously the best fitment but as an alternative to the Falkens, has anyone tried out the Toyo Proxes T1R?

For those on 19" rims, I believe they offer a Reinforced (XL) 225/35ZR19 and 255 & 265/30ZR19 with a 'AA' traction and 'A' temperature rating plus a 280 treadwear rating (Vs the lowly 140 rating for the OE Bridgestones) and rim protection.

http://www.toyo.co.uk/productdetail....s&product_id=2

Front 225's c£145, Rear 255's c£170.

Worth a look?

[gIzzE]

They are very similar to Goodyear Eagle GDS3 F1's, which I like on FWD and AWD cars but the tread on the PS2 is what makes it so good for RWD cars.

[andy69]

ok, i still havent ordered the non rft's basically as im not sure what to go for based on that i have the softer SE suspension set up. Therefore, i guess i need a tyre with the stiffest side wall possible, as gIzzE mentioned in another thread, the Bridgestone RE040 seem to be one of the strongest but the tyre index does not have 'XL' for reinforced on it. Anyone know what the RE050 XL ones are like ?

I want to ordered them today so if anyone can advise me would be appreciated

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by andy69

ok, i still havent ordered the non rft's basically as im not sure what to go for based on that i have the softer SE suspension set up. Therefore, i guess i need a tyre with the stiffest side wall possible, as gIzzE mentioned in another thread, the Bridgestone RE040 seem to be one of the strongest but the tyre index does not have 'XL' for reinforced on it. Anyone know what the RE050 XL ones are like ?

I want to ordered them today so if anyone can advise me would be appreciated

The PS2s I'm running are on my standard SE setup. As long as you get the pressures correct, they handle brilliantly and with lots of compliance. Try 37psi front, 39psi rear. The PS2s I have are 'extra-load' variants - on 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 sizes (19" wheels)

The PZero Neros work well too, although the ride is a little 'grainy' in comparison and wet weather grip not as confidence-inspiring as the Michelins

[andy69]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

The PS2s I'm running are on my standard SE setup. As long as you get the pressures correct, they handle brilliantly and with lots of compliance. Try 37psi front, 39psi rear. The PS2s I have are 'extra-load' variants - on 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 sizes (19" wheels)

The PZero Neros work well too, although the ride is a little 'grainy' in comparison and wet weather grip not as confidence-inspiring as the Michelins

Thanks Tony, I've already ordered the Falken 452's mainly for price (117 euros each) so if they dont work out I havent done all my money.

I was going to get the PS2 rft's at 200 euros each but then they went up 50 euros each over night

cheers

[oscarguitar]

Hi,

I've been keeping an eye on the tyre threads for a while now. I have a 335d SE with 22,000 miles on on 19 in RFTs. I have had two punctures (building site next door). The first was fixed, the second could have been but the sidewall had been damaged by running flat for about 1 mile. Due to inner tread wear I decided to replace the rear set and then hit the Bridgestone wall! No tyres available except from BMW dealers in the Group Tyre Program who wanted £716 for the pair!

After a lot of research I have decided to replace the whole set for Mitchelin PS2 Non RFT for a cost of £940 from Kwik Fit (who have been really helpful and patient) I've not been that happy with the ride and road noise of the Bridgestones since the car passed the 10000 mile mark and while the fronts still have a lot of life left in them the response is not as meaty as it was before.

I have tried to source the Mitchelin ZP but I don't think they make them in a 19".

For those who have made the switch to 19" Non RFT, could you tell me what pressures you are running, same as the RFTs or lower?

Thanks in advance. I'll let you know how I get on with them shortly.

Oscar

[LRS]

I too have been forced to abandon the Bridgestone 19" RFT due to the world shortage!

Instead of going straight to non-RTF, I have decided to give the Pirelli Eufori@ 19" RFTs a try as they are still somewhat possible to get a hold of - just...

Will let you know how things go in the future.

[MOB]

Originally Posted by oscarguitar

Hi,

For those who have made the switch to 19" Non RFT, could you tell me what pressures you are running, same as the RFTs or lower?

Oscar

I have 265/30/19 and 235/35/19 Michelin PS2's (non-RFT) and currently have 36PSI front/38PSI rear

Seems ok but I might try one more PSI in each as the ride feels a bit too soft

[oscarguitar]

LRS - I haven't been able to get the Pirelli Euforis in the front 225/35/19 size. I have been told that they don't make them. If so you might end up with umatched front/rear sets. (Mind you I'm so confused now I'm not sure of anything!). I was tempted by the Pirellis but want to try the Mitchelins since the reviews on this site have been very impressive.

All the best.

[oscarguitar]

MOB - Thanks

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by oscarguitar

LRS - I haven't been able to get the Pirelli Euforis in the front 225/35/19 size. I have been told that they don't make them. If so you might end up with umatched front/rear sets. (Mind you I'm so confused now I'm not sure of anything!). I was tempted by the Pirellis but want to try the Mitchelins since the reviews on this site have been very impressive.

All the best.

Speak to Carlos on here, he has some Pirelli Eufori in that size for sale.