For people who went RFT -> non-RFT

ENINTY · 11-13-2007, 11:54 AM

I swapped to a non-staggerd 18" set up. I liked the runflats well enough except they only last about 20K - 24K miles. I drive 45K a year so I needed longer lasting tires that I could roatate front to back.

The swap to non-runflats is very noticable. The steering and suspension get much lighter and responsive; you'll like it.

davig · 11-13-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdiver68

All you can do is laugh, but you have no facts.

Who are you going to trust, a board member who has been on the track (pics posted) is an ex semi-pro road racer and has done the research, or laugher boy?

But he's got tint which is way sick dude and makes him sooo credible.

My limited experience on the track with RFTs would have me tending to agree with you, but I find they are not communicative near their limits, possibly due to the very stiff sidewall. I'm still getting rid of mine nonetheless.

HyperM3 · 11-13-2007, 03:19 PM

Its not fair to compare winter tires that are non-rft with summer tires that are non-rft. There is no doubt the winter tires will be softer and offer a more compliant ride but will sacrifice on the handling.

You mentioned the steering input but it seems you never went back to that(unless I missed it) and it should be slower with the winter tires(unless they are narrower which could offset it). The RFT's offer excellent turn in response as the sidewall offers no give. That being said, I never found the steering to be slow or heavy. The whole car is heavy though and its not a miata, so go-cart handling shouldnt be expected.

Notorious · 12-02-2007, 02:09 AM

Just back to leave an update. I have my winter tires on and i can say without doubt that steering input does infact require less effort. Not quite up to the speed and ease i felt in my old e46, but it is noticably better, i could feel it right away seconds after driving off on them for the first time.

If there's anybody in the same position i am or i should say was, i would definitely reccommend removing the RFTs.

dinkoh · 12-14-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notorious

Just back to leave an update. I have my winter tires on and i can say without doubt that steering input does infact require less effort. Not quite up to the speed and ease i felt in my old e46, but it is noticably better, i could feel it right away seconds after driving off on them for the first time.

If there's anybody in the same position i am or i should say was, i would definitely reccommend removing the RFTs.

I just got a rip-tear flat on RFT. Not sure what I would if I didn't have RFT to drive home or tire shop.

HyperM3 · 12-14-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinkoh

I just got a rip-tear flat on RFT. Not sure what I would if I didn't have RFT to drive home or tire shop.

You might not have gotten the rip-tear in the first place.

dinkoh · 12-14-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperM3

You might not have gotten the rip-tear in the first place.

You don't live in Baltimore dude. It's horrible here.

HyperM3 · 12-14-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinkoh

You don't live in Baltimore dude. It's horrible here.

You think its pavement made of sunshine and rainbows here in NJ and PA?

xspikesx · 04-13-2008, 09:59 PM

hi guys

just got a 08 e92, want to swap out the RFT with NON-RFTs.

i live in los angeles and was wondering what type of tires is best to get? summer vs. all season?

what's the difference b/t staggered and non-staggered tire setup?
>>let me rephrase: what kind of performance differences b/t staggered vs. non-staggered.

thanks!

>xs

David Brent · 04-13-2008, 10:25 PM

Staggered - different sizes front and rear. Non-staggered would be going to one size on all four corners

No reason to sacrifice performance and get all-seasons in So Cal. IMO, the only reason to put all-seasons on this car would be if you lived somewhere cold and didn't want separate snow tires.

e.n335 · 04-14-2008, 04:06 AM

I changed from 18" staggered RFT's to 19" staggered non-RFT's. The 19" setup works much better for me. The "old" 18" rims are used for my ( non-RFT ) winter setup now.

Spare tire is a 17" donut from a e46 plus a 15mm spacer.

collin · 04-14-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Brent

Staggered - different sizes front and rear. Non-staggered would be going to one size on all four corners

No reason to sacrifice performance and get all-seasons in So Cal. IMO, the only reason to put all-seasons on this car would be if you lived somewhere cold and didn't want separate snow tires.

What are the performance and wear consequences of staggered vs non-staggered?

One of the reasons I was considering all-season vs. performance tires (I'm in northern CA, so wetter than SoCal but no snow) is the increased tread life. Is there another direction to go if I want better tread life but don't necessarily need snow handling?

11-13-2007, 11:54 AM	#23
ENINTY Banned 173 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I swapped to a non-staggerd 18" set up. I liked the runflats well enough except they only last about 20K - 24K miles. I drive 45K a year so I needed longer lasting tires that I could roatate front to back. The swap to non-runflats is very noticable. The steering and suspension get much lighter and responsive; you'll like it.
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11-13-2007, 03:19 PM	#25
HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 342 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	Its not fair to compare winter tires that are non-rft with summer tires that are non-rft. There is no doubt the winter tires will be softer and offer a more compliant ride but will sacrifice on the handling. You mentioned the steering input but it seems you never went back to that(unless I missed it) and it should be slower with the winter tires(unless they are narrower which could offset it). The RFT's offer excellent turn in response as the sidewall offers no give. That being said, I never found the steering to be slow or heavy. The whole car is heavy though and its not a miata, so go-cart handling shouldnt be expected. __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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12-02-2007, 02:09 AM	#26
Notorious Scrumtralecent 4 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Coast Canada iTrader: (0)	Just back to leave an update. I have my winter tires on and i can say without doubt that steering input does infact require less effort. Not quite up to the speed and ease i felt in my old e46, but it is noticably better, i could feel it right away seconds after driving off on them for the first time. If there's anybody in the same position i am or i should say was, i would definitely reccommend removing the RFTs.
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04-13-2008, 09:59 PM	#31
xspikesx Master Controller 0 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 08.SG.e92.coupe.zsp [sold] Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	hi guys just got a 08 e92, want to swap out the RFT with NON-RFTs. i live in los angeles and was wondering what type of tires is best to get? summer vs. all season? what's the difference b/t staggered and non-staggered tire setup? >>let me rephrase: what kind of performance differences b/t staggered vs. non-staggered. thanks! >xs Last edited by xspikesx; 04-15-2008 at 12:24 AM.. Reason: re-phrase
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04-13-2008, 10:25 PM	#32
David Brent Private 9 Rep 65 Posts Drives: e90 335 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Staggered - different sizes front and rear. Non-staggered would be going to one size on all four corners No reason to sacrifice performance and get all-seasons in So Cal. IMO, the only reason to put all-seasons on this car would be if you lived somewhere cold and didn't want separate snow tires. __________________ 2007 e90 335i \| SGM \| ZSP \| 6MT \| SSTT \| KWV2 2007 e91 328i \| TiAg \| ZSP \| ZPP \| 6AT
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04-14-2008, 04:06 AM	#33
e.n335 Moderator 270 Rep 4,481 Posts Drives: e93 ///M3 DCT, 07/2009 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Switzerland, ZH iTrader: (0)	I changed from 18" staggered RFT's to 19" staggered non-RFT's. The 19" setup works much better for me. The "old" 18" rims are used for my ( non-RFT ) winter setup now. Spare tire is a 17" donut from a e46 plus a 15mm spacer.
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