Best Run Flat Tyre (RFT)?

r0w3r · 04-29-2010, 03:38 AM

It's getting near the time I need to replace the factory tyres on my LCI E90.

I have 17" wheels and am happy with them - the roads round here are awful.

I'm not considering going to non-RFT.

What is the best RFT for the E90 in your opinion please? Based on experience.

Cheers!

VTECaddict · 04-29-2010, 04:10 AM

It would help if you specified summer, winter or all seasons.

r0w3r · 04-29-2010, 05:01 AM

All seasons - I live in the UK and it can be warm and dry in Winter or wet, cold and windy in the Summer...

SpmnE9zero · 04-29-2010, 06:18 AM

Hello
I am not trying to be a sarcastic, but honestly the only RFT's I like are the ones that FINALLY wore out and I was able to throw in the garbage!
I absolutely hate RFT's. I have tried many and just can not stand the side wall in them. Once you switch to non-rft's you will wish you had done so earlier. Ride is so much more plush and potholes seem to be taken with much less damaging affects.
I understand the comfort of knowing if you get a flat you will be ok, but for me, I would rather wait for a tow truck once in the life of my car than cruise around in an uncomfortable ride 365 days a year. Just my opinion as you asked for.

HighlandPete · 04-29-2010, 06:36 AM

The Michelin ZP is rated as the 'better' tyre by a few who have tried them on the smaller rims. A little softer on the poor surfaces.

HighlandPete

CHCCubs · 04-29-2010, 07:07 AM

I've had my car about a year now and have been happy with the Continental SSR RFT's that came stock with my car (17's).

freeflydive · 04-29-2010, 07:27 AM

I changed from the factory bridgestones to michelin PS2 (zp). Great traction & very quiet when broken in! The bridgestones still had a lot of tread on them, but had to replace due to air bubbles on the side wall. Overall, the PS2 is a much better tire.

Mutau052 · 04-29-2010, 09:28 AM

Michelin PS2 RFT's is what I have there nice a have a great ride, they also hookup like a draglite.

Only downside is the price, it hurts.

col4bin · 04-29-2010, 09:59 AM

The best RFT's are the one's not purchased.

hubble bubble · 04-29-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutau052

Michelin PS2 RFT's is what I have there nice a have a great ride, they also hookup like a draglite.

Only downside is the price, it hurts.

+1. Michelins are the best, but expensive. Bridgestone's are great in the dry, but not in the wet and they don't last long. Also expensive.

Car and Driver recently tested a number of high performance tires, and used the Michelin PS2 as the benchmark. A coupel scored as good or better than the PS2, for much less.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

335i_4D · 04-29-2010, 02:41 PM

For me:
Michelin PS2 for handling and traction
and
Continental for durability and confort.

Bridgestone should not be considered due to the fact that they wear off faster and they are much more fragile (tend to develop a sidewall bump or 2)

See http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380355

cstavaru · 04-29-2010, 03:34 PM

Michelin Pilot Sport 2 are the best run-flat tires available.

But I would really advise you to get the original BMW spare tire kit (I think the 318i already has room for a spare tire so the kit is cheap) and then get a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) non-RFT tires (RFTs are not available). The price difference between a set of RFTs and a set of non-RFTs will offset about half of the spare tire kit price.

Michelin PS3 are much better in the wet than the PS2s and wear much slower. I would think these tires are ideal for UK due to the better wet traction.

Topless 335i · 04-29-2010, 03:49 PM

this question's like asking "what's the hottest tranny"

cstavaru · 04-29-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topless 335i

this question's like asking "what's the hottest tranny"

You mean: what's the hottest tranny for BMW ? I would say the manual

rothwem · 04-30-2010, 08:25 AM

The PS2 runflat does not come in a 17" option, and its a summer tire, not an all season.

The selection of runflat all-seasons that are any good is very limited, I'd probably end up with a set of continentals. Michelin makes a Pilot Sport A/S Plus in 245/45/R17 in a runflat that would probably fit though. Haven't tried it though, so I can't say for sure.

I ended up going with regular tires, Pilot Sport A/S+ and I like them. At least consider going non runflat and a spare.

UncleWede · 04-30-2010, 09:26 AM

I have 16's but the Contis are WAY better than the Brickstones. I'm on my second set of Contis, the first set got me ~34K miles. Of course, I'm in the sunshine state, so I don't get a whole lotta rain to contend with.

SPACEMANRICK · 05-05-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHCCubs

I've had my car about a year now and have been happy with the Continental SSR RFT's that came stock with my car (17's).

I have 16,000 km on my Continental SSR RFT's on my 2008 335xi and I also think they are great tires......I would buy them again without hesitation

Couch · 05-05-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hubble bubble

+1. Michelins are the best, but expensive. Bridgestone's are great in the dry, but not in the wet and they don't last long. Also expensive.

Car and Driver recently tested a number of high performance tires, and used the Michelin PS2 as the benchmark. A coupel scored as good or better than the PS2, for much less.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

But all of those are non-RFT's. Including the PS2.

The ps2 rft's are nice, but i'm not getting them again b/c their price is just way too much. Gonna try the Conti's next.

R12ax7 · 05-05-2010, 09:46 AM

Go with the Continentals if you want all seasons, they are much better than the Potenzas. I will be putting them back on as my "winter" tires instead of the Bridgestone. I presume BMW will be fine with them on the lease return as they are putting them on as OEM now.

Bakeme521 · 05-05-2010, 11:20 AM

just get a set of these michelin tweels

chromisdesigns · 05-05-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpmnE9zero

Hello
I am not trying to be a sarcastic, but honestly the only RFT's I like are the ones that FINALLY wore out and I was able to throw in the garbage!
I absolutely hate RFT's. I have tried many and just can not stand the side wall in them. Once you switch to non-rft's you will wish you had done so earlier. Ride is so much more plush and potholes seem to be taken with much less damaging affects.
I understand the comfort of knowing if you get a flat you will be ok, but for me, I would rather wait for a tow truck once in the life of my car than cruise around in an uncomfortable ride 365 days a year. Just my opinion as you asked for.

+1 on that!

isugoo · 05-05-2010, 04:16 PM

Finding the best run flat tire is like finding the best looking fat girl.
Maybe the best from the group but still fat.
not worth it for the money and performance in my opinion.

Just buy a decent set of summer tires and M-mobility kit.

04-29-2010, 03:38 AM	#1
r0w3r New Member 5 Rep 24 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South iTrader: (0)	Best Run Flat Tyre (RFT)? It's getting near the time I need to replace the factory tyres on my LCI E90. I have 17" wheels and am happy with them - the roads round here are awful. I'm not considering going to non-RFT. What is the best RFT for the E90 in your opinion please? Based on experience. Cheers!
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04-29-2010, 04:10 AM	#2
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 492 Rep 6,068 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	It would help if you specified summer, winter or all seasons. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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04-29-2010, 05:01 AM	#3
r0w3r New Member 5 Rep 24 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South iTrader: (0)	All seasons - I live in the UK and it can be warm and dry in Winter or wet, cold and windy in the Summer...
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04-29-2010, 06:18 AM	#4
SpmnE9zero DENY THE WORLD THAT SURROUNDS YOU 521 Rep 35,580 Posts Drives: JB 33ZERO Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: City of Champions iTrader: (14) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Hello I am not trying to be a sarcastic, but honestly the only RFT's I like are the ones that FINALLY wore out and I was able to throw in the garbage! I absolutely hate RFT's. I have tried many and just can not stand the side wall in them. Once you switch to non-rft's you will wish you had done so earlier. Ride is so much more plush and potholes seem to be taken with much less damaging affects. I understand the comfort of knowing if you get a flat you will be ok, but for me, I would rather wait for a tow truck once in the life of my car than cruise around in an uncomfortable ride 365 days a year. Just my opinion as you asked for. __________________ Eurocharged V5 \| ROW's / CC Delete \| K&N's \| H&R Springs \| Single Fin G.B. Grill \| Mode Carbon Diffuser \| JBSpeed CF Spoiler \| Arkym Style CF Splitter \| CF Mirror Caps \| 5% Tints \| 12mm Spacers \|
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04-29-2010, 06:36 AM	#5
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6589 Rep 15,857 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	The Michelin ZP is rated as the 'better' tyre by a few who have tried them on the smaller rims. A little softer on the poor surfaces. HighlandPete
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04-29-2010, 07:07 AM	#6
CHCCubs Colonel 97 Rep 2,101 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Sport Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada iTrader: (0)	I've had my car about a year now and have been happy with the Continental SSR RFT's that came stock with my car (17's). __________________ 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Sport Line Mineral Grey on Everest Grey
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04-29-2010, 07:27 AM	#7
freeflydive Private 3 Rep 68 Posts Drives: Blk 335i/E92/Sport/Prem/iDrive Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Swansboro, NC iTrader: (1)	I changed from the factory bridgestones to michelin PS2 (zp). Great traction & very quiet when broken in! The bridgestones still had a lot of tread on them, but had to replace due to air bubbles on the side wall. Overall, the PS2 is a much better tire.
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04-29-2010, 09:28 AM	#8
Mutau052 New Member 1 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	Michelin PS2 RFT's is what I have there nice a have a great ride, they also hookup like a draglite. Only downside is the price, it hurts.
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04-29-2010, 09:59 AM	#9
col4bin First Lieutenant 67 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lakewood Ranch, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 e92 335xi [0.00]	The best RFT's are the one's not purchased. __________________ 2016 M235i - Mineral Gray
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04-29-2010, 02:41 PM	#11
335i_4D Now in the dark side ! 69 Rep 1,134 Posts Drives: 2011 911S 997.2 Cab Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The Great North iTrader: (3)	For me: Michelin PS2 for handling and traction and Continental for durability and confort. Bridgestone should not be considered due to the fact that they wear off faster and they are much more fragile (tend to develop a sidewall bump or 2) See http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380355 __________________ Present: 2011 Porsche Carrera S Cab, white (Now on the dark side!) BMW X3 M40i (wifey) Past:2012 335i Sport Black, 20" 356 wheels, M Sport Aero, MPE (Sold -kinda missed) 2010 X5 35d Black fully loaded (Sold) 2007 335i sedan Antracite (Sold and missed !)
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04-29-2010, 03:34 PM	#12
cstavaru Brigadier General 369 Rep 3,262 Posts Drives: 2009 335i M Sport Sedan 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania iTrader: (0)	Michelin Pilot Sport 2 are the best run-flat tires available. But I would really advise you to get the original BMW spare tire kit (I think the 318i already has room for a spare tire so the kit is cheap) and then get a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) non-RFT tires (RFTs are not available). The price difference between a set of RFTs and a set of non-RFTs will offset about half of the spare tire kit price. Michelin PS3 are much better in the wet than the PS2s and wear much slower. I would think these tires are ideal for UK due to the better wet traction. __________________ Mods(click): Cobb + RB Turbos \| Aquamist HFS-4 Meth \| Drexler LSD \| Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit \| Custom K&N Apollo Intake \| Wagner Intercooler \| Macht Schnell Downpipes \| BMW Performance Power Kit \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| BMW Performance Short Shifter \| M3 Subframe Bushings \|
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04-29-2010, 03:49 PM	#13
Topless 335i Captain 48 Rep 984 Posts Drives: AW E93 335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	this question's like asking "what's the hottest tranny"
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04-30-2010, 08:25 AM	#15
rothwem Major 582 Rep 1,256 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Wagon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Asheville, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i [10.00]	The PS2 runflat does not come in a 17" option, and its a summer tire, not an all season. The selection of runflat all-seasons that are any good is very limited, I'd probably end up with a set of continentals. Michelin makes a Pilot Sport A/S Plus in 245/45/R17 in a runflat that would probably fit though. Haven't tried it though, so I can't say for sure. I ended up going with regular tires, Pilot Sport A/S+ and I like them. At least consider going non runflat and a spare.
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04-30-2010, 09:26 AM	#16
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 19296 Rep 9,484 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	I have 16's but the Contis are WAY better than the Brickstones. I'm on my second set of Contis, the first set got me ~34K miles. Of course, I'm in the sunshine state, so I don't get a whole lotta rain to contend with.
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05-05-2010, 09:46 AM	#19
R12ax7 Major 152 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: 2021 340xi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Philly iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 328i [10.00]	Go with the Continentals if you want all seasons, they are much better than the Potenzas. I will be putting them back on as my "winter" tires instead of the Bridgestone. I presume BMW will be fine with them on the lease return as they are putting them on as OEM now.
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05-05-2010, 11:20 AM	#20
Bakeme521 Some say... 266 Rep 4,296 Posts Drives: Fresh Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Baton Rouge n NOLA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [8.24]	just get a set of these michelin tweels __________________ I have exhaust and an intake...
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05-05-2010, 04:16 PM	#22
isugoo Major General 258 Rep 6,125 Posts Drives: 991.2 GTS Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (73)	Finding the best run flat tire is like finding the best looking fat girl. Maybe the best from the group but still fat. not worth it for the money and performance in my opinion. Just buy a decent set of summer tires and M-mobility kit. __________________ PAST: F80 M3 ZCP \| 911.1 C2S \| F10 M5 ZCP \| E70 X5M \| E90 M3 \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3
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