I'm switching to GFTs: Michelin Primacy MXV4s

dmaccioc · 04-05-2009, 10:09 PM

At 22.5k miles my OEM Bridgestone Turanza's have a little less than 4/32's of tread left. I knew the tires weren't going to last long, but the loud noise from 25-45 mph and the slight vibration from uneven wear is what sucks. I was going back and forth between switching to Conti RFTs and switching to GFTs. Seemed like most people were happy with the Conti's but then I saw some postings where they got loud 20-30k in. Was impressed with all of the great reviews on the Michelin Primacy MXV4's, so I decided to go that route. New tires should be on the car hopefully this Wednesday, looking forward to a smoother ride!

If anyone has tips on what to carry for backup, let me know. Can't decide if I want the Conti Comfort Kit (where do you even buy one of those?) or an actual spare in the trunk.

Will report out on the change in driving experience!

demosthenes · 04-06-2009, 05:43 PM

I'm curious to find out what you think of the Primacy MXV4's.

I bought a compact spare from leatherz.com. It was expensive and it takes up space in my trunk. Another option is to buy a 5th BMW alloy wheel and put a full sized tire on it. I'm starting to think that is the best option. With the staggered setup, I don't know whether I should get a 8x17 wheel or a 8.5x17 wheel so it would work in front or in back.

spacedogg · 04-06-2009, 07:32 PM

Everytime I see the term GFT I think "Girl-friend tire...wtf?"

Hehe.

dmaccioc · 04-09-2009, 07:20 PM

Ok just got home from getting the Primacys installed. NIGHT AND DAY difference. The car is completely quiet, and rough, uneven pavement is no longer an issue. I hadn't even realized how accustomed I had become to hearing loud tire noise at 25 mph... I was in stop and go traffic for the first few minutes and had to keep checking the speedometer to make sure the car was actually slowing down when I braked! Just completely silent. I'm a happy camper.

As I mentioned above, the ride is definitely smoother without any suspension crashes on large bumps. The ride/handling blend seems much better balanced. Steering feel seems to be a little lighter, particularly at lower speeds, but still feels BMW-weighty. I haven't tested handling too much yet. There is a turn on the highway that is supposed to be 50mph, I usually do 65-70, it took the turn no problem though it seemed a little cushier than before. Not as much of that "I'm on rails" feeling as with the RFTs, but for my driving style completely acceptable.

Now I just need to figure the spare/backup kit plan out. Bottom line, I would definitely recommend for any current e90 owner to switch to go-flats.

demosthenes · 04-09-2009, 08:51 PM

Thanks for your report.

I think most people that spend lots of time on lousy roads will be happier with non-RFT's. I am.

If I lived in Germany, I would have kept the RFT's because of their razor sharp steering response and added safety. But given the terrible roads I drive every day, the RFT's were so harsh I had to slow down to avoid my car hopping around and getting beat up. I slowed down so much I took the turns slower in my E90 than I took them in my wife's Camry. Not any more...

dmaccioc · 04-09-2009, 09:45 PM

completely agree. the bay area is chock full o' rough roads, rfts are tough here. we shouldn't be getting passed by camrys!!! blasphemy.

04-05-2009, 10:09 PM	#1
dmaccioc Enlisted Member 13 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	I'm switching to GFTs: Michelin Primacy MXV4s At 22.5k miles my OEM Bridgestone Turanza's have a little less than 4/32's of tread left. I knew the tires weren't going to last long, but the loud noise from 25-45 mph and the slight vibration from uneven wear is what sucks. I was going back and forth between switching to Conti RFTs and switching to GFTs. Seemed like most people were happy with the Conti's but then I saw some postings where they got loud 20-30k in. Was impressed with all of the great reviews on the Michelin Primacy MXV4's, so I decided to go that route. New tires should be on the car hopefully this Wednesday, looking forward to a smoother ride! If anyone has tips on what to carry for backup, let me know. Can't decide if I want the Conti Comfort Kit (where do you even buy one of those?) or an actual spare in the trunk. Will report out on the change in driving experience!
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04-06-2009, 05:43 PM	#2
demosthenes Major 48 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: E90 328i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 328i sedan [0.00]	I'm curious to find out what you think of the Primacy MXV4's. I bought a compact spare from leatherz.com. It was expensive and it takes up space in my trunk. Another option is to buy a 5th BMW alloy wheel and put a full sized tire on it. I'm starting to think that is the best option. With the staggered setup, I don't know whether I should get a 8x17 wheel or a 8.5x17 wheel so it would work in front or in back.
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04-06-2009, 07:32 PM	#3
spacedogg Colonel 195 Rep 2,816 Posts Drives: Debadged Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Everytime I see the term GFT I think "Girl-friend tire...wtf?" Hehe.
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04-09-2009, 07:20 PM	#4
dmaccioc Enlisted Member 13 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Ok just got home from getting the Primacys installed. NIGHT AND DAY difference. The car is completely quiet, and rough, uneven pavement is no longer an issue. I hadn't even realized how accustomed I had become to hearing loud tire noise at 25 mph... I was in stop and go traffic for the first few minutes and had to keep checking the speedometer to make sure the car was actually slowing down when I braked! Just completely silent. I'm a happy camper. As I mentioned above, the ride is definitely smoother without any suspension crashes on large bumps. The ride/handling blend seems much better balanced. Steering feel seems to be a little lighter, particularly at lower speeds, but still feels BMW-weighty. I haven't tested handling too much yet. There is a turn on the highway that is supposed to be 50mph, I usually do 65-70, it took the turn no problem though it seemed a little cushier than before. Not as much of that "I'm on rails" feeling as with the RFTs, but for my driving style completely acceptable. Now I just need to figure the spare/backup kit plan out. Bottom line, I would definitely recommend for any current e90 owner to switch to go-flats.
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04-09-2009, 08:51 PM	#5
demosthenes Major 48 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: E90 328i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 328i sedan [0.00]	Thanks for your report. I think most people that spend lots of time on lousy roads will be happier with non-RFT's. I am. If I lived in Germany, I would have kept the RFT's because of their razor sharp steering response and added safety. But given the terrible roads I drive every day, the RFT's were so harsh I had to slow down to avoid my car hopping around and getting beat up. I slowed down so much I took the turns slower in my E90 than I took them in my wife's Camry. Not any more...
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04-09-2009, 09:45 PM	#6
dmaccioc Enlisted Member 13 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	completely agree. the bay area is chock full o' rough roads, rfts are tough here. we shouldn't be getting passed by camrys!!! blasphemy.
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