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[didinyc]

hey guys, this is my first posting to the forum, so if I make a mistake sorry.

Here is the problem, I bought cpo 2009 335i xdrive sedan with all the packages including sport too. I have potenza re050a rft, 225/40R18 in the front and 225/35R18 rear. Its been 5 months and I already had 3 flat tires due to driving in nyc. all of them were unlucky, how could they have a pot hole on lie, that is as big as a jacuzzi. So i talked to bmw guy he said keep the tires. If you change it, the car will not like it used to be. Then I went to rct performance in flushing which i found it through tirerack and they told me the same thing. I really wanna keep the rims but change the tires maybe same specifications but different brand. Any advice?

thank you so much

didinyc

[anerbe]

no tire of the same size will survive impacts from huge potholes. It's either your tires go, or your wheels/suspension....

only way to help out is to get taller sidewall tires (225/45 or 245/40), but even this is no guarantee.... you will lose steering response as well.

If you have to drive in NY, I suggest you get an SUV or truck. If you drive your 3 series, you'll always have problems....

[didinyc]

thanks a lot man, I was thinking to get michelin sport a/s. but those are not rft's. u think it will work good in ny?

[panzerfaust]

Originally Posted by didinyc

hey guys, this is my first posting to the forum, so if I make a mistake sorry.

Here is the problem, I bought cpo 2009 335i xdrive sedan with all the packages including sport too. I have potenza re050a rft, 225/40R18 in the front and 225/35R18 rear. Its been 5 months and I already had 3 flat tires due to driving in nyc. all of them were unlucky, how could they have a pot hole on lie, that is as big as a jacuzzi. So i talked to bmw guy he said keep the tires. If you change it, the car will not like it used to be. Then I went to rct performance in flushing which i found it through tirerack and they told me the same thing. I really wanna keep the rims but change the tires maybe same specifications but different brand. Any advice?

thank you so much

didinyc

When they say that the car won't be like it used to be, I assume they are referring to switching from RFT to non-RFT. Your steering feel will be slightly lighter (due to lighter tires), and you may get a less responsive/mushier feel to the tires since they are not as stiff as the RFT. I have an 08 328xi and I switched from RFT to non-RFT Conti DWS (and upped the tire pressure to have a more rigid feel like the RFT) and can say that I'm much happier with the ride now. Not sure, but I think the '09s may have a differently-tuned suspension to accomodate for the stock RFTs which may result in a different feel. Search around and you will find reviews of people switching to non-RFT which might help you decide.