Bridgestone RFT Farce

ed335d · 11-13-2008, 07:11 AM

I've just been making a few enquiries about new tyre prices and got the follow message back from one of the online dealers:

'Unfortunately the 255/30/19 Bridgestone Runflats are on backorder with Bridgestone, this has been the case for several months now. Bridgestone have no dates as to when they will be back in stock and available. BMW in the meantime have bought all remaining stock of this tyre from every tyre broker in the country as to have control of the market (and price of course), you will need to contact your nearest BMW dealer. No other manufacturer produces a Runflat in this size.'

I was outraged when I had to purchase one tyre for £300 earlier this year - not so much at the price (although still very high), just the monopoly that BMW seem to have on these tyres and are able to charge what the hell they like.

booforty · 11-13-2008, 07:56 AM

The supply of RFTs in the UK is indeed a complete and utter farce.

Get yourself some non-RFTs

mistry · 11-13-2008, 08:03 AM

I wonder what Trading Standards would have to say about this.

I may have to make some enquiries.

AlanQS · 11-13-2008, 08:53 AM

It might be an idea if all of us who are potentially going to suffer this problem, send a little letter to our local Trading Standards and see if lots of little enquiries from them to BMW, might have some little effect?

I'm avoiding the problem in the short term (I hope) by going back to my original 17" wheels for the winter and as my 19" tyres have only done 5,000 miles, I (punctures aside) will see the next summer on the current set.

creepy coupe · 11-13-2008, 08:55 AM

Don't the PS2 runflats come in the same sizes

AlanQS · 11-13-2008, 09:41 AM

It seems difficult to get the 255/30 x 19" size period and going up to the Alpina tyre sizes only makes a slight improvement.

dxb335d · 11-13-2008, 11:37 AM

conti 3's mate. Non runflat do it.

ed335d · 11-13-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

conti 3's mate. Non runflat do it.

Seriously considering changing to non-rft's - how far can you run using a can of goo?

nomis · 11-13-2008, 11:56 AM

http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/quotati...19&postcode=m1

I used 'Event' mobile tyres to fit 4 bridgestone runflats to my 123d coupe. Best price on the net and great service but the down side was that they don't cover my area. I had to drive over to Glossop, parked the car in a public car park and had my tyres changed there.

MOB · 11-13-2008, 12:17 PM

I'll never go back to RFT - don't see the point of buying something more expensive, worse performing, and having very limited supplies.

LRS · 11-14-2008, 12:38 PM

For >> 19” << RTF - Rear 255/30R19 91Y & Front 225/35R19 88Y, your choices are:

[Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT] - which have been carteled by BMW
[Pirelli Eufori@ RTF] - If you can find them (I was able to get two rears - sitting in my garage. Front are still like trying to find rocking horse s**t)
[Michelin RTF] - They only make a RTF tyre up to 18” max. (I have heard somewhere that they were considering making a 19”, but have not heard any more about this)

I think that E90POST.COM could help campaign on our behalf and represent our small individual voices and let BMW know that this RTF tyre issue is just not acceptable!

willhollin · 11-14-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LRS

For >> 19” << RTF - Rear 255/30R19 91Y & Front 225/35R19 88Y, your choices are:

[Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT] - which have been carteled by BMW
[Pirelli Eufori@ RTF] - If you can find them (I was able to get two rears - sitting in my garage. Front are still like trying to find rocking horse s**t)
[Michelin RTF] - They only make a RTF tyre up to 18” max. (I have heard somewhere that they were considering making a 19”, but have not heard any more about this)

I think that E90POST.COM could help campaign on our behalf and represent our small individual voices and let BMW know that this RTF tyre issue is just not acceptable!

Carlos still has some for sale....

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183453

YvesD · 11-15-2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed335d

BMW seem to have on these tyres and are able to charge what the hell they like.

Good job they last forever then

Mine have 9500 miles on them and they are barely marked.

Yves

dxb335d · 11-15-2008, 09:50 AM

Prob 100 miles on goo. Would not go over a ton though.

11-13-2008, 07:11 AM	#1
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	Bridgestone RFT Farce I've just been making a few enquiries about new tyre prices and got the follow message back from one of the online dealers: 'Unfortunately the 255/30/19 Bridgestone Runflats are on backorder with Bridgestone, this has been the case for several months now. Bridgestone have no dates as to when they will be back in stock and available. BMW in the meantime have bought all remaining stock of this tyre from every tyre broker in the country as to have control of the market (and price of course), you will need to contact your nearest BMW dealer. No other manufacturer produces a Runflat in this size.' I was outraged when I had to purchase one tyre for £300 earlier this year - not so much at the price (although still very high), just the monopoly that BMW seem to have on these tyres and are able to charge what the hell they like. __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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11-13-2008, 07:56 AM	#2
booforty Major General 337 Rep 8,811 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	The supply of RFTs in the UK is indeed a complete and utter farce. Get yourself some non-RFTs
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11-13-2008, 08:03 AM	#3
mistry Captain 43 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	I wonder what Trading Standards would have to say about this. I may have to make some enquiries.
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11-13-2008, 08:53 AM	#4
AlanQS Colonel 244 Rep 2,811 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	It might be an idea if all of us who are potentially going to suffer this problem, send a little letter to our local Trading Standards and see if lots of little enquiries from them to BMW, might have some little effect? I'm avoiding the problem in the short term (I hope) by going back to my original 17" wheels for the winter and as my 19" tyres have only done 5,000 miles, I (punctures aside) will see the next summer on the current set.
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11-13-2008, 08:55 AM	#5
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1868 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Don't the PS2 runflats come in the same sizes
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11-13-2008, 09:41 AM	#6
AlanQS Colonel 244 Rep 2,811 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	It seems difficult to get the 255/30 x 19" size period and going up to the Alpina tyre sizes only makes a slight improvement.
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11-13-2008, 11:37 AM	#7
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 951 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	conti 3's mate. Non runflat do it. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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11-13-2008, 11:56 AM	#9
nomis Private 4 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 123d M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Derbyshire, U.K iTrader: (0)	http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/quotati...19&postcode=m1 I used 'Event' mobile tyres to fit 4 bridgestone runflats to my 123d coupe. Best price on the net and great service but the down side was that they don't cover my area. I had to drive over to Glossop, parked the car in a public car park and had my tyres changed there.
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11-13-2008, 12:17 PM	#10
MOB Major 56 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: Alpine White M2 LCI Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (4)	I'll never go back to RFT - don't see the point of buying something more expensive, worse performing, and having very limited supplies. __________________
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11-14-2008, 12:38 PM	#11
LRS Dead Head 45 Rep 275 Posts Drives: E92 335d Coupe Join Date: May 2007 Location: (Then > Bay Area, Calif) (Now > Southeast, UK) iTrader: (0)	For >> 19” << RTF - Rear 255/30R19 91Y & Front 225/35R19 88Y, your choices are: [Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT] - which have been carteled by BMW [Pirelli Eufori@ RTF] - If you can find them (I was able to get two rears - sitting in my garage. Front are still like trying to find rocking horse s**t) [Michelin RTF] - They only make a RTF tyre up to 18” max. (I have heard somewhere that they were considering making a 19”, but have not heard any more about this) I think that E90POST.COM could help campaign on our behalf and represent our small individual voices and let BMW know that this RTF tyre issue is just not acceptable! __________________ E92 335d SE Auto \| Space Grey \| Black Leather \| 19” 230 Star Spoke \| Comfort Access \| Lumbar \| Heated Seats \| Black High Gloss Trim \| Pro Nav \| Assist \| Bluetooth Telematics \| Voice Control \| High Gloss Shadow Line
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11-15-2008, 09:50 AM	#14
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 951 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Prob 100 miles on goo. Would not go over a ton though. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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