[Ashe_is]

I own a 2008 335XI with sports package which includes 18-inch rims. I currently have RFT bridgestone potenzas on them. Given the terrible roads in the NY/NJ metro area, the RFT ride is horrible. Not to mention that 3 of my 4 tires (within a year) have had bubbles.

For this reason, I am thinking about switching to non-RFT tires. Based on the reviews at tirerack.com, Dunlop direzza sport Z1 star specs seems to rate pretty well. My questions to the forums are:

1. Are non-RFT tires more durable than RFT based on your experience? Have your non-RFT's blown on you?
2. What do you think about the Dunlop direzza as a replacement to the RFT? Do you recommend a different tire?
3. Has anyone regretted switching to non-RFT and what are the reasons why?

I understand that I will not have a spare tire if I do switch. Also, given the fact that I have AWD, I will need a flat-bed tow-truck if I blow any of my tires. I am trying to justify the risk vs. the return of having RFT vs. non-RFT.

[Ali.K_BMW]

Originally Posted by Ashe_is

I own a 2008 335XI with sports package which includes 18-inch rims. I currently have RFT bridgeston potenzas on them. Given the terrible roads in the NY/NJ metro area, the RFT ride is horrible. Not to mention that 3 of my 4 tires (within a year) have had bubbles.

For this reason, I am thinking about switching to non-RFT tires. Based on the reviews at tirerack.com, Dunlop direzza sport Z1 star specs seems to rate pretty well. My questions to the forums are:

1. Are non-RFT tires more durable than RFT based on your experience? Have your non-RFT's blown on you?
2. What do you think about the Dunlop direzza as a replacement to the RFT? Do you recommend a differnt tire?
3. Has anyone regretting switching to non-RFT and what are the reasons why?

I understand that I will not have a spare tire if I do switch. Also, given the fact that I have AWD, I will need a flat-bed tow-truck if I blow any of my tires. I am trying to justify the risk vs. the return of having RFT vs. non-RFT.

You can put the non RFT on the wheels.

Yes your ride will improve however, what do you do when you get a flat? you do not carry a spare. I would get Bridgestone or Michelin. You want good all season tires.

[hemi to e90]

Originally Posted by trackfiend

You can put the non RFT on the wheels.

Yes your ride will improve however, what do you do when you get a flat? you do not carry a spare. I would get Bridgestone or Michelin. You want good all season tires.

you could do one of the following:

1. put a wheel/tire in the trunk
2. carry the mobility kit that m3 owners have.
3. invest in AAA

[CamelBiscuit]

Originally Posted by Ashe_is

I own a 2008 335XI with sports package which includes 18-inch rims. I currently have RFT bridgeston potenzas on them. Given the terrible roads in the NY/NJ metro area, the RFT ride is horrible. Not to mention that 3 of my 4 tires (within a year) have had bubbles.

For this reason, I am thinking about switching to non-RFT tires. Based on the reviews at tirerack.com, Dunlop direzza sport Z1 star specs seems to rate pretty well. My questions to the forums are:

1. Are non-RFT tires more durable than RFT based on your experience? Have your non-RFT's blown on you?
2. What do you think about the Dunlop direzza as a replacement to the RFT? Do you recommend a differnt tire?
3. Has anyone regretting switching to non-RFT and what are the reasons why?

I understand that I will not have a spare tire if I do switch. Also, given the fact that I have AWD, I will need a flat-bed tow-truck if I blow any of my tires. I am trying to justify the risk vs. the return of having RFT vs. non-RFT.

Help me understand. What are these bubbles you speak of. How do they get there and where do they end up?

[hemi to e90]

Originally Posted by CCS#82

Help me understand. What are these bubbles you speak of. How do they get there and where do they end up?

sidewall movement when impacting a pothole, etc.



tirerack made a fantastic write up on this.

[E90Mack]

you say had bubbles. Did they go away?

[Ashe_is]

Hemi posted the perfect picture of what I am seeing. After paying $300-$400 a tire, its disappointing to see these bubbles pop up. The only solution is to have the tire replaced before it blows on you.

[hemi to e90]

Originally Posted by Ashe_is

Perfect picture of what I am seeing. After paying $300-$400 a tire, its disappointing to see these bubbles pop up. The only solution is to have the tire replaced before it blows on you.

or take off the runflats completely.

highly recommended

[Bleep]

You're probably getting bubbles becuase the stiffer sidewall doesn't flex much compared to run flats. I got similar issues with bent wheels. I switched and I'm never going back, the ride is so much more comfortable, and no bent wheels. Just get a spare and AAA. No downsides.

[E46toE90]

Originally Posted by E90Mack

you say had bubbles. Did they go away?

bubbles never go away

tire bubbles come from hitting a pothole and the thread inside of the tire breaks. so its less sidewall.

It can pop whenever

[Bagelfast]

For a spare i got the spare tire kit with BMW bag. comes with a 17" spare, jack, wrench and a nice bag.. i put it in my trunk.. Doesnt looks bad, and does not take up much room AT ALL. but i would say its about 30lbs..

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634313

[Ashe_is]

Originally Posted by 1LUMI335

For a spare i got the spare tire kit with BMW bag. comes with a 17" spare, jack, wrench and a nice bag.. i put it in my trunk.. Doesnt looks bad, and does not take up much room AT ALL. but i would say its about 30lbs..

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634313

Wow... that seems like a great option. How much did you pay for the spare tire kit and do they come with a 18" spare?

[MJR63]

Get rid for the run flats and go with a set of regular tires and tire repair kit like the one I bought from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-70005-Sa...6597163&sr=8-2

$100 cheaper then the BMW one and it is pretty much the same thing. Forget carrying around a spare tire in the trunk!

[madeinhongkong]

Switch to DWS Continental, take the dumb RFT off they are too heavy and ride like shit.

[mave198]

Originally Posted by MJR63

Get rid for the run flats and go with a set of regular tires and tire repair kit like the one I bought from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-70005-Sa...6597163&sr=8-2

$100 cheaper then the BMW one and it is pretty much the same thing. Forget carrying around a spare tire in the trunk!

Don't those type of kits mess up the TPMS?

Looks like a great option if not.

[Bagelfast]

Originally Posted by Ashe_is

Wow... that seems like a great option. How much did you pay for the spare tire kit and do they come with a 18" spare?

i think it was somewhere around 400 shipped.. with the jack, tire and rim mounted, and wrench with the BMW bag which makes it looks clean.

its a 17" spare. Its really skinny so it doesnt take up much room and u can put things on top of it.. works out good, like i mentioned only downside is a lil extra weight for a solid piece of mind you get.

[BoogeyMan'sBMW]

Originally Posted by Ashe_is

I own a 2008 335XI with sports package which includes 18-inch rims. I currently have RFT bridgestone potenzas on them. Given the terrible roads in the NY/NJ metro area, the RFT ride is horrible. Not to mention that 3 of my 4 tires (within a year) have had bubbles.

For this reason, I am thinking about switching to non-RFT tires. Based on the reviews at tirerack.com, Dunlop direzza sport Z1 star specs seems to rate pretty well. My questions to the forums are:

1. Are non-RFT tires more durable than RFT based on your experience? Have your non-RFT's blown on you?
2. What do you think about the Dunlop direzza as a replacement to the RFT? Do you recommend a different tire?
3. Has anyone regretted switching to non-RFT and what are the reasons why?

I understand that I will not have a spare tire if I do switch. Also, given the fact that I have AWD, I will need a flat-bed tow-truck if I blow any of my tires. I am trying to justify the risk vs. the return of having RFT vs. non-RFT.

OP i switched out my RFTS a long time ago and must admit although the ride is a lot better, i still get bubbles. I have gone thru at least 3 tires a year since i switched to non RFTs.

[idrift4wd]

Originally Posted by Boost2Perfection

Switch to DWS Continental, take the dumb RFT off they are too heavy and ride like shit.

This...

[RevC]

DWS's are a nice comfortable all around tire..Direzza's are great if you drive like a maniac or track the car occasionaly. they can withstand increased temps because of the nature of the compound, so won't chunk on you as often. i always liked the performance aspects of the RFT's until i switched to vredestein tires and never looked back. Just remember as aforementioned, always get a spare kit if you run Non-RFT. i've been stuck in the middle of the road, either with a flat tire or cracked wheel, something i am sure this post knows let these wear out and then make a decision.

[Ashe_is]

After everyone's feedback, this is what I have decided to do.

1. I purchased General GMAX tires, which are the new performance tires from Continental/General. These tires are ranked 3rd (source: Tirerack) after Potenza Pole and Continental DWS for all season performance. The set of 4 staggared 18' tires were only $600! I wanted the DWS but Tirerack is out of them for the next 4-6 weeks so they highly recommended the GMAX due to the similarity between the two. GMAX is slightly better in rain while DWS is better in snow.
2. I also purchased road hazard protection for $61 on the 4 tires to protect the tires from future bubbles.
3. I plan to buy the tire repair kit as an insurance policy. However I hear that its use will mess up the TPMS. Any insight on this?
4. I already have roadside assistance through my insurance so if I need to be towed, I am covered.

I am still considering the light spare but I will wait and see before I spend $400.

Thanks, Ashe

[s2kman]

I run non-RFT from day 1 I got the car.
For summer: Conti ExtremeContact DW (cheap and very good performance summer tires)
For winter: Dunlop Winter Sport 3D
In the trunk all year around: set of screws with flat hats, tire repair kit(from autozone), screwdriver for the screw, electric tire pump.

I never had a flat with this car, but had on my other car having same things in the trunk. Put the screw in the whole, pump it up, and went to the closes repair shop without a problem. Screws FTW

[MakkkD]

Originally Posted by s2kman

I run non-RFT from day 1 I got the car.
For summer: Conti ExtremeContact DW (cheap and very good performance summer tires)
For winter: Dunlop Winter Sport 3D
In the trunk all year around: set of screws with flat hats, tire repair kit(from autozone), screwdriver for the screw, electric tire pump.

I never had a flat with this car, but had on my other car having same things in the trunk. Put the screw in the whole, pump it up, and went to the closes repair shop without a problem. Screws FTW

Can you provide a link with more info on this kit you got?