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[ctuna]

The effect of heavier tires is more than there static weight.
Rotational inertia is has to be overcome each time you accelerate

[forza1976]

Love my non-rft setup now. Just bought one of those E60 5 series spares off ebay and an e46 jack and i'm good to go.

[BMWNTHZST]

On Friday I made the switch from RFT to Michelin PS2 due to a bubble on the side of my rear tire.

What a difference in road feel. This is how the car should have come in the first place. Going over bumps isn't an issue anymore. No more BANG and thinking holly crap did I just blow a tire.

If anyone on the fence about making the switch....my advice is jump. The sooner you dump the RFT the sooner you can start enjoying your car all over again.

[kyleJB328]

Originally Posted by BMWNTHZST

On Friday I made the switch from RFT to Michelin PS2 due to a bubble on the side of my rear tire.

What a difference in road feel. This is how the car should have come in the first place. Going over bumps isn't an issue anymore. No more BANG and thinking holly crap did I just blow a tire.

If anyone on the fence about making the switch....my advice is jump. The sooner you dump the RFT the sooner you can start enjoying your car all over again.

Wow, that is great to hear. Living in Boston, I have wondered a couple of times if im going to hear the 'Badadingggg' - and have the rft warning light on. My BMW dealer told me, when I bought the car a week ago, that if i switched to non-RFT's that the car would ride terrible, and that the BMW's suspension is developed for the RFT's. I really am considering the switch- as the run flats are very rough riding and my sister has been through 6 tires in the past year and a half on her convertible 328.

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by kyleJB328

Wow, that is great to hear. Living in Boston, I have wondered a couple of times if im going to hear the 'Badadingggg' - and have the rft warning light on. My BMW dealer told me, when I bought the car a week ago, that if i switched to non-RFT's that the car would ride terrible, and that the BMW's suspension is developed for the RFT's. I really am considering the switch- as the run flats are very rough riding and my sister has been through 6 tires in the past year and a half on her convertible 328.

Let's not forget the huge cost savings to purchase tires when running on non runflat

[chromisdesigns]

Originally Posted by kyleJB328

Wow, that is great to hear. Living in Boston, I have wondered a couple of times if im going to hear the 'Badadingggg' - and have the rft warning light on. My BMW dealer told me, when I bought the car a week ago, that if i switched to non-RFT's that the car would ride terrible, and that the BMW's suspension is developed for the RFT's. I really am considering the switch- as the run flats are very rough riding and my sister has been through 6 tires in the past year and a half on her convertible 328.

Like it doesn't already? Switch, you won't regret it. The suspension may indeed have been "developed for runflats" but if that was the best they could do, they should have chucked the whole notion!

My 335 sedan rides so much better on Michelin PS2 A/S+ than it did on the OEM Bridgestones it's like a different car. Handles fine, too.

[pecophilly]

Originally Posted by benzo23

Switching fron rft to non rft's is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me in my life. The sun shined a little brighter, the grass was a little greener, the air was a little more crisp, my car went a little faster, my gf bitched a little less, my pay check was a little more, i had a 3 some, i got a parking spot right up front at work, all because i switched to non rft's...

Originally Posted by benzo23

Oh I also won 500$ on a scratch off all on the same day just from switching.

[Potty_Pants]

Originally Posted by nbkkvv5

I've heard other stories about sealant not doing what they claim to do. I'm thinking the best way for me is to buy a regular alloy wheel (on special) from tire rack and be done with it. The loss of trunk space does not bother me (wife has suv) but I think the extra 50+ lbs in the trunk will slow me down a bit.

same thing happened to me... though it wasnt in the trunk it was in the passenger seat.....

thank god she popped that kid out quick... was hurting my 0-60

ppp

[faz]

Just an update on my recent tire change:

the original Bridgestone Turanza EL42 on our 328i non-sport 16" went bad at about 30k miles (front sides worn off and should have really been changed at around 25k miles.)

I recently replaced them with run flat Continental ContiProContact SSR tires and these are A LOT softer than the orig EL42 tires. I mean, these are now actually a bit too soft for my liking compared to the EL42's. Mind you, I have 16" tires with tall sidewalls.

For all those who have 16" tires, I highly recommend the above switch before going the non-rft route.

[Firefly6]

Originally Posted by faz

...I recently replaced them with run flat Continental ContiProContact SSR tires and these are A LOT softer than the orig EL42 tires. I mean, these are now actually a bit too soft for my liking compared to the EL42's.

I made this same switch with my 17's. I agree about the difference. But i wouldn't call them too soft. However the turn-in is not as crisp as the EL42s. The only thing I miss.

[garyrchan]

I saw in the forum last year that many weren't happy with the Tischner compact spare but had found a spare from Bavarian Autosport that worked better. However, I think it was for 17" wheels. I am looking to dump my RFTs but want to go with a compact spare but it has to fit 335xi, sport package, 18" wheels (162). Anyone have more information on this?

[jayhudson]

Originally Posted by garyrchan

I saw in the forum last year that many weren't happy with the Tischner compact spare but had found a spare from Bavarian Autosport that worked better. However, I think it was for 17" wheels. I am looking to dump my RFTs but want to go with a compact spare but it has to fit 335xi, sport package, 18" wheels (162). Anyone have more information on this?

The size of the spare wheel, 16" vs 17" vs 18", really doesn't matter as long as the circumference of the tire is close to the same. The only issue would be clearance of brake calipers and suspension components.

I have the Tischer spare kit for my 328i. I've heard it will work for a 335 but have no personal experience. I believe the 335xi uses wheels with a different offset than a regular 335 but I suspect it's because of a different track width of the car. Probably wouldn't affect a spare wheel/tire solution.

Best thing you can do is find someone local to you who has a spare you can try on your car. Or, someone who's BTDT.

As a bit of info..... realoem dot com shows exactly the same part numbers for the 162 wheels on my '08 328i as your '08 335xi. Same offsets.

Good luck - Jay

[tres]

I know the non rfts are better performance wise but i got 4 punctures this year and was happy I had run flats on

[chromisdesigns]

Originally Posted by tres

I know the non rfts are better performance wise but i got 4 punctures this year and was happy I had run flats on

Geez, I hope you had the tire insurance!

[DaFish]

Originally Posted by driverman

I got rid of my RFT's (17's staggered) 1.5 years ago. First went to Michelin PS2's and recently Continental DW's.

The RFT's provided the best steering response, a good ride ON SMOOTH ROADS and a "planted" feeling I loved, but a horrible ride on rough roads.

The PS2's and DW's felt soft while they were breaking in but they firmed up as they broke in. They are also considerably lighter (PS2's 6 lb/tire, DW's 7.5 lb/tire), which seems to have made my car a bit quicker.

If I drove smooth roads, I'd stick with the RFT's because they had the best steering response, they felt the best at high speeds and I don't have to keep a compact spare in the trunk. But since I don't, I'm happy with the new Continental DW's. They are cheaper and smoother than the PS2's, but they are softer. If I want better steering response, I stick a couple extra psi in them. If you push your car to its limits, I wouldn't get the DW's.

This is exactly my experience.

I just put on Bridgstone Potenza RE050 Pole Position - but I went 1 size up to 235/35/19 and 265/30/19s. I did this last weekend - and it is THursday now.

I do like:
1) the grip - it is way better off the line. - THe trac control light comes on much less.
2) the ride is like butter ! Compression joints that would shudder the car, gone... lovely ride.
3) a LOT less tramlining... RFTs are terrible for that
4) slower speed to medium speed cornering is better. The car seems to understeer less and feels more balanced.

I don't like:
1) the steering response ... I wish I had the run flats again for that. If you sit on the highway at 100 km/h or 60 mph and wiggle the steering wheel back and forth, the car will sway from front to back... wiggle. With the run flat on, it was like a go cart - no give. The non RFTs have give in the side wall. I like the steering response more than the ride I guess.
2) High speed (over 160 km/hour) stability seems a bit less buttoned down than the RFTs
3) High speed, at the limit cornering ... I am just not sure right now, but I think the RFTs were better....

I haven't tried the rain yet, but I hear the non RFTs are much better for that.

I am thinking of sellling them and going BACK to RFTs... just for the steering response and buttoned down feeling.

Any body have any comments/suggestions?

[tres]

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

Geez, I hope you had the tire insurance!

no i didnt i drive through a construction zone daily and when it rains i attract unwanted attention to my tires

[NISMOFO]

I plan on going non-RF next month with the E90. Probably going with the Continental ExtremeContact DW and then getting the Tischer spare tire kit. This is 'her' car by the way (not mine)...but I get to pick out what we do with it.

Tisher spare tire kit:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

[Synikal]

I took the plunge from RFT to Non-RFT and I have to say, I am very pleased... I decided on the Pirelli P Zero Nero A/S great tire, very happy with the braking, grip and comfort. I step back and admire the design-- very stable at speed, slapped a set on Friday took the car out on a long drive to Sedona and couldn't have been happier.

[Bimmer Al]

Originally Posted by my92

I hear it's like night and day...

Yes it is! Changed on my previous car.....I can now retain all dental work when hitting a pebble.

[mikeokimster]

I love the non-rflats, but it is carrying a floor jack, tire iron, front stock tire/rim, and a block of wood to drive on to fit the jack. However, the ride quality is a HUGE difference.

oem 18" re050 rft vs Conti DW 19" non rft.
-19's more comfortable due to non rft even with a smaller sidewall
- lost steering response with non rft
- Wet stability is superb on non rft
-re050 rft's would cause me to hydro plane way too much
-Better wear characteristics on non rft
-Price to replace non rft is lower

[hatred]

i changed to non-runflats and i noticed a way more smoother ride.

[TSM330i]

Yes, on both my and my wife's 3-series we went to non-runflats.

I'm running GY F1 Asymmetrics. Fantastic tire!!! Great in the wet, dry and track. Well worth the upgrade from runflats.

Went with Hankook Ventus V12 on my wifes car. She has the 325xi and I put my 162 wheels on with the runflats. She said she loved the way it looked, but hated the way it drove. Tramlining, rough ride, jittery over bumps and not very well controlled in general. She loves the Hankook. Much more smooth, no tramlining and better control overall.

Yes, we both will continue to go without the runflats. Transforms the car into something beyond your imagination