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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > UK > Good RFT alternative to Bridgestones?



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      06-11-2012, 05:24 AM   #1
baz57
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Good RFT alternative to Bridgestones?

Has anyone replaced their Bridgestone Potenza 225 45 R17 19W with an alternative brand that you could recommend? Im getting premature wear after 16k, both front tyres have heavy wear on the outside edge, perfectly good tread on the rest of the tyre. Very annoying!
Thanks
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      06-11-2012, 05:29 AM   #2
creepy coupe
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We changed the Bridgstones for Pirellis on our 320d here at work and I thought them an improvement.
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      06-11-2012, 05:32 AM   #3
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Since the original Bridgestones, I've had 2 sets if Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP.

Much smoother, and a lot more grip in damp conditons - the bridgestones seemed to be very hard/cold.

D.
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      06-11-2012, 06:05 AM   #4
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I went for Pirreli P Zeros on 19" on the rear and they clear have more grip and ride better too.
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      06-11-2012, 06:06 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_3 View Post
Since the original Bridgestones, I've had 2 sets if Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP.

Much smoother, and a lot more grip in damp conditons - the bridgestones seemed to be very hard/cold.

D.
The Bridgestones seem to be a very odd rubber compound.

It looks more like hard foam such is the consistency of the rubber.
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      06-11-2012, 06:13 AM   #6
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Continental Sportcontact 2. Or they are now up to Sportcontact 3, but haven't tried the '3s.

Got about 20,000 miles out of the rears, over 30,000 miles out of the front. A lot of grip. I have same size tyre as you.

Although if you have uneven wear, it may be an alignment issue which a change of brand will not fix. Make sure whoever fits your tyres get the 91W speed/load rating AND NOT 91V.
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      06-11-2012, 06:55 AM   #7
baz57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baz57 View Post
Has anyone replaced their Bridgestone Potenza 225 45 R17 19W with an alternative brand that you could recommend? Im getting premature wear after 16k, both front tyres have heavy wear on the outside edge, perfectly good tread on the rest of the tyre. Very annoying!
Thanks
Oops I meant 91w on tyre load etc.
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      06-11-2012, 07:00 AM   #8
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Its a golden opportunity to fit non-runflats.
Your spine will thank you forever....
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      06-11-2012, 07:56 AM   #9
baz57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stringbag View Post
Its a golden opportunity to fit non-runflats.
Your spine will thank you forever....
Well, the SE rides firm-ish, but 17 rims make it bearable. Not like my previous M Sport pre LCI 330d.

I do like the IDEA of run- flats. In principle, anyway!!!

And my rear tyres are nearly new....
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      06-11-2012, 08:41 AM   #10
kaishang
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Going by the winter-tyre threads (most winter tyres are not RFTs), when it actually comes down to having non-RFTs on your car, a lot of people aren't happy.

Also it is a bit of a problem if you get a flat on the motorway, in the dark, while it is raining.
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      06-11-2012, 09:23 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaishang View Post
Also it is a bit of a problem if you get a flat on the motorway, in the dark, while it is raining.
True, but how often does that happen?
An annual aa membership costs less than the price difference between RFT and non-RFT and the car is much, much better for the change.
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      06-11-2012, 10:12 AM   #12
baz57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stringbag View Post
True, but how often does that happen?
An annual aa membership costs less than the price difference between RFT and non-RFT and the car is much, much better for the change.
Is your 335d a Pre LCI M Sport?
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      06-11-2012, 10:25 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaishang View Post
Also it is a bit of a problem if you get a flat on the motorway, in the dark, while it is raining.
The one time I was in this situation, the RFT didn't actually do it's job and I was unable to drive on it as it deflated suddenly. Ok it wasn't raining but I was on the motorway in the dark.

Luckily BMW Assistance came to the rescue and whilst having a chat with the recovery driver, he informed me off the record that by the far the largest number of calls out he had were to cars with run flat tyres which didn't run flat. So the fact that they don't really seem to work as well as advertised and the horrible ride quality leads me to believe they just aren't worth it. IMO your better off on normal tyres with a can of tyre gunk in the boot and AA\BMW assistance as backup.
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      06-11-2012, 10:48 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baz57 View Post
Is your 335d a Pre LCI M Sport?
Yes it is
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      06-11-2012, 11:41 AM   #15
baz57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baz57 View Post
Is your 335d a Pre LCI M Sport?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stringbag View Post
Yes it is
Thought so. I went for an SE this time, to get a little better value, but mostly to get the vastly improved ride. Also tyres are cheaper for the SE.
I wanted the 3litre lump, but fast cornering is not my thing.
Wonder if mine may be a collectors item one day - there are few about. It has the hard drive media pack, sat navvie stuff etc.
In silver, which may become rare - White is the new silver, methinks!!

And when all said and done, IMHO, I still like the idea of not walking over to the car and noticing a flat tyre. Especially if im miles from anywhere.
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      06-11-2012, 11:53 AM   #16
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I understand that and its a good job we are all different!

btw I thought the se and m sport shared the same suspension (or is that just on the 335)
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      06-11-2012, 12:40 PM   #17
baz57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stringbag View Post
I understand that and its a good job we are all different!

btw I thought the se and m sport shared the same suspension (or is that just on the 335)
It probably does, the m sport suspension being lower with a shorter travel I think.
But the main difference is the post LCI / pre LCI thing. ( My car is an LCI) I reckon BMW had so many complaints about the hard, jarring ride that if it was to stick with run flats, it had to improve the ride somehow.

Do you carry a spare wheel?
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      06-11-2012, 01:10 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stringbag
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaishang View Post
Also it is a bit of a problem if you get a flat on the motorway, in the dark, while it is raining.
True, but how often does that happen?
An annual aa membership costs less than the price difference between RFT and non-RFT and the car is much, much better for the change.
Apparently a car gets a puncture once every 7 years, on average. Can't remember where I read this, I think it was some statistic from the AA.
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      06-11-2012, 01:38 PM   #19
baz57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guvernator View Post
The one time I was in this situation, the RFT didn't actually do it's job and I was unable to drive on it as it deflated suddenly. Ok it wasn't raining but I was on the motorway in the dark.

Luckily BMW Assistance came to the rescue and whilst having a chat with the recovery driver, he informed me off the record that by the far the largest number of calls out he had were to cars with run flat tyres which didn't run flat. So the fact that they don't really seem to work as well as advertised and the horrible ride quality leads me to believe they just aren't worth it. IMO your better off on normal tyres with a can of tyre gunk in the boot and AA\BMW assistance as backup.
I did not know this. Why do BMW persist with run flats at all, with so few benefits?
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      06-11-2012, 01:52 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baz57 View Post
Do you carry a spare wheel?
No - cary a mini compressor and a bottle of gunk (all fits under the boot floor mat). Just like my M5 had from the factory (they called it an 'm mobility system' as that didn't come with run flats either). In fact exactly the same as my wife's golf was supplied with.
Presumable the M3 has the same (it doesn't have run flats either).

Not sure why BMW bother with them. Marketing, weight reduction, CO2, saving a few £ on build costs? who knows. But they are rubbish (IMHO!)
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      06-11-2012, 02:05 PM   #21
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I had to use the mobility kit the other day. It did work but apparently the tyre is a write off. I've since decided to buy a space saver. It's a BMW one designed for the E90, comes with a bag and straps. It's a bit pricey at £220, but I think it's going to be worth it.

They ride is definitely much better on non run flats and worth the swap IMO.
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      06-11-2012, 02:40 PM   #22
kaishang
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmt335d View Post

They ride is definitely much better on non run flats and worth the swap IMO.
I assume you have M-sport suspension. The ride on SE suspension with 17-inch wheels and RFTs is quite OK. It's definitely a lot smoother than the Pug 206GTI with conventional tyres I had as a DD before the BMW.

If you have RFTs and get a flat, you have a choice: continue or call a recovery truck or insert tyre goo. If you don't have RFTs and get a flat and don't have a spare tyre you have one less option compared to having RFTs.
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