Mix RFT and normal tyres?
Discussion
Can you?
Buying an X6 that will need the front tyres replacing soon. The rears were replaced about 6mths ago so seems a bit daft replacing those. However my old 645 drove a lot better on ‘normal’ tyres, so thinking about replacing the fronts with normal Michelin tyres and will do the same one the rears expire. Any problems running a mix of RFT and normal if I keep them in pairs on the relevant axles?
Buying an X6 that will need the front tyres replacing soon. The rears were replaced about 6mths ago so seems a bit daft replacing those. However my old 645 drove a lot better on ‘normal’ tyres, so thinking about replacing the fronts with normal Michelin tyres and will do the same one the rears expire. Any problems running a mix of RFT and normal if I keep them in pairs on the relevant axles?
You can...as to whether you should is a different matter.
The front RFTs on my 630 needed changing (Dunlop Sport Maxx iirc), so they've been changed to MPS4s. Notable improvement in ride and handling.
The rears are still RFTs (Goodyear on one side, Michelin on the other). Would have done the rears as well but the right rear seems to drop pressure after a week or two. Not sure if problem with the rim itself so didn't want to put a nice new non RF Michelin on for it to get ruined. I'll get round to sorting it at some point.
Haven't died yet with the above combo. (The 6 is more of a relaxing car than a chuck it into corners sports car).
The comment about the transfer case and X Drive models is however very important. I wouldn't have mismatched front and rear tyres on an X Drive model. If it's a staggered set up, I understand you should really use Star Marked (i.e. BMW approved tyres) to maintain the rolling radius. If a square set up, Star Marked tyres not necessarily needed.
The front RFTs on my 630 needed changing (Dunlop Sport Maxx iirc), so they've been changed to MPS4s. Notable improvement in ride and handling.
The rears are still RFTs (Goodyear on one side, Michelin on the other). Would have done the rears as well but the right rear seems to drop pressure after a week or two. Not sure if problem with the rim itself so didn't want to put a nice new non RF Michelin on for it to get ruined. I'll get round to sorting it at some point.
Haven't died yet with the above combo. (The 6 is more of a relaxing car than a chuck it into corners sports car).
The comment about the transfer case and X Drive models is however very important. I wouldn't have mismatched front and rear tyres on an X Drive model. If it's a staggered set up, I understand you should really use Star Marked (i.e. BMW approved tyres) to maintain the rolling radius. If a square set up, Star Marked tyres not necessarily needed.
g3org3y said:
You can...as to whether you should is a different matter.
The front RFTs on my 630 needed changing (Dunlop Sport Maxx iirc), so they've been changed to MPS4s. Notable improvement in ride and handling.
The rears are still RFTs (Goodyear on one side, Michelin on the other). Would have done the rears as well but the right rear seems to drop pressure after a week or two. Not sure if problem with the rim itself so didn't want to put a nice new non RF Michelin on for it to get ruined. I'll get round to sorting it at some point.
Haven't died yet with the above combo. (The 6 is more of a relaxing car than a chuck it into corners sports car).
The comment about the transfer case and X Drive models is however very important. I wouldn't have mismatched front and rear tyres on an X Drive model. If it's a staggered set up, I understand you should really use Star Marked (i.e. BMW approved tyres) to maintain the rolling radius. If a square set up, Star Marked tyres not necessarily needed.
Thanks all - there isn't a huge difference in price, around £80-£100 for a pair for RFT over normal, so will keep normal until i'm ready to replace the whole set. Don't want to risk breaking something more expensive!The front RFTs on my 630 needed changing (Dunlop Sport Maxx iirc), so they've been changed to MPS4s. Notable improvement in ride and handling.
The rears are still RFTs (Goodyear on one side, Michelin on the other). Would have done the rears as well but the right rear seems to drop pressure after a week or two. Not sure if problem with the rim itself so didn't want to put a nice new non RF Michelin on for it to get ruined. I'll get round to sorting it at some point.
Haven't died yet with the above combo. (The 6 is more of a relaxing car than a chuck it into corners sports car).
The comment about the transfer case and X Drive models is however very important. I wouldn't have mismatched front and rear tyres on an X Drive model. If it's a staggered set up, I understand you should really use Star Marked (i.e. BMW approved tyres) to maintain the rolling radius. If a square set up, Star Marked tyres not necessarily needed.
G3org3y - i had a similar problem on my 645 which had the original 19" elliptical alloys - they cracked really easily on the inside edge which caused them to deflate slowly over time. Was able to get it welded which solved the problem. Within a couple of weeks, the other side started doing the same, but that turned out to be a leaking valve, so just needed a new one fitted.
DJMC said:
Before buying our X1 in 2016 we test drove demonstrators with RF and non-RF tyres.
The non-RF gave a noticibly more compliant ride so we chose those.
Yep, agree with the ride quality comment.The non-RF gave a noticibly more compliant ride so we chose those.
The issue I have is our X5 (and previously E91) is the wife's main car for ferrying our child about. RFTs do (in most cases) afford the ability to drive home if there's a puncture rather than her trying to change a tyre on the side of the road or waiting hours for the AA etc.
I don't know how effective the gunk/air compressor system is. The reports I've read are 'variable'.
So for the time being, the X5 will stay on RFTs...
(I will say the newer RFTs are much better than the old ones. The E91 had Bridgestone RE050A (same as my Z4 actually) and they aren't nice at all. The Goodyear Eagle F1s I replaced them with are much better.
The problem with the X6 is it is often over wheeled, 20" on run flats ruins the car.
Put it on non run flat and it is a revelation.
I personally wouldn't want one on 20" with run flats, even the best modern ones.
The gunk is good, one of the guys on the old M3 forum did 2 laps of the 'Ring in his M3 with gunk. It will get you home as far as a run flat would get you home 99% of the time. If the tyre is torn then neither would anyway.
Put it on non run flat and it is a revelation.
I personally wouldn't want one on 20" with run flats, even the best modern ones.
The gunk is good, one of the guys on the old M3 forum did 2 laps of the 'Ring in his M3 with gunk. It will get you home as far as a run flat would get you home 99% of the time. If the tyre is torn then neither would anyway.
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