[atwnsw]

Okay, we decided to skip RFT after reading all the threads.

The car is 2012 X3 35i and currently has Pirelli RF which my wife finds too harsh/rough.

Goal is smoother ride.

From reading all of threads, the 2 models that seem to be most popular are:
Continental DWS 06
Michelin Primacy

My confusion is that the DWS are "Ultra High Performance" rating on Tire Rack but also have a UTQG of 560.

The Michelin Primacy are "Grand Touring- All Season" and have a UTQG rating of 500.

Needless to say, the car will not be pushed or used on the track. Mainly city driving in Tampa, FL with 2-3 trips per year to N. Alabama.

What tire should I pick?

[BIG_KID]

Check out the KUMHO LX platinum
I live 30 minutes from tire rack and just got these.
Super quiet, great reviews and under 100$ each.
I got the 245/50-18

[najnad]

If she is looking for comfort over performance, first thing would be to get 18" rims if you don't already. They are a smoother ride on average over 19" or 20" rims with the same tires.

I would lean towards Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus, a Grand Touring All-Season tire. Supposed to have good comfort and low noise. Second choice would be the Michelin Primacy MXM4.

[ninoo]

I am on my second set of Pirelli Cinturato P7 Summer tires 18" and I am very happy with them noise and comfort wise.

[MichiganMike]

I would focus more on the individual tire characteristics than broad categories such as Grand Touring All Season vs. Ultra High Performance All Season.

Michelin Primacy has a comfort rating of 8.4 (ride quality 8.6) according to Tire Rack. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 has a comfort rating of 8.6 (ride quality 8.8). The Continental Tire is likely to offer slightly better ride quality based on these ratings.

There are other tires you might consider. As najnad noted, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 has a better comfort rating at 9.0 (ride quality 9.1). You might also consider the Michelin Premier A/S with a comfort rating of 8.8 (ride quality 9.0).

What are your plans to deal with a flat tire if you switch from run-flats?

Note there are also run-flats that may offer better ride comfort than your OEM tires. Ride quality on the Pirelli run-flat according to Tire Rack is 7.2. Ride quality for the Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP is 8.2 according to Tire Rack.

[nyalpine90]

i have DWS06 on my X4, they perform well in any kind of weather.

[atwnsw]

Thanks everybody. I guess the Pirelli P7 Non Run Flat win! Glad to have this decision behind me.

[atarivers]

If you don't mind me asking, what is your plan in the event one or more of those non run flat tires goes flat while you are on out the road?

[atwnsw]

Originally Posted by atarivers

If you don't mind me asking, what is your plan in the event one or more of those non run flat tires goes flat while you are on out the road?

Good question:

I purchased the Slime 70005 from Amazon for $30 which includes a tire compressor. In a perfect world, we would use the compressor to get us the rest of the distance (may require multiple stops if the leak is bad) to a tire shop. Next worse scenario, use the slime.

Given that most stores, especially small towns, don't carry run flats (which would take a 1-2 days for delivery), my logic/hope is that they could repair the existing tire or have a regular tire on hand....

Since you can't repair a RF and we don't have a spare, I find the Non-Run Flats option more palatable.

[atarivers]

I think your plan is reasonable. I hope you never have to initiate it. I have a bit of good news. You can in fact repair run flat tires, as long as the damage is not too close to the side wall and as long as there is sufficient tread depth remaining. How close to the sidewall is permitted/legal, and how much remaining tread depth is sufficient varies by location and by repair shop. As always, it is best to err on the side of caution because we operate high performance vehicles in generally more aggressive ways.

Originally Posted by atwnsw

Good question:

I purchased the Slime 70005 from Amazon for $30 which includes a tire compressor. In a perfect world, we would use the compressor to get us the rest of the distance (may require multiple stops if the leak is bad) to a tire shop. Next worse scenario, use the slime.

Given that most stores, especially small towns, don't carry run flats (which would take a 1-2 days for delivery), my logic/hope is that they could repair the existing tire or have a regular tire on hand....

Since you can't repair a RF and we don't have a spare, I find the Non-Run Flats option more palatable.

[TEF]

If you really want a smoother ride on an X3 switch to 17" rims with 225/60 Bridgestone Driveguard runflat tires. 17" wheels from older X5 are inexpensive and are 100% compatible with newer X3 and tires run about $160 from Tirerack. I have a similar setup with my winter tires and I am in no hurry to change back to OE 18" wheels and tires come spring.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by atarivers

You can in fact repair run flat tires, as long as the damage is not too close to the side wall and as long as there is sufficient tread depth remaining. How close to the sidewall is permitted/legal, and how much remaining tread depth is sufficient varies by location and by repair shop. As always, it is best to err on the side of caution because we operate high performance vehicles in generally more aggressive ways.

Just to clarify, provided the sidewall of the tire has not been damaged due to impact or to extended driving with low air pressure, some manufacturers permit run-flat tire repair (Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin among others) but some others do not recommend repair of their run flat tires (Continental, Pirelli and Yokohama).

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=226

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by TEF

If you really want a smoother ride on an X3 switch to 17" rims with 225/60 Bridgestone Driveguard runflat tires. 17" wheels from older X5 are inexpensive and are 100% compatible with newer X3 and tires run about $160 from Tirerack. I have a similar setup with my winter tires and I am in no hurry to change back to OE 18" wheels and tires come spring.

Some BMW dealers do not recommend 17" wheels on the X3 35i, which is what the OP drives. Some owners suggest certain 17" wheels have adequate clearance on their X3 35i.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=588461

[TKR]

My local Tireshop told me DWS06 in size 245/45/19 does not meet F25 35i load rating?

Can someone confirm the axle weights and rating?

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by TKR

My local Tireshop told me DWS06 in size 245/45/19 does not meet F25 35i load rating?

Can someone confirm the axle weights and rating?

The thread at the link below states in part for the BMW X3 35i M Sport:

"The gross axle weight rating of this car is :

Front 2447 lbs Rear 2844 lbs

This is the maximum amount of weight your axles are rated to bear. So any tire with more load capacity exceeds what your vehicle can handle."


http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=879463

The OEM tires likely have a 102 XL rating for a maximum load of 1874 lbs. This is higher than the 1653 load index for the Continental DWS 06 (98). However, the comment from the person at Tire Rack at the link above suggests the load rating of the 98 load rating is adequate for this vehicle.

[TEF]

Mike,

In reading the link you provided, it appears that the only concern with 17" rims (from everyone including BMW dealers) is clearance. Assuming that a specific 17" wheels clears the brake calipers (and those from older x5s do), then 17" wheels and tires remain a viable option.

[malicem3]

I run the Conti's and love them. Gotta make use of the N55 torque and sport package suspension!

[JupiterBMW]

Just to add. I'm also running a set of non RFT tires. I'm on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (definitely more performance oriented than you wanted)... That being said, I have road hazard from the shop I purchased at (Tire Kingdom, also in FL) and I have the BMW mobility kit. Its much more expensive than the Slime option you bought from Amazon, but its basically the same thing and comes in a nice carrying case. I've used the compressor many times on kids bikes, pool floats, etc... Luckily not yet for the vehicle.

Anyway, good luck, enjoy the smoother, quieter, and more fuel efficient ride on non RFT tires!

[najnad]

I recently switched to non-RFTs myself, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+...but I wanted something more performance oriented than the OP. So far they are great, but its been less than a month.

[sibhusz06]

Discount tire was recently running a special on the new General AS05 tire for 520 shipped with a 70 rebate in the 245-45-ZR19 size XL rated. Very similar to the Conti DWS but better dry traction at the expense of snow traction. Tire rack has these as the second best in their category. I have them on a GTI and my X3 and think they handle much better than my michelin rfts. Also these are 6lb lighter which means less unsprung weight for better handling and better braking and acceleration. But the DWS is a great tire and if money isn't an option the Michelin non rfts are awesome.

[Riick]

When I need tires next month probably going with the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. I live in FL so I just need wet/dry traction, no snow. They're rated nothing but 5 stars and only $150 each for 245/45-19

[BODBR01]

Hi - I run BF Goodrich G-Force Comp-2 A/S Z rated - For Florida and the south with all of our rain - they're awesome - have yet to hydroplane with them and you always feel very planted and in control - had Michelin Pilot Super Sport which are great but not as good in rain and light off road