[lawdude]

My wife drives a 2017 X3 xdrive35i. Goodyears were worn out and we replaced with Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP 245/45R19. ZP is Michelin's run flat tire.

After a 4 hour road trip (round trip) we both came to the conclusion that the Michelins provide a more comfortable ride than the Goodyears. They were cheaper too.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by lawdude

My wife drives a 2017 X3 xdrive35i. Goodyears were worn out and we replaced with Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP 245/45R19. ZP is Michelin's run flat tire.

After a 4 hour road trip (round trip) we both came to the conclusion that the Michelins provide a more comfortable ride than the Goodyears. They were cheaper too.

If you switch to non RFTs you'll be shocked at the improved ride quality.

[ItsmeX5]

Originally Posted by 6MT_Addict

If you switch to non RFTs you'll be shocked at the improved ride quality.

Second this. Changed the RFT on my GLK and my wife’s CLA to non RFT. Huge difference. The x3 I just purchased has all new RFT or I would swap these too...

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by 6MT_Addict

If you switch to non RFTs you'll be shocked at the improved ride quality.

He stated he switched to Michelin run flat tires.

We switched from the Pirelli run flat that came with my wife's X3 to the Michelin as well and it was night and day difference in ride quality, quietness and overall comfort.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by thenew3

He stated he switched to Michelin run flat tires.

We switched from the Pirelli run flat that came with my wife's X3 to the Michelin as well and it was night and day difference in ride quality, quietness and overall comfort.

I know, and OP probably doesn't want to switch after just buying tires, but tossing it out there.

I don't care how comfortable the Michelin RFT is, the sidewall still transmits a significant impact force through to the chassis because of the stiffness required to drive on it while flat.

Regular tires flex a lot more and deliver much better impact absorption, reduced noise, and in turn comfort.

I love Michelin tires though, some of the best out there.

[bpwj76]

Originally Posted by 6MT_Addict

I know, and OP probably doesn't want to switch after just buying tires, but tossing it out there.

I don't care how comfortable the Michelin RFT is, the sidewall still transmits a significant impact force through to the chassis because of the stiffness required to drive on it while flat.

Regular tires flex a lot more and deliver much better impact absorption, reduced noise, and in turn comfort.

I love Michelin tires though, some of the best out there.

This...

We had the Goodyear runflats on our X3 when we purchased it CPO in Oct of 2018. I had to replace them last month, because they were down to 3/32 and were flaking rubber all across the tread on three of them. The Goodyears were quiet and comfortable when they were brand new. After about 15k miles they started to get noisy and rough-riding. By the end of their life, which was at 27k miles, they were (quoting Jeremy Clarkson) as comfortable as falling down a flight of stairs.

I replaced them with Pirelli P7 Cinturato All Season Plus II non-runflat and OMG! What everyone says about non-runflats having a superior ride and comfort is so true.

[383vett]

My wife drives our X3 and I enjoy the security of having her on runflats rather than being on the side of the road trying to plug and patch and inflate a tire with semis whizzing past. She has picked up nails that would have disabled the car if not for the runflats.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by 383vett

My wife drives our X3 and I enjoy the security of having her on runflats rather than being on the side of the road trying to plug and patch and inflate a tire with semis whizzing past. She has picked up nails that would have disabled the car if not for the runflats.

Runflats make 100% sense for reason you've stated.

Ride quality/comfort are very subjective. When I was shopping for my used X3 some 3 years ago I was really put off after test driving several cars fitted with runflats, first time I ever drove BMW fitted with that type of tire, pretty stiff/jarring ride.

A year later I helped a Canadian friend buy a used Z4 in the States, car was fitted with near new runflats- I drove it from SoCal to SF, ugh that was not a pleasant ride.

RF tires are not for me; but I do recognize the upside should one encounter a puncture, etc.

[Pharoah]

I am leaning towards putting on a full tire for a smoother ride. Any one done this?

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by 383vett

My wife drives our X3 and I enjoy the security of having her on runflats rather than being on the side of the road trying to plug and patch and inflate a tire with semis whizzing past. She has picked up nails that would have disabled the car if not for the runflats.

Absolutely, to each their own. There are certainly advantages to run flats.

[lawdude]

My daily driver is set up for the dragstrip. I get all kinds of NVH in my car. So to me, a set of run flats is like driving on a cloud. But I'm not the one that counts. The X3 is my wife's daily driver. I put whatever tires she wants on it. She likes run flats.

[atomic]

I have had the Michelin’s for 25k miles the tires are great. I kept one of the OEM tires at home as a spare Had three flats and I have just driven home gotten the spare driven to the tire shop had them put on the spare and call tire rack to ship me out a free replacement. I think the only advantage a non run flat has is cost.

[sbabcock23]

I had the Pirelli run flats that came with the car. They barrel lasted 25K miles. I got the Michelins and the ride is better and they seem to be lasting longer. I believe Micheline guarantees 30K miles.

[Vikingstaff]

Unfortunately, my Pirelli RFT’s have a lot of tread left in them. When they are used up, I will switch to normal non-run flats for the better ride and comfort and get a spare “donut” for an emergency. I have non-RFT winter tires, and they are so much more comfortable. In 35 years of driving I’ve only had 1 tire go flat with a puncture while driving, so I am fine taking my chances on that. If I happen to ever have an issue, I’ll just have our roadside assistance take care of it.

[drivetrain malefunction]

go non run flats, i run pirelli centrino p7's

[bobwoj]

Hello I am Robert.
I want to change my run flat tires to non-run flat tires. I currently have staggered tires. Front 245/45 R19, rear 275/40 R19. The car has Xdrive and should have BMW Approved star marked tyres. Does anyone have staggered star marked tyres of this size?

[bmwx32015]

Originally Posted by 383vett

My wife drives our X3 and I enjoy the security of having her on runflats rather than being on the side of the road trying to plug and patch and inflate a tire with semis whizzing past. She has picked up nails that would have disabled the car if not for the runflats.

...that and overall security is primary reason for using run-flats (not just convenience). You don't want to suddenly loose all your tire pressure on a highway speed.

[lawdude]

Originally Posted by bobwoj

Hello I am Robert.
I want to change my run flat tires to non-run flat tires. I currently have staggered tires. Front 245/45 R19, rear 275/40 R19. The car has Xdrive and should have BMW Approved star marked tyres. Does anyone have staggered star marked tyres of this size?

Hello Robert: You might get more eyeballs on your post if you start a new thread.

[bobwoj]

Thanks, I'll do that.

[racey1979]

Our new to us F25 35d has staggered 20’s running the OE Pirelli run flats which I don’t like at all. I’ve just bought a pair of non run flat Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the front, just need to get the rears. I keep being told by a few tyre outlets that I will goose the transfer box fitting tyres that aren’t BMW star marked though, BS detector is off the scale. I can actually get the rear 275 MPS4S tyres that are star marked and there’s no difference in cost over normal ones, but the 245 fronts aren’t available. Don’t know which to buy for the rears. Star marked or not. I’m told by others as long as the rolling circumference between the tyres is within 1%, it doesn’t matter if they are run flat, non run flat, star marked or non star marked. Never known such a palava over tyres LOL.

[lawdude]

Originally Posted by racey1979

Our new to us F25 35d has staggered 20’s running the OE Pirelli run flats which I don’t like at all. I’ve just bought a pair of non run flat Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the front, just need to get the rears. I keep being told by a few tyre outlets that I will goose the transfer box fitting tyres that aren’t BMW star marked though, BS detector is off the scale. I can actually get the rear 275 MPS4S tyres that are star marked and there’s no difference in cost over normal ones, but the 245 fronts aren’t available. Don’t know which to buy for the rears. Star marked or not. I’m told by others as long as the rolling circumference between the tyres is within 1%, it doesn’t matter if they are run flat, non run flat, star marked or non star marked. Never known such a palava over tyres LOL.

If you're not under warranty it probably doesn't matter whether the tires are star marked or not.

[turbo4]

My wife also drives X3 with run flats. About a week ago I was driving my Audi with non run flats in the city and got a big chunk of steel penetrated my tire. No on the side walls but the bottom. I made it to the parking lot, pulled the spare tire and in 15 minutes I was on my way. At that point I have realized that even with run-flats she would not make it home. The x3 run flats in this situation would not last. It was hard for me to drive with the big steel metal stack to the bottom of the tire.

I will be switching to non runflats and getting a spare tire for X3. If she is in the city I can get to her and swap the tire. If we go outside the city I will feel more secure knowing that if something like this happens I am not stranded on the highway and can be mobile anytime.
This is my advise.