Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[bmwexecutive]

My CA thinks so. Here's what he said when I asked him about the Michelin Pilot Sport 2s:

"Our recommendation would be to NOT do what you're considering. The PS2 tire you're considering is NOT recommended by BMW. BMW is very specific as to tire technology and that model tire, according to our service dept., is not on the approved list.

Changing from a RFT to a non-RFT is also something you shouldn't do. The car was specifically designed to run on RFTs and extensive testing as to performance and safety criteria went into BMW's decision to move to RFT as OEM equipment.

In the end it's up to you, but we'd recommend against the change you are considering."



Here's when I brought up about the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s:

"Frankly, I'd take the recommendations of the manufacturer and their trained and authorized technicians over Internet chat room participants. You have a brand-new, world-class sports sedan with brand-new tires. But it's your choice and you'll live with the consequences if you take that path.

Best of luck with the new car and drive safely."

He makes it sound as though I'm going to crash and the car isn't going to be as safe if I go to the Eagle F1s or (more possibly) the Michelin Pilot Sport 2s. Wouldn't it be even safer with the PS2s!?

[obLu]

Key words, "extensive testing as to performance and safety criteria ". What was the performance and safety criteria btw? It was an engineering and cost cutting decision ... no room below the trunk floor for a spare tire well because of the redesigned rear suspension, and the cost per unit at the manufacturing level is probably lower for 4 RFTs than either a space saver or full sized spare.

Then they just tuned the spring and dampers to deal with the extra unsprung weight of the RFT. Still makes them ride like shit. RFT is in v1.2 right now, personally I wouldn't start considering them until v4.

I love how people make BMW engineering out to be a mystical art that no other manufacturer can replicate ... BMW just has a customer base that'll tolerate a little stiffer suspension and then they work on making sure the car is weight balanced. It's not brain surgery.

[NaTuReB0Y]

i'm no expert......but go with the non-runflats!

better performance.....and cheaper!!

[KL2DC]

This begs the questions, has anyone been denied warranty claims on suspension/hub because they were running non-RFTs??

[ward]

what does your CA think happens 4-6 years down the road when OEM tires aren't available anymore..........................

[ska///235i]

going to non-RFT makes the ride so much smoothier

[DLJJ3399]

Originally Posted by ska

going to non-RFT makes the ride so much smoothier

I personally like my RFT's. I like the way they handle and sure there's always a better tire that'll get you better performance.

Such as running on racing slicks but I would no sooner do that than change to non RFT's.

Maybe it's cause my old car had 15's and 55 series tires. In any case I really like how these tires hold my car to the road.

One more thing. Not everything engineering change is done to save on cost. Most are done for improvement.

When you look at safety, performance, and reliability, overall, the RFT's are a better tire, and they'll only get better and better with time.

And last, the price will come down eventually. Drive safe.

[StewtheBassman]

Your SA has to say that.

Imagine you drive outta there with him saying RFTs are s**t, I have some great non-RFT Goodyears for you, and then you blow out at 140km/h 5 minutes from there.....then you call your lawyer and sue the crap outta them 'cause they let you drive non-spec stuff? That's what he is doing, is covering his ass.

Of course your car can run fine on regular tires, hell, I did all winter, and they were fine too.

But as long as BMW is touting the SAFETY aspect of the tires which IMHO is the best part about them, you won't hear anything else from your SAs or any other BMW employee (on the record). Is that not obvious?

[climkt]

non RFTs run better than RFTs, the cost saving allows upsizing for better cosmesis and wet weather control too.
i really doubt 5 yrs from today that more than 50 % of e90 guys will still stick with RFTs.

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by StewtheBassman

Your SA has to say that.

Imagine you drive outta there with him saying RFTs are s**t, I have some great non-RFT Goodyears for you, and then you blow out at 140km/h 5 minutes from there.....then you call your lawyer and sue the crap outta them 'cause they let you drive non-spec stuff? That's what he is doing, is covering his ass.

Of course your car can run fine on regular tires, hell, I did all winter, and they were fine too.

But as long as BMW is touting the SAFETY aspect of the tires which IMHO is the best part about them, you won't hear anything else from your SAs or any other BMW employee (on the record). Is that not obvious?

Not all true. The suspension on the e90 was designed for use with run flat tires that is why the are recomended by BMW.Cars like the 5 series where run flats were not standard the suspension was desgned for non run flats to begin with. It also depends on how you look at saftey. Its safer to have a runflat because you drive when its flat and this may be what the CA is talking about. It wont matter in 5-8 years when all cars have run flat tires. Do what you think is right for you but I dont see the point in replacing perfectly good tires on a new car. If they wear out its a differenet story.

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by ward

what does your CA think happens 4-6 years down the road when OEM tires aren't available anymore..........................

Simple buy another type a new and improved run flat tire.

[StewtheBassman]

Maybe when my old RFTs wear out there will be better ones.

I remain a sceptic and will probably get nice non-RFT summer tires.

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by DLJJ3399

I personally like my RFT's. I like the way they handle and sure there's always a better tire that'll get you better performance.

Such as running on racing slicks but I would no sooner do that than change to non RFT's.

Maybe it's cause my old car had 15's and 55 series tires. In any case I really like how these tires hold my car to the road.

One more thing. Not everything engineering change is done to save on cost. Most are done for improvement.

When you look at safety, performance, and reliability, overall, the RFT's are a better tire, and they'll only get better and better with time.

And last, the price will come down eventually. Drive safe.

but have you drive an E90 without RFTs?
People that switch to non-RFTs all have experience the RFT and we all agree they're a piece of sheeeeettt.....IMO I mean...why are we switching them out, go figure

[ward]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

Simple buy another type a new and improved run flat tire.

are you going to ask your BMW dealer which tire you should buy??

I think not,

that's why you shouldn't listen to them now, as later you won't even be able to buy what they tell you to buy

[325Driver]

Originally Posted by DLJJ3399

When you look at safety, performance, and reliability, overall, the RFT's are a better tire, and they'll only get better and better with time.

I don't think this is necessarily true. No doubt RFT's are safer tires, but in terms of performance I feel far more grip can be had for less money in the non-rft category.

Personally I feel that a complete and total switch to RFT's across all makes will never happen. There are already other tire technologies being developed and refined that are considered to be even safer and look to be more cost effective than rft such as Michelin's PAX system.

http://www.michelinman.com/differenc...paxsystem.html

[StewtheBassman]

I stopped at my dealership today to buy something at the parts ( a shirt for my wife), and I asked my Service Advisor if he even had any Bridgestone Turanzasa in stock, and of course, the answer was no LOL!!!

[E90]

The car is so much better to drive with non run flats.I tried both.And the non run flats are even lighter than run flats.I drove the whole winter with normal winter tires.The ride was smoother.Now I have the RFT´s on and it is big mistake to use them.The car is not the same to drive with them.

[obLu]

Bottom line in my mind, RFT is a great idea, but it still needs further development. Some people will find what the technology has to offier beneficial. Personally, RFT right now is like the old 80's cell phones you had to carry in a briefcase ... good idea, execution needs further development.

My personal tastes are that I want the smoothest, quietest ride and most lateral grip that a tire can give me. And none of the current RFTs can supply that. They trade ride quality and grip for safety in the event of a full blow out. Changing a tire has never been an issue for me, it's easy and quick to do. If I'm in a dangerous place and don't want to stop? I'm never dumb enough to drive in a "dangerous place" to begin with. And if I am, I'll very well keep driving on the rim ... sheesh, an oem rim from the aftermarket is cheaper than a re050a RFT right now.

If this was not a cost cutting decision, then at worst is was a useless-tech decision. Which doesn't suprise me, i-drive *cough cough*

[DLJJ3399]

Personally I feel that a complete and total switch to RFT's across all makes will never happen. There are already other tire technologies being developed and refined that are considered to be even safer and look to be more cost effective than rft such as Michelin's PAX system.

http://www.michelinman.com/differenc...paxsystem.html[/QUOTE]

If you want to be stuck with one rim option, then maybe the Pax System is fine for you.

Not be said the bee! Plus the Pax is a RFT.

[DLJJ3399]

Spelling correction!

Not me said the bee!

[StewtheBassman]

Originally Posted by obLu

If this was not a cost cutting decision, then at worst is was a useless-tech decision. Which doesn't suprise me, i-drive *cough cough*

[DLJJ3399]

Just a question for you folks.

Has anyone here actually seen a RFT off the car or know how the Potenza works? OK, yes for some of you...

I watched a program on PBS about the history of the tire.

Very informative and very unbiased. Almost every manufacturer is moving towards this technology in one way or another.

If you see a disection of the Potenza, it's really not very different from a regular tire, with the exception of the stiffer sidewalls and insides look like the hull of a ship with a series of sections and truss.

It's the reason your tire will no collaspe, the truss and sidewalls hold it up.

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tires...r/index_bs.asp

OK... I'm finished here, this is my closing statement. Drive safe...