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[Carnage]

Originally Posted by txusa03

I know they stock them here in texas at discount tire. I totally agreed with your comment on not having them in stock. But FRT have not been around. As more and more customers purchase RFT, these shops are going to start to notice the increase in demands and begin to stock them.

You exactly right, as they become common on cars more and more places will carry them and who knows, in 3-5 years this becomes a non-issue.

But for now, people need to be prepared for some headaches if they have a problem in a non-metro area and take precautions like an M mobility kit, donut spare etc. if they are going to be in places where it is unlikely they can get a tire quickly if something bad happens.

[Swoosh]

What type of donught spare can you even use though? The BMW dealers I talk to seem hellbent against giving a straight answer on this. BMW is pretty much forcing the runflat issue on its customers ... which I don't appreciate at all.

[scubajag]

If a run-flat gets a nail in it, who do you bring it to for repair? Nail is in regular tread. BMW dealer or a Bridgestone/Firestone dealer ?

[recruiter]

Originally Posted by txusa03

dont forget that there are 2 seiries of the Bridgestone RFT-EL42s and 050AE. I believe you have the 050AE serires which is the same one as my 330 sprt tires. Yup, they are great for my daily drives. However, the EL42s is what many folks are complaining about.

Yes you know your tyres, the actual full number is TO504 050ADZ (Sept 06)build car. Do you know what this means?

[WallyF]

Hi,

My dealer installed my new Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S non run flat tires today and boy what a difference. They are super quiet. The Bridgestone EL42s were very loud and hard riding. The Michelins are great.

I was able to get BMW to warrant the Bridgestones and only have to come up with half the cost of the Michelins. This is fair as I had 15,000 miles on the EL42s which I figure is half of this tires life.

Wallyf

[WallyF]

Hi,

As a side note, I am currently running 32psi front and 36psi rear on these new Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S tires on my 325xi.

What pressure should I use? The 32/36 is BMW's recommendation for the RFT Bridgestone tires. Should I stick with this or increase to 36/36? What about 36/39 for increased MPG?

Wallyf

[BK]

Originally Posted by WallyF

What pressure should I use?

p. 191 of your manual. I don't think you need to do anything different for non-RFT tires.

[LarryK1000]

I put Pirelli P-Zero Nero Non-RFT on my car about 2 weeks ago.

I had the same question: So, I called Pirelli. Their Tech person told me that I should use the SAME PRESSURE indicated on the door jam for RFT's. He said there was no difference between RFT and Non-RFT pressures and that the car manufacturer determined the proper inflation for the tires and that recommendation should be followed.

Having said that, my car, a non-Sport 2006 330i says 29/36. I decided to do 30/36 and am very happy with it.

The Pirelli person said ONE POUND extra up front was not a problem.

I hope this helps.

(Oh, by the way, just to confuse you, I also called BMW and they told me it was up to the TIRE MANUFACTURER. Oh well, I try. I called my tire dealer and he told me to follow the sticker on the door jam. So, that's what I'm doing.)

LOVE THOSE REGULAR TIRES..... I now LOVE my car.

Larry in Los Angeles

[brocken]

Yup, I just switched to non-RFT's and I'm very happy. I picked up the Kumho Ecsta ASX.
The ride is much smoother and noticeably quieter. I also have much better traction when it's slick out.
I haven't had a chance to really test the handling but it seems to stick even better in corners. I don't notice any extra roll when cornering sharply.

[LarryK1000]

Those were the ones I was originally going to get and my tire guy (who is the official tire place for Keyes Mercedes and Center BMW) wanted me to get the Kumho's. I decided on the Pirellis even though they cost about $60 more for each tire.

But, I researched the Kumho's and they got unbelievable reviews and comments from owners. Only very few had any problems, and that was just wearing early and a little spongy. But, hardly any had these issues.

Larry

[canucklion]

how are they 'forcing' this on you? if you didn't want a car equipped with RFT's and are not willing to swap them for non-RFTs, don't buy the car.

I for one, knew that I would swap out the RFT for non-RFT + a mobility kit, problem solved.

Originally Posted by Swoosh

What type of donught spare can you even use though? The BMW dealers I talk to seem hellbent against giving a straight answer on this. BMW is pretty much forcing the runflat issue on its customers ... which I don't appreciate at all.