XL/non-XL tyres?

XL/non-XL tyres?

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Discussion

Funk

Original Poster:

26,578 posts

216 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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My G30 530i is on 245/45/18 95y all-round, currently on Pirelli P7 Cinturato RFTs. From my experience of them since buying the car I wouldn't say they're the greatest tyre by any stretch of the imagination and they'll need changing in the not-too-distant future.

I want to stick with RFTs and I'm sure many will have an opinion on them - this is not the thread for that opinion. I'm seeing several options such as Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2 and 3 (I've had Hankook Ventus before and rated them), Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 LS Run Flat (these were fitted to my previous car and I thought they were a decent tyre as well).

These are all XL-rated whereas the current P7 Cinturatos aren't - presume there's no issue going with an XL-rated tyre as a replacement for the P7?

nordboy

1,959 posts

57 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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I'm sure my G31 540i tourer was running on XL tyres, so absolutely shouldn't be an issue.

cuprabob

15,722 posts

221 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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The XL tyres will be fine. In fact I'm surprised they are not OEM fitment.

Funk

Original Poster:

26,578 posts

216 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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Fab. I'll do a bit more research into which to go for - I can't assume Hankook's RFTs are as good as their non-RFTs.

nordboy

1,959 posts

57 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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Funk said:
Fab. I'll do a bit more research into which to go for - I can't assume Hankook's RFTs are as good as their non-RFTs.
As I ended up selling my 540i back to bmw during the crazy pricing period I never got round to changing the tyres, but I was definitely moving away from run flats.
I don't think run flats were an option on the 530/40 after 2021'ish?

So, I guess I'm saying, go for the best tyre, regardless of whether it's run flat or not, just remember that if you haven't got breakdown cover then you'll need some sort of tyre goo and a pump/ compressor in the car, just in case. I was actually going to get a tyre plugging kit for mine.

Funk

Original Poster:

26,578 posts

216 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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I spoke to the local tyre place I used to use many years ago (before I had several years in lease cars) and they've said the car should be on 245/45/R18 100Y XL according to OEM spec (it's on 245/45/R18 96Y non-XL). They also said that in their experience the P7 Cinturato is a decent tyre (which actually correlates with reviews online) so I may well just stick with them as I'll only need to change the rears for now and would prefer not to mix brands at each end. It's not like I'm flinging the car down Welsh b-roads or drifting through roundabouts so I'm sure the P7 Cinturato will be fine. Price wasn't horrendous either - the RFT is only a £40 premium over the non-RFT version which over the life of a tyre is negligible.

Olivera

7,684 posts

246 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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Funk said:
They also said that in their experience the P7 Cinturato is a decent tyre (which actually correlates with reviews online)
In my experience the P7 Cinturato in runflat form is an atrocious tyre, note they also come in non-runflat form which is what more positive reviews may be referring to. My Mini JCW came with the OEM 18" P7 Cinturato runflats, grip was limited and ride was poor (especially so at the recommended very high pressures). Ditching all 4 for non-runflat Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 significantly improved both grip and ride.

E-bmw

9,980 posts

159 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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Olivera said:
Funk said:
They also said that in their experience the P7 Cinturato is a decent tyre (which actually correlates with reviews online)
In my experience the P7 Cinturato in runflat form is an atrocious tyre, note they also come in non-runflat form which is what more positive reviews may be referring to. My Mini JCW came with the OEM 18" P7 Cinturato runflats, grip was limited and ride was poor (especially so at the recommended very high pressures). Ditching all 4 for non-runflat Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 significantly improved both grip and ride.
IMHO they are (at best) a middle of the road (pardon pun) tyre at best, there are certainly many better for not much more.

I got rid of a full set with over 6mm tread that were on the car when I bought it, due to aquaplaning ridiculously easily.

Pica-Pica

14,486 posts

91 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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Goodyear EfficientGrip.

CrgT16

2,114 posts

115 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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For me RFTs feel too wooden but appreciate the benefits of them. I run normal tyres and for years ran Michelin PS tires. Seem to last very well and never had trouble in the wet. Not uncommon to get 25k+miles from the Michelins.

Funk

Original Poster:

26,578 posts

216 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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I'll be sticking with RFTs; appreciate posts with any recommendations - thanks for the suggestion of the Goodyear EfficientGrip Pica-pica, will take a look at those.

If you're replying with a recommendation for a non-RFT please save yourself the pixels and inconvenience and skip to another post somewhere.

E-bmw

9,980 posts

159 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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I get what you say & won't try to sway you as it is your prerogative.

I personally have never refitted RFT to cars that come with RFT tyres, always preferring the extra grip, handling & ride quality of standard tyres myself.

Funk

Original Poster:

26,578 posts

216 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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....

Funk

Original Poster:

26,578 posts

216 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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I've found a good price on Pirelli P-Zero ZP4s in the right size and spec @ £172 each and I'm pretty sure these were what was on my 840i GC - I had no issues with them at all. My rears are down to about 3mm or so of tread, I'm going to replace all four at the same time even though there's life left in the fronts as I don't want to run mixed tyres front and rear.