RFTs

new128 · 12-11-2010, 09:41 AM

Just picked up my 128 on Thursday. Took it out for a test drive on the RFTs to see if my impression is the same as the negative comments I have heard.
The car has the Sport package and came with Goodyear Eagle NCT5 summer tires (205/50/17 on front - 225/45/17 on rear). On Tirerack this tires is in the Grand Touring Summer category and is one of the highest priced summer RFTs tires in their inventory.
Basically, I can't understand the negative comments about RFTs. Is it the brand? Were people driving Buicks before getting their BMW?
My previous car was an Acura RSX with Michelin MXM4 All Seasons. When I bought the car in 2004, I noticed it was harsher riding than any previous car I owned, but I got used to it.
When I took the 128 RFTs out for a test drive, the ride was very quiet (the exhaust noice is louder than any tire noise) and very smooth riding. Much better than the RSX. The ride is firm, but definitely not harsh (and I drove it over every kind of street/road I could think of, from washboard and potholes, to high speed interstate.
All things considered, I don't have anything negative to say about the RFTs. I think the only thing that would keep me from repurchasing RFTs is if they have really low-mileage wear.
And before someone tells me about high performance driving and RFTs - I am not a highly agressive, "take my car to the track" type driver. I just want a good "performance car" that I can enjoy every day. (And I think any BMW, with any tires that come as OE tires should fill that requirement.)

Tom K. · 12-11-2010, 01:05 PM

My '08 128i came with the NCTs and I felt it was a surprisingly good tire for a "summer touring" RFT. Handling was crisp, traction was good and the ride was quite comfortable. Don't forget that some folks don't differentiate among tire brands or models within a brand. So "all run-flats are terrible, all Blizzaks are excellent in deep snow", etc., etc. (People sometimes don't even know what they are driving, as there is an ad in the current Roundel magazine for a BMW 325i with a "271 HP V-6 engine"!)

After wearing out the rears at 23,000 miles about 9 months ago, I found that TireRack no longer listed them in the 225/45R17 size and it would have cost me $700 at my local tire shop (even with CCA discount) for just the two rear tires. My solution was to replace all 4 tires with Conti DWS non RFTs for $600. The ride is much more compliant and the cornering is still very good - although the feel is noticably softer. This does not surprise me; not just because the Contis are non RFT, but they are also all-seasons.

I gather the NCT is back in supply - but I still feel they are too expensive. Also, do not attempt to drive on snow/ice with any summer tires - and be very careful in sub 40o temps.

Tom

ralawren · 12-11-2010, 04:59 PM

I also have the GY NCTs on my 2010 128i Sport pkg. I found the tires to decent traction, are quiet and responsive. But the are very hard; and you don't know how hard they are until you put on normal tires. I started using Conti DWS for the winter and liked the ride so well I am using them all year. The NCTs have 6000 miles and 2 HPDE schools and now only have 4.5/32nd of tread left. Just enough to turn in at the end of my lease.

bozola · 12-12-2010, 09:52 AM

In my opinion, the NCT's are the worst tires I have ever owned. Finally switched to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S and could not be happier.

new128 · 12-12-2010, 10:41 AM

As with any forum - Reader beware, my experience might not be the same as yours. In the case of tires, it is probably more true than most other subjects - so be very cautious of someones statements. Including mine.

Everyone has their definition of what makes a "good tire". I'm only responsible for my opinion.

And in response to Tom K. - No, I won't run the summers in the winter. After the testing, I immediately stored the summers and put on my new Michelin X-ICE XI2 snows. They also seem very good. But, that's just my opinion.

Red Bread · 12-12-2010, 12:35 PM

Plain and simple, a non RFT rides better, weighs less and costs less. The 135i with RFTs rides so flinty and bangs off expansion strips so much worse than it's handling justifies, that it's just silly.

Drive a 1er with non RFTs and you'll understand why so many people hate the ride of them.

bozola · 12-12-2010, 12:50 PM

Hence why I started my reply with... "In my opinion"

12-11-2010, 09:41 AM	#1
new128 First BMW 5 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	RFTs - Confused Just picked up my 128 on Thursday. Took it out for a test drive on the RFTs to see if my impression is the same as the negative comments I have heard. The car has the Sport package and came with Goodyear Eagle NCT5 summer tires (205/50/17 on front - 225/45/17 on rear). On Tirerack this tires is in the Grand Touring Summer category and is one of the highest priced summer RFTs tires in their inventory. Basically, I can't understand the negative comments about RFTs. Is it the brand? Were people driving Buicks before getting their BMW? My previous car was an Acura RSX with Michelin MXM4 All Seasons. When I bought the car in 2004, I noticed it was harsher riding than any previous car I owned, but I got used to it. When I took the 128 RFTs out for a test drive, the ride was very quiet (the exhaust noice is louder than any tire noise) and very smooth riding. Much better than the RSX. The ride is firm, but definitely not harsh (and I drove it over every kind of street/road I could think of, from washboard and potholes, to high speed interstate. All things considered, I don't have anything negative to say about the RFTs. I think the only thing that would keep me from repurchasing RFTs is if they have really low-mileage wear. And before someone tells me about high performance driving and RFTs - I am not a highly agressive, "take my car to the track" type driver. I just want a good "performance car" that I can enjoy every day. (And I think any BMW, with any tires that come as OE tires should fill that requirement.)
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12-11-2010, 01:05 PM	#2
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	My '08 128i came with the NCTs and I felt it was a surprisingly good tire for a "summer touring" RFT. Handling was crisp, traction was good and the ride was quite comfortable. Don't forget that some folks don't differentiate among tire brands or models within a brand. So "all run-flats are terrible, all Blizzaks are excellent in deep snow", etc., etc. (People sometimes don't even know what they are driving, as there is an ad in the current Roundel magazine for a BMW 325i with a "271 HP V-6 engine"!) After wearing out the rears at 23,000 miles about 9 months ago, I found that TireRack no longer listed them in the 225/45R17 size and it would have cost me $700 at my local tire shop (even with CCA discount) for just the two rear tires. My solution was to replace all 4 tires with Conti DWS non RFTs for $600. The ride is much more compliant and the cornering is still very good - although the feel is noticably softer. This does not surprise me; not just because the Contis are non RFT, but they are also all-seasons. I gather the NCT is back in supply - but I still feel they are too expensive. Also, do not attempt to drive on snow/ice with any summer tires - and be very careful in sub 40o temps. Tom
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12-11-2010, 04:59 PM	#3
ralawren First Lieutenant 78 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2015 228i MSport w/Trk Pkg Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Wake Forest, NC iTrader: (0)	I also have the GY NCTs on my 2010 128i Sport pkg. I found the tires to decent traction, are quiet and responsive. But the are very hard; and you don't know how hard they are until you put on normal tires. I started using Conti DWS for the winter and liked the ride so well I am using them all year. The NCTs have 6000 miles and 2 HPDE schools and now only have 4.5/32nd of tread left. Just enough to turn in at the end of my lease.
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12-12-2010, 09:52 AM	#4
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	In my opinion, the NCT's are the worst tires I have ever owned. Finally switched to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S and could not be happier.
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12-12-2010, 10:41 AM	#5
new128 First BMW 5 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	As with any forum - Reader beware, my experience might not be the same as yours. In the case of tires, it is probably more true than most other subjects - so be very cautious of someones statements. Including mine. Everyone has their definition of what makes a "good tire". I'm only responsible for my opinion. And in response to Tom K. - No, I won't run the summers in the winter. After the testing, I immediately stored the summers and put on my new Michelin X-ICE XI2 snows. They also seem very good. But, that's just my opinion.
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12-12-2010, 12:35 PM	#6
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Plain and simple, a non RFT rides better, weighs less and costs less. The 135i with RFTs rides so flinty and bangs off expansion strips so much worse than it's handling justifies, that it's just silly. Drive a 1er with non RFTs and you'll understand why so many people hate the ride of them.
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12-12-2010, 12:50 PM	#7
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	Hence why I started my reply with... "In my opinion"
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