RFT tires vs STD.

CaliBMW86 · 10-03-2013, 04:03 PM

After puncturing my RFT tires yesterday, they still got me to work, and back home 40 miles round trip. Ended up getting Michelin Pilot Super Sport, as my new tires (all tires had low tread life left). RFT tires kinda saved my butt yesterday, but still don't think its worth the extra $160 per tire for rears and ~$120 for the fronts. The new tires are so much smoother, and seem to handle better as well.

Are RFT tires worth it?

krhodes1 · 10-03-2013, 04:17 PM

In my opinion, no. My snow tires are already non-RFT, and once the factory RFTs wear out, so will my summer tires be. I have not had a flat on the road in 25 years, not worried about it at all.

Princeton · 10-03-2013, 04:19 PM

Have had flats - RFTs still not worth the premium.

335BOY · 10-03-2013, 04:21 PM

Ride improved dramatically when I yanked my RFTs off about 3 months in. Bent some wheels (19)too. I understand the "getting home" thing but finding RFT replacement in the middle of nowhere can be a problem. I think they are evil and an awful way for BMW to save space and money.

jhcao1472 · 10-03-2013, 04:27 PM

I got rid of the RFT and the ride is a lot smoother. I even got a flat with the standard tires, but thank goodness I have AAA. Do I think RFT are worth the money? Not really. Just invest yourself in a spire tire kit and you will not regret it.

PTinVT · 10-03-2013, 04:30 PM

To me the only upside to RFT is possibly saving your a$$ in a catastrophic high-speed blowout, but I'm willing to live with that risk instead of all their downsides. Ditched my RFTs, carry a doughnut, haven't looked back.

This is one of the few things that I don't like about my E92 - not that it *came* with RFTs, but that there was no choice to the purchaser and no spare tire compartment (even though there's probably room for one on the 328) for those who opt out.

[My CD player used to skip with 17" RFTs, has never skipped with 18" non]

Torgus · 10-03-2013, 05:08 PM

I wish there was a good place to put a doughnut in the trunk...

f0xfire021 · 10-03-2013, 05:34 PM

Not worth the extra cost and horrible ride quality. The issue of finding a replacement when you're in the middle of nowhere (or even not-that-nowhere) is a legitimate one that I ran into halfway through a cross country drive. Lots of a small towns don't have the tools necessary to remove the tires, let alone have the right tires in stock. Once my current run-flats wear out I'm switching to standard tires.

AzureHaze · 10-03-2013, 06:01 PM

Just say NO to RFTs. Your butt and wallet will thank you.

Schumacher62 · 10-03-2013, 08:21 PM

will not be replacing my run flats. they have been noisy, warbling and unevenly worn since day one. not pleased. but what to get?

CaliBMW86 · 10-03-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumacher62

will not be replacing my run flats. they have been noisy, warbling and unevenly worn since day one. not pleased. but what to get?

I think the consensus in this forum site is Michelin Pilot Super Sport. It is what I got, and they seem smoother, cheaper (cost not quality), and have better grip.

Auto Pilot · 10-04-2013, 12:22 AM

Put on PSS today, so quiet!

CombatNinja · 10-04-2013, 05:02 AM

Best choices for non-runflats for the e90 are:

Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S0-4
Continental Extreme Contact DW

BASTOS HUMARUROT 335i · 10-04-2013, 07:17 AM

There is logic behind the RFT technology. Some dig it. Some don't. It all boils down to personal preference and what you can afford. It's true what they say about ride quality on pothole ridden roads. Just don't drive over them. On a long stretch of pothole free driving, RFT's are decently comfortable. IMO, chances of getting a tire puncture in this lifetime is similar to anyones chances of winning the lottery.

bmw325i · 10-04-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgus

I wish there was a good place to put a doughnut in the trunk...

You could always build a false floor.

Torgus · 10-04-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw325i

You could always build a false floor.

That really isn't a bad idea at all...especially if I did an advan meth tank and had everything hidden under the false floor...

I wonder what jack and wheel I should use...any suggestions are welcome. I assume a spare from an older BMW. The jack I am unsure of.

Bavarian Black · 10-04-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BASTOS HUMARUROT 335i

. IMO, chances of getting a tire puncture in this lifetime is similar to anyones chances of winning the lottery.

Ditto, RFT ruin sidewall control hence a lot of 335i drivers like myself have gone 4 non RFT....have a tire can sealant n psi tire pressure kit that utilizes the cars battery.

I wish I won any lotteries!

BB

VMRWheels · 10-04-2013, 12:43 PM

I have gotten flats, but not very frequently. Honestly, you have so many more options with conventional tires. The performance and comfort increase is going to be noticeable. Invest in AAA, and enjoy driving on standard tires.

mjrin2it · 10-04-2013, 05:59 PM

I've had my 08 335xi cpe since 2011 and just had to say goodbye to the original rft's today at 30,800 miles - internal tread wear almost bald on all 4 tires (probably due to BMW's aggressively set negative specs on alignments). I have to say...I liked my rft's...so much so, I got 4 new OEM's today. I had a 2009 MB slk300 and I'm sorry, but if I wanted a ride like a mercedes, I'd still have that car. We'll see how I like them once winter gets to Jersey! lol Thanks for all the posts, learning a lot.

Efthreeoh · 10-06-2013, 09:32 AM

I posted this before, but here's been my experience swapping from RFTs.

My 325i has the sport package. The RFTs went noisy at 12,000 miles and were toast at 22K. I started a 160 mile/day commute right around that time, so I switched to a square setup with high performance All Seasons so I could cross rotate and get better tread life.

I went to a 18" wheel with 235/40-18 all around. The tires I select are load rated "XL". XL makes the sidewall more robust and at a 40-series height is almost as good as a RFT. Christmas Eve 2007 coming back from a party after midnight, I hit a block of wood in the road about 30 miles from home. 3 minutes later the low pressure warning comes on. I keep a plug kit and sealant pump in the car for flats, but considering we had consumed some alcohol at the party, I wasn't stopping to add air and sealant and have a VA cop try to get a DUI arrest (I was sober BTW), so I drove home on it. I live in the boonies, so there is no cell service and no automotive services open at 12 AM on Christmas. Long story short is, I drove 30 miles home on the flat tire (non RFT), and when I checked for the puncture the next morning I found it in the tread (must have been a nail in the wood block); the tire would fully deflate in about 4 minutes, so I know I drove on zero air pressure for over 25 miles. I tested the handling during the drive and couldn't even notice the tire was flat.

Schumacher62 · 07-24-2014, 09:59 AM

i believe my run flats would have lasted longer had i gotten a front end alignment the moment i bought my car. with an alignment on a new set of goodyears, after 10k there is no visible uneven wear. whats up with bmw and their front end alignment/camber settings from the factory?

10-03-2013, 04:03 PM	#1
CaliBMW86 Private First Class 7 Rep 112 Posts Drives: BMW 335i; Ducati S4RS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	RFT tires vs STD. After puncturing my RFT tires yesterday, they still got me to work, and back home 40 miles round trip. Ended up getting Michelin Pilot Super Sport, as my new tires (all tires had low tread life left). RFT tires kinda saved my butt yesterday, but still don't think its worth the extra $160 per tire for rears and ~$120 for the fronts. The new tires are so much smoother, and seem to handle better as well. Are RFT tires worth it?
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10-03-2013, 04:17 PM	#2
krhodes1 Colonel 1616 Rep 2,626 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Wagon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 128i [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i Touring [10.00]	In my opinion, no. My snow tires are already non-RFT, and once the factory RFTs wear out, so will my summer tires be. I have not had a flat on the road in 25 years, not worried about it at all. __________________ '11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option '11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual, also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
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10-03-2013, 04:19 PM	#3
Princeton Private 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2008 335cxi Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Princeton, New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Have had flats - RFTs still not worth the premium.
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10-03-2013, 04:21 PM	#4
335BOY Colonel 198 Rep 2,802 Posts Drives: 2017 SQ5 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Ride improved dramatically when I yanked my RFTs off about 3 months in. Bent some wheels (19)too. I understand the "getting home" thing but finding RFT replacement in the middle of nowhere can be a problem. I think they are evil and an awful way for BMW to save space and money.
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10-03-2013, 04:27 PM	#5
jhcao1472 Private First Class 32 Rep 115 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I got rid of the RFT and the ride is a lot smoother. I even got a flat with the standard tires, but thank goodness I have AAA. Do I think RFT are worth the money? Not really. Just invest yourself in a spire tire kit and you will not regret it.
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10-03-2013, 04:30 PM	#6
PTinVT armchair enthusiast 382 Rep 1,084 Posts Drives: 18 340xi, 02 325Cic, 93 850Ci Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Burlington, VT iTrader: (3)	To me the only upside to RFT is possibly saving your a$$ in a catastrophic high-speed blowout, but I'm willing to live with that risk instead of all their downsides. Ditched my RFTs, carry a doughnut, haven't looked back. This is one of the few things that I don't like about my E92 - not that it came with RFTs, but that there was no choice to the purchaser and no spare tire compartment (even though there's probably room for one on the 328) for those who opt out. [My CD player used to skip with 17" RFTs, has never skipped with 18" non] __________________ '25 Z4 M40i 6MT Portimao/Cognac ON ORDER '18 340i xDrive M-Sport 6MT Estoril Blue 2/Dakota '02 325Ci vert+hardtop 5MT AlpineWhite/Montana '93 850Ci 4AT Oxford Green/Parchment '71 Buick Riviera, 455 V8 3AT Land Yacht
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10-03-2013, 05:08 PM	#7
Torgus Slow. 3798 Rep 7,160 Posts Drives: N54 6466 100% E85 + Meth Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 [10.00] 2007 BMW E90 [0.00] 2006 BMW E91 [0.00]	I wish there was a good place to put a doughnut in the trunk... __________________ E92 6466 E85 + Meth/ E70 #1 fully deleted 2.8 race flash / E70 #2 JBD / E90 & E91 both tuned & retired Psalm 144
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10-03-2013, 05:34 PM	#8
f0xfire021 Private 8 Rep 86 Posts Drives: '09 e91 328xiT \| 6mt Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: North iTrader: (0)	Not worth the extra cost and horrible ride quality. The issue of finding a replacement when you're in the middle of nowhere (or even not-that-nowhere) is a legitimate one that I ran into halfway through a cross country drive. Lots of a small towns don't have the tools necessary to remove the tires, let alone have the right tires in stock. Once my current run-flats wear out I'm switching to standard tires.
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10-03-2013, 06:01 PM	#9
AzureHaze Lieutenant Colonel 70 Rep 1,766 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Sport Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Just say NO to RFTs. Your butt and wallet will thank you. __________________ JBD @ 100% \| KW ST Coilovers \| M3 rep. front bumper \| 888Concepts AE Upgrade \| GP Thunder 7500k fogs \| Cyba 4" carbon tips \| BSW Stage 1 \| APEX ARC-8 W/ Michelin PSS \| Ziza LED interior \| Weisslicht LED side lenses \| Sprint Booster \| Euro side mirrors \| M-Sport semi-conversion \| Coded \| LOTS of carbon fiber
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10-03-2013, 08:21 PM	#10
Schumacher62 New Member 2 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Jose, iTrader: (0)	will not be replacing my run flats. they have been noisy, warbling and unevenly worn since day one. not pleased. but what to get?
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10-04-2013, 12:22 AM	#12
Auto Pilot First Lieutenant 10 Rep 303 Posts Drives: 2011 SG CR 335xi e92, M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: GTA, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Put on PSS today, so quiet!
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10-04-2013, 05:02 AM	#13
CombatNinja Banned 50 Rep 1,556 Posts Drives: e91 328i, e90 328i, e90 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Best choices for non-runflats for the e90 are: Michelin Pilot Super Sport Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S0-4 Continental Extreme Contact DW
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10-04-2013, 07:17 AM	#14
BASTOS HUMARUROT 335i New BMW Enthusiast 1 Rep 46 Posts Drives: No Gas Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	There is logic behind the RFT technology. Some dig it. Some don't. It all boils down to personal preference and what you can afford. It's true what they say about ride quality on pothole ridden roads. Just don't drive over them. On a long stretch of pothole free driving, RFT's are decently comfortable. IMO, chances of getting a tire puncture in this lifetime is similar to anyones chances of winning the lottery.
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10-04-2013, 12:43 PM	#18
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2080 Rep 25,980 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	I have gotten flats, but not very frequently. Honestly, you have so many more options with conventional tires. The performance and comfort increase is going to be noticeable. Invest in AAA, and enjoy driving on standard tires. __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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10-04-2013, 05:59 PM	#19
mjrin2it New Member 2 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 19' Z4 30i SanFran Red/White Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW Z4 [7.00]	30,000 miles on my rft's I've had my 08 335xi cpe since 2011 and just had to say goodbye to the original rft's today at 30,800 miles - internal tread wear almost bald on all 4 tires (probably due to BMW's aggressively set negative specs on alignments). I have to say...I liked my rft's...so much so, I got 4 new OEM's today. I had a 2009 MB slk300 and I'm sorry, but if I wanted a ride like a mercedes, I'd still have that car. We'll see how I like them once winter gets to Jersey! lol Thanks for all the posts, learning a lot.
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10-06-2013, 09:32 AM	#20
Efthreeoh General 19201 Rep 19,727 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I posted this before, but here's been my experience swapping from RFTs. My 325i has the sport package. The RFTs went noisy at 12,000 miles and were toast at 22K. I started a 160 mile/day commute right around that time, so I switched to a square setup with high performance All Seasons so I could cross rotate and get better tread life. I went to a 18" wheel with 235/40-18 all around. The tires I select are load rated "XL". XL makes the sidewall more robust and at a 40-series height is almost as good as a RFT. Christmas Eve 2007 coming back from a party after midnight, I hit a block of wood in the road about 30 miles from home. 3 minutes later the low pressure warning comes on. I keep a plug kit and sealant pump in the car for flats, but considering we had consumed some alcohol at the party, I wasn't stopping to add air and sealant and have a VA cop try to get a DUI arrest (I was sober BTW), so I drove home on it. I live in the boonies, so there is no cell service and no automotive services open at 12 AM on Christmas. Long story short is, I drove 30 miles home on the flat tire (non RFT), and when I checked for the puncture the next morning I found it in the tread (must have been a nail in the wood block); the tire would fully deflate in about 4 minutes, so I know I drove on zero air pressure for over 25 miles. I tested the handling during the drive and couldn't even notice the tire was flat.
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07-24-2014, 09:59 AM	#21
Schumacher62 New Member 2 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Jose, iTrader: (0)	i believe my run flats would have lasted longer had i gotten a front end alignment the moment i bought my car. with an alignment on a new set of goodyears, after 10k there is no visible uneven wear. whats up with bmw and their front end alignment/camber settings from the factory?
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