Hello all,
I know tyres have been discussed at length , but ..........
New set of tyres ..........£1010
I am not suggesting anything is going on but its odd how all the RFT tyres are priced within a few pounds of each other..........mmmm. Anyway , I think they are way too expensive and never seem to be on offer or discounted unlike other tyres.
I have the 20" wheels and I am sticking with RFT tyres...........my reason being peace of mind for the Mrs, means she can probably get home and I can sort out the puncture/issue later.
I have had Dunlop sport maxx for the last 45 K miles and I have to say I am happy with the tyres performance.
My main gripe is price.
As it is time to replace all 4 tyres, the question is, do I go Sport maxx again , ot the sport maxx gt ( as this one is better on fuel according to the label ). Anyone have any wear experience comparisons on these ?
Now there seems to be a cheaper alternative, and its called the Atturo AZ850
Available as a RFT , made specifically for the sport suv market , including the X5
https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/cart/
http://www.atturo.com/moto/az850
Thats a massive saving..........£329.76 cheaper.
What few reviews I can find online give a very positive response.
http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rtest. ... N&dsco=110
Has anyone tried these, wants to discuss , opinions etc etc.........all views welcome and do we finally have a viable alternative to premium priced RFT tyres ?
Regards,
Nat.
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RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
You go with what is right for you. I needed the fronts doing on mine and like to keep a matching set so opted again for the dunlops as you state. For what it's worth, I used black circles and had them delivered and fitted at my local kwik fit centre. Circa just under £420 fitted fronts only if that helps. A minefield it certainly is!!!!!
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
I paid £860 fitted for 20" Bridgestone RFT. Price seems to vary astronomically!
Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
Buy cheap, non bmw approved tyres, pay a lot for differential and transfer box...you do the maths...
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
KKKx5 ..........,....
Are you indicating either non run-flats &/or any of above linked tyres offer a risk to diff and/or transfer box ?
If so then perhaps please explain which tyres specifically carry this to this car in your opinion.
Are you indicating either non run-flats &/or any of above linked tyres offer a risk to diff and/or transfer box ?
If so then perhaps please explain which tyres specifically carry this to this car in your opinion.
Last edited by AW8 on Fri Nov 25, 2016 10:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
Gone - 2002 E53 X5 4.4i Sport (Pre Facelift) Owned 2006-2016.
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Site & Forum Admin Team Member.
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
The risk exists with any non '*' marked tyres, whether RFT or standard tubeless - both options are available OEM.
Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.-
MarkG_M3CP
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Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
Interested in the answers to this - I'm 5,800 miles in and my P Zeros are half worn!
Current: F80 M3 Competition Package and F20 M135i
Gone: F15 X5 M50d / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
Gone: F15 X5 M50d / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
[quote="MarkG_M50d"]
Interested in the answers to this - I'm 5,800 miles in and my P Zeros are half worn!
[/quote]
For warranty you have to stick to one of OEM listed approved options (Realoem has the list). BMW will cease to cover the transmission parts if you use anything else. Just don't buy them from BMW as you will save a significant amount (£100+ per corner in my experience).
Interested in the answers to this - I'm 5,800 miles in and my P Zeros are half worn!
[/quote]
For warranty you have to stick to one of OEM listed approved options (Realoem has the list). BMW will cease to cover the transmission parts if you use anything else. Just don't buy them from BMW as you will save a significant amount (£100+ per corner in my experience).
Last edited by X5Sport on Fri Nov 25, 2016 8:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
The main problem with 20" wheels are tyre choice and not many other brands using them !
315/35/20 rft tyres are used by BMW & not many others = high price , no discount .
275/40/20 rft tyres are used by BMW & not many others
In none runflat form again the 315/35/20 are not used by any other brand , 275/40/20 are used by BMW , Porsche , Range Rover , VW , Rolls Royce etc hence why they are cheaper .
BMW also use only grade A tyres on their cars fresh from the factory , many other sellers sell lower grade tyres this is the reason for such a big difference in price , no one asks which grade tyres are when they buy them nor do they ask about the age of the tyres . You could end up with an F grade tyre which is nearing the end of its life as a bargain which ends up failing .
Quite a lot of people tick the 20" & 21" box on options or hunt for a car with them on not realising A, they compromise the ride quality .B, they are limiting their choice when needing to replace .
What most people forget is that it was a 60k car when new and it will still need 60k parts when needing repaired or re booted .
Some people want to save a few quid when replacing tyres but never think about downsizing the wheels 19" are perfect for the cars , 18" are cheaper still and can be rotated so the tyres last even longer as they are a square set up , 17" are excellent for the E53 as winter or summer .
Tyres recommended by the manufacturer have been tested by them and if they are deemed un safe wont be used , I am not so sure about ditch finders that a 60k car has been tested to the limits by the manufacturer .
One question I would ask when buying them = is my family truly safe in my car on none recommended tyres ?
sid10
315/35/20 rft tyres are used by BMW & not many others = high price , no discount .
275/40/20 rft tyres are used by BMW & not many others
In none runflat form again the 315/35/20 are not used by any other brand , 275/40/20 are used by BMW , Porsche , Range Rover , VW , Rolls Royce etc hence why they are cheaper .
BMW also use only grade A tyres on their cars fresh from the factory , many other sellers sell lower grade tyres this is the reason for such a big difference in price , no one asks which grade tyres are when they buy them nor do they ask about the age of the tyres . You could end up with an F grade tyre which is nearing the end of its life as a bargain which ends up failing .
Quite a lot of people tick the 20" & 21" box on options or hunt for a car with them on not realising A, they compromise the ride quality .B, they are limiting their choice when needing to replace .
What most people forget is that it was a 60k car when new and it will still need 60k parts when needing repaired or re booted .
Some people want to save a few quid when replacing tyres but never think about downsizing the wheels 19" are perfect for the cars , 18" are cheaper still and can be rotated so the tyres last even longer as they are a square set up , 17" are excellent for the E53 as winter or summer .
Tyres recommended by the manufacturer have been tested by them and if they are deemed un safe wont be used , I am not so sure about ditch finders that a 60k car has been tested to the limits by the manufacturer .
One question I would ask when buying them = is my family truly safe in my car on none recommended tyres ?
sid10
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
In my opinion, my 21" wheels certainly do not compromise the ride quality. Agree that the tyres are pricey but most 21" tyres are not cheap anyway, not just those fitted to BMWs. On the E70, the 21" wheels feel great on the road and the ride quality is superb, thats my opinion as an E70 owner with 21" wheels! I must admit,I was worried as bigger wheels on the E53 definitely lead to a much harsher ride. But the E70 is a different beast altogether.
So no, not a compromise at all on my car, at least. I would not want to move to nonBMW approved tyres anyway, due to warranty and potential transmission issues. Don't understand why anyone would want to fit cheap ditchfinderson a car like this anyway. If the tyre price is such a huge issue, either source smaller, non-staggered wheels and tyres for the X, which are much cheaper or consider a different vehicle if its really so bad. As has been said, these cars were never cheap to buy and maintenance is not going to be Ford Fiesta priced maintenance either.
So no, not a compromise at all on my car, at least. I would not want to move to nonBMW approved tyres anyway, due to warranty and potential transmission issues. Don't understand why anyone would want to fit cheap ditchfinderson a car like this anyway. If the tyre price is such a huge issue, either source smaller, non-staggered wheels and tyres for the X, which are much cheaper or consider a different vehicle if its really so bad. As has been said, these cars were never cheap to buy and maintenance is not going to be Ford Fiesta priced maintenance either.
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired!
X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired!
X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
Hi,
I have read much about the potential transmission issues if non BMW aproved tyres are used.
I am not an engineer or a mathematician.............
Nor am i looking to offend or question anyone elses knowledge............
That said i am struggling to believe all the hype , because..
The E70 X5 is available with 17" , 18" , 19" , 20" & 21" tyres. Your choice.
Given the huge choice of tyres in the 17/18/19 size I fail to see how BMW or anyone can make claims that you have to be mm specific when the car has 20" wheels and yet I have read nothing with regards to transmission failure by people running any other size. To say that if you dont use the approved tyres your transmission will fail sounds wrong to me.
I just dont accept it. Of course it will be at my risk .
But also consider this...........You can run 20" summer and your X5 will be just fine with 18" winters.
I believe that if I have all 4 tyres of the same Brand and type then there should be NO issues, be that a premium brand or a non premium brand.
My E53 came with michelin diamaris...........expensive and terrible tyre in my opinion. I switched to yokahamas with no issues. In fact for over 10k miles I had different brands on the front / back axles.
Maybe i got lucky.
the point I am trying to make here is that the X5 allegedly works with so many wheel/tyre choices that i find it hard to believe that @ 20" if you dont use xyz tyre your transmission will fail.
Just mu opinion,
Nat.
I have read much about the potential transmission issues if non BMW aproved tyres are used.
I am not an engineer or a mathematician.............
Nor am i looking to offend or question anyone elses knowledge............
That said i am struggling to believe all the hype , because..
The E70 X5 is available with 17" , 18" , 19" , 20" & 21" tyres. Your choice.
Given the huge choice of tyres in the 17/18/19 size I fail to see how BMW or anyone can make claims that you have to be mm specific when the car has 20" wheels and yet I have read nothing with regards to transmission failure by people running any other size. To say that if you dont use the approved tyres your transmission will fail sounds wrong to me.
I just dont accept it. Of course it will be at my risk .
But also consider this...........You can run 20" summer and your X5 will be just fine with 18" winters.
I believe that if I have all 4 tyres of the same Brand and type then there should be NO issues, be that a premium brand or a non premium brand.
My E53 came with michelin diamaris...........expensive and terrible tyre in my opinion. I switched to yokahamas with no issues. In fact for over 10k miles I had different brands on the front / back axles.
Maybe i got lucky.
the point I am trying to make here is that the X5 allegedly works with so many wheel/tyre choices that i find it hard to believe that @ 20" if you dont use xyz tyre your transmission will fail.
Just mu opinion,
Nat.
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
Hi,
and one more thing.............
If it really is that important to use BMW aproved tyres why don't the dealers tell you when you take delivery of the car and the hand book make a big deal about it if transmission failure is that sensitive to tyre choice.
xx
and one more thing.............
If it really is that important to use BMW aproved tyres why don't the dealers tell you when you take delivery of the car and the hand book make a big deal about it if transmission failure is that sensitive to tyre choice.
xx
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
The book says you should only use approved parts....and quite likely assumes you will only buy from BMW (most won't) and anyway after 3-years it's end of life according the BMW so they don't care.
They should not be sensitive to tyres, but they seem to be based on what is becoming more commonly reported and all sizes come in '*' marked. BMW are not the only manufacturer to do this as Audi, Merc and Porsche (there may be others) have special fits too.
The indications that tyres play a major part in transmission failures points at bad engineering and poor design choices (cost based I suspect). As an engineer it is worrying to see it happening.. Our E46 regularly snaps rear springs. I have had BMW say it is because the steel is recycled! Complete hogwash! It's bad engineering specs.
It has to be more than just the rubber, but exactly what as yet no one seems to know.
They should not be sensitive to tyres, but they seem to be based on what is becoming more commonly reported and all sizes come in '*' marked. BMW are not the only manufacturer to do this as Audi, Merc and Porsche (there may be others) have special fits too.
The indications that tyres play a major part in transmission failures points at bad engineering and poor design choices (cost based I suspect). As an engineer it is worrying to see it happening.. Our E46 regularly snaps rear springs. I have had BMW say it is because the steel is recycled! Complete hogwash! It's bad engineering specs.
It has to be more than just the rubber, but exactly what as yet no one seems to know.
Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
Hi,
Dug a bit further and spoke to the dealer I bought my car from and they said nothing about tyres.
My hand book says that they suggest fitting certain recommended makes of tyres , but thats it. There is nothing specific with regards to failure of recommendations.
However there is one section that does say you should have all 4 tyres from the same manufacturer and spec.
But again thats just a recommendation.
Regards,
Nat.,
Dug a bit further and spoke to the dealer I bought my car from and they said nothing about tyres.
My hand book says that they suggest fitting certain recommended makes of tyres , but thats it. There is nothing specific with regards to failure of recommendations.
However there is one section that does say you should have all 4 tyres from the same manufacturer and spec.
But again thats just a recommendation.
Regards,
Nat.,
Re: RFT TYRES , a cheaper alternative ?
General advice is never mix tyres on a car, not just on an axle.
Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.