Do you like your run flat tires ???

[scoobydoo]

Originally Posted by Wagner

I would think the majority of the goal for the tire is to handle, not be quiet. I'd much rather have a strong contact patch then low noise.

and break your back...

[Wagner]

hence the handling.

[Strat]

No problems with my run flats. Not noisy or harsh and performance is fine.

[Fredo]

I had run flats on my curent car which is a 535d Sport, they were awful. I changed them for regular tyres as soon as I could. Luckily I had specced a spare wheel. Transformed the car.

My car is now 3 years old and having driven an E90 and several E70's I can tell you there is a massive difference because the tyre technology has improved and the suspension is now designed for run flats(it wasn't on my car).

My X5 is due in January and I wwill be sticking with them as I thought they were fine when I test drove the car and also because it is impossible to spec a spare wheel in the UK.

[digiteye]

Having winter season around the corner, I had to consider the type of winter tyres to buy for my E70.
It came with Continental summer run flats and no space for spare wheel.

Summary of what I have collected to make my decision:

1. So far the only maker that allows nail puncture repair is Michelin for its ZP line. Only ONE repair is allowed, providing the side wall has not been damaged. ZP is not yet available in all sizes
2. Most repair shops have no proper equipment for mounting run flats in my country (the same applies in other EU countries, according to the info I gathered).
3. Even if the workshops are equipped for mounting run flats, they are reluctant to repair them
4. Tyre shops rarely keep stock of run flats due to infrequent sales, therefore you may have to wait a couple of days to get your new tyre
5. No insurance is available for tyres offered by BMW or any insurance company, no manufacturer warranty by Michelin in EU is available for free replacement in case of puncture (in the US there is such warranty)
6. This all comes down to the situation, that if you own run flats in Europe, in almost all cases you will have to buy one new tyre per puncture, the
replacement wont be immediate and will cost you the price of a new tyre.
7. There are reports of uncomfortable ride, noise, etc. - I cannot comment this, having no comparison of the two tyre types yet - only had the chance to drive my E70 with run flats.

These are the reasons is why I decided on buying "normal" tyres for winter and having my summer run flats replaced once they run off.

imagine the situation when you get a puncture:

With the run flats you may drive to a tyre shop within 200km distance (low speed...you will go nuts), but they may not keep the model you need, it is very likely that you will have to wait days. Then you have to pay full price of the replaced tyre.
With "normal" tyre you call BMW assist, they will send a guy who can take your tyre to the nearest tyre shop and get it repaired, then back to you and you can drive away within 2 hours. Cost: peanuts.

Decision: no run flats, thanks.

[StumpyPete]

Having had a puncture in my runflats - resulting in car being off road for over 48 hours, I now keep a spare 211 wheel in the garage with the appropriate RFT on it.

As regards handling, noise etc - I see very little difference over my old E53s. The suspension has been designed in such a way as to make it irrelevant. I think the E70 on RFTs outhandles the E53 on standard tyres. It certainly rides better and is much more comfortable.

[drod]

funny... my local dealer just yesterday told me to not upgrade to the 20s simply because of the RFTs...they're too hard, ride harsh, aweful in the winter and offer no traction...

she said go with aftermarket tires if you really want 20s!

Michelin Latitude Tour all-seasons are recommended.

but there are many others..

[DMacX5]

All new tires are slippery until broken in so that could have caused this issue. They always warn you to increase braking distance until the new tires get some mileage on them.

[elvism]

im planning as well upgrading to 20" from 18".. so are you going to go with the michelin latltudes??? now u got me thinking!!

[scoobydoo]

I reckon BMW know that they've made a mistake with insisting on Rfts across the range (bar the M cars) but are too proud and comitted by now to go back on what they've done.