RFT vs Non-RFT

[Bumpy]

OK ...
I know the general consensus.
The first thing I bought was Michelin Pilot Super Sports on 18 X 8 front rims, 18 X 9.5 rear rims.
My 08 3.0si came with the Sport option and it had 30300 kms on the clock.
I puttered around on the stock set up for a month or so before I changed to snow tires.
Hardly drove in the winter, and went with the Pilot SS in the sping.
Did some more puttering around in the Spring / Summer before a big tour to Maritime Provinces through New England.
Fot the tour I returned to the RFT Bridgestones just for the run flat protection. Last day was an 1189 km 12 hour marathon through New Brunswick and Quebec on mostly super slab highway.

I was expecting the worst from the stock tires.. Noisy, vague tram lining, rough and bumpy ...
But the roads were in very good condition..
So I have to conclude ..
That for all the griping about RFT ..
I found them to be less noisy than the Pilots and the ride was good enough. ie not severe as I had expected.

Now Im back on the Piolets til freeze up ...
And they look larger than the Bridgestones. They are almost new so I woud expect they need more of a break in ...
They stick like glue to the road, but I can hear them. I would conclude that new Pilots are noisier than half worn Bridgestones..
Both tires are great in the wet with the nod going to the Pilots.

I suppose if I demanded more from my tires I might see the significant benefits that others talk about, but for my driving (so far) I wouldn't change tires just to get rid of RFT.
Right now Im pleased with both and keep the RFT for touring (ie run flat security when far from home) and the Pilots for driving closer to home ...

Just sayin'
John in Whitby Canada

 

[jaRED]

By the sound of it your road surfaces are a lot better than ours. I have found that after a days driving I can get pain in my shoulders from fighting the tram lining. I have recently changed onto Goodyears so far I am enjoying the ride and not finding them any noisier. Need a good hoon on them to see if I do still ache afterwards, but the weather isn't being kind

 

[AlanJ]

Always lots of variables in this - style of driving, road conditions etc etc. The newer run flat options are certainly better in terms of grip, road handling a noise that the originals fitted way back in 2003. I have just got a new 325i with Bridgestone RFTs and the quality of ride, handling is a considerable improvement over the old.

 

[TitanTim]

Always lots of variables in this - style of driving, road conditions etc etc. The newer run flat options are certainly better in terms of grip, road handling a noise that the originals fitted way back in 2003. I have just got a new 325i with Bridgestone RFTs and the quality of ride, handling is a considerable improvement over the old.

Agree with this, alot of owners more than likely haven't tried the latest generation runflats but remember them from a few years back if running older Z4s. They did the swap to normal tyres and forever do the downer on RFs. I remember the runflats on my 2003 MINI Cooper S which were pretty horrendous with the tread showing signs of cracking after 12 months. Todays RFs are like night and day and certainly wouldn't swap them out for the sake of a cushy ride.

Tim.