[Jbe90]

Hi all!

Just thought I'd post this for people still considering swapping out their stock RFTs. In short, DO IT!!!

The difference is remarkable. The ride is quieter and much, much smoother.

To be honest, I didn't test drive my bimmer before I purchased it. I just went by looks and reviews (lots & lots of reviews). After I picked it up, I was really impressed by the speed and the handling, but the ride was very disappointing. I knew the handling came at the cost of ride comfort, but I never thought it would be that bad. It felt like I was being attacked by every bump and groove in the road. Got to the point where I couldn't really enjoy my car because I was spending most of my time and attention focusing on how to get my wheels on smooth patches of pavement, a battle I lost a lot of the time.

After going to non RFTs, it finally feels like what I was expecting out of the ultimate driving machine. The suspension still lets you feel what you're driving on, but it's comfortable and smooth. Train tracks were dreaded (I work in an industrial area), now I go over them with ease and confidence.

If you're still considering whether or not to switch to non RFTs, I highly recommend that you do. It's already been recommended by a lot of people here, and they're right. You'll enjoy your car so much more!

edit: Forgot to mention another thing that was cured by switching tires. With the stock RFTs, my car would often drift left or right on the road. It was to the point where I thought my alignment was off considerably, felt like the car was driving me and not the other way around. After going to non RFTs, that has completely disappeared! My car drives straight.. amazing!! :P

[methodtim]

Sweet, I'm glad it worked out for you.

You bought your car without a test drive, eh? I wonder if you've ordered a wife or two through the mail as well.

[Jbe90]

Lol, not married yet, but I'll keep that mail order thing in mind...

It was not a good idea to skip the test drive, but I've been in love with the new 3 since it made its debut. I was actually supposed to get one provided by my company about a year ago, but things fell through last minute and it didn't end up happening. I was very disappointed.

As you could imagine, when it came time for a new car, I was really impatient and wanted to have it right away!

[methodtim]

Totally understandable.

[noro]

Good stuff man. I am looking to get the Falken Azenis ST115s very soon to replace the RFTs.

I got the car without test driving as well. When you read 100s of reviews that basically say the same things the probability of them being wrong is very minor especially if you had a similar car from the same manufacturer before.

[mekeni]

I technically didn't test drive my car either, they don't have an 09 yet at that time, I test drove an 330i instead and fell for it.

Anyway, I am planning of replacing my RFT as well. It was awesome on flat roads but I have to clench my teeth everytime I go over a railroad or a small pothole (never know if you are gonna get that dreaded tire bubble).

[methodtim]

Damn, I never knew so many people would buy a car without test driving it...

[bklynbimmer]

sounds good man....i'm gonna put on my falken 452's(e46 zhp rims) on for track and autocross events!

[noro]

Originally Posted by methodtim

Damn, I never knew so many people would buy a car without test driving it...

Is this your 1st BMW?

[meruyailir]

I'm sacrificing ride comfort for safety. I won't ever switch to a non RFT.

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by noro

Is this your 1st BMW?

Yup!

[josephr25]

Originally Posted by noro

Good stuff man. I am looking to get the Falken Azenis ST115s very soon to replace the RFTs.

I got the car without test driving as well. When you read 100s of reviews that basically say the same things the probability of them being wrong is very minor especially if you had a similar car from the same manufacturer before.

I had those on my 350Z... much quieter and softer than the stock RE040s at the time. Just not very grippy under harder driving conditions.

I too bought my car w/o a test drive... it just looked really good when I saw one coming out of my neighborhood one day. And the magazines said it was a decent car too.

[noro]

Originally Posted by methodtim

Yup!

Don't feel too guilty if you buy the next one without even trying.

[noro]

Originally Posted by Kampfer

I had those on my 350Z... much quieter and softer than the stock RE040s at the time. Just not very grippy under harder driving conditions.

Hmm.. interesting. I've heard that ST115s had better grip than 452s. Can you stack the st115s again some other tire you've tried. Have you ever had Toyos? T1-R or T1-S? I am trying to understand how much grip am I giving up.

[josephr25]

Originally Posted by noro

Hmm.. interesting. I've heard that ST115s had better grip than 452s. Can you stack the st115s again some other tire you've tried. Have you ever had Toyos? T1-R or T1-S? I am trying to understand how much grip am I giving up.

That was the cheapest tire at the time when I upgraded my wheels, so I had nothing to compare them to except the stock RE040s.

A friend who autocrossed w/ them said they don't give him good enough feedback in the wet... I could say the same thing as they let go on me on some spirited (stupid) driving on a relatively fast left-hander (yes I had the green light).

Edit: my friend actually didn't recomment the FK452's, I think he meant RT615.

[F104]

Not sure how test drives go in the US. In belgium you go to the dealer, they set it up for you at the importer, you go there and test it.
I drove the the 320d M-sport with 18", and a 330i M-sport with 19". As the purpose was to find out what the difference in rim size was asked for some directions to less optimal roads, and got to my surprise a roadbook with pictures of every junction. Second surprise was the roadbook was all back roads, including cobblestone (pavé), railroad crossings, speed bumps etc (no potholes though. My wife did the navigating and I drove both pretty hard.
Choice was easy afterwards, 18". Now many miles and two large pot holes later next tyres will be non RFT's... Don't believe many shops have Falken here, I'm thinking about Vredestein Sessanta's, also as they do a 255/40/18, one size up. Fills the wheel arches and personally I like the look of some rubber around the rims. Will lift the car by 0.5" but you can't have it all

One positive for the RFT Bridgestones - never had a tyre that lasted that long, wears out evenly on all fours, and still has 1/4" thread left at 30kmls. But I do 90% highway

[noro]

Originally Posted by Kampfer

That was the cheapest tire at the time when I upgraded my wheels, so I had nothing to compare them to except the stock RE040s.

A friend who autocrossed w/ them said they don't give him good enough feedback in the wet... I could say the same thing as they let go on me on some spirited (stupid) driving on a relatively fast left-hander (yes I had the green light).

Edit: my friend actually didn't recomment the FK452's, I think he meant RT615.

Thanks, I brought up 452 because that's what OP noted. Yes RT615 are very very sticky. I am not hoping for that level to grip. Looking for a lightweight tire that will be as good as good my current RE050s

[noro]

Originally Posted by Takashi

Agreed. Most of these self proclaimed brilliance only last until they get the first flat tire. It is then such individuals realize the superiority of RFT.

Can you enlighten us with your brilliance? I for one have gotten flats both while having non-RFT AND RFT tires and I still believe I am better off with non-RFTs.

If you have 17" or smaller wheels perhaps the RFTs are ok, but with my 18 low profile tires the RFTs look to be very unsafe to drive on, so I had patch them on the road, which I could have done to non RFTs as well.

Please educate us.

[dlbrooks18]

I got my car without a test drive too.. and +1 on the 452's, just got new wheels with those tires and loving it!

[F104]

Originally Posted by meruyailir

I'm sacrificing ride comfort for safety. I won't ever switch to a non RFT.

Man that is b/s. You'll get a flat warning on the dash anyway. From a "safety" or common sense point of view it only depends what you choose to do afterwards. On my E46 i had a blow out on the front tyre at 110 mph after it had been plugged. Stupid to go at that speed with a plugged tyre but i had my reasons that day. E46's don't have the tyre monitor. All I noticed was the gun shot noise, and car moving of track. Stopped it with moderate braking, no problem.

[noro]

Originally Posted by Takashi

Why should I educate somebody who thinks he or she knows it all? It would be a waste of my time, would it?

Why don't you do a SEARCH on RFT and read about everyone's comments? Sure it might not be what you want to hear but I am sure you will learn something.

SEARCH complete! and thanks for your insult.

[methodtim]

Another thread into the wood chipper. Jeebus.