[TEF]

My situation is exactly as Arsalam's, my winter wheels and tires are 17" non runflats. Each winter, after installing this setup, it's like getting a new X3. One realizes immediately how jarring those larger diameter wheels with runflats can be. I fail to understand why BMW would choose to ruin the ride of a perfectly good vehicle for the sake of runflat tires.

[wolf25]

Hi Crassus,

Good to hear that you you like the non-runflat tires. I am thinking of doing the same soon on my F25 of 2016. Partly because I am bit old fashioned and partly because sometime I have to drive long distances in countries where immediate roadside assistance would not be available in case of a flat, I prefer to have a full-size spare in the car. Sometime I throw in the car a tire from the opposite season. Can you suggest a better solution?

[omasou]

OMG. Since my previous run flats were on my 2008 X5 and then replaced with non-run flats I had forgotten how HORRIBLE run flats were until purchasing the X4. I had been hoping the X4 waddling and harsh rebound was related to the ZP tires. Well it was!!!

The X4 had Michelin Primacy 3 ZP and I replaced w/Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+. It like driving on soft fluffy clouds now!

[rirrgang]

I changed from Bridgestone RFT's to Yokohama Ascend GT 245/50-18.
I went from hating the X3 to the point of thinking to sell it off to now enjoying every minute behind the wheel. I won't hash over all the good things that others have already posted. They are all correct in every way. I do carry a can of fix-a-flat just in case and I do have roadside assistance from Geico so I think I'm good. Yokohama tires are very fairly priced and for 99% of the driving I do, and probably more capable as tires then I am a driver, they are great. Wow do I love the X3 now. And to think I put up with those crappy RFT's for a year since buying the X3.

[atomic]

Run flats are great. I keep an old tire in my basement. I had a flat on the road. Pressure went to zero. Drove the car home put the old tire in the car. Drove to tire store and they put the old tire on the car. They Called Tire rack where I bought the tires and has a new one out free of charge in 2 days.

Another time I had a leaky valve drove to a nearby tire shop and they tightened it for free. No way would I go non run flat.

[Daz X3]

Hiya all, 1st post

Just a thought,
if car has runflats as standard, changing to non-runflats is classed as a modification by some insurance companies, so to keep peace of mind, inform your insurance company if you change

[nyboy42]

thanks for this thread, really hoping you can provide some advice for my situation

my car is 2011 BMW X3 x28i

the OEM tire is 245/55 r17 Bridgestone runflat

Id like to switch to a non-runflat but have a couple of concerns:

- according to tirerack, the only non-runflat size they reccomend is 235/60 r17. Should I believe what they say?

-other than not having a spare and risking a flat tire. Are there any potential risks to the suspension or any that can damage the car by switching to this size tire?

- based on your experience, would you definitely reccomend switching to a non-runflat for a smoother more luxurious drive? I have my eyes on a set of 4 YOKOHAMA tires based on the size suggested by tirerack.

appreciate your time

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by nyboy42

thanks for this thread, really hoping you can provide some advice for my situation

my car is 2011 BMW X3 x28i

the OEM tire is 245/55 r17 Bridgestone runflat

Id like to switch to a non-runflat but have a couple of concerns:

- according to tirerack, the only non-runflat size they reccomend is 235/60 r17. Should I believe what they say?

-other than not having a spare and risking a flat tire. Are there any potential risks to the suspension or any that can damage the car by switching to this size tire?

- based on your experience, would you definitely reccomend switching to a non-runflat for a smoother more luxurious drive? I have my eyes on a set of 4 YOKOHAMA tires based on the size suggested by tirerack.

appreciate your time

runflat or not, the tire is the same but with a way more stiffer sidewall so you can ride on a ''flat'' tire without destroying it and keeping a good speed to get out from the highway safely.

The size shall be the same.

Now , the question here is : are you accepting the risk of a flat tire that will probably require a towing to get the car back home?

the risk will depends:

- driving range from you place.
- type of flat (side wall damage can't be repaired). A little screw on the top , use a plug , inflate, and call it a day. Most flats are reparable,
- RFT or not, a side wall damage will require a new tire, and maybe 4 of them if the 3 other a worn out.
- tire price RFT VS non-RFT

Let say, you do a lot of mileage, but near your area, I would go non-RFT with a air compressor and tire plug.

[nyboy42]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

runflat or not, the tire is the same but with a way more stiffer sidewall so you can ride on a ''flat'' tire without destroying it and keeping a good speed to get out from the highway safely.

The size shall be the same.

Now , the question here is : are you accepting the risk of a flat tire that will probably require a towing to get the car back home?

the risk will depends:

- driving range from you place.
- type of flat (side wall damage can't be repaired). A little screw on the top , use a plug , inflate, and call it a day. Most flats are reparable,
- RFT or not, a side wall damage will require a new tire, and maybe 4 of them if the 3 other a worn out.
- tire price RFT VS non-RFT

Let say, you do a lot of mileage, but near your area, I would go non-RFT with a air compressor and tire plug.

thank you,

in regards to the size, there are no tires available in 245/55 r17 that are NON-RUNFLAT, so that is my issue. According to tirerack.com the only way for me to get standard tires on is to use 235/60 r17. So given that the tire size will change will that make the car suspension out of whack?

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by nyboy42

thank you,

in regards to the size, there are no tires available in 245/55 r17 that are NON-RUNFLAT, so that is my issue. According to tirerack.com the only way for me to get standard tires on is to use 235/60 r17. So given that the tire size will change will that make the car suspension out of whack?

suspension will just be fine, some people puts 20+'' and are fine.

got you.

245/55-17 is 27.6'' out side diameter and 9.6'' width.

235/60-17 is 28.1'' outside diameter and 9.3'' width.

1.8% lower speed reading. Not a big deal. (reading 60mph, but in reality you doing 61.086mph)

A equal tire to the 245-55 would be 225-60-17. but might look odd, since width is 8.9''

you can also considering upgrading with original wheels. I was surprised how many 18'' and 19'' with used tires were available for sale, and for cheap. Got my set of 19'' from a e83 X5 for 200$.

[nyboy42]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

suspension will just be fine, some people puts 20+'' and are fine.

got you.

245/55-17 is 27.6'' out side diameter and 9.6'' width.

235/60-17 is 28.1'' outside diameter and 9.3'' width.

1.8% lower speed reading. Not a big deal. (reading 60mph, but in reality you doing 61.086mph)

A equal tire to the 245-55 would be 225-60-17. but might look odd, since width is 8.9''

you can also considering upgrading with original wheels. I was surprised how many 18'' and 19'' with used tires were available for sale, and for cheap. Got my set of 19'' from a e83 X5 for 200$.

thanks a lot, so just to confirm a 1.8% diameter change will only affect an accurate odometer reading. But when it comes to ABS or suspension, there should be no impact?

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by nyboy42

thanks a lot, so just to confirm a 1.8% diameter change will only affect an accurate odometer reading. But when it comes to ABS or suspension, there should be no impact?

ultimately, no.

For ABS there's a sensor detecting wheels rotation at the hub/brake disc. On braking, if the sensor detect a wheel that stop turning, the ABS module will send a command to the brake booster to gives braking impulsion. So tire diameter wont affect the ABS.

The only difference, would be the fiction coefficient tire/road that would change. But unless you have a 1'' width or a 12'' width tire, dont worry it would be fine.

For suspension, static or pneumatic, no change at all.

Enjoy the non-rft comfort and lower cost.

[nyboy42]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

ultimately, no.

For ABS there's a sensor detecting wheels rotation at the hub/brake disc. On braking, if the sensor detect a wheel that stop turning, the ABS module will send a command to the brake booster to gives braking impulsion. So tire diameter wont affect the ABS.

The only difference, would be the fiction coefficient tire/road that would change. But unless you have a 1'' width or a 12'' width tire, dont worry it would be fine.

For suspension, static or pneumatic, no change at all.

Enjoy the non-rft comfort and lower cost.

AHHH thanks so much, very reassuring to read this - appreciate you taking the time. Very excited to see how the car feels with non-rft. Is there any chance that rubbing could occur? This is new tire size is taller by half an inch.

Im leaning towards the Yokohama AVID ASCEND All season (currently with $60 rebate) unless you have a better suggestion?

[Charlottehanlon]

Great information. Thanks so much.

[bpwj76]

Anyone with the LS-2 runflats ever see this on their tires? What would cause the rubber to flake off like that? Tires have about 17k miles on them.