[seamaster]

I was going to put an order in over the next couple of days for the new non runflat Goodyear F1 asymetric2, they work out at £465 for a set. Just fancy somthing different, and it appears that the wear rates have been sorted.

[Pwalo]

I fitted my recently purchased 18 inch Ellipsoids after a full refurb, They have new pair of Bridgestone re40 rfts on the front which came with the wheels but I fitted a pair of new RE40 non RFT's on the back. On the 68000 mile SE suspension the fronts just felt like there was absolutely no damping at all. I had the original 17's fitted previously with non RFT rubber. Just fitted my Eibach Pro Kit Springs and B6 Bilstein Dampers tonight. I will get the four wheel alignment done tomorrow - just drove it from my mates garage about 15 miles away on some seriously wicked lanes and I have got to say that the difference in ride, wheel control and even bump absorbtion is utterly astonishing. Its doesn't punish like the M Sport does but just glides and changes direction incredibly. It doesn't wallow and pitch like the SE suspension. The rear springs haven't dropped the ride at all - still a 30 mm gap. The fronts however look like they have come down by about 30 mm even though Eibach reckon a drop of 20mm over standard. The headlights appear to have lost bit of the range as a result of the cars slightly rakish stance. The front RFT's - didn't even notice the thump and bang that used to occur. What were the old shocks like when we pulled them out - absolutely foooked - bump stops perished, could push the damper rods back in by hand with little effort - on a 3 litre car with 250hp thats not good. The new stuff wasn't cheap but god what a difference. Its got a little bit (minor) of bounce on the dual carraigeway but nowhere near as bad as my Wifes R56 Cooper s on Sports suspension. Its a perfectly acceptable everday drive. Should be interesting to see what the alignment finds and also what some non rft's do for the front end. It just such a frickin fantastic thing to drive - can't sleep hence the lates post. HAHAHAHAHAHA. BTW fitting was a breeze - we did it in a well equipped home garage in 4 hours flat.

[ALF_E90]

Originally Posted by man33sh

Which tyre and tyre size are you using? Have you noticed any difference in term of wear rate of the tyres?

My SC2 RFT's on the rear (225/45/17) gave me about 7500 miles at most and its time to change already!! Wonder if I should get my suspension checked out or maybe I should drive more carefully?

I didn't run the RFT for long enough for any comparisons. I'm on the standard 225/45/17 all round, CSC3 rear and P Zero Rosso front at the moment but I'll swap them about to equalise the wear then go for CSC3 or F1 Asymetrics all round when I next get a set as I don't like being on different tyres.

[Em135eye]

ALF - you (and me) are a rare breed on here!

Seems most journos and many motoring experts (like Gordon Murray) agree with us but on E90Post you must have 35" wheels on 400/10 profile rubber and ignore the jarring ride, the extra weight, the fragility, the million pound tyres, the lack of rubber choice, etc, etc.

It's all about the look...

If that was the only priority for me, I'd buy a car that was good looking in the first place

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

It's all about the look...

If I had enough cash, I'd buy a car that was good looking in the first place

Don't be too hard on yourself Matt - you can always trade your SE in for a good looking M Sport when prices have dropped a bit



Hooray - tomorrow is a day off!

[Em135eye]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Don't be too hard on yourself Matt - you can always trade your SE in for a good looking M Sport when prices have dropped a bit



Hooray - tomorrow is a day off!

I'm a bit too grown up to think a few plastic bits and bolted on with fragile, heavy wheels squeezed into the arches make a car look better.

And don't be hard on yourself either, you can always get the proper 3.0 litre diesel one day. Preferably with rather less than almost 80k miles on the clock

Tomorrow is a day off and so it most of the next fortnight - woo hoo!!

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

I'm a bit too grown up to think a few plastic bits and bolted on with fragile, heavy wheels squeezed into the arches make a car look better.

And don't be hard on yourself either, you can always get the proper 3.0 litre diesel one day. Preferably with rather less than almost 80k miles on the clock

Tomorrow is a day off and so it most of the next fortnight - woo hoo!!

You're wrong Matt - more than 80k on the clock now....

It has crossed my mind though - I'm starting to think I should get a 335d T as a replacement - some very nice LCI cars just over 20k now - plus makes alot of sense as I fear I'm about to have to spend EUR800 on LHD headlamps for la MoT francais.... - I don't want to repeat that experience if I get an X5 in a year or so (which in some ways what I should get).

What was this thread about again.

[Em135eye]

What's the headlight issue?!

Loads going to SUVs - I think people are beginning to realise how cack our roads are. I like the X5 - the inlaws have one.

Just hit 32k in our frumpmobile ;-)

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

What's the headlight issue?!

Loads going to SUVs - I think people are beginning to realise how cack our roads are. I like the X5 - the inlaws have one.

Just hit 32k in our frumpmobile ;-)

Headlight issue is the car is UK, so has RHD xenons - for an MoT I think its going to need LHD xenons - from what I hear I doubt it'll pass with the BMW stick on things.

Upside is once registered here, French road tax is errm, free

Swapped the 911 lights already - £40 a lamp and a 5 min DIY job.
BMW light change is bumper off and potentially >EUR1000. Thats progress for you.

[Em135eye]

I wish I had xenons 95% of the time but when I got a new bulb supplied and fitted for the BM for £12 I had a brief moment of halogen appreciation!

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

I wish I had xenons 95% of the time but when I got a new bulb supplied and fitted for the BM for £12 I had a brief moment of halogen appreciation!

Guess what - I think the EUR400 a side for each bi-xenon headlamp EXCLUDES the chuffing bulb which you have to swap over.

[Em135eye]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Guess what - I think the EUR400 a side for each bi-xenon headlamp EXCLUDES the chuffing bulb which you have to swap over.

OUCH!

[JaySTee]

Originally Posted by Pwalo

Stuff about suspension...

Interesting to hear what your SE dampers were like when you took them off. I have never been that impressed with the ride over poor roads in my SE so maybe the dampers are passed their best. Not in a position to change them right now unfortunately...

[man33sh]

Changed to non-RFT's (SC3's) today...First impressions:

Marked difference with re: to tram lining and wandering on the imperfect roads - completely gone...Ride has softened but not markedly so - dont feel the small pot holes as much (wondering if mine has an m-sport suspension?)...

Cant say I notice much difference in the handling of the car (yet)...Maybe a little less feedback: I notice this mostly when going slow, which is not a bad thing as far I am concerned...Car feels more planted on undulating roads at speed...Cant really appreciate any decreased turn in...

Car definilety does'nt feel dangerous as some posts suggest...All in all very happy with the change ...

Now to try nailing some twisties...Any suggestion on tyre pressures for 225/45/17 front and rear?

[LennyHope]

Just a quick note for those thinking of swapping out RFTs for Non RFTs:

Do it. I've had 2 sets of Non RFTs including Michelin PS3's cost me £250 for 2 fitted (225 45 17) and replaced them with cheap Autoguards cost me £226 for 4! They are cheap and don't grip quite as good but they are not bad and definitely (to me!) worth the cost saving. Just a though if you annoyed with tyre costs. I've done over 40,000 miles on Non RFTs and have had no issued.

The equivalent RFTs cost more than £600 for 4!

[ariskar]

Goodyear F1 Assymetric 2 seems bang for buck at 225x45r17.

[xPETEZx]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

ALF - you (and me) are a rare breed on here!

Seems most journos and many motoring experts (like Gordon Murray) agree with us but on E90Post you must have 35" wheels on 400/10 profile rubber and ignore the jarring ride, the extra weight, the fragility, the million pound tyres, the lack of rubber choice, etc, etc.

It's all about the look...

If that was the only priority for me, I'd buy a car that was good looking in the first place

I too am in this boat!

To me, ride comfort handling and cost come before look.

Hence: 17" wheels with F1 Aysmetric 2 non-RFT tyres

Love the look of the 313 alloy, but would never have 19" wheels on our roads.

[ariskar]

Originally Posted by xPETEZx

I too am in this boat!

To me, ride comfort handling and cost come before look.

Hence: 17" wheels with F1 Aysmetric 2 non-RFT tyres

Love the look of the 313 alloy, but would never have 19" wheels on our roads.

This sounds absolutely legit.

I love my 330d SE suspension for city and long distance trips comfort. While a bit soft for thrashing in B-roads, it's still a lot of fun.

I see the 225x45r17's as the best compromise of handling vs comfort and cost. Someone with a bit more sporty orientation could look into 235/245 17" rears.

Stating that I am not a grandpa or a Sunday driver whatsoever!