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[gdnyc]

I have been compalining about the RFT's from day 1. I have the all season Conti's on my car. On a smooth paved road they are great. In NYC, there are very little of these roads. Most roads have minor bumps, highway expansion joints and potholes. Let me tell you, when you are doing some spirited driving on a highway and you hit an imperfection in the road and your $40k+ car starts going side to side, it isn't the best feeling.

People speak about safety when getting a flat. Unless you don't take care of your car and check the tire pressure from time to time, there is no difference between a RFT and a conventional tire. How did people drive before RFT's came onto the scene? You get a flat.. pull over, break out the jack and change the tire. It's not hard.

I would rather take the safety of knowing that my car won't be like a sloppy pig on a highway over being able to drive an extra 100 miles on a flat. Even if you are in a remote area, chances are, you may have to drive further than 100 miles.

BMW speaks about weight savings by not having a spare tire in the trunk. Aren't the RFT's heavier than a conventional tire? Not to mention the tire pressure sensors and the redesigned wheel to fit the RFT's.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by gdnyc

BMW speaks about weight savings by not having a spare tire in the trunk. Aren't the RFT's heavier than a conventional tire? Not to mention the tire pressure sensors and the redesigned wheel to fit the RFT's.

Various reports have the RFT's at 4-5 pounds heavier than the same non-RFT tire. If that's accurate, that's a HUGE amount of additional unsprung weight, which affects handling, braking, acceleration, and suspension component wear. And that's just the weight issue, the crazy-stiff sidewalls is a whole 'nuther can o' worms. The 162's are not a particularly light wheel, as is the case with most OEM alloys. BMW says the suspension is "tuned for" or designed for RFT's. Riiiight. Straight out of the marketing dept. Sure, there's lots of aluminum components to keep the suspension bits light, but they're undoing the benefits by adding the weight back on at the wheel/tire.

I run forged BBS wheels on my Scirocco that weigh 10.8 lbs each in 15x7 size. They replaced an 18-lb wheel. Talk about a night-and-day difference! IMMEDIATELY noticeable - and not in a subtle way - in all aspects of handling. I'll definitely go non-RFT as soon as these things are toast and might spring for a nice light forged wheel too.

[benoitch]

Originally Posted by gdnyc

pull over, break out the jack and change the tire. It's not hard.

Even if you are in a remote area, chances are, you may have to drive further than 100 miles.

BMW speaks about weight savings by not having a spare tire in the trunk. Aren't the RFT's heavier than a conventional tire? Not to mention the tire pressure sensors and the redesigned wheel to fit the RFT's.

First, for some people it might be (disabilities, people who don't know squat about changing a wheel, etc...).

Second, it's not really a question of remote area, which is also possible and you're right in that case, but a matter of circumstances. The area might be too hostile for a wheel change (road bandits , or simply no safe space to do it).

Thrid, there is not pressure sensors (and beside what would be the weight?), and the wheels are not redesigned for RFTs. Get the fact straight (no pun intented of course).

As for tram-lining, this is when a car moves from side to side "tracking" road impections or grooves. As I understood it at least. And it is true that RFT track a lot more because they are stiffer. But don't forget the width of the tire as well. The wider, the more tracking you'll get. It also depends on the width of the car and how far apart are the grooves. If you're lucky, your car fits just fine. But that's rare.

[voltron1011]

What pisses me off about BMW is that they forced us into these RFTs. They didn't even make accomidations for a spare!!! Doesn't the E60 have runflats, but also has a sparetire compartment?

[gdnyc]

The early 2006 E60's did not have run flat tires. Not sure about the late model year E60's

[benoitch]

Originally Posted by gdnyc

The early 2006 E60's did not have run flat tires. Not sure about the late model year E60's

I'll check with my father's, but I think he does not ... (?)

[neuronpetkowski]

Originally Posted by froman

I hate my Bridgestone runflats, too. Anybody have the Pirelli Euforis? Are they any better?

I had the euphori@s and changed them at 7K on them. it was like the one and only thing that made the vehicle less than what it is today. now on goodyear f1 eagles gs-d3s. i'm no tire expert but they're night and day in ride, noise and performance.

[06330i]

after my potenzas go out im gonna get bfgoodrich g-Force T/A KDW-2's i think they come in rft atleast thats what it looks like on bfgoodrich's site. any opinions on these?

[voltron1011]

Originally Posted by benoitch

I'll check with my father's, but I think he does not ... (?)

Some E60's have runflats and some don't... It's actually kind of confusing. I'm guessing there is a spare-tire compartment due to the fact that not all of them have RFT's.