[Steven40]

Is there already somebody that changed his runflats to non runflats ?
And how does it feel ?

[fedinand]

I am running non-runflats (continental contisport 3s). The ride is a bit better, but I also went from 19s to 18s. The difference isn't going to be earth shattering, but you will benefit from a better ride - the rest depends on the tire you choose to go with.

[NYC_340i]

I'm thinking about doing this too as I get tons of punctures and I end up paying $400+ for a new tire but normal tires I can get for $140 each. I'm also searching to change the rims because I don't like the basic ones that come with the 28i. Is there anything you need to do to swap to non-run flats or can you just put the new set on?

[509trooper]

Originally Posted by Rajgavoury

I'm thinking about doing this too as I get tons of punctures and I end up paying $400+ for a new tire but normal tires I can get for $140 each. I'm also searching to change the rims because I don't like the basic ones that come with the 28i. Is there anything you need to do to swap to non-run flats or can you just put the new set on?

Just remember, there is no spare tire in the vehicle. I plan to put a kit together that includes a repair kit and a portable air compressor that can run off the vehicle's power.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by 509trooper

Just remember, there is no spare tire in the vehicle. I plan to put a kit together that includes a repair kit and a portable air compressor that can run off the vehicle's power.

I like the "Slime COMP02" compressor because it's very small and fits in the X3s left side rear storage compartment (under the snap out cover).

see: http://www.amazon.com/Slime-COMP02-1...8500251&sr=8-5

A nice matching "on-the-wheel" plug kit is:
http://www.amazon.com/Slime-1034-A-T...8500291&sr=1-4

A more expensive complete kit (with a larger compressor) is:
http://www.amazon.com/Slime-Powerspa...8500334&sr=8-3

If space is no problem and you want the very best solution you can always pick up the Griot's Kit:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

[NYC_340i]

Originally Posted by 509trooper

Just remember, there is no spare tire in the vehicle. I plan to put a kit together that includes a repair kit and a portable air compressor that can run off the vehicle's power.

I will be sure to do that. But do I need to modify anything else and will it affect the warranty or anything?

[x99]

Originally Posted by Steven40

Is there already somebody that changed his runflats to non runflats ?
And how does it feel ?

I think the biggest change will be around 20000Km in comparison with runflats and non runflats. The runflats tend to create more noise and wear down more than non runflats. I had this experience on my old BMW E60 2007. I had runflats Dunlop 225/50 R17 tyres on the car and switch to non runflats Michelin Primacy HP 225/50 R17. It was a huge different in handling and noise.

The Pirelli P Zero 245/45 R18 runflats on my current BMW X3 F25 is just fine after 2500 Km mostly on freeways.

[fedinand]

Originally Posted by Rajgavoury

I will be sure to do that. But do I need to modify anything else and will it affect the warranty or anything?

Just make sure you fit new tpms sensors in the new tires or reuse the ones from your stock wheels and you should be set.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by x99

I think the biggest change will be around 20000Km in comparison with runflats and non runflats. The runflats tend to create more noise and wear down more than non runflats. I had this experience on my old BMW E60 2007. I had runflats Dunlop 225/50 R17 tyres on the car and switch to non runflats Michelin Primacy HP 225/50 R17. It was a huge different in handling and noise.

The Pirelli P Zero 245/45 R18 runflats on my current BMW X3 F25 is just fine after 2500 Km mostly on freeways.

Could be "run-flats vs. conventional tires" but may just as well be just a tire brand or design issue. The new (Gen-3) run-flats are supposed to be quieter and ride better than than previous versions. The Pirelli P7 Run flats supplied on our X3 seem to ride very well - no harshness and they are also pretty quiet. Hard cornering does increase the noise more than I like, but it does give you some feedback that the tires are nearing their limit.

Our old (1999) Audi A4 2.8 was delivered with Dunlop (forgot the model) summer tires, which I thought were a little noisy and had only moderate traction under high loads. At the cornering limit, the car understeered badly. I replaced them with German manufactured Goodyear GSD4s which transformed the car. The difference was dramatic. Much higher cornering limits, more precise tracking, less noise, better ride and almost no understeer. Both were conventional, summer tires of the same size.

[perto]

I have reed some god review of the brand new Continental conti sport 5 that is the new series taking over from sport 3. Maybe worth a try.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by perto

I have reed some god review of the brand new Continental conti sport 5 that is the new series taking over from sport 3. Maybe worth a try.

Yes, the Conti Sport 5 Ps look like a very nice tire and have received some great reviews. Unfortunately, at least in the US, they are only available in 40, 35 and 30 aspect ratios (profiles) so are not a good match for stock 18 and 19 inch wheels on X3's which would normally use 50 or 45 ratio tires. They would be a good candidate for +1 sizing, but probably would need wider wheels for best results. The Contact 5P spec. sheet does list them in 245/40-19 sizes in a run-flat version, but they don't seem to be shipping those to the aftermarket retailers yet.

The run-flat specs on these show the weight penalty that the run-flat's strong sidewalls add to each tire.

The 245/40R19 run-flat weighs 41.5 lbs while the closest sized conventional construction tire, a slightly wider 255/35ZR19 weights 24.5 lbs.
Looks like the run-flat construction adds a whopping 17 lbs per tire or 68 lbs total to the car.

[fedinand]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Yes, the Conti Sport 5 Ps look like a very nice tire and have received some great reviews. Unfortunately, at least in the US, they are only available in 40, 35 and 30 aspect ratios (profiles) so are not a good match for stock 18 and 19 inch wheels on X3's which would normally use 50 or 45 ratio tires. They would be a good candidate for +1 sizing, but probably would need wider wheels for best results. The Contact 5P spec. sheet does list them in 245/40-19 sizes in a run-flat version, but they don't seem to be shipping those to the aftermarket retailers yet.

The run-flat specs on these show the weight penalty that the run-flat's strong sidewalls add to each tire.

The 245/40R19 run-flat weighs 41.5 lbs while the closest sized conventional construction tire, a slightly wider 255/35ZR19 weights 24.5 lbs.
Looks like the run-flat construction adds a whopping 17 lbs per tire or 68 lbs total to the car.

Thats the heaviest 19 inch tire I have ever heard about…wow!

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by fedinand

Thats the heaviest 19 inch tire I have ever heard about…wow!

Yep! Run-flats do add a lot of weight. My winter tires, German-made Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D run-flats, weigh 35.5 lbs in size 245/50R18.

And that doesn't include the weight of the air. I figure a X3 tire holds about 144 g of air (1.2g/L * 40L * 3Atm)= 144g. Filling the tire with Helium (0.178 g/L) would reduce the unsprung weight by 123 grams!

[XB101]

Lotus, do you have separate rims for the Wintersports? The stock Pirelli P7 or P Zero not sufficient for Illinois winters? I think the vehicle comes with P7 but I have seen P Zero. What comes on the 19" MSport upgrade?

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by XB101

Lotus, do you have separate rims for the Wintersports? The stock Pirelli P7 or P Zero not sufficient for Illinois winters? I think the vehicle comes with P7 but I have seen P Zero. What comes on the 19" MSport upgrade?

Yes, I have a set of winter tires mounted on a set of 18'' wheels complete with TPM sensors. The tires delivered on my X3 were indeed Pirelli P7 "All-Seasons Run-Flats" (which are a very different tire than the P7 "Summer" - different rubber compound and different tread pattern). I did get to drive the car in light snow a few times (1 to 2 inches) and the P7's were fine. However, we do occasionally get deeper snowfalls, last winter we had one that was 11 inches in 18 hours, so a real winter tire is occasionally worth having.

I figure that the winter tires help handling and especially braking enough in severe weather to be worth the investment, and they do prolong the life of the "summer" tires since they are off the car for approximately 5 months each year, so somewhat pay for themselves. In addition, I use the twice-annual tire change to inspect the suspension and brakes carefully when I do the changeover.

You might want to look at the thread about changing tires/wheels on the X3 to see my winter tires/wheels.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showth...nging+tires+X3

see the last pic I posted in that thread.

[jurdeb]

[QUOTE=Lotus7;9848767]I like the "Slime COMP02" compressor because it's very small and fits in the X3s left side rear storage compartment (under the snap out cover).

see: http://www.amazon.com/Slime-COMP02-1...8500251&sr=8-5


A more expensive complete kit (with a larger compressor) is:
http://www.amazon.com/Slime-Powerspa...8500334&sr=8-3

Does anybody use this kit.How big is it.Will it fit in any of the trunk compartments?

[NYC_340i]

Hm, when I went to the dealer to take delivery a few weeks ago, they offered my Wheel and tire Coverage. They told me that they will replace the tires if I get a puncture. Costed me $2,000.

[fedinand]

Originally Posted by Rajgavoury

Hm, when I went to the dealer to take delivery a few weeks ago, they offered my Wheel and tire Coverage. They told me that they will replace the tires if I get a puncture. Costed me $2,000.

That seems to be more than what I remember it costing...also it only covers BMW wheels - I was told it did not apply to aftermarket wheels/tires.

[fedinand]

Originally Posted by Rajgavoury

Hm, when I went to the dealer to take delivery a few weeks ago, they offered my Wheel and tire Coverage. They told me that they will replace the tires if I get a puncture. Costed me $2,000.

That seems to be higher than what I remember it costing. It also only applies to BMW wheels/tires. I was told it would not cover aftermarket wheels.

[TN_3]

I replaced my Goodyear LS2 RFTs with Pirelli P-Zero Nero A/S. I noticed improved grip and a smoother ride. Steering response was about equal.