Test drove a 328 in 2007 with RFT's and the ride was really rough - swore I'd never have a car with them. Ordered my 2008 535XiT with regular tires (now Conti DWS)and am very happy.

However, just had a new 335 loaner with RFT's and was VERY suprised at how smooth the car was - on Rte 1 in New Jersey over many potholes.

Not sure if the car and/or tires have improved, but I'd consider them now...

Can you teach an old/opinionated dog new tricks? maybe...

 

Well, I may have a skewed experience because I am on 18" wheels with tires much larger in diameter than a 3 series would use. Not only are the stock 5 series tires larger, but I went up one notch as well to a 245/45x18 which has roughly 1/3-1/2" more sidewall. More sidewall would surely make a RFT feel better.

I do recall my 328 wagon with 19" rft as being "firm" although I used it mostly on really nice roads, in NC, so they just felt even more tight and nimble, not a bad thing you know. I've hit some hard lumps and bumps this week in upstate NY on my 245/45x18 rft Pirelli Sottozero 240 winter and I'll trade a momentary hard feeling for tire damage any day. i even have a full size spare in the back

 

Jwest, you have a full size spare in the back of a wagon? Do you have part numbers? or how you did it?

 

whoops, sorry I missed your question. You may think it's in the subfloor which is why you would ask the question, and that would be awesome, but there is not enough room in there either diameter wise or depth wise.

So, there is no magic here, I simply got another rim and tire to match what I have on the car. I then double ratchet strapped it to the driver side wall standing up and in same direction as on the ground. This does not obstruct the rear view and leaves the most floor/cargo space.

At first I had it fully inflated which would not allow my larger than stock tire to fit snug between the upright seat back and the D pillar, it was just against the D pillar leaving a gap between it and the side wall. However, upon deflating it tucked in with the seat upright which also makes for a safer solid hold (I have a small air compressor inside the side wall if necessary)

I imagine the oem tire size, roughly 1" smaller diameter, would have fit fine but I am going for a mix of performance and practical durability in my tire selections, thus the larger than stock 26.7" tires (245/45x18) on both my 8" winter wheels (oem bought on the car) and for my summer tires on the new wheels which are going on today, 18"x8.5 ET29 with Bridgestone 960 245/45x18 100W rated.

I also built the spare with the tire pressure sensor so all is perfect if needed while on a long road trip.