e90 RFT vs non RFT

[Picard]

Hi guys

Looking for some advice. My 2011 e90 320d is coming up for a set of new rubber and I'm indecisive which way to go. It's stock standard and has the Bridestone RFT's on it currently. I notice the ride is quite hard...but I'm used to it now. I've heard putting normal tires on will make the ride a bit more comfy, but at the same time I've read that it also affects the handling quite a bit, in the sense that it is not as connected to the road etc..

I'd like to hear back on any experiences with this? Should I stick to RFT or should I rather just get normal tires. I have no issue with carrying a spare rim in the boot.

Which tires would you recommend on the e90 weather it be RFT or not.

Looking forward to your replies!

 

[DieselFan]

I went from 17s with rfts to 19s with normal tyres and the ride was no longer back breaking. And normal tyres will have better handing then rtfs.

 

[Legacy]

Non RFT's will be much better on the spine as the sidewalls are soft. In terms of handling, if anything the handling would be better (assuming you are not buying an inferior brand).

Oh and they are much cheaper. Take the money you save and buy the small tyre from BMW in case you get a flat.

 

[Picard]

I'm keen on going non runflats as is my wallet. I'm trying to narrow it down now to which ones...which is a job in itself! So many options!

I see Firestone do the SZ90's which is a RFT relatively cheap. Anybody have any experiences with them?

 

[Legacy]

What size(s) are you looking at?

 

[Picard]

Need to run down and confirm, but I think they're 225/45/17

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

I replaced the Bridgestone runflats on my 320d with a set of Pirelli P7 Cinturato's and a space saver kit. Was a great drive after than.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Hi guys

Looking for some advice. My 2011 e90 320d is coming up for a set of new rubber and I'm indecisive which way to go. It's stock standard and has the Bridestone RFT's on it currently. I notice the ride is quite hard...but I'm used to it now. I've heard putting normal tires on will make the ride a bit more comfy, but at the same time I've read that it also affects the handling quite a bit, in the sense that it is not as connected to the road etc..

I'd like to hear back on any experiences with this? Should I stick to RFT or should I rather just get normal tires. I have no issue with carrying a spare rim in the boot.

Which tires would you recommend on the e90 weather it be RFT or not.

Looking forward to your replies!

I changed my RFT on my 323i Sportpack (which I had for a short while) to non-RFT and got the space saver spare and jack etc in a bag.

My experience of the handling was a definite loss of the very sharp "turn-in" characteristics of the E90 Sportpacks. There was also a big of "vagueness" in the cornering......but hey, I got used to it very quickly and the ride was dramatically improved:=):.

BTW, for those who are concerned re Insurance and MP issues by changing, I received a letter from SMG Pmb confirming that the change was acceptable to BMW, BMW Finance and Motorplan. My insurers were advised and confirmed no affect on cover at all.

:=):

 

[Picard]

Seems the ride changes quite a lot when going non runflat. Is it really that great a difference?

 

[DieselFan]

Night and day

 

[Lizzard]

Night and day

Better or worse?

 

[DieselFan]

Refer to my first post

 

[Lizzard]

So your profile went from say 45 to 30 and it still feels beter? interesting

 

[DieselFan]

Yip much better.

 

[Philip Foglar]

My E90 has the 17" narrow and wide setup with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT's, and this on a normal non-sport suspension, the ride is indeed hard! I remember taking a 330d M Sport for a test drive which had 18" narrow/wides with normal tyres. I was shocked at how much smoother the ride was! With regards to handling, I would like to think that between 18" and 19" normal tyres will be loads better than RFT's and comfort levels far better too. I am just a bit wary of going non-RFT on 17" wheels somehow. I tend to think that the stiffer sidewall does aid stability to a point, but, at the same time, I do find that it is quite easy to experience understeer when hustling through sharp low speed corners or circles.

But, I think overall, normal tyres make the best sense if you have a space-saver and mobility kit. :thumbs:

 

[Dylan dos santos]

My 19" non rfts are way way better than my old 17" run flats . Do the non rft swap and you will not be disappointed!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Nick]

Also went normal rubber, will never put RFT's on my car again.

 

[thisISmyothercar]

If you do switch to normal tyres, do the tyre pressure sensors still work? I find them to be pretty useful

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

[Nick]

Yea they still work.

 

[AadZO]

My 19" non rfts are way way better than my old 17" run flats . Do the non rft swap and you will not be disappointed!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

same here, even with the much smaller sidewall !
Will never go RFT again