Pirelli P-Zero 20" RFT for SUV

[Kasyd]

Hi Everyone, just wanted to share my tyre experience with you all.

When I purchased my first E70 3.0d in 07 with 214 style 20" tyres it came with the Bridgestone Dueler HP, these tyres offered great handling but a bone jarring ride, very uncomfortable and they droned BAD.

In late 09 I was given an opportunity to upgrade to a 35d and this time it arrived from the factory with Dunlop Sports Maxx RFT's 20", at first I was pleased with the softer quieter ride however at 14k they started to deteriorate rapidly, the droning started then by 16K the tyres started to also "tramline" on rough & grooved roads and by 19k they had worn to the min and became unbearable and dangerous in all conditions especially in the wet.

Well the hunt started for a replacement tyre and I came across the new summer Pirelli P-Zero SUV RFT's made for the X5 with 20" 315's, all I can say everyone is thank heavens they are here, these tyres have so far transformed the X5 ride completely and the performance is fantastic. I'm not sure how long they will last so I'll keep you all posted on that but for those wanting to stay with RFT's these are the summer tyre to go with hands down.

Thanks
Kas

[SoCal_M3]

Good god. The fronts are $411 and rears are $535 at Tire Rack. No thanks.

[Kasyd]

Well, it's been a while however I though I'd follow up with my experience running the Pirelli Zero SUV RFT's 20" seeing there isn't much info on the Pirelli around.

Pirelli total life till reaching the min wear tab = 23,500Km.
Previously fitted factory Dunlop RFT's lasted = 18.300Km.
On my previous E70 With Bridgestone Dueler 20" RFT's = 26,000Km's.

Ok, the Pirelli Zero SUV RFT's have been by far the best tyre of the lot, they've offered us the quietest, smoothest, best handling ride right up till death, they didn't start to deteriorate in performance like the Dunlop's did at 12K and there was no bone jarring ride or droning like the Bridgestone's..

I've spoken to several reputable tyre stores here in Sydney and they all assure me that 23Km's is about average for the 20" on the E70 X5 so there you go.

I looked into some non RFT options however after driving a friends E70 with continental non RFT's I've decided to stay with the Pirelli's, I found the Non RFT"s a little soft for my liking.

Hope this helps anyone looking at 20" RTF's

[beco]

My X5 runs on the Bridgestone HP Sport 19 inch rft. To me it is also clear that the replacement tires will be the Pzero's and not the Bridgestones anymore.

I only have one question left. Do I upgrade to 20" rims or do I stay with the stock ones? My car has the non-sport suspension, does not have adaptive drive but is equipped with the rear self-levelling suspension. Are the newer versions of rft tires (cfr PZero) at least as comfortable in 20" as the old Bridgestone rfts in 19".

Anyone any experience?

[Kasyd]

Originally Posted by beco

My X5 runs on the Bridgestone HP Sport 19 inch rft. To me it is also clear that the replacement tires will be the Pzero's and not the Bridgestones anymore.

I only have one question left. Do I upgrade to 20" rims or do I stay with the stock ones? My car has the non-sport suspension, does not have adaptive drive but is equipped with the rear self-levelling suspension. Are the newer versions of rft tires (cfr PZero) at least as comfortable in 20" as the old Bridgestone rfts in 19".

Anyone any experience?

I'd stay with the 19", you have a smoother ride yet handling is still great and tyre $$ are cheaper than the 20" options. I do agree though the Pirellis are the best summer tyre RFT option out there.

[MRV99]

Glad to hear this. Granted the wife only has 10k on her summers but I was looking at those Pirelli's and wondered how they were. Granted I won't have to replace them till 2014 but you can never research too soon.