135i on Bridgestone RE050A tyres - are they Run Flats?

[daveknott5]

Just picked up a 135i Coupe - its on RE050A Bridgestones - how do I tell if they are Run Flats? (I can't see a RFT logo on the sidewall) Do Bridgestones have their own Run Flat tyre logo? (see image attached)

[Bubba Zanetti]

Got my winter tyres on currently, so I can't check mine, which are at the back on the shed.

But it should say something like "Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT" or "RSC" in a Circle (BMW Runflat System Component).

[aeropilot]

daveknott5 said:

Just picked up a 135i Coupe - its on RE050A Bridgestones - how do I tell if they are Run Flats? (I can't see a RFT logo on the sidewall) Do Bridgestones have their own Run Flat tyre logo? (see image attached)

The size will be a give away if they are OEM 215/40 front and 245/35 rear, as Bridgestone don't do these sizes in non-RFT RE50A.

However, if you look for the text 'Bridgestone' on the tyre, then look just below the centre of the text and you should just be able to see RFT in smaller letters in a similar text style.

[daveknott5]

they're definitely non run-flats. Found a 500ml can of Holts Tyre Weld under the boot floor. An unexpected bonus getting proper tyres on the car - these non-run flats make the ride so much better than the RFT's I had on my old 130i - A revelation!

[cheddar]

daveknott5 said:

they're definitely non run-flats. Found a 500ml can of Holts Tyre Weld under the boot floor. An unexpected bonus getting proper tyres on the car - these non-run flats make the ride so much better than the RFT's I had on my old 130i - A revelation!

I just swapped my 500 mile old runflats for Michelin Pilot Sport 3's and noticed almost no difference. Expensive experiment gone wrong.

Dave - you might want to pack some 'True Blue Puncture Goo' it's much more effective at sealing than Tyre Weld.

[Bubba Zanetti]

cheddar said:

I just swapped my 500 mile old runflats for Michelin Pilot Sport 3's and noticed almost no difference. Expensive experiment gone wrong.

Agreed on that one. I've got run flat RE050A summer tyres and have non run flat winter tyres (Falken) and there is hardly any difference to the ride comfort. I suppose having 40 profile on the front and 35 profile on the back means the ride is going to be harsh irrespective.

[daveknott5]

Hmm, well they are much more comfortable than the Goodyear Eagle NCT5 Run Flats I had on my old 130i. Maybe suspension tuning on the 135i is better too? Certainly I notice they don't plummet down potholes like they weigh more than the QE2 - which is what the old Goodyears did.

[cheddar]

daveknott5 said:

Hmm, well they are much more comfortable than the Goodyear Eagle NCT5 Run Flats I had on my old 130i. Maybe suspension tuning on the 135i is better too? Certainly I notice they don't plummet down potholes like they weigh more than the QE2 - which is what the old Goodyears did.

Later model 1 series run evolution runflats that are much better than the early versions and M spec cars run Bilstein shocks that compliment the ride rather than ruin it.

[gareth h]

cheddar said:

Later model 1 series run evolution runflats that are much better than the early versions and M spec cars run Bilstein shocks that compliment the ride rather than ruin it.

I guess my 57 plate 123 m sport coupe must have had early generation run plats because the difference between them and the Goodyear assym 2s I've just fitted is like night and day, ride, steering feel and traction all drastically improved

[Guvernator]

This thread has got me worried now, I find the ride on my 335i absolutely atrocious to be honest and was hoping ditching the run flats asap would sort this out somewhat as I have read lots of good evidence to suggest such. Is this not the case then?

[Bubba Zanetti]

Guvernator,

I find the ride on my E90 with either type of tyre to be pretty poor. Certainly not the revelation that you read on here. I suppose tyre choice and ensuring you get the correct brand is critical to improving the ride quality.

[Guvernator]

Bubba Zanetti said:

Guvernator,

I find the ride on my E90 with either type of tyre to be pretty poor. Certainly not the revelation that you read on here. I suppose tyre choice and ensuring you get the correct brand is critical to improving the ride quality.

Hmmm that doesn't sound promising. At the moment the car hunts around, tramlines and entering a pothole is almost a spine shattering experience. I assumed a lot of this was down to the runflats but if it isn't I suspect I won't be keeping this car for very long. I love the rest of it but how on earth BMW thought it was acceptable to release a mainstream car with such poor ride quality really is beyond me!

[Bubba Zanetti]

I totally agree. The ride quality, the lack there of, is for me the single biggest disappointment in what is a cracking car.

[Guvernator]

I may have the older spec runflats so I think I need to at least try a decent brand normal tyre before I give up on it. The experiment may cost me about £600 but that's better then getting rid of the car. Is it possible to put on slightly wider profile tyres without messing anything up too much I wonder?

[Drek]

Guvernator said:

This thread has got me worried now, I find the ride on my 335i absolutely atrocious to be honest and was hoping ditching the run flats asap would sort this out somewhat as I have read lots of good evidence to suggest such. Is this not the case then?

Are you on 19" wheels? I drove one with 19s and RFTs and after 20yds (I kid you not) I just couldn't believe how bad the ride was, kudos to those that can put up with that for the sake of aesthetics.

[gareth h]

Drek said:

Are you on 19" wheels? I drove one with 19s and RFTs and after 20yds (I kid you not) I just couldn't believe how bad the ride was, kudos to those that can put up with that for the sake of aesthetics.

Ditto, if you are on 19" rims change to 18"s on non runflats you won't believe the difference

[Guvernator]

gareth h said:

Drek said:

Are you on 19" wheels? I drove one with 19s and RFTs and after 20yds (I kid you not) I just couldn't believe how bad the ride was, kudos to those that can put up with that for the sake of aesthetics.

Ditto, if you are on 19" rims change to 18"s on non runflats you won't believe the difference

Unfortunately I am already on 18" which is why I may be able to go a slightly bigger profile tyre. I need to do some more research on which brands give the best improvement. I have to try something though or the car has to go. Again I am shocked that a maintstream manufacturer thought that this was an acceptable way to release this car. The tramlining especially is downright dangerous at times. When I first got the car, the wheel was literally snatched out of my hands several times until I learnt to anticipate it.