New runflats on 530d - awful!

[Jimbo22]

Just had new Bridgestone run flats put on my 530d M Touring (have to keep run flats in line with company lease agreement apparently!) and they are absolutely awful.

Had Goodyears on before and they weren't great. However, even after 1,000 miles on the new ones the grip levels are appalling on the Bridgestones as I keep finding out at slippy roundabouts in the last couple of days. Where as before I could make progress, now it seems like my DSC light is forever coming on! For gods sake, even a Volvo had more grip than me on a roundabout coming home last night!

Anyone else had problems with the Bridgestone run flats?

[FesterNath]

Sounds bad - I'd be checking the pressures if I were you.

[john_r]

Are they made in China?

On a more serious note, I'd contact the lease company and tell them to sort it out as the handling is bad to the point of being dangerous...

[Jimbo22]

Checked pressures last night and seem fine, they are from Kwik Fit so I assume they are not Chinese!!

They should've bedded in by now, no? I know the roads are a touch slippery at the mo but the car feels completely different to before and I've got absolutely no confidence in what is going on underneath me.

Would the lease company do that??

Edited by Jimbo22 on Wednesday 15th August 14:40

[dumbfunk]

I just test drove a 120D M-Sport with a view to replacing my '04 320D (with M-Suspension and 17"s) and this was my first experience of run flats. Around a few dry local country road that I drive every day I was just amazed at how little grip they had. Driving hard but not stupidly I had the DSC light flashing as it squirmed during braking, understeered turning in and oversteered at the exit and I'm always *very* smooth with my control inputs! (Wouldn't last long in I couldn't disengage the DSC because the loan document expressly forbade it (!) but driving the same route in my old car immediately afterwards was faster, smoother and most importantly twice as enjoyable.

They ruled out that vehicle for me



dumbfunk

[Deva Link]

Does BMW approve the use of Bridgestone run flats on that car?

We had problems with our leasing company fitting Firestone tyres. They last ages (obviously why they're chosen) but the wet grip was awful.
I had a Puegeot 406 petrol turbo at the time, and Peugeot told me Firestone wasn't an approved brand. They stressed that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the tyres, simply that they haven't tested the cars safety (stess that) systems, like ABS, EBD etc with Firestone.

The cruncher was that they said, in the event of an accident that they were asked to investigate, they would point out that car was fitted with non-OEM tyres.

At that last point, our fleet manager wet himself, and issued an edict that all cars should have tyres replaced on a like for like basis.

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 15th August 15:41

[StuB]

I have the RE050A's on mine and after a trip to Champagne last weekend in the E60 I can only say how impressed I was with the grip. This is said after following a 997TT and running with MZ4's, BoxsterS and the like. Wet grip also seems quite acceptable to me.

[MazDave]

I've got Goodyear RFTs on my E61 and I think they're pretty good from a grip point of view - they are a little harsh due to the sidewall stiffness but quite acceptable with the standard suspension. Everything I've read suggests that of the generally disliked RFTs, Goodyear are the preferred brand - Bridgestone seem to get less favorable write-ups.

Dave

[fastfreddy]

GF has them on her 320d and complains about them all the time when it's wet. When I drive her car it feels pretty good in the dry but I can't remember the last time I drove it in the wet, although I'd be enjoying it if it was sliding around anyway

[Garlick]

I have Potenzas on mine (original fitment) and I have the same problem. Damp junctions, wet roundabouts, wet bumpy B roads and theres the light- flashing away.

Hardly confidence inspiring

ETA- I agree fastfreddy sliding is good- but sometimes you just want to make relaxed progress and they can't seem to cope.

Edited by Garlick on Thursday 16th August 19:14

[Methane Bloke]

I have Bridgestones on my 120d SE and the grip is fine both dry and wet. I do run them at a lower pressure than BMW recommend, 28 front and 32 rear. Ride is improved as well. Most of the BMs we owned we run the tyres at lower pressures. We also have a 335d M Sport on run flat Michelin PS2s and these are fine as well, better in terms of ride and grip than the e46 that preceeded it.

Regards

Chris