RFT vs Non-RFT - Amazing!

[Don N.]

I knew it'd be an upgrade going from RFT to non-RFT. However, I didn't expect it to be as big of a change as I got.

I get 3-4mpg better on average, braking is better, and I'd say an overall 30% reduction in noise and increase in comfort/ride quality.

I suppose the only downside, if I were to try and find one right now is that the initial turn in isn't as tight, cause the sidewalls are softer, but I don't think most people will be driving their X5s that hard.

Anyone else have positive results from going to non-RFT?

I put on Pilot Super Sports PS2s, 295 in the front and 335 in the rear.

-Don

[JVX6M]

Originally Posted by Don N.

I knew it'd be an upgrade going from RFT to non-RFT. However, I didn't expect it to be as big of a change as I got.

I get 3-4mpg better on average, braking is better, and I'd say an overall 30% reduction in noise and increase in comfort/ride quality.

I suppose the only downside, if I were to try and find one right now is that the initial turn in isn't as tight, cause the sidewalls are softer, but I don't think most people will be driving their X5s that hard.

Anyone else have positive results from going to non-RFT?

I put on Pilot Super Sports PS2s, 295 in the front and 335 in the rear.

-Don

Pics please? Those aren't SUV rated tires, love to see those pics!

[mitch808]

Nothing like removing a ton of weight off each axle... A lb of unsprung weight they say is like removing 100lbs from the interior of your car.

Your suspension should react faster, better acceleration, better mileage, cherubs singing from the heavens and all that jazz...

[Don N.]

Originally Posted by JX5M

Pics please? Those aren't SUV rated tires, love to see those pics!

I haven't read anything about them being SUV rated or not before.

-Don

[Draper]

Please, please, please don't tell me you're running 295/35 and 335/30 on 20s.

[JVX6M]

Originally Posted by Don N.

I haven't read anything about them being SUV rated or not before.

-Don

By SUV I meant tire load rating. Are Michelin SS tires rated for the weight of an X5?

[Don N.]

Originally Posted by JX5M

By SUV I meant tire load rating. Are Michelin SS tires rated for the weight of an X5?

Yes.

[Ballz4]

I went with the Conti's(DWS) Waaaaayyyy better ride for sure! Just hope I don't get a flat

[hd2000fxdl]

Originally Posted by Ballz4

I went with the Conti's(DWS) Waaaaayyyy better ride for sure! Just hope I don't get a flat

Carry a Plug kit and a compressor.

Funny story and even though it wasn't originally my quick thinking It was still funny. Got a flay year ago, pulled to the side of the road and an officer pulled his cruiser behind be, came out an asked be a question. He asked if I had a Flat, looking down 3 good tires and one that was no longer round with a flat spot on the bottom and the rim just an inch from the road. Now with out skipping a beat I turned to him and said, nope, pulled over and the other 3 just swelled up like that. He gave me a weird look and told him I was just kidding but have always wanted to use that line. I was lucky, he got a kick out of it as well.

Harry

[Kakalika]

Best thing I did for my X was to toss the run flats. I went from 19's to 20's, and my ride became smoother and quieter.

[Don N.]

Originally Posted by hd2000fxdl

Carry a Plug kit and a compressor.

Funny story and even though it wasn't originally my quick thinking It was still funny. Got a flay year ago, pulled to the side of the road and an officer pulled his cruiser behind be, came out an asked be a question. He asked if I had a Flat, looking down 3 good tires and one that was no longer round with a flat spot on the bottom and the rim just an inch from the road. Now with out skipping a beat I turned to him and said, nope, pulled over and the other 3 just swelled up like that. He gave me a weird look and told him I was just kidding but have always wanted to use that line. I was lucky, he got a kick out of it as well.

Harry

I carry plugs and a tire pump in my trunk as well. Works well even if you have RFT tires. Plus, I have AAA 200 and 100 mile towing.

-Don

[Jimshorts]

Originally Posted by Ballz4

I went with the Conti's(DWS) Waaaaayyyy better ride for sure! Just hope I don't get a flat

Same here ride is so much better.

I was hoping for better track times on them as well but my truck might just be on the fritz.

[moeenulhaq]

Originally Posted by Don N.

I knew it'd be an upgrade going from RFT to non-RFT. However, I didn't expect it to be as big of a change as I got.

I get 3-4mpg better on average, braking is better, and I'd say an overall 30% reduction in noise and increase in comfort/ride quality.

I suppose the only downside, if I were to try and find one right now is that the initial turn in isn't as tight, cause the sidewalls are softer, but I don't think most people will be driving their X5s that hard.

Anyone else have positive results from going to non-RFT?

I put on Pilot Super Sports PS2s, 295 in the front and 335 in the rear.

-Don

I was at BMW dealership today and having the same debate with the SA, As per him Non RFT will not make a difference if you have sport suspension on your X5, Yes, if you have standard then its huge difference.

I have 3rd row Sport with Self leveling, did anyone feel a difference in comfort on a sport suspension also by going with Non RFT?

[Don N.]

Originally Posted by moeenulhaq

I was at BMW dealership today and having the same debate with the SA, As per him Non RFT will not make a difference if you have sport suspension on your X5, Yes, if you have standard then its huge difference.

I have 3rd row Sport with Self leveling, did anyone feel a difference in comfort on a sport suspension also by going with Non RFT?

I have 3rd row with self leveling.

It doesn't make sense why it would affect non-sport suspension but wouldn't be any affect on sport suspension. At any given level of adjustment that an active sport suspension car may be making, it'll be effectively softer with non-rft than with RFT.

-Don

[Rez90]

I replaced my run flats today with Nitto Motivo's. Just from the drive home from the tire shop the vehicle feels lighter and the ride is greatly improved.

f_ck run flats. long live AAA.

[moeenulhaq]

Originally Posted by Rez90

I replaced my run flats today with Nitto Motivo's. Just from the drive home from the tire shop the vehicle feels lighter and the ride is greatly improved.

f_ck run flats. long live AAA.

Do you prefer Nitto Motivos over Continental DWS ?

[Rez90]

Originally Posted by moeenulhaq

Do you prefer Nitto Motivos over Continental DWS ?

Well on the X5 i can't comment yet cause it's so new.

But on my jeep i had DWS's for about 30,000 miles. and i've had the motivo's now for about 1000 miles.

All in all i can't tell a difference between the two. The ride is the same. The noise is the same (of what i can hear over my exhaust), wet traction is good on both, and dry traction is good as well. I can't say that i've really pushed the Nitto's yet but they seem to be VERY similar to the Conti's. I can't comment on snow traction yet but i can tell you that on my Jeep SRT8 the DWS's sucked in the snow. Not to say it's a bad snow tire....because according to every test known to man it's decent in the snow...but with a 315 rear and the torque my truck produces i can't see anything but Blizzaks being "Good" in the snow.

But overall....Between the DWS's and the Nittos i'd say for a daily driven tire they perform basically the same.

[Don N.]

How long are most of your guys' tires lasting? Do you guys rotate/flip?

-Don

[P1]

What are the tires sizes for front and rear? Profile?

[moeenulhaq]

Originally Posted by P1et

What are the tires sizes for front and rear? Profile?

I have staggered setup : Front 275/40/20 ; Rear: 315/35/20

No rotation for me. Currently i have OEM Bridgestone Sport summer tires RFT and want to switch to an all season non RFT for the heck
of comfort and one tire for all season.

[P1]

Originally Posted by moeenulhaq

I have staggered setup : Front 275/40/20 ; Rear: 315/35/20

No rotation for me. Currently i have OEM Bridgestone Sport summer tires RFT and want to switch to an all season non RFT for the heck
of comfort and one tire for all season.

I was asking the OP since he says he has 295 and 335s and I am thinking he will have different profiles and is essentially destroying his xDrive.

[Don N.]

Originally Posted by P1et

I was asking the OP since he says he has 295 and 335s and I am thinking he will have different profiles and is essentially destroying his xDrive.

295/35/20 front, 335/30/20 rear.

The difference between front and rear is 2.75mm with this set up.

Unless that minor difference is enough to affect the xdrive, I would figure that minor difference would be negligible. Natural tire wear between the front and rear tires would probably be more than that.

-Don