Bridgestone runflats going at 17K - replacement ideas?

[DBC]

It made the ride far more complient and with the state of the roads here in Cumbria, that is important. Because the sidewalls are more flexable it is like having a higher aspect ratio tyre on. The ride is improve greatly, with this you are not being shaken about as much so making the driving more pleasurable. The handling is just the same, i have not noticed any difference and nothing much passes me, i would notice if it had turned into a 70's Allegro!!!!
Why cannot BMW put on the options list "Deleat RFT" the extra cost of the RFT would pay for the space saver???????

[Rez]

Originally Posted by DBC

It made the ride far more complient and with the state of the roads here in Cumbria, that is important. Because the sidewalls are more flexable it is like having a higher aspect ratio tyre on. The ride is improve greatly, with this you are not being shaken about as much so making the driving more pleasurable. The handling is just the same, i have not noticed any difference and nothing much passes me, i would notice if it had turned into a 70's Allegro!!!!
Why cannot BMW put on the options list "Deleat RFT" the extra cost of the RFT would pay for the space saver???????

That is what I thought. Hitting a pothole on RFT is a PITA.
Thanks for your input.

[bigx5er]

Originally Posted by Rez

That is what I thought. Hitting a pothole on RFT is a PITA.
Thanks for your input.

I was laughing at your comment. I hit a nasty pothole in the dark last Friday night head-on. I thought my teeth were going to pop out. It was almost like the runflats tried to kick the pothole.

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by Ag4.8

Conti Extreme Contact DWS gets good write up at Tire rack (owner reviews). I am leaning toward trying them.

I just changed my yoko advans to the continental DWS and am impressed. Immediately I notice the ride is more comfortable. Handling and traction I am also finding is better despite the yoko being supposedly more sport orientated. Yet to try wet traction but from tread pattern should be ok. Wet traction in the yoko advans were a bit scary. After 15k km I found the tread was significantly wearing down and on many occasions experienced aqua planing. Sizes were the 20" staggered.

[Ag4.8]

Originally Posted by x5mad

I just changed my yoko advans to the continental DWS and am impressed. Immediately I notice the ride is more comfortable. Handling and traction I am also finding is better despite the yoko being supposedly more sport orientated. Yet to try wet traction but from tread pattern should be ok. Wet traction in the yoko advans were a bit scary. After 15k km I found the tread was significantly wearing down and on many occasions experienced aqua planing. Sizes were the 20" staggered.

Great! Plan to order this week.

[X5 Meister]

The BMW Mobility kit is a pretty nice unit. Fortunately I've never had to use the filler yet. When I have time I'll post the scanned manual. The compressor (which can handle big SUV / SAV tires unlike other cheaper portable compressors) is made in Germany and the goo (a 750 mL bottle of Automotive Tire Puncture Sealant that can seal punctures up to 4mm in size) is also made in Germany but for some strange reason "distributed by BMW Group Australia" (maybe X Foomph knows why?!). Apparently it should be changed every 4 years. Keep in mind the fact that BMW states it is NOT to be used with run-flat tires. According to the company it is fully compatible with TPMS systems. I personally think this is an ideal kit to have for the E53 X5 since strictly speaking the E53 X5's come with non run-flat tires and a FTM system (an indirect TPMS) which does not utilize individual wheel mounted sensors. It also comes in a nice pouch with adapters to inflate other items (sports balls, etc), a valve core remover tool, an extra valve core, a speed sticker and a pair of gloves.

BMW Accessories - 2006 X5 4.4i SAV

Some interesting facts: The mobility kit on the BMW USA website (linked above) looks on initial glance to be the same one as on the BMW.COM website (linked here: BMW AG: Accessories) but actually it's not. Here is the USA mobility kit on the left (with the black compressor) and the EURO mobility kit in the middle (with the blue compressor). On the right is a better shot of the complete USA kit.

In case anyone was wondering, the kits are both made by the company TERRA-S Automotive Systems GmbH & Co. KG of Owingen, Germany. (TERRA-S Page)

The Euro mobility kit has their "Air Control" compressor while the USA mobility kit has their "Aero King" compressor. (BTW, the yellow button is the pressure release button, to allow the adjustment of pressure) They both share the same specs (below), the only difference being that the "Aero King" model can accommodate a puncture sealant bottle when needed (according to their website). (Doesn't make much sense to include a compressor in a mobility kit that can't accommodate tire sealant, but what do I know)

Specs:
- Can achieve a tire pressure of up to ca. 5.5 bar (79.8 psi)
- Can inflate tires of up to 22 inches
- Has a cable length for power supply: 3.5 m. - Performance is:
V = 35 litres to 2.5 bar (36.3 psi) pressure in less than 5 minutes
V = 45 litres to 3.0 bar (43.5 psi) pressure in less than 8 minutes
Max. run-time: 20 minutes at 2 bar (29 psi)
Usable at temperatures from: - 30° C to + 70° C

TERRA-S Page

TERRA-S Page

The company website in fact, shows what is virtually the same kit as the BMW USA mobility kit (see the two links below), though of the two kits I'm not sure which is the exact one.

TERRA-S Page
TERRA-S Page

In any case it is also interesting to note that they made the BMW M Mobility kit that was standard equipment on the M Roadster as it was one of the earliest BMW's without an on board spare tire.

TERRA-S Page

Originally Posted by RedRockin

But, back to the BMW mobility kit: it uses latex filler which has been reported to damage the TPMS. Slime makes a water soluble product that they swear washes out with no reported TPMS damage. The "safety" kit uses a one-step system in which you connect the slime to the compressor and it just pumps the slime into the tire with the air. The other slime kits (other than the "safety") use a two-step process in which you remove the valve core, put in the slime, replace the valve core and then connect the compressor and air fill.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by x5mad

I just changed my yoko advans to the continental DWS and am impressed. Immediately I notice the ride is more comfortable. Handling and traction I am also finding is better despite the yoko being supposedly more sport orientated. Yet to try wet traction but from tread pattern should be ok. Wet traction in the yoko advans were a bit scary. After 15k km I found the tread was significantly wearing down and on many occasions experienced aqua planing. Sizes were the 20" staggered.

Was going to start another thread but figured makes sense to just add to this one. I just got a set of continental DWS on 20". Have to say initially I didn't like them. Although they were definitely quieter than the run flats, and overall more comfortable on poor pavement, I found the handling and steering somewhat lacking. Not "crisp", like with the run flats.

I experimented with tire pressure a little. Its odd, because I have a 2009, and i went through the 2009, 2010 and 2011 owners guides for tire pressure recommendations. They are all different, even though the overall weight of the X5 (in my case 35d), hasn't changed radically.

In any case, I settled for a slightly higher tire pressure, 35psi (f), 38psi (r). It may sacrifice overall longevity of the tread, but am happy with the handling and steering now. A good trade off.

Also retrofitted the spare wheel under the rear trunk area, in case of a puncture !

[BGM]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

The BMW Mobility kit is a pretty nice unit. Fortunately I've never had to use the filler yet. When I have time I'll post the scanned manual. The compressor (which can handle big SUV / SAV tires unlike other cheaper portable compressors) is made in Germany and the goo (a 750 mL bottle of Automotive Tire Puncture Sealant that can seal punctures up to 4mm in size) is also made in Germany but for some strange reason "distributed by BMW Group Australia" (maybe X Foomph knows why?!). Apparently it should be changed every 4 years. Keep in mind the fact that BMW states it is NOT to be used with run-flat tires. According to the company it is fully compatible with TPMS systems. I personally think this is an ideal kit to have for the E53 X5 since strictly speaking the E53 X5's come with non run-flat tires and a FTM system (an indirect TPMS) which does not utilize individual wheel mounted sensors. It also comes in a nice pouch with adapters to inflate other items (sports balls, etc), a valve core remover tool, an extra valve core, a speed sticker and a pair of gloves.

BMW Accessories - 2006 X5 4.4i SAV

Some interesting facts: The mobility kit on the BMW USA website (linked above) looks on initial glance to be the same one as on the BMW.COM website (linked here: BMW AG: Accessories) but actually it's not. Here is the USA mobility kit on the left (with the black compressor) and the EURO mobility kit in the middle (with the blue compressor). On the right is a better shot of the complete USA kit.

In case anyone was wondering, the kits are both made by the company TERRA-S Automotive Systems GmbH & Co. KG of Owingen, Germany. (TERRA-S Page)

The Euro mobility kit has their "Air Control" compressor while the USA mobility kit has their "Aero King" compressor. (BTW, the yellow button is the pressure release button, to allow the adjustment of pressure) They both share the same specs (below), the only difference being that the "Aero King" model can accommodate a puncture sealant bottle when needed (according to their website). (Doesn't make much sense to include a compressor in a mobility kit that can't accommodate tire sealant, but what do I know)

Specs:
- Can achieve a tire pressure of up to ca. 5.5 bar (79.8 psi)
- Can inflate tires of up to 22 inches
- Has a cable length for power supply: 3.5 m. - Performance is:
V = 35 litres to 2.5 bar (36.3 psi) pressure in less than 5 minutes
V = 45 litres to 3.0 bar (43.5 psi) pressure in less than 8 minutes
Max. run-time: 20 minutes at 2 bar (29 psi)
Usable at temperatures from: - 30° C to + 70° C

TERRA-S Page

TERRA-S Page

The company website in fact, shows what is virtually the same kit as the BMW USA mobility kit (see the two links below), though of the two kits I'm not sure which is the exact one.

TERRA-S Page
TERRA-S Page

In any case it is also interesting to note that they made the BMW M Mobility kit that was standard equipment on the M Roadster as it was one of the earliest BMW's without an on board spare tire.

TERRA-S Page

X5 Meister---you left your Isotoners next to the Mobility Kit.

[jcmd2003]

Originally Posted by apw2607

Was going to start another thread but figured makes sense to just add to this one. I just got a set of continental DWS on 20". Have to say initially I didn't like them. Although they were definitely quieter than the run flats, and overall more comfortable on poor pavement, I found the handling and steering somewhat lacking. Not "crisp", like with the run flats.

I experimented with tire pressure a little. Its odd, because I have a 2009, and i went through the 2009, 2010 and 2011 owners guides for tire pressure recommendations. They are all different, even though the overall weight of the X5 (in my case 35d), hasn't changed radically.

In any case, I settled for a slightly higher tire pressure, 35psi (f), 38psi (r). It may sacrifice overall longevity of the tread, but am happy with the handling and steering now. A good trade off.

Also retrofitted the spare wheel under the rear trunk area, in case of a puncture !

Where did you get your spare and how was the pricing? Like many, I wish I'd ordered it at the outset.

[stockguru]

I think OJ Simpson left those, apparently it didn't fit.