Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Some one in the Z4 forum posted this article, he said it was "Interesting" I do agree and found it so interesting that I could not help myself .... to share it here with you

My 2 Cents on the comments from an article published by Roger Hart of Auto Week…………

Have a read of the article then let us have your 2 cents

Tom Baloga, BMW's vice president of engineering, said "the trend will continue…" talking about RFT according to Roger Hart of Auto Week.

I have news for Mr. Tom Baloga, he should watch the trend of pissed off BMW customers looking elsewhere when it comes purchasing a new car. This writer for one will change his RFT and never touch them again. Further when the time comes this writer after having driven BMW’s for the past 20 years will never again purchase another BMW if as Mr Baloga stated the trend will continue.

This is not only my view it is the view of many people out there Mr. Baloga best read some of the articles in the BMW Roundel Magazine and posts in BMW forums.

Further I cannot understand how a statement can be made that “reducing tire usage by 20 percent means the savings of millions of tires and the natural resources and energy needed to make them. Plus, you save the steel or aluminum wheels on which they are mounted”.

The overwhelming majority of people that purchase a BMW with the infamous RFT change them to conventional tires, further every RFT that has a flat or is damaged needs to be replaced with a new one. I ask you what is this statement all about in the article

“is reducing tire usage by 20 percent means the savings of millions of tires and the natural resources and energy needed to make them. Plus, you save the steel or aluminum wheels on which they are mounted”.

What about the wheels equipped with RFT are susceptible to cracks? This writer has lost 2 rear wheels to cracks after only driving 18,000 KM with a new BMW car, I ask you where is the Joy of driving? Indeed what happen to it?

I read that the RFT from Bridgestone now have out there 3rd Generation. Apparently much better then the 1st and 2nd Generation. Unfortunately the 3rd Generation is only available in Japan? I wonder when BMW customers can expect it in North America and Europe?

The 3rd Generation apparently also has better tire cooling capabilities, perhaps if I would have had the 3rd Generation RFT on my car I would have not lost 2 rear wheels due to cracks on the inside outer rim! The cracks in my wheels are not due to going thru potholes as potholes can easily be blamed. Not at all my failed wheels show no sign whatsoever of having gone thru potholes. With my limited Engineering background I come to the conclusion that going over humps and imperfections on North Americas Highways builds stresses in the soft alloy wheels and just like a paperclip the time comes when the stresses are released over one of the bumps and road imperfections and the result is a wheel crack.

I seriously question when the article makes statements such as ….
“Not only is it a safety issue” or “From a pure conservation point of view, run-flats are a green choice”.
What will be safe about it when a wheel fails at high speed and breaks up in pieces? (German Autobahns are very fast). Are we waiting for a fatal crash? How can someone say “pure conservation” with so many RFT finding there way to the recycle?

Was the original RFT not developed for Formula 1 Cars? There I can see the use of RFT as the pit crew carefully monitors the tire condition. The Formula 1 drivers are also well aware that they put there life on the line each time they get into a Formula 1 car.

Are we expected to think like a Formula 1 driver when we drive our $60,000.00 to $100,000.00 + Car?

When will BMW give his customers a choice as to what tires one can have on this fine automobile?

[chromisdesigns]

They save money for BMW because of not having to include a spare, tools, and storage space. They MAKE money for BMW from constant replacement, poor lifespan, wheel and suspension damage, etc.

Why wouldn't the trend continue...

[cb1111]

I think you are mistaking the "enthusiast" community with the majority of owners.

Most owners know little about their car. They drive it to the tire place or the dealer and say "I need new tires" and the dealer or tire place puts on a set of tires and hands the customer a bill.

[Bartman619]

...big conspiracy between Bridgestone and BMW.

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by Bartman619

...big conspiracy between Bridgestone and BMW.

Right - that's why my BMW came with Contis

[ScaredOnce]

Some part of me wants RFT due to the long highway commute I sometimes have.

[Bartman619]

Originally Posted by cb1111

Right - that's why my BMW came with Contis

Are they runflats ?

[forza1976]

who cares, just switch...

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by Bartman619

Are they runflats ?

Of course - ContiProContacts SSR.

The OE selection is pretty broad.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...&filterType=oe

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

They save money for BMW because of not having to include a spare, tools, and storage space. They MAKE money for BMW from constant replacement, poor lifespan, wheel and suspension damage, etc.

Why wouldn't the trend continue...

Correct cost cutting was the main reason why they would continue to have RFT on the line up, terrible choice if you ask me I recently ditch the RFT on my E82 and went with conventional tires and really happy with the decision, the moise level went way down.

[cb1111]

I'm not sure where the thought comes from that RFTs are a cost cutting effort by BMW.

4 runflats cost more that 4 normal tires plus a jack and tools - a lot more, so I guess that blows that theory.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by cb1111

I'm not sure where the thought comes from that RFTs are a cost cutting effort by BMW.

4 runflats cost more that 4 normal tires plus a jack and tools - a lot more, so I guess that blows that theory.

+1

So true, plus the fact that if you do have a flat you need to purchase a new RFT perhaps even 2. What all is GREEN about that deal I ask you

I cannot wait until spring when my RFT will be handed over to the Garbage Man

also there is the issue of rear wheel cracks, not only 19 inch also 18 inch as reported in this very long thread (go to page 15 and 16), mind you first time I read about 18 inch wheel cracks.

Click here for the Sticky "cracked wheel link"

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by cb1111

I'm not sure where the thought comes from that RFTs are a cost cutting effort by BMW.

4 runflats cost more that 4 normal tires plus a jack and tools - a lot more, so I guess that blows that theory.

Think about who is paying for RFT ? End user correct ? Not to mention the process of making the chassisc is use less materials plus the jack.

[ScaredOnce]

Originally Posted by cb1111

Of course - ContiProContacts SSR.

[...]

Are these pretty terrible in the rain? Mine are new and today's rainy commute was not confidence inspiring.

[chromisdesigns]

Originally Posted by zamboni

Think about who is paying for RFT ? End user correct ? Not to mention the process of making the chassisc is use less materials plus the jack.

Bingo, we have a winner! Markup is markup, doesn't matter what the base price is.

The make it on the sale, and they make it again on replacements.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

Bingo, we have a winner! Markup is markup, doesn't matter what the base price is.

The make it on the sale, and they make it again on replacements.

Yes looks like "spare parts and replacement is there bread and butter"

also

if the First Generation of Bridgestone was so good why have they developed a Generation 3 ??? even add cooling fins to the side-walls

what about "Not available in the USA only in Japan" what does that tell us?

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by ScaredOnce

Are these pretty terrible in the rain? Mine are new and today's rainy commute was not confidence inspiring.

They are a good tire, I have them on my Jag x-type AWD it is a great tire.

My Z4 will run on standard Michelins next summer. The RFT will be history.

[richy_335d]

i replaced all of my rft, was cheaper for 4 "normal tyres" than it was to replace the back 2 with p*ssflats. Best thing I did, felt a little more spongey when cornering at first, don't notice now.