[JRJ17]

Hi, I have a X3 msport 2016 and finding the ride really hard on run flats with 20 inch wheels. I spoke with BMW about switching to non flats and they advised the difference would be very small given the Msport suspension.

Plus It would impact the warranty for the transmission.

I've done lots of research and it seems the run flat side wall is causing the hard ride. Has anyone changed from run flats to non flats on 20 inch wheels (did this soften the ride?) and is the point about the warranty correct?

Thanks

[coolmex200]

Originally Posted by JRJ17

Hi, I have a X3 msport 2016 and finding the ride really hard on run flats with 20 inch wheels. I spoke with BMW about switching to non flats and they advised the difference would be very small given the Msport suspension.

Plus It would impact the warranty for the transmission.

I've done lots of research and it seems the run flat side wall is causing the hard ride. Has anyone changed from run flats to non flats on 20 inch wheels (did this soften the ride?) and is the point about the warranty correct?

Thanks

I don't think it affects the warranty...never heard that before. I had an M3 and it came with regular vs run flats...and I didn't know until I went to replace my front tires. I have an X5 that came with the 20"s and switch to 18"s for winter, and they make a huge difference in ride "quality". I personally think is too forgiving, but that me coming from the M. My wife loves it now and doesn't want to put the 20"s back on after winter is over.

[Peter_R]

I can only comment on 19" wheels with RunFlats and NON RunFlats with a staggered setup. I have the X3 xDrive 30d MSport. It was always quite a hard ride and there was always a tendency for it to jiggle around and to tram line on less than flat roads. At around approximately 21,000 miles I was unlucky enough to get a rear wheel puncture down near High Wycombe about 50 miles from home and drove back up the M40 at 50 miles an hour.

The next morning I put a spare winter tyre/wheel temporary on the car and set about obtaining advice from different dealerships. One contact is a good family friend and the BMW used car manager in Swindon. I will let you do the searching and you will soon find out the name of the dealership.

Three dealerships advised there is no problem with putting NON Runflats on the X3 or any Xdrive or non Xdrive BMW car for that matter. In the end I spoke to Black Circles and they gave the same advice and quoted me an excellent price for four BMW * rated (BMW recommended) NON RunFlat equivalent's of my RunFlats.

I went back and contacted North Oxford BMW and spoke to the tyre expert and he said he would like to quote for the same tyres and when I asked him about any perceived transmission problems, he said there would not be any if changing to the same tread pattern on all four and also if I used BMW * rated even less of a problem. They quoted, but were considerably dearer than Black Circles.
http://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/search

After telephone discussions with staff at Black Circles (they are very helpful) I purchased the Pirelli P Zero NON RunFlats as follows:

Order Details:
Booking Reference: xxxxxx
2 x Pirelli P Zero Rosso (BMW) 245/45 R19 Y (98), Asymmetrical
2 x Pirelli P Zero Rosso (BMW) 275/40 R19 Y (101), Asymmetrical
Price: £661.06
Vehicle Make & Model: BMW X3
Vehicle Registration: xxxxxx
Fitting Centre: ATS Euromaster - Oxford Retail
Fitting Date: 29/07/2016
Fitting Time: 12:00 PM
Fitting Address: ATS Euromaster - Oxford Retail
Unit 1, Horspath Road, Cowley
OX4 2RS
Oxford,
(Click here to view the directions)

Note. I could have purchased cheaper Dunlops, but wanted Pirelli.

As you can see you purchase everything over the phone with Black Circles and they make the booking for you at the closest and your desired tyre fitting place. You just turn up with your car and drink the free coffee.

To cover me for any emergency, I purchase a gunge kit and recognised emergency repair kit. Both are stored in the boot of the car.

Similar items:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-...kit+motorcycle

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nk...&ul_noapp=true

By the way, the ride is transformed. It is definitely a more pliable ride and it is a lot quieter, so much so that I find myself driving a lot faster, especially on Oxfordshire's back country lanes.

[Tjalle]

"Invalidate warranty" - worst bull ever. All BMW:s in Sweden are on wintertyres during winter - all non-runflats.

In Germany run-flats are optional!

A "lot" of X4:s are running on 20" non-run flats - all happy! I will wait for mine to wear out to install Michelin Pilot Super Sport- same as X4 M40i.

[Chopper45]

Originally Posted by JRJ17

Hi, I have a X3 msport 2016 and finding the ride really hard on run flats with 20 inch wheels. I spoke with BMW about switching to non flats and they advised the difference would be very small given the Msport suspension.

Plus It would impact the warranty for the transmission.

I've done lots of research and it seems the run flat side wall is causing the hard ride. Has anyone changed from run flats to non flats on 20 inch wheels (did this soften the ride?) and is the point about the warranty correct?

Thanks

I have an X4 Msport with 20's and also found the ride too harsh. I first changed to Vredestein Ultrac Vorti and this was a big improvement. When these tyres needed changing i installed Michelin Pilot Super Sport which has the Magic BMW * on the side wall. These were again a big improvement over the Vorti's... If i were you, dump the RFT immidiately and install the Michelins you will find a huge improvement.. RFT affecting warranty is BS. I told the dealer i was getting rid of the RFT's and they even gave me a mobilty kit from an X6 free of charge :-)

[Tjalle]

There are some areas - particularily islands attacked by low pressures coming in from the Atlantic, where Hankook Ventus S1 evo2, might be a better choice - not as good in the dry, but better in the wet.

I also live on an island, but somewhat protected by Ireland, UK and Denmark, so I will go for the Michelins - even if they don't come cheap.

[JRJ17]

Thanks all for the information, its really helpful.

Which tyres would you recommend based on these sizes:

Front 245/40r20 99y

Back 275/35r20 102y

so far these two have been mentioned:

Pirelli P Zero Rosso
Michelin Pilot Super Sport

I want to keep the 20 inch wheels and looking for a smooth ride.

Will the tyre pressure monitor system still work ok with non run flat tyres?

Thanks

[Peter_R]

You are in the UK, and you have a staggered setup, so as already suggested discuss with Black Circles.

Fronts..

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/ty...nufacturer=bmw

Rears...

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/ty...w&displayall=6

Just make sure all four are from the same manufacturer and same tread pattern.

All above are BMW. As you will see some on the list are RunFlats, so you should forget them.

Your choice is limited if you wish to stay with BMW * rated.

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by JRJ17

I want to keep the 20 inch wheels and looking for a smooth ride.

What are the roads like where you live?

If you are looking for a meaningful difference, you are better off selling your rims for 19 inch ones as non-runflats alone won't be able to counter act 20 inch rims and M-Sport suspension.

The BMW i8 with adaptive suspension and 7-Series with air suspension are the only cars with 20 inch rims I've driven that have been smooth on bad roads - with the later car being a lot superior for obvious reasons.

[SleekX3]

I have the same set up as you do. My wife drives the xdrive non-msport model and the roughness in ride is about the same as my ride. Her setup includes 19" rims with Goodyear run flats. So, I'm not sure if being on run flats are causing the smoothness in ride to feel the same. Maybe, I wasn't paying attention to the differences. But, perhaps there's only a slight variation in the feel from a roughness perspective caused by the different suspensions and the tires. I have to say that I do like the feel of our suspensions better as the cornering and manuverablility is sportier and handles nice. I hope this helps and does not confuse you further.

[JRJ17]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

You are in the UK, and you have a staggered setup, so as already suggested discuss with Black Circles.

Fronts..

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/ty...w&displayall=6

Rears...

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/ty...w&displayall=6

Just make sure all four are from the same manufacturer and same tread pattern.

All above are BMW. As you will see some on the list are RunFlats, so you should forget them.

Your choice is limited if you wish to stay with BMW * rated.

Does BMW * rated mean they are approved by BMW?

[JRJ17]

Originally Posted by Crassus

What are the roads like where you live?

If you are looking for a meaningful difference, you are better off selling your rims for 19 inch ones as non-runflats alone won't be able to counter act 20 inch rims and M-Sport suspension.

The BMW i8 with adaptive suspension and 7-Series with air suspension are the only cars with 20 inch rims I've driven that have been smooth on bad roads - with the later car being a lot superior for obvious reasons.

The roads are just average UK roads, however I can feel every imperfection in the road, literally everything which makes the ride not great. The Msport suspension will be harder however from my research by changing to non run flats it will provide a huge improvement.

[JRJ17]

Originally Posted by SleekX3

I have the same set up as you do. My wife drives the xdrive non-msport model and the roughness in ride is about the same as my ride. Her setup includes 19" rims with Goodyear run flats. So, I'm not sure if being on run flats are causing the smoothness in ride to feel the same. Maybe, I wasn't paying attention to the differences. But, perhaps there's only a slight variation in the feel from a roughness perspective caused by the different suspensions and the tires. I have to say that I do like the feel of our suspensions better as the cornering and manuverablility is sportier and handles nice. I hope this helps and does not confuse you further.

Do you both have run flat tyres?

[SleekX3]

Yes, PZEROS.

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by JRJ17

The roads are just average UK roads, however I can feel every imperfection in the road, literally everything which makes the ride not great. The Msport suspension will be harder however from my research by changing to non run flats it will provide a huge improvement.

If the roads mainly have imperfections and a uneveness then non-RFT could do the trick, but if it's pot holes and poorly maintained B-roads then don't expect a tyre change to iron out the road if you'll stick to 20 inch rims.

However, I'll be grateful to hear about your before/after experience as I'll likely switch to non-RFT when the time comes.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by JRJ17

Does BMW * rated mean they are approved by BMW?

Yes !

[Tjalle]

JRJ - I take it you have 310 M rims - don't ruin your car by removing them

TPMS will work on non-RFT:s. I have pirate TPMS on my winter wheels- programmed by tyreshop. Half price. Typical life of a TPMS battery/unit is 5 years.

[mge92]

Bridgestone POTENZA S-04 POLE POSITION - Max Performance Summer - 30lbs / 33lbs
Bridgestone POTENZA S001- Max Performance Summer - 28lbs / 29lbs
Continental CONTISPORTCONTACT 3 - Max Performance Summer - 26lbs / 26lbs
Continental EXTREMECONTACT DW - Max Performance Summer - 27lbs / 27lbs
Michelin PILOT SUPER SPORT - Max Performance Summer - 26lbs / 27lbs
Pirelli P ZERO - Max Performance Summer - 25 lbs/ 27lbs
Bridgestone POTENZA RE970AS POLE POSITION - Ultra High performance All seasons - 30lbs / 34lbs
Continental EXTREMECONTACT DWS 06 - Ultra High performance All seasons - 27lbs / 28lbs

I too have the 310M wheels and have had the P Zero runflats as well as the non-runflats and am on Continental Extremecontact DW. The non-runflats change the ride a lot but the weight of each tire has a difference as well. With the 310M wheels and the runflat P zeros each tire was about 65lbs which is a lot. With the non-runflat you drop about 2-4 pounds per tire which has a lot of difference. It all depends on what you are looking for out of the tire. The Pilot super sports will be great once you warm them up and will wear out faster than the Continental DW which will last longer and not need to be warmed up as much as the PSS to be effective. If you are looking for all year tire and don't want to change tires if you barely get snow where you are ... an ultra high performance all season may work best. If you want max summer performance I would pick either extremecontact or even the PSS if you are willing to sacrifice longevity. But at the end of the day all the tires i listed are good tires. From experience, I have had a great time with the extremecontact DW which I think are better than the P Zeros

[nyalpine90]

i ditch the runflats for non runflats Conti's DWS06.
the ride is completely different. (19s stagger)

[///Mposter]

I went 20" but kept the same side wall ratio as 19". So my tire size is 245/45/20. Yes it is slightly taller but all 4 are the same. Run flats are hard and cornering is confident. Non run flats are softer and you must take turns slower. They do however feel better for everyday driving.

[usta]

Just switched my wife's new x6 20" staggered setup to Conti DWS 06. Did the same on her old x5 and my x4. No problem with my dealer, he was willing to do it for me and all they asked was to return the car with RFT at the end of the lease.

The ride is always better.

[ba ba boosh]

I switched from run flat to non run flat on my E90 and it made a world of difference. The ride is less bumpier and you don't get that whooshing noise when you drive on the road.