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      06-04-2011, 02:28 PM   #1
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3rd Gen Bridgestone RFT

I was just reading the current "Roundel" (June '11) and it appears that Bridgestone is on the verge of pushing out their next (3rd) generation of RFT's. Seems as though they've done some serious work on the new "Potenza RE960AS RFT" (Ultra High Performance All Season catagory). The editor seemed quite impressed with the reduced weight, thinner sidewalls, reduced road noise/harshness and increased wear (40K mile tread guarantee). It will be interesting to see how real world/Tire Rack reviews go once they become more readily available. A short blurb on them from Tire Rack link. At the moment the size selection is very limited, but at least the pricing is certainly more competitive and comparable to a non RFT. Anyway maybe some glimmer of hope for the RFT's.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e+Position+RFT
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      06-05-2011, 11:39 AM   #2
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I hope you are right but it will take a lot to lure me back to RFTs. That being said, the new RFTs on our X3 35i with 19" staggered wheels are pretty great.
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      02-12-2012, 03:04 PM   #3
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FYI - for those of you nearing tire replacement decision soon.

I was reading the Feb 12 BMWCCA Roundel with a review of the new 3er F30 328 (4 cyl TT) "Sport Line" mounted with the latest generation (3rd) Bridgestone 19" Potenza S001 RFT. The editor was pleasantly surprised at the ride and handling. Satch stated he had to get out and verify they were actually RFT's after 10 laps around the Circuit de Cataluna at a recent press launch of the new 3er.

Also the chart below showing the comparison between the RE050's, Non RFT S001 and RFT S001 in regard to sidewall stiffness. Too bad Bridgestone had to dumb down the data for the public, but it appears they have made a marked improvement in softening up the sidwall.

Since BS is now supplying these to BMW as OEM tires they should be available in a good population of sizes. Hopefully very shortly since the F30's are now available for sale. So for those of you who embrace the RFT technology, help may have finally arrived.



The tire acts as a spring, absorbing the shock between a vehicle and the road surface. The index expresses the "strength of the spring".
Test load: 1060 lbs @ Air pressure: 35 psig
* The tire vertical stiffness of conventional tires is indexed at 100. Riding comfort improves as numbers fall on the index.
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      02-12-2012, 04:48 PM   #4
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first and second gen rft get a lot of bad reviews, 3rd gen proof that manufacturers wont gave up and are really catching up on non rft, it proof that they are the tires of the future (like it or not)
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      02-13-2012, 07:31 AM   #5
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Interesting news. Does anyone know if the 3rd gen tires are being shipped with the 2012 Z4's?
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      02-13-2012, 04:41 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Colorado View Post
Interesting news. Does anyone know if the 3rd gen tires are being shipped with the 2012 Z4's?
should be,cuz i had read about them over one year ago.
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      02-13-2012, 06:27 PM   #7
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I'll let you all know on the 24th when I have my ED delivery.
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      02-14-2012, 03:52 AM   #8
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i got those tires mounted on my 125, the difference is huge. the tires feels much better, less harsh on the suspension... it's also a good looking tire. Thumbs up to Bridgestone
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      02-14-2012, 04:43 AM   #9
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The Z4 i still listed as getting the 2nd Generation Bridgestone RFT
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      02-14-2012, 04:45 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rori zahr View Post
i got those tires mounted on my 125, the difference is huge. the tires feels much better, less harsh on the suspension... it's also a good looking tire. Thumbs up to Bridgestone
You have a 125i Coupe ?
Sure you dont have the Bridgestone RE050A I tires that are 2nd Generation RFT ? They were a big step up from the 1st generation.

The new F20 1 Series gets the Bridgestone S001 that are 3rd Generation RFT



Or did you have them fitted later? ( Not from the factory)
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      02-14-2012, 07:04 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Fleet View Post
You have a 125i Coupe ?
Sure you dont have the Bridgestone RE050A I tires that are 2nd Generation RFT ? They were a big step up from the 1st generation.

The new F20 1 Series gets the Bridgestone S001 that are 3rd Generation RFT



Or did you have them fitted later? ( Not from the factory)
yes I had them fitted later, also a bit bigger than the original ones. the new ones are 225-17-45 the originals were 215-50-17
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      02-24-2012, 06:48 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Colorado View Post
Interesting news. Does anyone know if the 3rd gen tires are being shipped with the 2012 Z4's?
I had my ED this morning and can confirm that there is no change in the tires for 2012 Z4's. They're the same Potenza 050 RFT's. I'll post pix as soon as I get home!
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      02-24-2012, 07:29 AM   #13
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also limited size offering at this point:

205/55RF16 91H
205/45RF17 84W
225/45RF17 91W
255/40RF17 94W
225/40RF18 88W
245/40R18 93W
255/35RF18 90W
285/35R19 99W
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      02-24-2012, 01:35 PM   #14
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I can tell you on mine... they are just horrible. I am enjoying peeling out at every opportunity and fish tailing the back end around just about every corner to wear mine down.. yes they are that bad..... I will be switching my Z4 out to normal tires as soon as I get them down to slicks. Same thing on my 7 series.. they are just horrible. On the other hand my wife's X5 has them and so does her 335i.. and they are not that bad on either of those cars...
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      02-24-2012, 05:19 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jparnes1 View Post
I had my ED this morning and can confirm that there is no change in the tires for 2012 Z4's. They're the same Potenza 050 RFT's. I'll post pix as soon as I get home!
Congrats! AND No Volcanoes!
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      02-24-2012, 10:39 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HerrK
I was just reading the current "Roundel" (June '11) and it appears that Bridgestone is on the verge of pushing out their next (3rd) generation of RFT's. Seems as though they've done some serious work on the new "Potenza RE960AS RFT" (Ultra High Performance All Season catagory). The editor seemed quite impressed with the reduced weight, thinner sidewalls, reduced road noise/harshness and increased wear (40K mile tread guarantee). It will be interesting to see how real world/Tire Rack reviews go once they become more readily available. A short blurb on them from Tire Rack link. At the moment the size selection is very limited, but at least the pricing is certainly more competitive and comparable to a non RFT. Anyway maybe some glimmer of hope for the RFT's.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e+Position+RFT
Link to tire rack doesn't work. (at least on the iPhone it didn't work)
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      02-25-2012, 08:46 AM   #17
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at 25k I just threw new Michelin Pilot Super Sports on it and - WOW! I thought the Continental DWs (not the all seasons DWS) were a huge improvement over the RFTs, and they were, but these Michelins are incredible - even my wife said something about it after driving the car around for a day. I wish BMW would put these on the car from the factory instead of RFTs (or at least offer the option) and then have the car test driven/reviewed with the media and in comparisons. The e89 would get a lot better reviews and test results.

Last edited by Vintage; 10-07-2012 at 11:15 AM..
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      07-28-2012, 01:23 PM   #18
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Just ordered a set of these 3rd Gen RFTs Potenza RE60AS tires, 225/45/17. It will take a few days for Discount Tire to get them. $859 installed, balanced and tax out the door. Looking forward to the improved ride

On my last Z4 (2003) I ditched the RFT's and went with Micheline Pilots. Great improvment in ride. I did carry a spare which consumed the trunk because I don't want to be anywhere I will get stuck ( I carry spare parts in my Land Cruiser, even a CV axle)

I read tons of reviews and the fact that I do get the benefit of the RFT, along with the ride of a non RFT in an All Season tire is what appeals to me. I'll post up my observations. I need to be able to drive in the winter when it's cold, and when there is light snow. Any significant snow fall and I will drive the Land Cruiser. The 35" inch TOYO MT's handle deep snow extremely well
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      10-07-2012, 09:54 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Romer
Just ordered a set of these 3rd Gen RFTs Potenza RE60AS tires, 225/45/17. It will take a few days for Discount Tire to get them. $859 installed, balanced and tax out the door. Looking forward to the improved ride

On my last Z4 (2003) I ditched the RFT's and went with Micheline Pilots. Great improvment in ride. I did carry a spare which consumed the trunk because I don't want to be anywhere I will get stuck ( I carry spare parts in my Land Cruiser, even a CV axle)

I read tons of reviews and the fact that I do get the benefit of the RFT, along with the ride of a non RFT in an All Season tire is what appeals to me. I'll post up my observations. I need to be able to drive in the winter when it's cold, and when there is light snow. Any significant snow fall and I will drive the Land Cruiser. The 35" inch TOYO MT's handle deep snow extremely well
How have these been for you over the past few months? I'm going to have to change out my oems due to cold weather this year (snuck through with a warm winter last year). Deciding on rft vs non rft.
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      10-07-2012, 10:03 AM   #20
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So far I like them. It hasnt snowed anything more than a trace as of yet, but they did great during a monsoon type rain. I would buy them again.
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      10-08-2012, 05:11 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by az34 View Post
first and second gen rft get a lot of bad reviews, 3rd gen proof that manufacturers wont gave up and are really catching up on non rft, it proof that they are the tires of the future (like it or not)
I personally like the direction. I've always thought that tires were one of the lousiest parts of the car...so many tech advances elsewhere but we're riding on some stupid air-inflatable rubber that can puncture at any given moment, leaving us stranded or worse. We shouldn't even worry about getting flats, period.
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      10-08-2012, 07:07 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Romer View Post
So far I like them. It hasnt snowed anything more than a trace as of yet, but they did great during a monsoon type rain. I would buy them again.
Was the road noise reduced significantly and did you feel less bumpiness through the suspension too?
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