[Tjalle]

I visited X1 threads and stumbled on a discussion re. RFT:s.

According to a person working for Continental AG, they are considered: "Money Makers used by suckers only" (and those forced by BMW ).

Reason is that STD tyres have a thin layer of steelreinforcement in sidewall, which enables the tyre to flex when a pothole.

RFT:s have - for obvious reasons - a strong layer of steelreinforcements, which will flex only 20% of STD, causing - often - the wall to crack.

This is something I seem to recall from X3 threads.

Also discussed here is that the solution, by many, seem to be "instant fix kit" with slime/gunk/sealent, compressor and "mending kit"- regardless if RFT or STD.

Obviously slime/mending kit does not work if major crack, but that seem to be rare on STD tyres

[mge92]

Not necessarily. It makes sense what you said but since changing over to non-runflats I have only had blowouts and major cracks. When I had runflats, I would get the occasional nail but never a blowout which allowed me to always allowed me to continue driving.

[Tjalle]

Shit happens. I hope we will have more input.

[Pinewood]

My experience has been 2 punctures in 6 months of owning the X3. I have never had a time whereby I suffered more than 1 puncture in a year (in 33 years of driving).
The cause is open to debate, but for me the rft's increase the occurance.

On another forum many moons ago, several owners experienced cracked rims on 18" alloys with rft's
The problem was resolved by moving to non rft's

[poiuytre111]

Yes I have a friend with a 630i convertible who has changed 2x wheels due to cracks and this effect is often commented as being due to the wheels not being strong enough for the extra shock loading transmitted through stiffer RFT sidewalls from UK potholes. BMW paid for both wheels after haggling. I half expected the same issue to arise with my 2007 E81 but it hasn't.

[Tjalle]

So, possibly, not only increased risk for punctures, but also damaged rims - which makes sense.

[Pinewood]

I double checked the issue of warranty with BMW dealer only today. Advised I wanted to change my staggered summer set of tyres from Pirelli P zero's rft to Pirelli rosso's non rft and he said there is no issue with that, as long as I changed all 4 together.
He said many of his customers change over after the OE tyres have worn away.

[poiuytre111]

Although I have had no "flat tyres" as such in my 7 years using run flats, I have had several tyres develop bulges, necessitating replacement once spotted. I had suspected that this was happening more often than with normal tyres and the comments above explain why this might be. One more reason not to like RFT.

[MichiganMike]

"A recent study by J.D. Power found that people were replacing their run-flat tires an average of 6,000 miles sooner than owners using standard tires. Opinions differ on why this is, but one theory is that tiremakers put a soft tread compound on a run-flat tire to counter the hard ride. A side effect of the softer compound is a shorter tread life."

The J.D. Power study found that "customers with vehicles equipped with run-flat tires are nearly twice as likely as those with vehicles equipped with standard tires to have to replace a tire due to a flat or blowout."

"Run-flat tires are more expensive to replace. A 205/55R16 run-flat tire at a local shop in Santa Monica, California, costs $239. The standard tire equivalent costs about $174, a $65 difference per tire. Also, many run-flat tires cannot be repaired and often need to be replaced in pairs."

http://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips/...-a-primer.html

In short, run-flat tires typically cost about 40% more and must be replaced perhaps 20% sooner than conventional tires. Run-flat tires sound like a boon for the tire industry.

[plymjack]

If your looking to save money then dont buy a BMW ..

Runflats do what they say and can help in many situations - as does the gunk n pump option to repair tyres too.

I have had to replace a tyre due to damage on average once a year for the last 30 years and runflats have made no difference to that, they would have helped on the 4 or five times I had to change a tyre at the road side - which would be very hard to do on a car the size of the X3.

So its just a case of balance - are RFTs worth the extra cost and reduced performance - probably.

[Tjalle]

What pisses me off is that in Germany, RFT:s are a no-cost option, while in Sweden RFT:s are mandatory - unless you haggle with dealer.

My history is 4 tyres in 40 years

For me - after two years with lowered vehicle and RFT:s - I will go to "STD" tyres - Michelin Super Sport, when current 20" Pirelli P Zeros are done.

[Pinewood]

My main issue with RFT's is the ride quality and noise they generate over imperfect road surfaces (which is most of the UK). When I had a 5 series, the change over to normal tyres improved things immensely.
I'm hoping for similar improvements with the X3 come spring 2017

[pokerface]

I would rather my wife and kids be able to soldier on with RFTs than be stranded somewhere waiting for a tow. Ride has improved on rfts from the first generation (e90)

[Pinewood]

Yes that is true, but not to my tastes. I find tyres are such a personal choice depending on who drives and the types of journeys undertaken. Interesting that the "M" derivatives in the UK do not come with rft's but us lesser mortals are forced to use them.

[Tjalle]

Yes, the X4 M40i comes with non-RFT Michelin Pilot Super Sport - even in Sweden, which is what I will buy when current tyres are done with.

[Pinewood]

I do hear good things about the Michelin pilot supersports. Will take a look as my heart was set on the Pirelli Rosso's that Peter_R has fitted to his steed.

[Tjalle]

Pinewood, I seem to recall that you have 19" - I believe Michelin PSS are made only in 20" and 21". Michelin has adapted the X4 M40i 20" tyres together with BMW M Performance. I believe my lowered vehicle has about the same handling performance as M40i and I already have the rims.

I.e. unless you are very sensitive and can afford both rims and tyres, I would suggest to copy Peter.

Another alternative is Hankook Ventus S1 evo, which in tests last year by Auto Bild with Super Sport Tyres, got best verdict for driving/braking in the wet, which rumours say is not uncommon in the UK .

[Bimar]

hope next generation X3/4 have no Run-Flats or at least you can opt out and also have a spare wheel option like the X5/6.

[Pinewood]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

Pinewood, I seem to recall that you have 19" - I believe Michelin PSS are made only in 20" and 21". Michelin has adapted the X4 M40i 20" tyres together with BMW M Performance. I believe my lowered vehicle has about the same handling performance as M40i and I already have the rims.

I.e. unless you are very sensitive and can afford both rims and tyres, I would suggest to copy Peter.

Another alternative is Hankook Ventus S1 evo, which in tests last year by Auto Bild with Super Sport Tyres, got best verdict for driving/braking in the wet, which rumours say is not uncommon in the UK .

correct - i have 19" staggered setup - Peter_R is my motoring guru :-)

[Peter_R]

@Pinewood

Whilst you are under warranty and also if you take out the extended (Mondial) warranty I would suggest you use the BMW * rated tyres. The NON RUN FLAT ones (Pirelli's) are star rated. This would prevent any embarrassing suggestions/questions by BMW in the unlikely event of you getting drive train problems.

As you may have noted in a previous thread, BMW recommended and even wanted to quote me a price for the non run flat Pirellis I eventually fitted.

[brissim]

Originally Posted by X4guy

hope next generation X3/4 have no Run-Flats or at least you can opt out and also have a spare wheel option like the X5/6.

I take heart from the fact that the current model F48 X1 (launched only a year or so ago) has a space under the boot floor suitable for a spare tyre - albeit a space saver spare. Not sure about the soon-to-be-released X2 but I hope there is a trend developing here. Its all about choice.

Tony

[JRJ17]

Hello, I've recently took delivery of a new X3 MSport 2016 and its a fantastic car, however it has 20 inch wheels with Pirelli P zero run flat tyres (which I've never had before) and you can feel every imperfection in the road. Whilst I appreciate it has sports suspension the ride quality is not great as you feel every bump. I'm considering changing to non flats, will this improve the ride?

Please let me know if you have had a similar experience and the non run flats helped? Along with a tyre repair kit.

Thanks