Those of you who have gotten rid of RFTs
08-29-2018, 09:26 PM
#1
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Those of you who have gotten rid of RFTs
Pardon me for thinking out loud here. I will flat out state that I detest RFTs, but what I will also give credit where it is due is that the RFTs that were on the S classes I have test driven were all OEM tires and that they did surprisingly well. So these were either the Continental or Michelin RFTs.
I didn't have any beef with those RFTs. The cars were all still very quiet and the suspension clearly dealt with them well. My intention is to either immediately, or eventually get rid of RFTs, or to also get RFT winter tires on another set of rims.
Therefore, I'd like to ask those of you who have gotten rid of RFTs on your S classes, have either of these categories improved for you?
1) Noise (road noise/tire noise)
2) Ride comfort
And if so, was it a drastic difference? Bonus points if you share what tires you got rid of and what ones you're running now.
Thanks so much folks
I didn't have any beef with those RFTs. The cars were all still very quiet and the suspension clearly dealt with them well. My intention is to either immediately, or eventually get rid of RFTs, or to also get RFT winter tires on another set of rims.
Therefore, I'd like to ask those of you who have gotten rid of RFTs on your S classes, have either of these categories improved for you?
1) Noise (road noise/tire noise)
2) Ride comfort
And if so, was it a drastic difference? Bonus points if you share what tires you got rid of and what ones you're running now.
Thanks so much folks
08-30-2018, 11:15 AM
#2
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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
My 2018 S560, ordered with 18” wheels, came with Bridgestone EL400-02 RFT. They were much better than the run flats that came on my 2015 S550, but I still replaced them with Bridgestone Serenity Plus conventional tires and the difference is still substantial. Much more compliant ride, much quieter. I carry a W221 compact spare in my trunk.
Some folks here swear that their W222 with 20” wheels & RFT rides “so smoothly and so quietly.” I guess if your last car was a 1980’s Corvette with the “performance” suspension, then maybe they have a point. However, to those of us who are hyper sensitive about ride quality & comfort, I believe that there is no comparison to the setup I have. Maybe a new Rolls-Royce might ride better than my car, maybe.
Some folks here swear that their W222 with 20” wheels & RFT rides “so smoothly and so quietly.” I guess if your last car was a 1980’s Corvette with the “performance” suspension, then maybe they have a point. However, to those of us who are hyper sensitive about ride quality & comfort, I believe that there is no comparison to the setup I have. Maybe a new Rolls-Royce might ride better than my car, maybe.
Last edited by Streamliner; 08-30-2018 at 11:24 AM.
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superangrypenguin (08-30-2018)
08-30-2018, 01:51 PM
#3
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My 2018 S560, ordered with 18” wheels, came with Bridgestone EL400-02 RFT. They were much better than the run flats that came on my 2015 S550, but I still replaced them with Bridgestone Serenity Plus conventional tires and the difference is still substantial. Much more compliant ride, much quieter. I carry a W221 compact spare in my trunk.
Some folks here swear that their W222 with 20” wheels & RFT rides “so smoothly and so quietly.” I guess if your last car was a 1980’s Corvette with the “performance” suspension, then maybe they have a point. However, to those of us who are hyper sensitive about ride quality & comfort, I believe that there is no comparison to the setup I have. Maybe a new Rolls-Royce might ride better than my car, maybe.
Some folks here swear that their W222 with 20” wheels & RFT rides “so smoothly and so quietly.” I guess if your last car was a 1980’s Corvette with the “performance” suspension, then maybe they have a point. However, to those of us who are hyper sensitive about ride quality & comfort, I believe that there is no comparison to the setup I have. Maybe a new Rolls-Royce might ride better than my car, maybe.
08-30-2018, 03:20 PM
#4
Pardon me for thinking out loud here.
Therefore, I'd like to ask those of you who have gotten rid of RFTs on your S classes, have either of these categories improved for you?
1) Noise (road noise/tire noise)
2) Ride comfort
And if so, was it a drastic difference?
Therefore, I'd like to ask those of you who have gotten rid of RFTs on your S classes, have either of these categories improved for you?
1) Noise (road noise/tire noise)
2) Ride comfort
And if so, was it a drastic difference?
Ride comfort is decidedly better
The difference is "not dramatic" but "very noticeable". (A fine line to be sure)
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superangrypenguin (08-30-2018)
08-31-2018, 07:02 PM
#5
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the new runflats are alot better than the older ones, that said I took off my 19" runcraps and went w 20" non runflats and now carry a spare in the trunk. I always carry a compressor.
08-31-2018, 09:46 PM
#6
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Thank you
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09-02-2018, 12:53 PM
#8
Member
I had 19 inch staggered Michelin RFT's and went to Bridgestone Serenity Plus non-RFT same rims.. World of difference smoother ride and quieter. I tried to go to !8 inch rims but wouldn't fit.
I carry all sorts of roadside repair tools. Compressor, nail puller, normal plugs, screw in plugs and lots of slime. (No spare but I have Roadside Assistance) . When it comes to a repair all repair shops will repair my tires. The RFT's are not repaired by a lot of places and it depends on the tire brand as they have different policies.
So here are the options
A Drive your RFT to the nearest town to get told they can't/won't repair it and wait a few days while they source a uncommon RFT replacement tire.
B. Try to repair or put on your spare if you have one and go/get towed to the nearest town. Repair the non RFT tire. If tire not repairable much more likely to get one sooner.
I carry all sorts of roadside repair tools. Compressor, nail puller, normal plugs, screw in plugs and lots of slime. (No spare but I have Roadside Assistance) . When it comes to a repair all repair shops will repair my tires. The RFT's are not repaired by a lot of places and it depends on the tire brand as they have different policies.
So here are the options
A Drive your RFT to the nearest town to get told they can't/won't repair it and wait a few days while they source a uncommon RFT replacement tire.
B. Try to repair or put on your spare if you have one and go/get towed to the nearest town. Repair the non RFT tire. If tire not repairable much more likely to get one sooner.
09-04-2018, 04:29 PM
#10
Member
09-10-2018, 02:34 PM
#11
Looking at replacing my 20 in Goodyear RFTs with the Continental DWS 06 All Seasons. Those who have replaced them where did you have it done? Would your dealer do it since they werent an approved tire or did you take it to a local tire place, ie firestone, ntb etc?
09-10-2018, 02:59 PM
#12
Senior Member
Just Replaced my 20" RFT's with some Michelin P4S Big difference compared to the Good Years. And Yes I know they wear out pretty quick. Had them on my last 221 and got 20 K out of them. Not many choices for the 20" wheel size.
09-10-2018, 02:59 PM
#13
Senior Member
Discount tire!
09-10-2018, 03:05 PM
#14
Senior Member
I am thinking of doing the same, but was told the Continental DWS was the way to go...
09-10-2018, 06:06 PM
#15
Senior Member
They are quieter and much smother. As they wear on my old car they did get louder on ruff roads. My old 221 came with the Continental's to say the least I wasn't impressed with them. Or the reviews I read lately.
09-11-2018, 11:42 AM
#18
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2019 S450, 2020GLC300
Comfort: Using non-runflat (Serenity's) did change the car's ride. It's significant, but not an "Oh my god" moment. The best way for me to say it is that it makes the car ride the way I expected it to in the first place.
Noise: I didn't see much change.
I expect to carry a pump and plug kit .. and a phone.
(2018 S450, 245/50/18)
Noise: I didn't see much change.
I expect to carry a pump and plug kit .. and a phone.
(2018 S450, 245/50/18)
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superangrypenguin (09-11-2018)
09-11-2018, 12:58 PM
#19
Member
RFT's for Sport Ride
Pardon me for thinking out loud here. I will flat out state that I detest RFTs, but what I will also give credit where it is due is that the RFTs that were on the S classes I have test driven were all OEM tires and that they did surprisingly well. So these were either the Continental or Michelin RFTs.
I didn't have any beef with those RFTs. The cars were all still very quiet and the suspension clearly dealt with them well. My intention is to either immediately, or eventually get rid of RFTs, or to also get RFT winter tires on another set of rims.
Therefore, I'd like to ask those of you who have gotten rid of RFTs on your S classes, have either of these categories improved for you?
1) Noise (road noise/tire noise)
2) Ride comfort
And if so, was it a drastic difference? Bonus points if you share what tires you got rid of and what ones you're running now.
Thanks so much folks
I didn't have any beef with those RFTs. The cars were all still very quiet and the suspension clearly dealt with them well. My intention is to either immediately, or eventually get rid of RFTs, or to also get RFT winter tires on another set of rims.
Therefore, I'd like to ask those of you who have gotten rid of RFTs on your S classes, have either of these categories improved for you?
1) Noise (road noise/tire noise)
2) Ride comfort
And if so, was it a drastic difference? Bonus points if you share what tires you got rid of and what ones you're running now.
Thanks so much folks
