[asinrute]

It seems the price of run flats has come down, I know historically they have been a lot more expensive. Today I got some prices as I need new tyres, and after reading the recent thread, I was thinking of changing to non runflats. However for Pirelli, Goodyear and Contis there was only £7 a tyre difference. Think I will be staying with the run flats.

[Upstate_X3]

While there may be a nominal difference in per tire price, check out the tread life of RFTs versus non-RFTs. On my last X3 I replaced the RFTs with Primacy MXM4 as they were rated for speed and had a tread life warranty of 55,000 miles. In the US most RFTs do not come with a tread life warranty.

I figured I'd go through one set of non-RFTs as compared to two sets of RFTs.

[gIzzE]

I wouldn't want them if they were free, let alone £7 more.

[PX3]

So many people go on about the tread life of runflat tyres, but I've only just replaced a set of runflats (Rear) on my E90 after 45000 miles!
Ok, I do think the ride is quite harsh, but I always look at the bigger picture in terms of running runflats compared to standard tyres.

[PX3]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

I wouldn't want them if they were free, let alone £7 more.

gIzzE - I assume you have changed your runflats to standard tyres? If so, is this on a non sport or sport x3?

[gIzzE]

I changed them on my....

535d sport touring
335i sport touring
120d M-Sport
123d M-Sport
320d MSport Touring
520d SE Touring (F11)
530d GT
730d Sport


And now the X3 20d xDrive SE, I bought mine with 17s as I wanted this to be comfy, when I collected I was shocked at how crashy it was, I pulled off at the services on the way home and saw it had run flats fitted.
Called BMW and they said yeah, they were fitted yesterday. I explained that the the build sheet said proper tyres and she agreed they had made a balls up. (Mine was 18 months old).
I turned round, drove back and they put the right tyres on, Pirellis btw.
It has transformed the car, in fact so much so I am now considering some larger wheels as it will take them no problem, these are so comfortable that going up a size or even two with the right tyre will be no problem.

I just went from 17" wheels and Michelin Latitude Tours on our ML to 19" with Goodyear EfficientGrips and that is more comfy.
Get the tyres right and wheel size become less of an issue.

The car on run flats was awful, even hitting ridges on the motorway made the car feel cheap and hollow, you could feel it through the steering wheel and your arse. As soon as it was on proper tyres it felt like a proper luxury German car again.

It is far more comfy than our F11 touring we had before, which in turn was more comfy than the S212 E350 Merc estate that replaced it.

I wouldn't own an X3 on run flats, after driving this back to back with run flats and proper tyres the difference makes all the difference.

[PX3]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

I changed them on my....

535d sport touring
335i sport touring
120d M-Sport
123d M-Sport
320d MSport Touring
520d SE Touring (F11)
530d GT
730d Sport


And now the X3 20d xDrive SE, I bought mine with 17s as I wanted this to be comfy, when I collected I was shocked at how crashy it was, I pulled off at the services on the way home and saw it had run flats fitted.
Called BMW and they said yeah, they were fitted yesterday. I explained that the the build sheet said proper tyres and she agreed they had made a balls up. (Mine was 18 months old).
I turned round, drove back and they put the right tyres on, Pirellis btw.
It has transformed the car, in fact so much so I am now considering some larger wheels as it will take them no problem, these are so comfortable that going up a size or even two with the right tyre will be no problem.

I just went from 17" wheels and Michelin Latitude Tours on our ML to 19" with Goodyear EfficientGrips and that is more comfy.
Get the tyres right and wheel size become less of an issue.

The car on run flats was awful, even hitting ridges on the motorway made the car feel cheap and hollow, you could feel it through the steering wheel and your arse. As soon as it was on proper tyres it felt like a proper luxury German car again.

It is far more comfy than our F11 touring we had before, which in turn was more comfy than the S212 E350 Merc estate that replaced it.

I wouldn't own an X3 on run flats, after driving this back to back with run flats and proper tyres the difference makes all the difference.

Cheers - When the time comes with replacing the tyres on my X3 I may have to look at the options. My wife drives it far more than I do, so I like the runflats from that perspective, but at the same time would like it to drive comfortably and being that I have 19" tyres, I'm sure going to standard tyres will help. I guess it will depend on whether the wife lets me too

[gIzzE]

Problem I have had with run flats is they puncture all the time.

In the 24 years and some three quarters of a million miles I and my wife have done I have only every had 3 flat tyres, and all three were on run flats. Twice on the 535d in the first three weeks of having the car.
My old man is the same, his GT had 4 flats in 6 months, I got him to have proper tyres fitted and the next 3 years not an issue.

[MartinHattingh]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

I bought mine with 17s as I wanted this to be comfy, when I collected I was shocked at how crashy it was,

I got mine with 17" Pirelli Cinturato P7s in RFT. What brand/model were on yours, for interest's sake?

In South Africa, Motorplan cover expressly forbids running anything other than RFT, but I'm only under plan for another 12000km, keen so swop to proper tyres after that.

Strangely, my F20 was incredibly comfortable and well behaved with its 225/45/17 Conti SportContact 5 set.

[clivem2]

I hated RTFs on my 335i but they were like rubber bands. On my X3 pre-LCI with MSport suspension the RFTs could be a but harsh at times but they weren't too bad. On my LCI with adjustable suspension they are fine in Comfort mode for passengers and I'm happy with them in Sport as a driver - it's a world away from the early days of RFTs and suspension which was poorly tuned for RFTs.

In the last 70,000 miles running RFTs I've has 2 punctures which is fairly typical for any tyre. The great thing is that I've had no bulges in the sidewalls from hitting potholes since I've used RFTs.

[ianfp]

I hated the harsh ride from my Pirelli P Zero run-flats so I changed them for these. Not massively cheaper, but a much nicer ride.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Petex3

So many people go on about the tread life of runflat tyres, but I've only just replaced a set of runflats (Rear) on my E90 after 45000 miles!
Ok, I do think the ride is quite harsh, but I always look at the bigger picture in terms of running runflats compared to standard tyres.

I am of the same opinion. Also worth noting that there are some on forums that keep on about how bad they are.

I have a very friendly dealer and if they see a bmw with non RFT it is unusual. The figure of 99% on RFTs is about right.

Had a nail on the motorway many years ago on an audi A3 NON RFT (rear tyre) and it threw us across 2 lanes because no warning and rapid deflation and overheat and shredded. We were lucky..very very lucky not to have been in a serious accident. If it had been a runflat then there was no doubt we would have had a warning and moved across safely.

Anyone contemplating following the vociferous few should look at the latest RFTs because great strides have been made with technology and not only is there not so much difference between RFTs and NON RFTs in the terms of handling, but the RFTs are safer in comparison.

Yes I have the experience and the T Shirt. I replaced the ones on my 2007 e91 325d with later RFTs, and my F31 had later RFTs. This X3 also has RFTs and yes it will tramline on the odd occasion. The UK's poor road surfaces (not later motorway surfaces) are mostly to blame.

One final point. You get tramlining/handling problems on RFTs when you go below 3mm tread depth. This is when you lose tread flexibility.

The 3mm tread depth is recommended and makes sense. Even more so on winter tyres for maximum grip. Also might I add that you get no sidewall bulging problems if your tracking is correct.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

Also might I add that you get no sidewall bulging problems if your tracking is correct.

I don't know if you are referring to my comment, if so we may be at cross purposes. The bulges I was speaking of occur when non-RFTs in particular break a steel belt, usually due to pothole impact damage. The point I was trying to make was the RFTs are much less vulnerable to this issue.

[plymjack]

Have no issue with RFTs, done 25k and still looking good. Had one replaced as it had a nail in it, but I drove it for 3 days before I got out to the dealer.

Like winter tyres, they are different and get better as the tech improves.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by clivem2

I don't know if you are referring to my comment, if so we may be at cross purposes. The bulges I was speaking of occur when non-RFTs in particular break a steel belt, usually due to pothole impact damage. The point I was trying to make was the RFTs are much less vulnerable to this issue.

That was a slip of tongue and put at the end of the paragraph in error because I was in a hurry to get down to the beach. I am in complete agreement with you by the way.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Problem I have had with run flats is they puncture all the time.

In the 24 years and some three quarters of a million miles I and my wife have done I have only every had 3 flat tyres, and all three were on run flats. Twice on the 535d in the first three weeks of having the car.
My old man is the same, his GT had 4 flats in 6 months, I got him to have proper tyres fitted and the next 3 years not an issue.

Well contrary to your undoubted experience, I have been driving since 1959 (55 yrs driving) all over the world, including 3 years in Germany, and I have had 3 or 4 punctures at the most with a blow out. See my other post. Only one was a run flat and that was a very slow puncture and was only noticed on tyre replacement when the tread was down to 2mm.

[asinrute]

Anyway I bought 2 275/40 R19 Michelin tyres on the internet for £110 each plus £10 for fitting and disposal

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by asinrute

Anyway I bought 2 275/40 R19 Michelin tyres on the internet for £110 each plus £10 for fitting and disposal

NON RFT I presume?

[asinrute]

No they were runflats, couldn't resist at that price, they are coming from Germany

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by MartinHattingh

I got mine with 17" Pirelli Cinturato P7s in RFT. What brand/model were on yours, for interest's sake?

Same as yours, and now have them in non runflat.

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

Had a nail on the motorway many years ago on an audi A3 NON RFT (rear tyre) and it threw us across 2 lanes because no warning and rapid deflation and overheat and shredded. We were lucky..very very lucky not to have been in a serious accident. If it had been a runflat then there was no doubt we would have had a warning and moved across safely.

And in the same regard my old man had a 3" gash in the sidewall of his 730d sport on regular tyres doing 80mph. The car felt a bit wobbly and the warning came on but he was fine.

The DSC and clever electronics of modern cars help keep them going straight far better than they did even a few years back.

One of the guys on the M3 forum did 3 laps of the 'Ring on a tyre filled with gunk.
Bigger balls than me, but he said it felt fine.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by asinrute

No they were runflats, couldn't resist at that price, they are coming from Germany

Can you please supply the link for future, as long as they did not fall off the back of a lorry.