Pirelli Pzero RFT

3liter1 · 08-20-2009, 12:06 PM

I am about to take delivery of my Lemans Blue 128i msport (it is being prepped at the dealer). I noticed the tires are Pirelli PZero Run Flats. I did some searches here and found not much on these. Any one have experience with these?
Thanks

BrokenVert · 08-20-2009, 12:29 PM

Pirelli makes great runflats. I have experience with the runflat version of their high performance winter tire (240 Sottozero) and it is fantastic. I would assume that its the same system. I've hit heavy and large pot holes with no damage to the tire.

Aside from that PZeros are great tires, but i've ive heard that they wear quickly.

Fireflyer239 · 08-20-2009, 11:15 PM

I have 3K miles on my P-Zero runflats (128 Sport). Seem like a competent all-around tire in all the conditions a RF Summer tire would be expected to serve, with excellent wet adhesion and gradual breakaway wet or dry. However, even set at 38psi in my Sport Package car, their turn-in response seems less sharp than even GY Eagle F1 A/S's on my '03 330xi. Small imperfections pass smoothly, but any potholes or sharper impacts are felt sharply. Biggest complaint is that mid-corner bumps upset the car. Still, these wheels and tires are a good looking and performing duo.

3liter1 · 08-21-2009, 06:39 AM

Thanks FireFlyer. I am picking up my car tomorrow. Will post something in a few days to see how my experience compares to yours. I am in the Northern NJ area and commute over the TZ bridge daily

3liter1 · 08-24-2009, 10:21 AM

only a few days with the car but agree mid corner bumps are an issue. My Audi S4 feels much more planted in that regard. I am going to get some winter wheels and hi performance snows in a few months. Will be interesting to see if there is a difference. I am sure there will be. I think the stiffer sidewalls transmit more energy to the car; requiring the softer suspension and creating the observed movement.

Monterra · 08-24-2009, 10:18 PM

The cornering limits of the Pzeros is very impressive. The impacts are just too harsh to live with day to day. I'll be switching to the less aggressive non-runflat Conti DW in the name of slight performance compromise for what I figure will be a large upgrade in ride quality.

3liter1 · 08-27-2009, 12:35 PM

After a week or so with the Pirelli RFTs my overall impression is that they ride/feel somewhat like an overinflated tire. But coming from the S4, the ride in the 128 sport is much less harsh/jarring while softer/less responsive. I had 18 inch Michelin PS2's on the Audi. The wheels on the 128 are 17 inch. I do think I would prefer a firmer suspension on the 128, but it seems that BMW softened it a bit to compensate for the RFT. By the way, around my favorite highway offramp, I could hit 60 mph in the Audi before the tires would start to lose a bit of grip. I hit 60 in the 128, and there was more traction left, though the car was leaning a bit more. The 128 is about 600-700 lbs lighter 3200lb vs 3900 for the S4.

08-20-2009, 12:06 PM	#1
3liter1 First Lieutenant 57 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (1)	Pirelli Pzero RFT - Any opinions? I am about to take delivery of my Lemans Blue 128i msport (it is being prepped at the dealer). I noticed the tires are Pirelli PZero Run Flats. I did some searches here and found not much on these. Any one have experience with these? Thanks Last edited by 3liter1; 08-20-2009 at 12:23 PM..
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08-20-2009, 12:29 PM	#2
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	Pirelli makes great runflats. I have experience with the runflat version of their high performance winter tire (240 Sottozero) and it is fantastic. I would assume that its the same system. I've hit heavy and large pot holes with no damage to the tire. Aside from that PZeros are great tires, but i've ive heard that they wear quickly. __________________
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08-20-2009, 11:15 PM	#3
Fireflyer239 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 349 Posts Drives: BMW, Jeep, Ducati & Harley Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Haven, CT iTrader: (0)	I have 3K miles on my P-Zero runflats (128 Sport). Seem like a competent all-around tire in all the conditions a RF Summer tire would be expected to serve, with excellent wet adhesion and gradual breakaway wet or dry. However, even set at 38psi in my Sport Package car, their turn-in response seems less sharp than even GY Eagle F1 A/S's on my '03 330xi. Small imperfections pass smoothly, but any potholes or sharper impacts are felt sharply. Biggest complaint is that mid-corner bumps upset the car. Still, these wheels and tires are a good looking and performing duo.
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08-21-2009, 06:39 AM	#4
3liter1 First Lieutenant 57 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (1)	Thanks FireFlyer. I am picking up my car tomorrow. Will post something in a few days to see how my experience compares to yours. I am in the Northern NJ area and commute over the TZ bridge daily
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08-24-2009, 10:21 AM	#5
3liter1 First Lieutenant 57 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (1)	only a few days with the car but agree mid corner bumps are an issue. My Audi S4 feels much more planted in that regard. I am going to get some winter wheels and hi performance snows in a few months. Will be interesting to see if there is a difference. I am sure there will be. I think the stiffer sidewalls transmit more energy to the car; requiring the softer suspension and creating the observed movement.
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08-24-2009, 10:18 PM	#6
Monterra Captain 17 Rep 619 Posts Drives: 15 X1 msport sdrive28 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: HVNY iTrader: (0)	The cornering limits of the Pzeros is very impressive. The impacts are just too harsh to live with day to day. I'll be switching to the less aggressive non-runflat Conti DW in the name of slight performance compromise for what I figure will be a large upgrade in ride quality.
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08-27-2009, 12:35 PM	#7
3liter1 First Lieutenant 57 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (1)	After a week or so with the Pirelli RFTs my overall impression is that they ride/feel somewhat like an overinflated tire. But coming from the S4, the ride in the 128 sport is much less harsh/jarring while softer/less responsive. I had 18 inch Michelin PS2's on the Audi. The wheels on the 128 are 17 inch. I do think I would prefer a firmer suspension on the 128, but it seems that BMW softened it a bit to compensate for the RFT. By the way, around my favorite highway offramp, I could hit 60 mph in the Audi before the tires would start to lose a bit of grip. I hit 60 in the 128, and there was more traction left, though the car was leaning a bit more. The 128 is about 600-700 lbs lighter 3200lb vs 3900 for the S4.
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