[LRS]

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.

I have got the fronts on back order with my tyre fitter (Merrow Tyres in Farnham - very highly recommended).

From the Pirelli site they do make the fronts, but they are probably just very hard to get a hold of.



Failing that, I may need to speak with the illustrious Mr Fandango!

[oscarguitar]

Yes, your right, it wasn't that they don't make them (the Pirelli fronts) it was that they couldn't get any.

Still Mitchelins going on today, fingers crossed.

BTW I have opted for tyre insurance from Car to Car £159 for 2 years cover, with a £250 limit per tyre and up to 5 claims. This whole replacement thing started with a puncture! Their Salesperson Elaine was very helpful and professional. She tried to get cover starting immeadiately (rather than the usual 60 day deferrment) due to the fact that it was a complete new set, but the underwritesr wouldn't play ball.

[DrNeutron]

Having taken the advice of the PS2 fans here I've just had the non-rtf version fitted to my e91 330d yesterday. What a difference, no going back, thanks all for top pick

Anyone know what the recommended pressures are for 330d E91 on 225/45/17 on non-rfts ?

[skansa]

bloody tyres are such a joke. i was going on a long driving trip with the car but in reality the car is a white elephant on long trips due to availability of the tyres for it. last time i buy a car with run flats.

[xenon]

I agree. Previously I said that it was not really BMWs fault if Bridgestone did not supply enough tyres but I retract that statement. BMW should do more or stop selling cars fitted with these tyres until supply is better. As you say, pick up a puncture and you simply cannot get the tyres or you have to pay over £300 for one. Scandalous.

[LRS]

Anyone fancy picketing outside BMW UK in Bracknell? We could bring all of our useless Bridgestone 19” RTF tyres and barricade the front door with them!

Enough is enough, BMW!

Stop burying your heads and start listening to your customers!

[oscarguitar]

All

Michelin PSIIs fitted today. I've only run back from the tyre fitters but the ride is definately smoother and much quieter. Can't comment on the handling and grip yet. Bought a can of Holts Tyreweld on the way home!

Not really important but I think the Bridgestones looked better, sounds daft but I think they looked more aggresive! It could have been the rim strip. The PSIIs are more rounded which makes them look softer! (Can't believe I'm writing this!) This may change after a clean up.

It amazes me, I've just spent nearly £1000 pounds on a new set of tyres. I cleaned the wheels and the car before taking it in so they wouldn't have so much muck/dust to deal with. But still the wheels and tyres come back covered in sh*t. A really nice touch would have been to clean them off and black them up so the car would look A1. (The car gets valeted after a £200 main dealer service) Just a thought.

I'll report back on the ride handling when I have run the tyres in and I've done my Poole - Wimborne - Blandford - Shaftesbury - Warminster - Bath - Bristol run in a week or so. No motorway, lots of bends and few straights. Very challenging and lots of fun if there is light traffic.

All the best.

[agh!]

My tyre history has been:
New 320d shod with 205/55R16 Continental Premium Contact SSR RFT's
By 9,000 miles all the usual ride/dynamics/uneven wear problems, November 2006 all RFT's all brands on 3 week back order (WFT!) so at 14,000 miles, January 2007 ditched them for Continental Premium Contact 2 standard tyres.
I went for nearly the same again except non-RFT because I wanted to see exactly what compromises the stiff side-walls were inflicting.
All the usual benefits of "real" tyres immediately apparent and 24,000 miles later they finally needed replacing this week.
During that time I had a 2 inch long puncture (bloomin' building site and pieces of flint in the road) which was beyond the Ultraseal tyre gel product I'd chosen for my puncture protection to permanently seal, did take 20 hours to go flat though.
On the grounds I might sell the car before the next tyres are done and I've lost faith in tyre gel as a puncture solution I thought I'd give RFT's anopther go since I'd heard good things about the new Michelin Pilot Primacy HP ZP's.
If I really cannot live with them I'll get some other wheels to use for a while.
Not gone for PS2 ZP's because they are not available for 16" wheels.
Anyway first 50-100 miles on the Primacy's and it's all pretty shoddy and typical RFT behaviour. After that they seem to have got supple and I'm quite shocked at how close to a "proper" tyre they are behaving. There is a bit more road noise, a little courseness to the ride but very little in the way of bump skip and bobbling on the road surface or tram lining. Still not as good as a "real" tyre, but it has eliminated that little bit of extra body rol that comes in when you put a non-RFT on these cars.
For now I can live with these but I'm waiting to see what happens in the colder weather of winter when RFT's seem to turn into rocks.

New found respect for Michelin, seem to have done what no one else can, make an RFT which is at least acceptable - for the moment

I'm 12 miles from Micheldever tyres so I stand a chance of getting tyres when on home ground.

[andy69]

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.

I had the Falken's finally fitted on Friday (fronts only), first impressions a great improvement
Haven't really gone sideways around corners yet but the general ride quality is smoother and i dont get that crashy feeling going over the smallest pothole

One question I have though is the pressures, gIzzE says 32psi for a 18" run flat but this is the recommended pressure I have on the door sticker for the run flat ?

Anyone know what I should set them at ?

cheers

[gIzzE]

Don't go any lower than 34psi.

Sounds fine mate.

[andy69]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Don't go any lower than 34psi.

Sounds fine mate.

nice one

[ChrisMWard]

Originally Posted by agh!

My tyre history has been:
New 320d shod with 205/55R16 Continental Premium Contact SSR RFT's
By 9,000 miles all the usual ride/dynamics/uneven wear problems, November 2006 all RFT's all brands on 3 week back order (WFT!) so at 14,000 miles, January 2007 ditched them for Continental Premium Contact 2 standard tyres.
I went for nearly the same again except non-RFT because I wanted to see exactly what compromises the stiff side-walls were inflicting.
All the usual benefits of "real" tyres immediately apparent and 24,000 miles later they finally needed replacing this week.
During that time I had a 2 inch long puncture (bloomin' building site and pieces of flint in the road) which was beyond the Ultraseal tyre gel product I'd chosen for my puncture protection to permanently seal, did take 20 hours to go flat though.
On the grounds I might sell the car before the next tyres are done and I've lost faith in tyre gel as a puncture solution I thought I'd give RFT's anopther go since I'd heard good things about the new Michelin Pilot Primacy HP ZP's.
If I really cannot live with them I'll get some other wheels to use for a while.
Not gone for PS2 ZP's because they are not available for 16" wheels.
Anyway first 50-100 miles on the Primacy's and it's all pretty shoddy and typical RFT behaviour. After that they seem to have got supple and I'm quite shocked at how close to a "proper" tyre they are behaving. There is a bit more road noise, a little courseness to the ride but very little in the way of bump skip and bobbling on the road surface or tram lining. Still not as good as a "real" tyre, but it has eliminated that little bit of extra body rol that comes in when you put a non-RFT on these cars.
For now I can live with these but I'm waiting to see what happens in the colder weather of winter when RFT's seem to turn into rocks.

New found respect for Michelin, seem to have done what no one else can, make an RFT which is at least acceptable - for the moment

I'm 12 miles from Micheldever tyres so I stand a chance of getting tyres when on home ground.

I fitted the very same tyres to our 120d and have been very impressed so far, 9000 miles and going strong. A good improvement over the Bridgestones that were supplied with the car.

Regards

Chris

[skansa]

i hope bridgestone read this post - might even send them a link to it!

[agh!]

Originally Posted by skansa

i hope bridgestone read this post - might even send them a link to it!

Not neccessary really, the folks in the USA have been hitting BMW and Bridgestone with class action law suits over tyres wearing unevenly inside 6000 miles since over 2 years ago.

[andy69]

Originally Posted by andy69

I had the Falken's finally fitted on Friday (fronts only), first impressions a great improvement
Haven't really gone sideways around corners yet but the general ride quality is smoother and i dont get that crashy feeling going over the smallest pothole

One question I have though is the pressures, gIzzE says 32psi for a 18" run flat but this is the recommended pressure I have on the door sticker for the run flat ?

Anyone know what I should set them at ?

cheers

one other thing I forgot to mention, the rim protector is not as pronounced on the Falken as the Bridgestone and to me makes the wheel look less sporty than it did before. I suppose its more noticeable as i still have the B'stones on the rear

Any one else noticed this after changing to a different make ?

[330cdsport]

Originally Posted by andy69

one other thing I forgot to mention, the rim protector is not as pronounced on the Falken as the Bridgestone and to me makes the wheel look less sporty than it did before. I suppose its more noticeable as i still have the B'stones on the rear

Any one else noticed this after changing to a different make ?

I also have Falkens on the front and B'stones of the rear, but i prefer the look of the falken sidewall without the safety ridge.
Since the fronts are a size bigger (235/35/19) then I think they look well on the rim.

I will need to replace the rears now shortly too as the inside edges are getting fairly low.

[andy69]

Originally Posted by 330cdsport

I also have Falkens on the front and B'stones of the rear, but i prefer the look of the falken sidewall without the safety ridge.
Since the fronts are a size bigger (235/35/19) then I think they look well on the rim.

I will need to replace the rears now shortly too as the inside edges are getting fairly low.

they are a great improvement though, and at 117 euros a piece a bloody bargain as well

[skansa]

takehsis castle - protect the ring at all costs.

[julesman]

Hmmm... well after my first service I was told need 4 new tyres all round. I have 19" rims and the wear pattern is strange. 15,000 miles and the rears are worn on the inside edge, down to "canvass" tho you can't really see it unless you r under the car. The wear across rest of the rear look even tho.. and they do look low now. Fronts are another matter. There is a 2 inch band on the outside of the tyre which is worn down, but 5mm tread on middle and inside edges fine! BMW service said never seen that before and recommend investigation.

So, on to replacements, according to Micheldever, no chance of Bridgestone Potenza RE050 runflats for 19" rims. May be out of stock for months. Need to chase the Pirelli Euforis. Got a quote from ATS for around £670 for PS2 all round (25% off for 4 michelins currently), but when they found out car had RFT they point blank refused to put on non-RFT's PS2. Unfortunately no PS2 ZP is produced for the 19" RIMS. Checked with BMW, they said don't fit non-RFT's in the STRONGEST terms. Used words like invalidate warranty and insurance... blah blah... bit like ATS. So, need to find these damn Pirelli's, and maybe check if Goodyear Eagle F1's (assymetric and GSD-DS3) are available in RFT.

Well and truly hacked off... Grrr!

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by julesman

Hmmm... well after my first service I was told need 4 new tyres all round. I have 19" rims and the wear pattern is strange. 15,000 miles and the rears are worn on the inside edge, down to "canvass" tho you can't really see it unless you r under the car. The wear across rest of the rear look even tho.. and they do look low now. Fronts are another matter. There is a 2 inch band on the outside of the tyre which is worn down, but 5mm tread on middle and inside edges fine! BMW service said never seen that before and recommend investigation.

So, on to replacements, according to Micheldever, no chance of Bridgestone Potenza RE050 runflats for 19" rims. May be out of stock for months. Need to chase the Pirelli Euforis. Got a quote from ATS for around £670 for PS2 all round (25% off for 4 michelins currently), but when they found out car had RFT they point blank refused to put on non-RFT's PS2. Unfortunately no PS2 ZP is produced for the 19" RIMS.

Checked with BMW, they said don't fit non-RFT's in the STRONGEST terms. Used words like invalidate warranty and insurance...

blah blah... bit like ATS. So, need to find these damn Pirelli's, and maybe check if Goodyear Eagle F1's (assymetric and GSD-DS3) are available in RFT.

Well and truly hacked off... Grrr!

I'd ask BMW to put the above in writing.

Considering most/all dealerships can't provide what they deem to be a required OEM part, their alleged argument re - warranty is about as watertight as the Titanic was!

Buy the tyres from ATS and get them fitted by a company who knows what they are talking about, or ask Micheldever if they will pricematch.

[dazzapb]

Originally Posted by julesman

Hmmm... well after my first service I was told need 4 new tyres all round. I have 19" rims and the wear pattern is strange. 15,000 miles and the rears are worn on the inside edge, down to "canvass" tho you can't really see it unless you r under the car. The wear across rest of the rear look even tho.. and they do look low now. Fronts are another matter. There is a 2 inch band on the outside of the tyre which is worn down, but 5mm tread on middle and inside edges fine! BMW service said never seen that before and recommend investigation.

So, on to replacements, according to Micheldever, no chance of Bridgestone Potenza RE050 runflats for 19" rims. May be out of stock for months. Need to chase the Pirelli Euforis. Got a quote from ATS for around £670 for PS2 all round (25% off for 4 michelins currently), but when they found out car had RFT they point blank refused to put on non-RFT's PS2. Unfortunately no PS2 ZP is produced for the 19" RIMS. Checked with BMW, they said don't fit non-RFT's in the STRONGEST terms. Used words like invalidate warranty and insurance... blah blah... bit like ATS. So, need to find these damn Pirelli's, and maybe check if Goodyear Eagle F1's (assymetric and GSD-DS3) are available in RFT.

Well and truly hacked off... Grrr!

What rubbish how can fitting non RFT's effect warranty. Told my insurance company (BMW insurance) and they were fine about it. I suspect that the M cars and alpinas have invalidated warranty

If you got that info from a dealer I would rest easy. If BMW Bracknell mentioned it, I myself would be a tad worried. I am about to pull the trigger in getting non-rft's even thought my RE050a's are fine (apart from the bald inside edges! on the rears after 10k miles!) check out my post ("tyre feathering") I plan to put them in the garage and fit them back come trade in time.

I suspect non RFT's wear weirdly, the dealer didn't see the need for a KDS for me, my fronts are fine but rears are wearing on inside edge. I believe its down to incorrect pressure on my part AND RFT wear in general. But I will be getting a "cheap" KDS (hunter equipment) soon just incase.

Thats a great price on the Michellins mate, I was getting £860 from my local ATS after 25% off, can I ask which one? I would grab the tyres at that price! and get them fitted where the fitter knows what the hell hes talking about!

I am also going to go up a size, 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 which improves feel and ride further I hear.

Good luck!

[gtrokin330]

tire*