[Nahoa]

Originally Posted by Amber

When was the last time you had a flat tire

2009 on a very busy freeway with no shoulder. Runflats saved me from a very dangerous situation.

[Amber]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

2009 on a very busy freeway with no shoulder. Runflats saved me from a very dangerous situation.

My local tire store advised that according to a CAA (AAA) survey the average car will have a highway flat every 130k miles

[Nahoa]

Fair enough. I don't want it to be me. If you don't mind, happy for it to be you.

[noka]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Fair enough. I don't want it to be me. If you don't mind, happy for it to be you.

LOL!

[kskpsu]

Track down an X3 without runflats if you have yet to experience it, it's glorious. Absolutely love running the staggered M 310s w/ non-runflat summer tires...in addition to the increased performance, they are significantly smoother despite lower profile tires.. The transformation is even evident for my significant other who really isn't into this stuff. For me...one pothole blowout in 19 years, all other tire damage was debris I picked up by parking away from everyone in distant corner spots (where crap apparently accumulates), generating slow leaks as a result. I'm content playing roulette...along with all sorts of other debilitating things that can happen to a car. Guess I don't even have a choice in the 1M...BMW hands that over with traditional tires and no spare.

[noka]

Will BMW Roadside Assistance cover the situation (e.g. towing, etc) if the X3 is not equipped with run flats?

[kskpsu]

Originally Posted by noka

Will BMW Roadside Assistance cover the situation (e.g. towing, etc) if the X3 is not equipped with run flats?

Have to believe so, since my 1M is essentially equipped the same (and obviously covered by BMW's program). Both my Audi's are non-runflat from the factory and also don't have spares (and also covered by Audi's program). In many cases you'll need roadside assistance with runflats too...

[lbjgh]

I keep my jack pad and the wheel hanger in my car. In a pinch the car could be jacked up and the wheel removed curbside.

[noka]

Originally Posted by kskpsu

Have to believe so, since my 1M is essentially equipped the same (and obviously covered by BMW's program). Both my Audi's are non-runflat from the factory and also don't have spares (and also covered by Audi's program). In many cases you'll need roadside assistance with runflats too...

I didn't find any specific exlcusions for non-OEM or non-run flat tires on BMWUSA site and Roadside Assistance brochure (.pdf download). I was curious, since my CA told me that such replacement tires would be excluded from the dealer-offered wheel and tire insurance policy (which I am considering but still on the fence).

[kskpsu]

Originally Posted by noka

I didn't find any specific exlcusions for non-OEM or non-run flat tires on BMWUSA site and Roadside Assistance brochure (.pdf download). I was curious, since my CA told me that such replacement tires would be excluded from the dealer-offered wheel and tire insurance policy (which I am considering but still on the fence).

I can see them being excluded from the wheel/tire policy.

In the unlikely event you would have an issue with roadside, I would simply state you were seeking out a way to make your X3 ride, handle, accelerate, and brake like a BMW . In all seriousness, for all-season rubber, I would probably target Continental's ExtremeContact DWS since winter performance would be one of my key criteria. They made the ridiculously wide 315/35-20s on the rear of my former '05 4.8is actually do well in the snow. I mention them, because they are a staggering 11lbs per tire lighter than the runflats. That is gobs of unsprung weight that diminishes what these cars are capable of IMHO.

[noka]

Originally Posted by kskpsu

I can see them being excluded from the wheel/tire policy.

In the unlikely event you would have an issue with roadside, I would simply state you were seeking out a way to make your X3 ride, handle, accelerate, and brake like a BMW . In all seriousness, for all-season rubber, I would probably target Continental's ExtremeContact DWS since winter performance would be one of my key criteria. They made the ridiculously wide 315/35-20s on the rear of my former '05 4.8is actually do well in the snow. I mention them, because they are a staggering 11lbs per tire lighter than the runflats. That is gobs of unsprung weight that diminishes what these cars are capable of IMHO.

I have the Continental ExtremeContact DWS on my C300(I purchased based on great TireRack reviews) and I am not disappointed at all.

[mtbmaniac]

I've had the car for 10 days and really like the ride quality and snow handling capabilities of the X3 thus far. I've had it up to Vail twice and it is a very capable winter driver compared to my previous vehicle, an Audi S4 Avant. I only had the stock Pirelli run flats on for two days so I can't comment on the ride quality difference. I will probably replace the run flats that came with the 20" BMW 311 wheels with non run flats when they wear out in a year or so.

[cfos]

Part of my purchase agreement was for the car to come equipped with Winter tires. The dealership ordered Michelin Pilot Alpin P2 ZP (245 50 18); runflats. I picked the car up early and it came with the Pirelli Centurato P7 All seasons. Yesterday, the storm started and the tires did ok. This morning, I had a good 10-12 inches (prior to snow blowing the driveway) and driving was passable. Some slippage. Got the Aplins mounted and impressed immediately. Granted this is just an afternoon's worth of experience, but I am impressed with grip.