F10 535D: Consensus Tyre Choice?

[ocsine]

I have been running an F10 535d for the past two years and thinks it's an amazing vehicle. Adaptive drive and comfort seats ensure that the 40k+ miles I have piled on have been totally relaxing. Happy to field questions regarding suspension and other experiences if required. My only concern right now is with road noise from the 19" Michelin Primacy RFTs. This plagues most big BMWs and I know the answer is to go non-RFT but I want to chop the car in to BMW in six months and need to keep it stocker for now. Is there a consensus around the best RFT tyre to help reduce the incessant roar on UK roads? It appears that Goodyear Eagle F1 and Dunlop SP Maxx GT have the lowest noise rating however I read reports from users that suggest otherwise. Any help much appreciated.

[ocsine]

Thanks all for your responses. I suspect it is the size of the rears that is plaguing refinement. I bought the car at 12 months old so didn't have a say in the specification. I have noticed similar tyre roar in a 740d recently so it's not just my car, it must be a wheel size issue. I'll give the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT a go and see if that improves the situation. This is mainly a UK problem though: whenever I (regularly) visit the continent I feel like the car is flying, there's so little noise from the wheels.

Maybe a bit of well-placed dynamat sound deadening material would do the trick. Mercedes seem to have pulled this off with the new S class.

[ocsine]

I would certainly consider fitting OEM M5 tyres, but are they quieter? I am after ultimate refinement, not handling ability. I like driving the 535d hard, but on an M40 conference call on Monday morning I want to hear my correspondents without having to resort to earphones. I'm also a diehard Radio4 listener. Tyre roar and Jim Naughtie's dulcet tones are not a compatible combination.

Edited by ocsine on Tuesday 28th October 21:31

[ocsine]

How so? Are you Dr. Mark Porter? If so I am honoured to make your acquaintance!

[ocsine]

Yes, 275 rears on the F10 - probably the cause of the additional road roar, but almost a non-existent problem on continental roads. I'll try out an F11 535d for size: road noise is the saloon's only flaw in my view. In the meantime I have ordered a set of Dunlop Sportmaxx GT: hopefully they'll improve matters as the bill is >£1k.

Mark, I'm an avid listener to your Case Notes podcast; it's not only fascinating and compelling but has been an extremely helpful family health resource over the years so I thank you sincerely. I'm mightily impressed and envious of your fleet. Having owned a 993turbo and 928gts in the past it seems I might also be suffering from a Stuttgart-originated syndrome you may want to devote a programme to.

Edited by ocsine on Friday 31st October 01:28

[ocsine]

Adaptive drive is a must although strangely all the dealer sales people I talked to seemed ambivalent about it. I don't think it should be an £2k+ option. I would also highly recommend the comfort seats - worth every penny if one is taller than average. Other options I held out for are head up display and professional nav - I miss them when they're not there. Oh and full xenon lights.

Edited by ocsine on Friday 31st October 08:53

[ocsine]

Yep

[ocsine]

Do BMW support that? I thought it would screw up the DSC settings, no?

[ocsine]

I think the rationale here is that narrower = quieter...

[ocsine]

gizlaroc said:

It matches the front perfectly, so better for the DSC than the wider rear fitted as standard.
You can buy genuine BMW wheels with that size all round, so approved.

Wonder how much a pair of those wheels would cost? I think I would prefer narrower tyres at the back, assuming the 535d torque wouldn't light them up all the time... it doesn't in the touring so I can't see why not.

[ocsine]

drmark said:

Happy to lend you a pair to try when I switch to winters if you live near Glos - they have new Michelins on.
About £1k with tyres and a bit of negotiation but loads on ebay.

Thanks Mark but I'm up in Kenilworth, a bit of a round trip on already bald rubber

Wished I'd taken the plunge and bought the Alpina D5 Touring that I was salivating over originally

I'll take a look on eBay for the wheels and compare the Dunlops to the Goodyear tyres. Anyone know what model wheels these are?

Edited by ocsine on Saturday 1st November 23:25

[ocsine]

I think the adaptive suspension is perfectly resolved so no need for an upgrade there. If the Hartge upgrade could be reversed easily to protect residuals then I would consider it.

[ocsine]

Fox- said:

I have just fitted 4 of these to my F10 to replace the RFT's fitted to it as standard and it's almost ruined the internal ambience of the car. There is a constant droning noise which went away when I put the wheels with the RFT's back on. Enormously disappointed and very surprised because like you I've run F1A2's on my other cars for years and never been anything but very very happy with them.
(

Herein lies the issue with tyres: one man's meat is another man's poison. The UK motoring press don't adequately benchmark tyres but I suppose it doesn't sell copy. I have read rave reviews for the Goodyear tyres elsewhere on PH but Fox's review essentially kills the F1A2s dead in the water. I'll reconsider the Dunlop Sport Maxx GTs on 245 all round as per Mark's suggestion.

[ocsine]

Welshbeef said:

Question is does it pose any long term risk to the gearbox - logically not as the D5 exists with the exact same drivetrain. 350-365 bhp would be 550d or A8 4.2 V8 TDI levels - taking what is already a weapon and turning it into a beast .

365 bhp & 600+ NM of torque on 245 rear section tyres could be an interesting combination!

[ocsine]

converted lurker said:

This morning I have taken off the 18 inch wheels and put on the 17 inch rims fitted with Dunlop 3D WinterSports on Run flats sized 225/55. I have only driven about 60 miles on these and I only bought them off eBay (£775) a couple of weeks ago.

Damn, that sounds good but what do 17" 225/55 look like on a 535d? I know aesthetics should be secondary but I'm shallow... any chance of a piccie-wic?

[ocsine]

Fox- said:

I dont think there is an issue with the F1A2 generally just the ones I have. I have them on my 530i as well and they are absolutely great - which is why I ordered them for the F10!

Did you think they were a bad quality set or just didn't work with your car's setup?

[ocsine]

I know that howl - my current Michelin Primacy's do that as well. Crap UK roads are the primary issue of course.