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[KevinC]

I'm now at 8k miles. I was beginning to think that the tramlining was subsiding now that the tires have some miles on them. Wrong. I'm just used to the damn car's wandering by now. Tonight I took my Scirocco out for the first time in about 2 months. Talk about a night and day difference. The Scirocco tracks like a Dirty Harry .44 magnum round heading for a bad guy's forehead. In comparison, my 3 tracks like a '53 Chevy Apache pickup with a worn steering rack (which is also missing several bolts), being piloted by Nick Nolte or Mel Gibson after a serious all-night drinking binge in Malibu. While attempting to dial his cellphone.

This is my one serious disappointment in this car, thankfully it's one issue that's easily fixed. I'll replace the crappy RFT's with Pilot Sport PS2's as soon as their shot.. maybe sooner if I get sick and tired of wandering all over the road.

BMW, shame on you for foisting this "technology" on us.. it should be an option at most. An even bigger issue than their crappy performance is their unobtainium status - if you damage one and need a replacement, good luck finding a tire anywhere.

[froman]

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

[canucklion]

wandering around like a stray cat

Originally Posted by KevinC

I'm just used to the damn car's wandering by now

oh, and you can't go wrong w/ the PS2's, I'll be switching my RFT's to them too next summer

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by froman

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

Yes, I switched to the Pirelli Eufori@s on my 325XiT which came with 17" ContiProContact SSR. I have never experienced such severe tramlining and harsh ride as with these Pirelli tires. I immediately returned to my dealer and requested that the OEM Continental ProContact SSRs be re-installed. These Contis are far superior - no tramlining and no hydroplaning in the wet. The Contis are available from Tirerack.com as well as OEM tires.

[froman]

Thanks, Derek. That sucks. I guess I'll be ditching run-flats when these wear out, and with a UTOQ of 140 , that won't be very long!

[Paul330d]

Originally Posted by canucklion

You can't go wrong w/ the PS2's, I'll be switching my RFT's to them too next summer

Agreed. I have not encountered any problems with my PS2 RFTs.

[just4kickz]

yeah they do... my tires screech and dont grip at all when im playing in the hills.

[akhbhaat]

Why the company building the "Ultimate Driving Machine" (which is really just an advertising farce) doesn't offer buyers the opportunity to opt out of the RFT in favor of conventional tires and a space saver spare or "mobility kit" is beyond me. Shouldn't the M division's adamant decision to stay away from the RFT make things all that much clearer?

I don't exactly relish the idea of replacing a full set of $300 tires every time I run over a screw (or every 12,000 miles - whichever comes first), and I know none of you do, either.

[E90]

I hate my RFT Contis.The ride is terrible.i think BMW tested these RFT:s on a straight line and a new concrete road.They performe well in a such condition.
I think it was the worst what BMW did to us.Shame BMW.

[Scarabeo]

Funny, I have over 50k on my Bridgestone "Potenzas" and have experienced none of the above....as I have said ad nauseum, RFT's are the greatest invention since sliced bread and I am sure the technology will improve over time. Sure, the ride is a bit harsh, especially going over train tracks (feels like a pile driver!) but I am willing to make the trade-off security vs. comfort any day...wait until one day you get a flat on a busy freeway and you have no place to pull off...so many people get clipped while parked on the side of the road changing tires...you want to be a candidate for the next Darwin Award?
Be my guest....

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

Agreed. I have not encountered any problems with my PS2 RFTs.

PS2 RFT's? Where did you find them? Tire Rack doesn't list them... ?

[jhbodle]

I have 17" Conti RFTs on my 325i and they are pretty good IMO. Judging by the complaints from Bridgestone and Pirelli owners, it looks like the Contis are the best bet for runflats, except maybe those PS2 runflats...

[red355]

Originally Posted by froman

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

Can't comment on E9x runflats until the car arrives but.......
We have the Eufori on my wifes MINI Cooper S (17") and TBH they are just not good enough. Hard ride, cost 2x what a std tyre costs, and if you get a nail they they can't be repaired. Lose / Lose scenario.
Ok you can drive home on a wet night but that means a new tyre

We got some Alpina 18" with rubber band 215/35 ..the handling is super sharp and the ride quality is much better than with the 17"s .
Downsides are carrying a tin of get you home foam and a small compressor, tram lining is about 10% worse.

[David328M-Sport]

i have the 225 17 inch front and 255 17 inch back euphorias and i have no problem with them.

i really dont think about them terribly much.

love the wideness of the rear tyres when walking up to the back of the car. great stance.

[stressdoc]

It's the corrupt business deals that piss me off. More of us need to be asking why Bridgestone was awarded a near monopoly for the US market. Why can't we get PS2s?

The car magazines are hiding from this issue. Anyone know of a good comparison test?

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by KevinC

PS2 RFT's? Where did you find them? Tire Rack doesn't list them... ?

They are not available in the US... they are in other markets...


Im really upset that we dont have options for other RF tires in the US market (for us 162 owners).

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by Scarabeo

....as I have said ad nauseum, RFT's are the greatest invention since sliced bread and ....

[Scarabeo]

Originally Posted by KevinC

No, he is just watching my dog...

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by froman

Thanks, Derek. That sucks. I guess I'll be ditching run-flats when these wear out, and with a UTOQ of 140 , that won't be very long!

Froman,
FYI, the ContiProContacts have a UTQG rating of 400 AA A ; much superior to any of the Bridgestones or Pirelli RFTs supplied as OEM tires. They are also the least expensive of the RFTs available in the USA.
However, the more crucial issue for me is the added safety benefit offered by RFTs. Here's my dilemma. If you swap to non-RFTs and if you experience a high speed blowout and you survive, the chances are that your tire and wheel will be trashed. What do you do if you are hundreds of miles away from the nearest BMW dealer ? Obviously, in this scenario, you would not be able to drive your car and a "mobility kit" would be of little use. BMW does not offer any kind of space saver tire that will fit the E90/92, nor is there any dedicated space to storing such a tire in the trunk. As much as I would like to have the superior ride offered by non-RFTs, I cannot dismiss the safety benefits offered by the RFTs. As a backup when travelling to remote areas, I carry a mobility kit to use in case of a flat. In theory, using such a kit to reinflate the tire would then allow one to carry on for a considerable distance.
The unfortunate reality is that RFT technology is in its early days. From my first hand experience in trying three different types of RFTs, I know that there is a vast difference in performance/ride qualities between different brands. It is encouraging to read about the apparent superiorty of the new Michelin PS2 RFTs that are being fitted by BMW for some markets. I am hopeful that these tires will come on my new 335i coupe. If not, I will certainly be ditching the alternative Bridgstones in favour of Michelins, which are now available in Canada.

[Scarabeo]

Originally Posted by DerekS

Froman,
FYI, the ContiProContacts have a UTQG rating of 400 AA A ; much superior to any of the Bridgestones or Pirelli RFTs supplied as OEM tires. They are also the least expensive of the RFTs available in the USA.
However, the more crucial issue for me is the added safety benefit offered by RFTs. Here's my dilemma. If you swap to non-RFTs and if you experience a high speed blowout and you survive, the chances are that your tire and wheel will be trashed. What do you do if you are hundreds of miles away from the nearest BMW dealer ? Obviously, in this scenario, you would not be able to drive your car and a "mobility kit" would be of little use. BMW does not offer any kind of space saver tire that will fit the E90/92, nor is there any dedicated space to storing such a tire in the trunk. As much as I would like to have the superior ride offered by non-RFTs, I cannot dismiss the safety benefits offered by the RFTs. As a backup when travelling to remote areas, I carry a mobility kit to use in case of a flat. In theory, using such a kit to reinflate the tire would then allow one to carry on for a considerable distance.
The unfortunate reality is that RFT technology is in its early days. From my first hand experience in trying three different types of RFTs, I know that there is a vast difference in performance/ride qualities between different brands. It is encouraging to read about the apparent superiorty of the new Michelin PS2 RFTs that are being fitted by BMW for some markets. I am hopeful that these tires will come on my new 335i coupe. If not, I will certainly be ditching the alternative Bridgstones in favour of Michelins, which are now available in Canada.

Finally, someone else who sees the "light".....read the other threads on this issue - I carry a portable air compressor, slime kit, and a plug kit which will allow me reinflate the tire (to avoid destroying it) after reaching a safe location..I would have given an arm and leg to have had these tires when I worked in South America - roadway bandits....

[rolling18]

with the ultra stiff sidewalls wouldnt they be excellent auto-X tires??

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

Agreed. I have not encountered any problems with my PS2 RFTs.

did not know PS2 are RFT? Ok, not available in US market, booo.

What is tram lining?