08 550i Handles Horribly in the Rain
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My Ride: 2008 Space Gray 550i, Light Poplar Wood, Anthracite Head Liner, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Front Ventilated Comfort Seats in Black Nasca Leather, NAV, HUD, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Night Vision, Lane Deviation Warning, Active Cruise Control, Heated Rear Seats, Folding Rear Seats, Power Shade w/ Rear Side-Shades, Rear Air Bags, Logic 7, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, iPod/USB Adapter. Car in BMW Body Shop, estimated completion 01/24/07.
Originally Posted by kscarrol' post='809625' date='Mar 6 2009, 02:38 PM
The '08 550 comes with non-RF Conti tires. I have taken turns in the rain at 30-35 MPH and never lost traction much less control. Of course we are likely comparing very different turns so comparison is meaningless. None the less, never had an issue with the stock Conti's on my '08.
+1
What tires are on the car. Absent a significant tire problem, you'd better get yourself some lessons in wet surface driving. I find my 550i a dream under these conditions, which is pretty much all the time here in the Pacific Northwest!
Cal
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I've driven several 335i s with RF summer performance tires around Poconos and the car handled brilliantly - esp in corners. I think you might look to other problems (the driver, inflation of tires, etc.) if you find they handle poorly.
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I agree with driver error, is your 550i a manual? Going round a corner in a low gear with a 5 litre (or 5.5 whatever it is) even if you just blip the throttle the end is gonna come out in wet conditions. Just cruise nicely round the corners, then accelerate out of the corner an it wont fish tail.
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
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Originally Posted by JSpira' post='809758' date='Mar 6 2009, 06:20 PM
Rubbish. No different than other tires.
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='809791' date='Mar 6 2009, 10:07 PM
Jonathan, you're wrong on this one. The RFT's that BMW fits to the E60 are simply awful in the wet, frankly to the point of being dangerous. There is ample evidence on the forum, it comes up in most threads where RFT's are on point. An RFT on a cold, damp morning is a terrible combination. A good performance tire is a much better (and in my judgement) safer bet.
Besides, my opinion can't be wrong per se, since it's my opinion, just as yours is yours.
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by JSpira' post='809826' date='Mar 6 2009, 08:10 PM
You can't lump all RF tires into one group and I've driven multiple BMWs with RF tires and the handling was almost indistinguishable from non RF cars. Example: I had an X6 with RF tires for a week and the handling was rocksolid.
Besides, my opinion can't be wrong per se, since it's my opinion, just as yours is yours.
Besides, my opinion can't be wrong per se, since it's my opinion, just as yours is yours.
As to your second point, it's a little intellectually corrupt. Your initial reply to someone else's opinion was a dismissal, claiming that it was "Rubbish" as RFT's tires were "No different to other tires". As I am sure you will appreciate, you can't have it both ways...
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='809843' date='Mar 6 2009, 11:38 PM
As to your second point, it's a little intellectually corrupt. Your initial reply to someone else's opinion was a dismissal, claiming that it was "Rubbish" as RFT's tires were "No different to other tires". As I am sure you will appreciate, you can't have it both ways...
