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      03-10-2011, 11:19 AM   #1
X5plug-in
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To run flat or not to run flat? That is the question!

Pros - better mpg? Safety? Easier to get than normals as far as I can see when you look up BMW tyre sizes (which I am told are unusual)

Cons - better mpg (contradicting above)?, impossible to repair? £250+ to replace? £205 extra on new car where not standard.

Votes please friends? And can they now be repaired safely?
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      03-10-2011, 11:25 AM   #2
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I have runflats on my 320i touring M sport. I have had 4 nails in them over 2 years, rears cost £240 fronts cost £220. I have spent over 1,300 in tyres over 3 years. On my X3 I have ordered the standard alloys and tyre's I'm not going near runflats this time, although the bigger alloys on the X3 do look good. And they can only be repaired if the reinforcement within the tyre hasn't collapsed, which I don't know how they tell. Many palces won't fix runflats thats for sure!
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      03-10-2011, 11:33 AM   #3
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I totally agree with pugger. I don't like the idea of run flats and having to throw away a nearly new tyre if it can't get repaired. They also cost more to replace anyway.

I am quite sure standard wheels and tyres will give the best mpg. The ride will also be the softest so take this as you will, I prefer a softer more comfortable ride, though my test drive X3 had 20" tyres and drove very well

8 out of 10 people I spoke to said don't get run flats, even those working in tyre places
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      03-10-2011, 11:41 AM   #4
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Is Tire
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      03-10-2011, 11:44 AM   #5
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Runflats and the tire/wheel program was the solution for me.

Don't like running regular tires w/o a spare (I know, tire kit). I like the ability to keep rolling with a flat. I've benefitted from that on a busy freeway in bad weather and a not so nice part of town late at night. Have had them for years and had no trouble with handling or ride quality. I don't believe a significant fuel consumption difference can be obtained by switching to the regulars. If that's important you can probably get more impact out of monitoring your driving style. I've heard of repairs to run-flats, but have no first hand experience.
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      03-10-2011, 11:55 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MA78 View Post
Is Tire
What happened to the rest if my post?!? Weird!

I was writing, "Is Tire & Wheel Insurance available in the UK?"

Last edited by MA78; 03-10-2011 at 01:24 PM..
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      03-10-2011, 12:55 PM   #7
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Run flats and tyre insurance. We have a caravan (no sorry, its an Eriba!) I don't want a blow out towing a lump of Aluminium (or Aluminum).
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      03-10-2011, 01:02 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nahoa View Post
Runflats and the tire/wheel program was the solution for me.

Don't like running regular tires w/o a spare (I know, tire kit). I like the ability to keep rolling with a flat. I've benefitted from that on a busy freeway in bad weather and a not so nice part of town late at night. Have had them for years and had no trouble with handling or ride quality. I don't believe a significant fuel consumption difference can be obtained by switching to the regulars. If that's important you can probably get more impact out of monitoring your driving style. I've heard of repairs to run-flats, but have no first hand experience.
Nothing but Run-Flats for me. Too many things where I live can cause tires to fail...and with the tire/wheel program, it covers the tire and the rim. It was an easy choice for me. Yea it's $1,200, but it feels good knowing you got that covered.

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      03-10-2011, 04:05 PM   #9
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unfortunately for me, it's gotta be runflats too.. gotta think about the missus!
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      03-11-2011, 12:28 AM   #10
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Not aware of Uk tyre insurance. Also spoke to a tyre repairer last night and they said they cannot safely repair run flats, so £250+ any puncture for a new tyre, plus the additional £205 new price at start. Much cheaper to get a taxi in an emergency they said and they don't use them either!
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      03-11-2011, 01:02 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MA78 View Post
What happened to the rest if my post?!? Weird!

I was writing, "Is Tire & Wheel Insurance available in the UK?"

It happened to me twice when I was posting with my iphone xbimmers app (text getting lost after posting), so you are not alone.
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      03-11-2011, 02:46 AM   #12
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[QUOTE=jaymk5;9104640][QUOTE=MA78;9098659]What happened to the rest if my post?!? Weird!

I was writing, "Is Tire
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      03-11-2011, 02:48 AM   #13
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Case in point!

[QUOTE=jaymk5;9104640][QUOTE=MA78;9098659]What happened to the rest if my post?!? Weird!

I was writing, "Is Tire
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      03-11-2011, 02:49 AM   #14
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Hmmm, I'll try again...

[QUOTE=MA78;9098659]What happened to the rest if my post?!? Weird!

I was writing, "Is Tire
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      03-11-2011, 02:51 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymk5 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MA78 View Post
What happened to the rest if my post?!? Weird!

I was writing, "Is Tire AND Wheel Insurance available in the UK?"

It happened to me twice when I was posting with my iphone xbimmers app (text getting lost after posting), so you are not alone.
Always select all and copy before you hit post on a long message on your iPhone. That way it's on your clipboard if the app fails for any reason. Annoying when it does and no refresh button on threads.

I thought "is tire" was you telling us Brits to spell it properly
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      03-11-2011, 02:53 AM   #16
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It's ampersands that cause the problem. They're not being parsed properly in the XML. Use "and" instead
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      03-11-2011, 03:05 AM   #17
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      03-11-2011, 06:56 AM   #18
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Over here they offer non-runflats only for 17" on the 20d. Don't really dig runflats, but will live with it for the time being. However, I guess I'll switch to normal tires once the OEMs are worn out.

On the various BMW rental cars I used over the years I always hated runflats. But technology moves on, and in fact on a 4000+ lb SUV the tires are probably so stiff that you don't really feel the stiffer sidewalls. Dunno. Heavier they are, which might cause slightly higher fuel consumption in city traffic.
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      03-11-2011, 09:40 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
I thought "is tire" was you telling us Brits to spell it properly
Hahaha!

Now that you mention it though...TIRE.
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      03-11-2011, 01:52 PM   #20
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For now aggregating, all the above advice I have decided not to get run flats, as my high speed motoring is limited and to me the cost / benefits of being able to drive only a few miles to the garage to buy a new tyre versus a possible repair on a normal tyre does not add up. Thanks for the opinions.
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      03-13-2011, 11:49 AM   #21
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Run flats came standard on my 2006 330i. Seemed fine until I replaced them with non run flats after a few years. The non run flats are a much better ride!
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      03-13-2011, 02:08 PM   #22
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My X6 had runflats, no problems with them. At first driving about with no spare or jack took a little to get used to.
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