Run flats to "Regular" tires

sygazelle · 04-29-2019, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty in Bgm

Here's my story.. ..

....

Just go to Tire Rack and look at your options for run flats vs non run flats and read the owners reviews. That alone may lead you to non run flats. Now all that said, it is highly possible that todays run flats are a marked improvement over what I had but I have always done well by regarding the Tire Rack owner reviews which still point unfavorably toward run flats.

Runflats have improved over the years. I remember test driving a 2011 5er and it felt like I was driving a Barney Flintstone car. When I got my F30, it had run flats that were actually pretty good. Way better than the first gen run flats. However when they wore out, I put go flats on and there was a noticeable improvement in ride. Now, the G05 RFT Bridgestones are really okay. I'm in no hurry to swap them out for go flats, but when they wear out I probably will ditch them for "proper" tires.

mnx5er · 04-29-2019, 10:44 PM

The longer I drive the Bridgestones the more they are bothering me. I have the 20s and while the grip and cornering are fine, they are firm on our crappy Minnesota roads. May need to run them at a lower air pressure.

3to5toX5toX7 · 04-30-2019, 12:38 AM

I have the 21" rims that came with summer P-ZERO RFT. For winter, I purchased a set of Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons (non-RFT). I just switched back to the summer last week, and I can't tell much difference. I think the RFT actually might be a little quieter and smoother, but if there is a difference its very small.

Marty in NY · 04-30-2019, 07:17 AM

Certainly, this is a personal decision and to each their own but it does help to hear others experiences so we don't arrive at our decisions with eyes closed.

I do like the premise upon which RFT's are designed for. Nothing like getting stuck in a bad section of town at night with a flat tire or having to replace one on the interstate next to whizzing 18 wheelers just a few feet away.

So the more I read on this topic, the more I'm leaning on an X5 with the spare tire option (so I don't give up any cargo space such as in the X3 with the raised cargo floor). It'll come with RFT's and have a spare. When just driving locally, I could leave the spare tire at home in the garage since I "should" be able to drive up to 50 miles on a flat run flat. On a trip, I throw the spare in and take off. What little room under the cargo floor I will give up is nothing compared with the safety net provided by having both, especially when the wife is behind the wheel.

Now, that said, maybe we should start a new post to find the best user experience with RFT's :-)

hk5er · 04-30-2019, 07:55 AM

Just collected car from dealer. I've ordered non run flat tyres and got Bridgestone Alenza 001. Seem ok on the drive back home. Not bumpy at all. I've got air suspension.

ted99 · 04-30-2019, 09:32 AM

Had RF on my 2015 528i and swapped them for Continental DWS after 1K miles due to noise and harshness. Put them back on for lease turn in. Got a 2017 330e with RF and did not change them. Got a 2018 X5 40e with RF and did not change them. The generation of RF after those of my 2015 seem to be better, but still wear rapidly--I expect the X5 RF's to reach the BMW wear limit a little after 20K miles. I would always replace RF tires with goflats, if I were keeping the car. Carried jack and spare in my 528i when i had the goflats on.

04-29-2019, 10:44 PM	#24
mnx5er Captain 563 Rep 829 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 3.5i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0)	The longer I drive the Bridgestones the more they are bothering me. I have the 20s and while the grip and cornering are fine, they are firm on our crappy Minnesota roads. May need to run them at a lower air pressure.
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04-30-2019, 12:38 AM	#25
3to5toX5toX7 Private 99 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2014 528 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have the 21" rims that came with summer P-ZERO RFT. For winter, I purchased a set of Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons (non-RFT). I just switched back to the summer last week, and I can't tell much difference. I think the RFT actually might be a little quieter and smoother, but if there is a difference its very small.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2019, 07:17 AM	#26
Marty in NY Brigadier General 2697 Rep 4,315 Posts Drives: 21 X5 40i, 18 GTi, Snowblower Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Certainly, this is a personal decision and to each their own but it does help to hear others experiences so we don't arrive at our decisions with eyes closed. I do like the premise upon which RFT's are designed for. Nothing like getting stuck in a bad section of town at night with a flat tire or having to replace one on the interstate next to whizzing 18 wheelers just a few feet away. So the more I read on this topic, the more I'm leaning on an X5 with the spare tire option (so I don't give up any cargo space such as in the X3 with the raised cargo floor). It'll come with RFT's and have a spare. When just driving locally, I could leave the spare tire at home in the garage since I "should" be able to drive up to 50 miles on a flat run flat. On a trip, I throw the spare in and take off. What little room under the cargo floor I will give up is nothing compared with the safety net provided by having both, especially when the wife is behind the wheel. Now, that said, maybe we should start a new post to find the best user experience with RFT's :-)
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04-30-2019, 07:55 AM	#27
hk5er Private First Class 97 Rep 128 Posts Drives: I20 iX xDrive40i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Just collected car from dealer. I've ordered non run flat tyres and got Bridgestone Alenza 001. Seem ok on the drive back home. Not bumpy at all. I've got air suspension. __________________ Past - E60 535i, F07 535i, G05 X5 xDrive40i Current - I20 iX xDrive40
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04-30-2019, 09:32 AM	#28
ted99 Lieutenant 242 Rep 535 Posts Drives: former i3>330e, 528i>X5>530e Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Had RF on my 2015 528i and swapped them for Continental DWS after 1K miles due to noise and harshness. Put them back on for lease turn in. Got a 2017 330e with RF and did not change them. Got a 2018 X5 40e with RF and did not change them. The generation of RF after those of my 2015 seem to be better, but still wear rapidly--I expect the X5 RF's to reach the BMW wear limit a little after 20K miles. I would always replace RF tires with goflats, if I were keeping the car. Carried jack and spare in my 528i when i had the goflats on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote