E90Post
 


Studio RSR
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > UK > UK Technical Forum > Non-RFT on 17" SE



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-16-2011, 07:56 PM   #1
man33sh
Enlisted Member
man33sh's Avatar
9
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: E92 330D Auto
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Non-RFT on 17" SE

Time for my rear tyres to go...Thinking of swapping all 4 tyres to non-RFT's...Even on 17" and SE suspension I think the ride is crashy, feels like car skips over ruts, tramlines and if not on a completely smooth road the car feels like it wanders all over the place...So thinking about giving non-RFT's a go

Anybody done this on an SE suspension with 17" alloys? Been reading threads about it and a bit worried about handling becoming poor coz currently on SC2 runflats, if the road is perfect, it does feel very grippy.

Any advice and opinions much appreciated.

Cheers
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2011, 02:40 PM   #2
Pwalo
Private
England
10
Rep
87
Posts

Drives: 118d m sport Le Mans blue 2009
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Guisborough

iTrader: (0)

Hi, I changed my tyres on my E91 325d SE last year. The cars handling characteristics instantly became much more progressive and the ride over bumps improved. The car still wanders over whitelines and cambers and that was after a 4 wheel alignment. The rfts are so damned heavy that the dampers don't cope well with bump rebound and just boing back from compression. Just bought a set of Eibach pro kit springs and Bilstein B6 dampers to try and sort the thing out as it still does it on non RFT's. Doesn't lower the car much and apparently just give a controlled quality ride - will feedback on Thursday as Iam doing it on Wednseday night.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2011, 05:09 AM   #3
man33sh
Enlisted Member
man33sh's Avatar
9
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: E92 330D Auto
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

What size alloys are you using?
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2011, 08:32 AM   #4
mrwindymiller
Private
mrwindymiller's Avatar
United Kingdom
5
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: E60 535d M Sport
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rothwell

iTrader: (0)

-

Recently dumped the 17" Bridgestone runflats in favor of Uniroyal Rainsport 2 (XL) non runflats.
The difference is like night and day, gone is the crashing and thumping over bumps and the road noise has reduced dramaticaly.
I do find the turn in has lost a little sharpness when having a little "spirited" drive but this is only really noticed on a perfectly smooth road.
The car also feels much more planted, no wandering, tramlining or the need to constantly correct the steering when it's a touch windy.
Wet driving is hugely improved, I found the Bridgestones gave very little feedback in the wet with them loosing grip very easily, the Uniroyals however provide superb feel and are far more progressive.

Getting rid of the runflats has made the car how it should have come from the factory, civilised but fun.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2011, 09:57 AM   #5
JaySTee
First Lieutenant
JaySTee's Avatar
United Kingdom
15
Rep
390
Posts

Drives: E91 320d SE
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Devon, UK

iTrader: (0)

I went from 16" with run flats to 17" with non run flats. I find the ride roughly the same so in your case i'm sure it will improve.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2011, 10:56 AM   #6
man33sh
Enlisted Member
man33sh's Avatar
9
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: E92 330D Auto
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the replies...

Looks like its going to be Non-RFT's for me...thinking of giving the Falken FK 452's a go...
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2011, 11:03 AM   #7
Em135eye
Banned
Em135eye's Avatar
United Kingdom
175
Rep
4,302
Posts

Drives: M135i
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South West

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I have Conti Sport Contact 3 non RFTs on mine - 17" alloys but M Sport suspension. Rides very well indeed and can be flung round corners at a grin inducing pace.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2011, 11:40 AM   #8
man33sh
Enlisted Member
man33sh's Avatar
9
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: E92 330D Auto
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Cant seem to source the FK 452's...Looking at SC3's now....

Anybody heard of http://www.rotationuk.com/...SC3's going there for £88.55 per conrner inc of VAT without fitting...On Event tyres they are going at £116 a corner and Camskill £105!
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2011, 11:45 AM   #9
man33sh
Enlisted Member
man33sh's Avatar
9
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: E92 330D Auto
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 335diesel View Post
I have Conti Sport Contact 3 non RFTs on mine - 17" alloys but M Sport suspension. Rides very well indeed and can be flung round corners at a grin inducing pace.
Loved the SC2 RFT's in terms of grip...Hoping the SC3 non-RFT's will be even better...
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2011, 12:14 PM   #10
F31-340i
Colonel
F31-340i's Avatar
United Kingdom
156
Rep
2,475
Posts

Drives: BMW 340i Touring
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: ...

iTrader: (1)

I am still running 17" nonRFT with MSport suspension and it handles like one of these round the twisties.....



...though the ride is nice and soft.

An SE will be even softer - with even less precise handling - but some like them like this so its down to personal choice. From what you say it sounds like you may prefer it softer too - so go for it.
__________________
340i F31
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2011, 06:06 AM   #11
JaySTee
First Lieutenant
JaySTee's Avatar
United Kingdom
15
Rep
390
Posts

Drives: E91 320d SE
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Devon, UK

iTrader: (0)

A lot of people say how soft the SE suspention is but I don't find it that soft and the ride not that great even with 17's and nrft's. Maybe my dampers are on the way out or something. I have never tried an Msport so have nothing to compare to. My previous car was a Scirocco (current model) with 3 damper settings and lower profile tyres, even on the hardest setting I think the ride was actually better than my E91.

How long do dampers generally last? My car is on 76k, spose it could also be down to bushes...
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2011, 07:26 AM   #12
Em135eye
Banned
Em135eye's Avatar
United Kingdom
175
Rep
4,302
Posts

Drives: M135i
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South West

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///ajd View Post
I am still running 17" nonRFT with MSport suspension and it handles like one of these round the twisties.....



...though the ride is nice and soft.

An SE will be even softer - with even less precise handling - but some like them like this so its down to personal choice. From what you say it sounds like you may prefer it softer too - so go for it.
You must be mildly masochistic. Ride plenty firm enough on 17s with RFTs and handling excellent. Or yours might be broken?
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2011, 02:00 PM   #13
F31-340i
Colonel
F31-340i's Avatar
United Kingdom
156
Rep
2,475
Posts

Drives: BMW 340i Touring
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: ...

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 335diesel View Post
You must be mildly masochistic. Ride plenty firm enough on 17s with RFTs and handling excellent. Or yours might be broken?
Not broken - I just prefer the handling, reduced roll & particularly the steering on 18s and 19s. The ride is harder but still OK for me.
__________________
340i F31
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2011, 02:58 PM   #14
Em135eye
Banned
Em135eye's Avatar
United Kingdom
175
Rep
4,302
Posts

Drives: M135i
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South West

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///ajd View Post
Not broken - I just prefer the handling, reduced roll & particularly the steering on 18s and 19s. The ride is harder but still OK for me.
Really?

You've never mentioned it before
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2011, 03:27 PM   #15
F31-340i
Colonel
F31-340i's Avatar
United Kingdom
156
Rep
2,475
Posts

Drives: BMW 340i Touring
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: ...

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 335diesel View Post
Really?

You've never mentioned it before


__________________
340i F31
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2011, 03:39 PM   #16
Swiller
First Lieutenant
8
Rep
322
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

18s 162 ellipsoid with non runflats (ps2) on an se works very well for me, the only thing i miss about runflats is the way it handled like it was on rails in sharp corners. I had rfts on 17s before and found the ride to be ok with some juddering when going over potholes as the real downside.
Am tempted to go with rfts on the 18s when i need a tyre change as the cornering isnt quite the same on non rfts.
Appreciate 0
      04-20-2011, 05:02 AM   #17
man33sh
Enlisted Member
man33sh's Avatar
9
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: E92 330D Auto
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Hmm ...I do like the handling on the RFT's as well...Guess you cant have it both ways...Going to give the non-RFT's a try anyway otherwise it will always play on my mind!
Appreciate 0
      04-20-2011, 05:12 AM   #18
Em135eye
Banned
Em135eye's Avatar
United Kingdom
175
Rep
4,302
Posts

Drives: M135i
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South West

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///ajd View Post


Looks at your Porker - massive wheels, ultra low profile rubber.

Then look at these and tell the drivers they are missing out on some turn in and reduced roll with their old fashioned high profile tyres...







Appreciate 0
      04-20-2011, 09:05 AM   #19
ALF_E90
Second Lieutenant
United Kingdom
16
Rep
280
Posts

Drives: E91 330i - see classifieds...
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Winchester

iTrader: (0)

I'm a bit late to this (too much time driving for work, not enough in front of a PC!) but have an SE Touring originally on 18" staggered runflats, now on 17" non-staggered non-RFT.

The difference in ride quality is significant, the steering feel is a lot better, the handling in general seems to have benefitted from the lighter weight. There have been no disadvantages except a tiny bit on the looks front. E9X 3 series are not exactly lookers anyway so that's not a big issue to me. The ride is still pretty firm - distinctly sporty by some other manufacturer's standards - even with SE trim and non-RFT so don't worry about it becoming too soft. For our (pretty appallingly surfaced) British B-roads it seems ideal, even verging on still too stiff.

Around £100 a corner for premium rubber and having the same tyre size front and rear are big plusses for me as well, given the miles I do.

I did drive a loan 318d recently that handled better than my car on smooth roads (it was a low mileage facelift saloon on RFT) but that was not the tyres - it felt better than mine when mine was on RFT. I put that down to the other factors - it being a facelift model, and a saloon, and presumably having a lighter lump up front.
Appreciate 0
      04-20-2011, 10:31 AM   #20
man33sh
Enlisted Member
man33sh's Avatar
9
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: E92 330D Auto
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ALF_E90 View Post
Around £100 a corner for premium rubber and having the same tyre size front and rear are big plusses for me as well, given the miles I do.
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?
Appreciate 0
      04-20-2011, 01:13 PM   #21
F31-340i
Colonel
F31-340i's Avatar
United Kingdom
156
Rep
2,475
Posts

Drives: BMW 340i Touring
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: ...

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 335diesel View Post
Looks at your Porker - massive wheels, ultra low profile rubber.
I whipped off one of the rear Fuchs last week whilst having a poke around - as a forged 16" wheel it was incredibly light - felt like half the weight of one of the 19"s! It also has tall 50 section tyres.

Despite this, the handling is great, but the ride is really quite crashy and hard - it's notable that the BMW on 19"s rides better than the 911 on 16"s. Spring rates (or rather torsion bar diameter ) and dampers play a part in the compromise.

One has basically 1960s (or earlier) suspension technology of course.
__________________
340i F31
Appreciate 0
      04-20-2011, 01:39 PM   #22
Em135eye
Banned
Em135eye's Avatar
United Kingdom
175
Rep
4,302
Posts

Drives: M135i
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South West

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Ajd - I love your 911. Total classic. So there.

Man - I switched to non RFTs well before my insipid RFTs were worn and got through the rears in 8k miles. This alarmed me so got them laser aligned (inner edge wear was very evident) and they they new set (CSC3s) are lasting much better plus the car is smoother.

I think most people should look at laser alignment for a car like an E9* with it's serious negative rear wheel camber - the cost pays for itself many times over in more evenly worn tyres.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:58 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST