[Deltoid]

Hello!

On E90 320d 177hp I have 205/55R16 Bridgestone Turanza RFT. I have 15000 miles on them and they have become so hard that is it impossible to drive on any road but on perfect freeway. When they were new they were OK, but after 5000 miles they become hard. Now I think about changing to non RFT.

What do you think about non RFT (summer or winter) tires on 16" rims. How will the car behave on them? Will it become too soft, unstable or even dangerous to drive?

Is there anyone here with personal experience with that?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Deltoid

...What do you think about non RFT (summer or winter) tires on 16" rims. How will the car behave on them? Will it become too soft, unstable or even dangerous to drive?

Is there anyone here with personal experience with that?

BMW offer 16" non run-flat (or RFT) on some base model 3-series. From my reading and that of others, without any suspension changes. That says a lot on the comments from BMW that the cars won't work on the non run-flat. I'd suggest that the 16" would be the 'worst case' to change over, but BMW do that as a stock OEM fitment. Sort of makes a mockery of any technical claims of poor handling, or even dangerous behaviour, IMO.

I know users have felt a softer ride and feel the cars are a bit underdamped on a 16" (even 17") non run-flat, but that is to be expected, if the standard damping is just about soft enough for the RFT.

HighlandPete

[Carjack]

During the colder months on my 320D M-Sport I run on 16" non run flat winter tyres.
The steering is obviously not quite so positive and the ride is a little soft after the OEM runflats but the motor does feel positive on the road.