RFT Tyre Suggestion

[Griffster]

I'm putting the stock wheels back on the 135i for daily road commuting and keeping a separate set for more closed track fun. As we sometimes do long commutes down places like the great ocean road, i'm going to put RFT's back on for peace of mind.

There seems to be only 3 available that I can find that fit the standard rims
a) Pirelli P Zero's
b) Dunlop SP Sport 01
c) Bridgestone RE050A

I think the Bridgestones were the OEM? Anyway, anyone had both the Dunlop and or Pirelli and care to comment on their thoughts?

Cheers

[juld0zer]

Of those three, i'd probably go in this order:
1. RE050A
2. Pzero
3. SP Sport 01.

Continental makes the Sport Contact 5 SSR to suit the rear but i am yet to see a matching front tyre (215/40-18). Likewise for Bridgestone's S001 and Goodyear's Assymetric 2. Available for rear but yet to see a front.

The reasons for my choice are:
- Durability: Dunlops and Goodyears of that era would develop inside sidewall tears that result in bulges in the sidewall from big potholes or minor kisses with kerbs. Everyday stuff basically. The Bridgestones seem to take everyday torture best. I ranked Bridgestone above Pirelli for durability because a puncture in a repairable section of the tread doesn't cost you a new tyre. Pirelli specifically states their Pzero RFT are not to be repaired. Regardless of brand, if you drive on the tyre with little or no air it will have to be replaced anyway due to sidewall compromise in runflat operation. Opinions will vary and there are people who will happily ropeseal any puncture - ultimately, choice is yours.

Availability - The RE050A is the OEM tyre on the 18' wheels so naturally they are quite easily to find and competitively priced from parallel importers.

Some things to consider:
- Noise. When new, all three are similar. As they wear and age, RE050a can get noisy (roar) and Dunlops get scalloped/lumpy/feathered easily from everyday use, leading to roar. The Pirelli i've noticed maintains fair manners throughout its life but due to its curved tread area it really needs good and regular alignments to minimise inside edge wear and maximise life.

- Price. All options are within $10-20 per tyre of each other, if you shop around.

- Overall grip. All are similar. The RE050a seems to perform well in all conditions and maintains fair straight ahead traction even in the wet. I think the traction control was calibrated to suit it. RE050A also has the sharpest turn in and feedback of the 3. Pzero is quite close to the Bridgestone but it feels a bit vague at times - you need to have faith. Braking-wise, arguably the Bridgestone feels better but i dont have any data to back it up. This is just based on experience. Pzero did win some braking tests done in the media, though.

[Griffster]

Thanks for the detailed post. Much appreciated.

[DR-JEKL]

buy a jack and a spare wheel/tyre RFT's are crap..

[jaye944]

IMHO, dont,
get XL rated tires you WILL not look back

1> better wear
2> better ride
3> better grip
4> no tramlinging or bouncing
5> PRICE
6> Get dynaplug tire fix

RFT's most places wont repair, and after you drive on them for over 50 km there toast

Originally Posted by Griffster

I'm putting the stock wheels back on the 135i for daily road commuting and keeping a separate set for more closed track fun. As we sometimes do long commutes down places like the great ocean road, i'm going to put RFT's back on for peace of mind.

There seems to be only 3 available that I can find that fit the standard rims
a) Pirelli P Zero's
b) Dunlop SP Sport 01
c) Bridgestone RE050A

I think the Bridgestones were the OEM? Anyway, anyone had both the Dunlop and or Pirelli and care to comment on their thoughts?

Cheers

[thezone135i]

If you go Bridgestone S001's you can go 225 and 255. 225 being a more common and easily accessible tyre than 215. I went from OEM size RE050a's to larger S001's and they have better grip and are way less harsh to ride on than the RE050a's. S001's are newer tech. RE050a's were around 10 years ago.

[Griffster]

Hmm, doing that opens up a few more tyres actually, including the Conti Contact 5, and the Eagle asymmetric.
I kept the profile the same as the tyre calculator tells me that's the closest to original, only 1.2% difference in OD.

[Griffster]

OK so the only tyre that Bridgestone can actually supply is the Potenza RE050A 245/35R18. None of the other sizes (215, 225, 255) is available in the RE050 and none of the sizes at all are available in the S001's.

[arthurtwp]

Bridgestone might have a 4 for 3 discount now if that helps your decision making process that includes their potenza range.

[Griffster]

Originally Posted by arthurtwp

Bridgestone might have a 4 for 3 discount now if that helps your decision making process that includes their potenza range.

Yes I saw that, but they can't actually supply any of the required sizes :-(

[juld0zer]

Dont get the plain RE050. It's the non assymetric version. Not sure if they even make it in our sizes.
Try a different Bridgestone dealer because it's pretty funny they dont have 215/40-18, 225/40-18 or 245/35-18 in RE050A. These are like BMW staples. And no 245/35-18 in S001? Sounds like you'd be better off buying from a parallel importer. Given their low prices and high turnover, stock is usually quite fresh. Otherwise try Costco, Bob Jane, Jax, etc if you want the BOGOF offer.

IMO the RE050A is better than the S001, despite what the brochures say. Even if it is a 10yr old design, it shows it has survived the test of time. It's noisy and harsh but it gives good feedback.

[Dackelone]

I second what Nomana said. Go with high quality XL rated tires like Michelin PSS, PS3's or PS4. The best thing you could do is to buy a jack kit and throw one of your track or winter tires in the trunk.

IF you really want RFT's... Michelin also makes RFTs called "Zero Pressure" or ZP line.

[juld0zer]

But the PS2 ZP is rare at best, in Australia. Even in an E90 fitment it is hard to get. I have never seen a 215/40 or 245/35. Primacy maybe but i also have never seen them in our sizes.