Are next Gen RFT available yet?

[Pedal2Floor]

I just got a bubble on one of my tires, I was wondering if the 3rd Gen or next Gen RFT are available yet otherwise I will go with non-RFTs

[Gary@Tirerack]

Confirmed with Bridgestone that the 3G runflat tires will not be available any time soon, at least not this year, sorry.

Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/tires/index.jsp

[grateful1]

What's the deal with the next generation of RFTs? Why are they supposed to be any better then the current generation?

[Pedal2Floor]

What's the deal with the next generation of RFTs? Why are they supposed to be any better then the current generation?

They are suppose to have a much more fogiving ride closer to a non-RFT

[12thBMW]

What's the deal with the next generation of RFTs? Why are they supposed to be any better then the current generation?

Here's the info from Bridgestone on 3rd generation RFs.

http://www.bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2009030301.html

[12thBMW]

Also from the Bridgestone site, a series of videos with the evaluations of journalists after testing the 3rd Gen RFs. The basic conclusion is that there is virtually no difference between the 3rd Gen RFs and non-RFs...and we STILL can't get them in the US. Why not?!?

I'm coming up soon on needing new tires and if Bridgestone won't release these for the US, then I'll either get the Michelin ZPs or go non-Bridgestone non-RFs.

The ride in my Z4 with the RFs never was acceptable and as they age it gets worse and worse, harsher and harsher, now to the point of almost losing control of the car on the highway when some unseen depression or ridge is driven over...the whole car just jerks to one side or the other a couple of feet...it feels like it goes airborne.

Definitely NOT Freude am Fahren when this happens...

http://www.runflat-system.com/english/impression/

[12thBMW]

Well, I just couldn't wait, the OEM Bridgestone RFTs had gotten downright dangerous and they were no where close to the treadwear bars. I was getting literally thrown into the next lane on the Highway when I'd hit irregularities that I couldn't even see in the pavement. I really didn't want to have to carry a spare or an M-Mobility Kit, so I got the Michelin PS2 ZPs (drop shipped from TireRack, installed at my BMW dealer for $106 TOTAL), and while I've only driven 50 miles on them, the difference is remarkable...I've got my car back :D The tramlining is almost gone...just the right amount of feel as to the character of the pavement, but NO sudden jerking or feeling like you're driving into/out of a gulley. There's no spine wrenching punch to the kidneys when I go over road irregularities and manhole covers at 35mph; you still know that you went over it, but its an appropriate Roadster feel, not a sucker punch. The Roadster feels exactly like its supposed to (which is probably still too firm for those who want a Roadster that feels like a 750iL, because they think its "cute" looking or some other such reason). Since they are still new and hence "greasy", I haven't been able to really push them to see how they handle under serious stress...I'll report back in after a couple of thousand miles. For those who still haven't ditched the Bridgestone RTFs because they want the peace of the Run Flats (my wife drives the Roadster from time to time), I'd say give these Michelin ZPs a try...its REALLY nice to drive the Roadster the way it was designed to feel and drive

[Weaselboy]

I made the same switch to the PS2 ZPs on my 2007 335i SP and agree with your observations. Big improvement.

[12thBMW]

Just to follow up...I've got 350+ miles on the Michelin ZPs now, and the ride just keeps improving. I drove from Portland (OR) to the coast and back over the weekend (200+ mi)which includes some great mountain twistees and 65 mph posted speed limit hiway (I can't exactly remember how fast I was going... ;) ), some VERY heavy downpours, and some REALLY rough city streets. The tires were relatively quiet, handled the wet great, not at all harsh (just right for me in a Roadster), and got stickier as we drove. If you want to keep Run Flats for safety, you should think about the Michelin ZPs.

Freude am Fahren (nochmals)...

[Gary@Tirerack]

Just to follow up...I've got 350+ miles on the Michelin ZPs now, and the ride just keeps improving. I drove from Portland (OR) to the coast and back over the weekend (200+ mi)which includes some great mountain twistees and 65 mph posted speed limit hiway (I can't exactly remember how fast I was going... ;) ), some VERY heavy downpours, and some REALLY rough city streets. The tires were relatively quiet, handled the wet great, not at all harsh (just right for me in a Roadster), and got stickier as we drove. If you want to keep Run Flats for safety, you should think about the Michelin ZPs.

Freude am Fahren (nochmals)...

Thanks for the follow up. :thumbup: