Just put on new tires

[jgorman13]

So my patience finally ended with the RFTs. Just put on Dunlop SP Signatures. They got very good reviews on tire rack and undercut the costs of others in the the same field. Will post in the next few days about the difference. ANything has got to be better than the bridgestone tires that came on it. What is BMW thinking??

[Tallest]

actualy the RFT Michelins that have been reported to come as OEM on some cars are not that bad. It seems taht it's the Bridgestones in particular that are bad and old technology.

but of course, non RFT FTW"

[jgorman13]

so happy, feels like a real car finally.

[3002 tii]

i agree, the rft's would make the ride way too harsh and didn't have good traction. i switched to pilot sport ps2 and it rides awesome. only concern of course is what to do if i get a flat...

[UncleScottie]

When I did my test drives in the Z4 3.0si Coupe it was in cars without the Sport package. I felt the ride quality was acceptable with the Bridgestone RFTs. However, when I finally got around to buying my Coupe the only cars to be had were equipped with the Sport package. I'm now regretting missing out on the base coupe.

Getting rid of the Bridgestone RFTs seems to be the general consensus. However, I'm torn between just getting conventional tires for my 18" Sport package wheels or dropping down to 17" wheels like on the base model and going with conventional tires.

Yes, I know, I'm a55 backwards. I'm thinking of going down a size in a plus size world. I have my reasons:
1) Lighter weight, especially with regards to polar monent of inertia.
2) Aesthetics, I never been a big fan of excessive brake clearance. You shouldn't be able to look through to the other side as if it were a big window.
3) Less chance of getting curb rash when kissing curbs. Also better for broken asphalt.

Any body go this route? Opinions?

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by UncleScottie

When I did my test drives in the Z4 3.0si Coupe it was in cars without the Sport package. I felt the ride quality was acceptable with the Bridgestone RFTs. However, when I finally got around to buying my Coupe the only cars to be had were equipped with the Sport package. I'm now regretting missing out on the base coupe.

Getting rid of the Bridgestone RFTs seems to be the general consensus. However, I'm torn between just getting conventional tires for my 18" Sport package wheels or dropping down to 17" wheels like on the base model and going with conventional tires.

Yes, I know, I'm a55 backwards. I'm thinking of going down a size in a plus size world. I have my reasons:
1) Lighter weight, especially with regards to polar monent of inertia.
2) Aesthetics, I never been a big fan of excessive brake clearance. You shouldn't be able to look through to the other side as if it were a big window.
3) Less chance of getting curb rash when kissing curbs. Also better for broken asphalt.

Any body go this route? Opinions?

As many here have posted, going to conventional tires makes a world of difference in ride quality. You also have the advantage of saving the cost of new wheels.

Not all wheels are created equal in terms of weight. If you do your homework, you can find 17", 18", 19" wheels which are lighter then the oe 18" wheels. How much money do you want to spend?

Aesthetics: like many other things it's what you like and how it fits in with performance and cost.

[03BeastCharmer]

Originally Posted by UncleScottie

When I did my test drives in the Z4 3.0si Coupe it was in cars without the Sport package. I felt the ride quality was acceptable with the Bridgestone RFTs. However, when I finally got around to buying my Coupe the only cars to be had were equipped with the Sport package. I'm now regretting missing out on the base coupe.

Getting rid of the Bridgestone RFTs seems to be the general consensus. However, I'm torn between just getting conventional tires for my 18" Sport package wheels or dropping down to 17" wheels like on the base model and going with conventional tires.

Yes, I know, I'm a55 backwards. I'm thinking of going down a size in a plus size world. I have my reasons:
1) Lighter weight, especially with regards to polar monent of inertia.
2) Aesthetics, I never been a big fan of excessive brake clearance. You shouldn't be able to look through to the other side as if it were a big window.
3) Less chance of getting curb rash when kissing curbs. Also better for broken asphalt.

Any body go this route? Opinions?

I applaud you. If you can find a light 17 inch wheel, I would say go for it. I've have looked a little for a light 17 track wheel that would clear the stock brakes on the M coupe, but I decided if I want a dedicated 2nd set of wheels yet. Your handling will improve with lighter wheels with more sidewall. The extra flex while help maintain the best contact patch under turning load. Steve Dinan had a show and tell at the local dealer the other week, and he talked about the benefits of smaller wheels, and that he would like to make smaller wheels, except no one in today's "big and bling" market would by 18's or even 17s. To that end, his marketing team is pushing for a 20 in. wheel. You never see a F1 or road race car on 19's or 20.

[UncleScottie]

Yah, it is kind of funny that run-flats have such a bad rap for ride quality and tramlining, mainly due to the super stiff sidewalls, yet people will go put 19s or 20s on their cars. At some point those short sidewalls are probably just as stiff.

What would really be scary is someone going to those larger sizes and still going with a run-flat.

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/en...s/runflat.html

[jgorman13]

yea its a crying shame BMW thinks the rfts are God's gift to the world

[UncleScottie]

Well I would guess Bridgestone offered BMW a really sweet deal. I doubt run-flats would have ever got off the ground just as replacement tires. Bridgestone likely waited for commitment from an automaker before going to production. Whatever hit Bridgestone took in making such a deal they are now making back with the sales of replacement RFT tires. I would go further to guess that the "no repair policy" was a part of the agreement that BMW signed off on as well as some penalty clause if BMW tried to backout of the deal before a specified quantity or time period had been reached.

I think Bridgestone often gets automakers to make such deals. It would be the only explantion of why Subaru kept putting the crappy RE92s on the WRX for so long.

Very smart business on Bridgstone's part. Bad business on the automakers side considering the fallout from customers.

[QuaZ]

Well, I'm another non-RFT convert.

Just put on GY F1 Asymetrics and all I can say is WOW!!! No more tramlining, smoother ride, turns on the corners like a cheetah!

Tire rack offered the best price and with the $50 rebate to boot, it was time to make the switch. There's no lookin' back baby!

[WAMz4]

I agree with the smaller wheel idea. My Z4 3.0i roadster has the sport pack with 18 inch elliptical wheels, Not only have I never liked giant wheels wrapped in black rubber bands, I just don’t think the elliptical is a good looking wheel. I have considered posting an offer on Graigs List to trade straight across 17 inch rims with any Z4 owners. Do you think there would be takers?

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by WAMz4

I have considered posting an offer on Graigs List to trade straight across 17 inch rims with any Z4 owners. Do you think there would be takers?

There's one way to find out for sure....

[kmancars]

I am in the same boat trying to soften the ride in my "new" 05Z4 3.0 Sport Susp. I am looking at 17" Beyern wheel set. What if I go with 235s on all wheels not larger rears? Of course no RFT ever again thanks.

[ZStig]

17s would lessen steering response though, right?

[3002 tii]

fyi, as much as i hate the rfts, i did get stuck with a flat the other week and it totally sucked.

[jgorman13]

haha i got stuck with a flat the week i got my new tires on so nothing beats that. but yea dude, i just keep a spare in the trunk on long trips and then bmw has the roadside assistance as well as most insurance companies. beats a crappy ride

[UncleScottie]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

17s would lessen steering response though, right?

I think that would depend more on the tires chosen than wheel size. Reviews here and elsewhere seem to indicate a significant/noticeable improvement in steering feel going from RFTs to conventional tires. You might lose a bit of that improvement going from an 18" to 17" wheel, but I'm guessing a 17" with conventional tire will still be better than an 18" with Bridgestone RFT. I'll give actual impressions once I make that change.