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[jester17]

So I have a 2011 135i M Sport with RFTs all around. I bent my front two rims, had them repaired, and needed two new front tires as they both bubbles. As I didn't want to continue with RFTs because of what I've read folks post about performance and feel -- and because the SA and tech. said there'd be no problem putting performance on the front and keeping the RFTs on the rear -- I put Kumho Ecsta SPT Ultra High Performance Summer on the two repaired front rims. I take it out for some driving when I get it back... and it's like a whole new damn feel. Is this just placebo effect, or would two such new tires on the front really create such dramatic different in ride, turning and hugging curves, and general drive-feel?

[MightyMouseTech]

This is why everyone gets rid of em.

You should have done it a long time ago.

[kobeballer96]

No placebo effect lol it's the real deal

[AtlantaDude]

RFTs really do suck THAT bad!

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by jester17

So I have a 2011 135i M Sport with RFTs all around. I bent my front two rims, had them repaired, and needed two new front tires as they both bubbles. As I didn't want to continue with RFTs because of what I've read folks post about performance and feel -- and because the SA and tech. said there'd be no problem putting performance on the front and keeping the RFTs on the rear -- I put Kumho Ecsta SPT Ultra High Performance Summer on the two repaired front rims. I take it out for some driving when I get it back... and it's like a whole new damn feel. Is this just placebo effect, or would two such new tires on the front really create such dramatic different in ride, turning and hugging curves, and general drive-feel?

Replacing older tires with newer is almost always a noticeable change for the better. If the older tires are RFTs, and the new ones not, the change will be bigger. If the older tires are all seasons, and the new ones summer, the improvement in handling will be bigger.

Put it all together, and what you observed is both real, and not at all surprising.

[ShocknAwe]

AND thats with Kumho Ecsta SPT tires. It gets even better with proper rubber under there. Just goes to show, the RFTs are THAT BAD that even Kumhos make them feel like crap.

[VMRWheels]

That's why a large majority of people running non-RFTs are happy with their choice. RFTs have their place, but I prefer a conventional tire over RFT.

[Gary@TireRack]

Each generation of run flat tire seems to be improving over the previous one. The gap is closing, but the top tire in most categories is still almost always a non run flat tire.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

AND thats with Kumho Ecsta SPT tires. It gets even better with proper rubber under there. Just goes to show, the RFTs are THAT BAD that even Kumhos make them feel like crap.

Exactly my thoughts.

[OLEK135i]

Its memorial day weekend, Go find a parking lot and do some burnouts! Run those rfts to the ground and get you some good tires!

[jester17]

I just took my mom to the airport, and coming off the exit turn/curve could really and truly feel such an enormous difference. Making a full switch ASAP!

(checking out the tires thread here for best rec....)

[shah269]

Originally Posted by Bear From Jax

RFTs really do suck THAT bad!

+100000000000000000000000000000000!!!!

I hated my 135 untill i took off the RTF and went with 4 normal tires!

It went from a car that felt out of place on any road to a car i can now trust!

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by jester17

I just took my mom to the airport, and coming off the exit turn/curve could really and truly feel such an enormous difference. Making a full switch ASAP!

(checking out the tires thread here for best rec....)

Pilot Super Sports for summer, X-Ice Xi3 for winter, M3 subframe bushings to dial out the real chassis slop you will soon discover.

/thread

[P1]

So does everyone just carry a spare with them when they leave town?

[Overpar56]

Originally Posted by P1et

So does everyone just carry a spare with them when they leave town?

I had an RX8 and they gave me a small kit with a can of tire goo. Never took it out of the case. Get the BMW kit they probably have with the 2 now. Someone probably has the part number for it.

I'm switching to conventional extreme performance summer rubber once my runny farts go bad. Heck, my winter tires were better than the RFTs.

Edit: http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Genuine-Fa.../dp/B000P5JO5M

[Dackelone]

It's unsafe to have RFT's on one axle and regular tires on the "other axle". You should switch to regular tires ASAP.

hardly no one likes RFT's after they sample how regular tires transform our cars.

Once your tires are older than five years old or have less than 1.5mm's... its time for new tires. Actually most German replace their tires when they have less than 4mm's of thread.

[Overpar56]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

It's unsafe to have RFT's on one axle and regular tires on the "other axle". You should switch to regular tires ASAP.

hardly no one likes RFT's after they sample how regular tires transform our cars.

Once your tires are older than five years old or have less than 1.5mm's... its time for new tires. Actually most German replace their tires when they have less than 4mm's of thread.

We're frugal people Dack. We like to run our tires down to the cords showing through.

I plan on scrubbing sone tread off this weekend. If I time it right, I'll last until late Fall and out on the winter threads.

[3002 tii]

OP if you change your mind I"ll sell you my 4 run flats which have less than 10k on them. Shipping shouldn't be too bad because I'm in NJ =D

[jester17]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

It's unsafe to have RFT's on one axle and regular tires on the "other axle". You should switch to regular tires ASAP.

hardly no one likes RFT's after they sample how regular tires transform our cars.

Once your tires are older than five years old or have less than 1.5mm's... its time for new tires. Actually most German replace their tires when they have less than 4mm's of thread.

Why is this unsafe? I asked my two SAs about this repeatedly, and they both confirmed several techs. saying that there would be no problem...?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by jester17

Why is this unsafe? I asked my two SAs about this repeatedly, and they both confirmed several techs. saying that there would be no problem...?

Because... it effects the way your car handles. RFT are incredibly stiff(sidewalls), this acts like an extra spring or adds to the spring. So one axle is really hard to compress while the other axle is very weak or soft. Depending on which axle the RFT's tires are on will effect your car's over/understeer.

Its the same thing for running really old tires... (to a lesser extent)... old tires get harder... they effect how your car handles and grips.


IF you had to do an emergency lane change... your car would not be safe to control. Just because someone says its safe don't mean its safe.

I ditched the run flats on my 135i and I do not regret it. But you should only run four tires of the same brand and model. Don't mix RFT with regular tires.

Run Flat tires vs Normal tires - dealer cut away carcus...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412903


Dack.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by P1et

So does everyone just carry a spare with them when they leave town?

That and a jack. Our lack of spare is just idiotic.

[3002 tii]

Or you can always carry those fix-a-flat kits, they sell the type that won't damage TPMS. I think TireRack offers one by Continental but it's similar to the one M cars used (maybe still) were equipped with.