How long will the original tires last

bjarne · 05-14-2011, 12:55 PM

I will be picking up my 2011 Z4 sDrive35is next month, and I am deciding whether to go 24 or 36 month on the lease. One thing that might affect my decision is, can I reasonably expect the original tires to last 20-24k miles and still have enough thread left to satisfy the turn-in requirements?

I know driving style has a big effect on this, so it will vary a lot, but what are the experiences out there? I drive briskly, but I don't push the limits and do no track.

shadowfax777 · 05-14-2011, 02:20 PM

After nearly 9,000 miles, the rear tyres have an average of 4mm tread depth, and front tyres have an average of 6mm. They are Bridgestone RFT.

I don't really think the rear tyres on your 35is can last more than 15k miles.

marcw · 05-14-2011, 05:11 PM

Honestly I'd take off the RFT and store them somewhere. Get yourself some sticky non RFT tires and burn through them during your lease. Then turn in the car with the original tires. For me the low profile RFT are just unacceptably harsh. You will feel every small bump. The car becomes so much better with regular tires. Think of the cost as an investment into driving fun for the time of the lease. The OEM Bridgestone have a UTQG rating of only 140. There is no way they will last 36 months for you even if you were to drive like my grandma.

bjarne · 05-14-2011, 07:26 PM

Thanks to both of you for the feedback.

@marcw - exactly what has been going through my mind if the original tires would not last anyhow. Do you have any recommendation for non-RFTs? There is probably a thread somewhere on that subject, I will search.

Rafale · 05-14-2011, 08:04 PM

For tires in Cali, I would go with the Michelin Super Sport (probably my next set) or the Continental DW. I am currently running PS2s. marcw is running 4 season Conti DWS which I do not think you will need with your more favorable weather.

integraworks · 05-14-2011, 08:05 PM

There is no way the OEM Potenza RFT will last you 24 or 36 months. I just changed my tires today... 15,000 Kms on the car and the rear tires have 3mm on them, the fronts just over 5mm. I was told by others to expect about 16000 to 18000 Kms on the OEM skins.

I am giving the Pirelli P-Zero RFT a try now.

BlueZ4AZ · 05-14-2011, 11:51 PM

I have 20k miles and about 8k of tread left on my 18 inch OEM Bridgestone RFTs.

pmlnnrt · 05-15-2011, 05:15 AM

I have over 18,000 miles - still plenty of tread all the way around - easily will get 24,000 possible even 36,000

integraworks · 05-15-2011, 07:17 AM

All depends on how you drive I suppose.

05-14-2011, 12:55 PM	#1
bjarne Private First Class 3 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (1)	How long will the original tires last I will be picking up my 2011 Z4 sDrive35is next month, and I am deciding whether to go 24 or 36 month on the lease. One thing that might affect my decision is, can I reasonably expect the original tires to last 20-24k miles and still have enough thread left to satisfy the turn-in requirements? I know driving style has a big effect on this, so it will vary a lot, but what are the experiences out there? I drive briskly, but I don't push the limits and do no track.
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05-14-2011, 02:20 PM	#2
shadowfax777 Private 13 Rep 74 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bedfordshire, England iTrader: (0)	After nearly 9,000 miles, the rear tyres have an average of 4mm tread depth, and front tyres have an average of 6mm. They are Bridgestone RFT. I don't really think the rear tyres on your 35is can last more than 15k miles.
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05-14-2011, 05:11 PM	#3
marcw Captain 584 Rep 695 Posts Drives: 2021 M2 Competition Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, OR USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Porsche C4S Coupe [0.00] 2019 330ix Sportwagon [0.00] 2014 Jaguar F-Type ... [0.00] 2021 M2 Competition [0.00]	Honestly I'd take off the RFT and store them somewhere. Get yourself some sticky non RFT tires and burn through them during your lease. Then turn in the car with the original tires. For me the low profile RFT are just unacceptably harsh. You will feel every small bump. The car becomes so much better with regular tires. Think of the cost as an investment into driving fun for the time of the lease. The OEM Bridgestone have a UTQG rating of only 140. There is no way they will last 36 months for you even if you were to drive like my grandma.
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05-14-2011, 07:26 PM	#4
bjarne Private First Class 3 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (1)	Thanks to both of you for the feedback. @marcw - exactly what has been going through my mind if the original tires would not last anyhow. Do you have any recommendation for non-RFTs? There is probably a thread somewhere on that subject, I will search.
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05-14-2011, 08:04 PM	#5
Rafale Zed Quatre 24 Rep 410 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 35is & '11 535xi GT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR. USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 535i GT xDrive [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [7.00]	For tires in Cali, I would go with the Michelin Super Sport (probably my next set) or the Continental DW. I am currently running PS2s. marcw is running 4 season Conti DWS which I do not think you will need with your more favorable weather. __________________
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05-14-2011, 08:05 PM	#6
integraworks Private 17 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2010 Z4 s35i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	There is no way the OEM Potenza RFT will last you 24 or 36 months. I just changed my tires today... 15,000 Kms on the car and the rear tires have 3mm on them, the fronts just over 5mm. I was told by others to expect about 16000 to 18000 Kms on the OEM skins. I am giving the Pirelli P-Zero RFT a try now.
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05-14-2011, 11:51 PM	#7
BlueZ4AZ Go SU 33 Rep 902 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	I have 20k miles and about 8k of tread left on my 18 inch OEM Bridgestone RFTs.
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05-15-2011, 05:15 AM	#8
pmlnnrt Phil 7 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2014 Z-4 35i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Spring Lake New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I have over 18,000 miles - still plenty of tread all the way around - easily will get 24,000 possible even 36,000
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05-15-2011, 07:17 AM	#9
integraworks Private 17 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2010 Z4 s35i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	All depends on how you drive I suppose.
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