Tires changes, thanks guys!

R

RX-78

Active member
 Liverpool
Before I start, I must apologise - I really only come on here once in a blue moon but this forum has been a wealth of information!

My stock RFTs has become complete worn after 3 years of use. I've been thinking of going non RFT or try and get a better RFT (which seems to be non existent). RFT seems to give hard rides/tramlining/poor handling (all of which I got) and it was more expensive so I was keen for a non RFT. Got in touch with a few tire companies and most said "no way we'll change your tires to non RFT". Finally my Indie garage guy's recommended a tire company that'll change it for me.

Now all 4 corners changed to Goodyear asymm 2. The ride is fantastic now with good handling. No tramlining (which I was convinced was the character of the car rather than the tires) :thumbsup: To cap it off, the road noise is much better as well. Bough some Michellin compressor and tire goo as well - hopefully I don't need them but the compressor worked fine on my wife's car

I took it for a service couple of weeks later and found both rear springs are broken as well as 2 front bushes needing replacement as well. Got these changed and the car is handling the bumps much better now. It's like having a new car! I'm itching to take it out for a ride now, only if I can some how fit my wife and the 4 month old baby as well :rofl:

Anyhow, thanks for all the info. I probably wouldn't have even thought about changing the tires if it wasn't for you guys
 
I've never understood the reluctance of most UK tire dealer refusal to install regular tires on the Zed as even the BMW dealer in the US will install regular tire if that's what you want.
 
I asked a couple of dealers as well - one of them said because it was designed to run with RFT the ride/handling would be worse with non RFT :rofl: The other was more credible and said he couldn't be seen to promote non RFT so he wouldn't fit them.

Which ever the way, I'm not going back to RFT........ until I get a puncture in middle of no where in heavy rain :fuelfire:
 
Here is the other problem with RF's at least on this side of the pond. If your traveling somewhere and have a puncture that can's be repaired your going to need a replacement RF tire. Try and fine one in stock as most tires dealer don't carry them in stock so your going to sit and interrupt your trip until they can order one in. However, if your using a standard tire so long as it is a name brand like Michelin, Goodyear, Continental and many more there is an excellent chance you will have a replacement tire installed immediately.
 
Spoke to BMW Coopers last weekend on RFT's v nRFT's and they mentioned that the wheels are designed for RTF's and are therefore a slightly different shape. Putting nRFTs on them wont work very well because of the shape different (no idea if this is actually true!). I have the worst tyres at the mo, gives me such a bad ride / tramlining to the point I can't stay on my side of the road. I'm considering a good set of RFT's though; not a fan of not having a spare and carrying a compressor just in case. Currently looking at these Pirelli Sottozero's {http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Pirelli/Sottozero-Serie-II.htm} or Bridgstone Blizzaks' {http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Bridgestone/Blizzak-LM25-RFT.htm}
 
RX-78 said:
Before I start, I must apologise - I really only come on here once in a blue moon but this forum has been a wealth of information!

My stock RFTs has become complete worn after 3 years of use. I've been thinking of going non RFT or try and get a better RFT (which seems to be non existent). RFT seems to give hard rides/tramlining/poor handling (all of which I got) and it was more expensive so I was keen for a non RFT. Got in touch with a few tire companies and most said "no way we'll change your tires to non RFT". Finally my Indie garage guy's recommended a tire company that'll change it for me.

Now all 4 corners changed to Goodyear asymm 2. The ride is fantastic now with good handling. No tramlining (which I was convinced was the character of the car rather than the tires) :thumbsup: To cap it off, the road noise is much better as well. Bough some Michellin compressor and tire goo as well - hopefully I don't need them but the compressor worked fine on my wife's car

I took it for a service couple of weeks later and found both rear springs are broken as well as 2 front bushes needing replacement as well. Got these changed and the car is handling the bumps much better now. It's like having a new car! I'm itching to take it out for a ride now, only if I can some how fit my wife and the 4 month old baby as well :rofl:

Anyhow, thanks for all the info. I probably wouldn't have even thought about changing the tires if it wasn't for you guys
Click to expand...

didn't search the forum very hard did you - Michelin PS2 ZP are awesome tyres - all of the advantages of RFT with none of the drawbacks (well apart from maybe price). I had them on mine and it was night and day difference - everything the non-RFT guys go on about but not having to carry spare or goo :driving:
 
gannet said:
RX-78 said:
Before I start, I must apologise - I really only come on here once in a blue moon but this forum has been a wealth of information!

My stock RFTs has become complete worn after 3 years of use. I've been thinking of going non RFT or try and get a better RFT (which seems to be non existent). RFT seems to give hard rides/tramlining/poor handling (all of which I got) and it was more expensive so I was keen for a non RFT. Got in touch with a few tire companies and most said "no way we'll change your tires to non RFT". Finally my Indie garage guy's recommended a tire company that'll change it for me.

Now all 4 corners changed to Goodyear asymm 2. The ride is fantastic now with good handling. No tramlining (which I was convinced was the character of the car rather than the tires) :thumbsup: To cap it off, the road noise is much better as well. Bough some Michellin compressor and tire goo as well - hopefully I don't need them but the compressor worked fine on my wife's car

I took it for a service couple of weeks later and found both rear springs are broken as well as 2 front bushes needing replacement as well. Got these changed and the car is handling the bumps much better now. It's like having a new car! I'm itching to take it out for a ride now, only if I can some how fit my wife and the 4 month old baby as well :rofl:

Anyhow, thanks for all the info. I probably wouldn't have even thought about changing the tires if it wasn't for you guys
Click to expand...

didn't search the forum very hard did you - Michelin PS2 ZP are awesome tyres - all of the advantages of RFT with none of the drawbacks (well apart from maybe price). I had them on mine and it was night and day difference - everything the non-RFT guys go on about but not having to carry spare or goo :driving:
Click to expand...

X2
I had Bridgestone RFT on my 335d coupe with all of the usual problems. changed them to Michelin PS2 ZP (RFT) and it was a transformed. I used to run an E85 (2004) and that was hideous on the original RFT's. PS2's on that made one hell of a difference, but i upgraded to H&R antiroll bars to get back the roll stiffness that i lost in the process.

my E89 35i is totally different on the RFT's. no tram-lining and pretty good overall performance. Just shows what 8 additional years of development can do i suppose.


Dario
 
I tried looking for Michelin ps2 ZP but couldn't find them. Didn't realize we can get it in UK now!

Perhaps I should research a little harder :oops:
 
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