Yet another Run Flat tire question/dilema!

Can't stand the run-flats. I will be switching next season to something non RF.

Just last week I was in Rapid City, SD, when driver's side rear tire went "flat". Of course it was non repairable as it was a tear, not a puncture. The problem....not a single tire that size in the whole town. Had to have one overnighted for 150-total bill $707. Lost a day of vacation, and had to drive 900 miles in 10 hours to make a meeting back in Nevada. It worked out, but I was not a happy camper. I assume I'm not the only one that time=money, and losing time to no spare is making me consider other brands.

While I'm on the rant, also had a flat on my 6 this spring. Northern NV is literally empty country. I was only 40 miles from home, so figured I'd just go slow like the book says and I'd be fine. Tire sidewall separated from the heat after 20 miles and had to get a tow anyway. So lost both the tire and a 300 tow, when I could have just done the tow and fixed the tire. Was just a puncture.

Sick and tired of RF's, and living where I do, a spare is a necessity.

Originally Posted by nanotech1

Can't stand the run-flats. I will be switching next season to something non RF.

Just last week I was in Rapid City, SD, when driver's side rear tire went "flat". Of course it was non repairable as it was a tear, not a puncture. The problem....not a single tire that size in the whole town. Had to have one overnighted for 150-total bill $707. Lost a day of vacation, and had to drive 900 miles in 10 hours to make a meeting back in Nevada. It worked out, but I was not a happy camper. I assume I'm not the only one that time=money, and losing time to no spare is making me consider other brands.

Agree with you on the RF. Instead of spending over $700, I would have purchased a non RF tire and considered that the start of the 4 tire replacement.

Good opportunity to reduce the aggravation

How often are you needing to change out your RF tires for normal wear and tear? Will I make it 3 years with my new Beemer or am I looking at a swap at some point, assuming no flats or potholes. Thanks.

i can't speak for luxo/cruisers, but 5 years ago on my porsche twin turbo I couldn't stand Continentals....I thought they were cheap, wore tread too fast, but understood the German connection. I switched to much more expensive tire and almost instantly (after wearing in the tread) felt a massive improvement. I told myself never again on the Continentals.....But that was more performance orientated issues (and a while ago), so not sure i'm much of help on this one.

I have a 2013 Alpina B7 on order, which does not come with RFs, and I have already decided to buy an emergency spare and will just throw it in the trunk. Has anyone else done this?

I traded in my Audi RS4 for the 750. Drove it for 5 years and 70k as DD, the RS4 did not have a spare (that space was occupied by a battery) and the tires were high-performance 275x30x19 non-RF. Did not have a single puncture even on long x-country trips. So I'm personally not worried to go non-RF again whatsoever. If once in a blue moon a problem happens, I'll deal with this. There is always roadside assistance if necessary as well.

Thanks. This will be my first BMW after 20 years of Audis and three consecutive S8's. curious to see how it will be diffent.

How a great V10 gonna be different from a decent turbo V8? Mmmm......

yes, I will miss the V10, but I am due for a new car and the new S8 is a V8 turbo as well. And the B7 is a better looking car with a significantly higher residual. Can't wait to take delivery.

Originally Posted by kath00

How often are you needing to change out your RF tires for normal wear and tear? Will I make it 3 years with my new Beemer or am I looking at a swap at some point, assuming no flats or potholes. Thanks.

My first set of Pirellis lasted 20K miles. The second set of Pirellis were worn enough at 13K miles that I decided to upgrade to Continental non run flats. I am happy, but the lack of a spare does trouble me.

why don't you buy an emergency spare and just keep it in the trunk? They're only a few hundred $$ and is pretty small, and will give peace of mind. That's what I am thinking of doing. The only issue is trunk space.

Originally Posted by azbimmer

My first set of Pirellis lasted 20K miles. The second set of Pirellis were worn enough at 13K miles that I decided to upgrade to Continental non run flats. I am happy, but the lack of a spare does trouble me.

Wow, and I was griping about having to change out my Lexus LS tires at 30k.

Originally Posted by jtimmer

I have a 2013 Alpina B7 on order, which does not come with RFs, and I have already decided to buy an emergency spare and will just throw it in the trunk. Has anyone else done this?

I got rid of run flats and keep a $20 inflation kit in the trunk:

http://www.slime.com/shop/category/p.../smart-spairs/

There is no space saver spare for our 7, I asked the dealership and also searched online.

My dealer told me that the following is an emergency spare for the 7:

Emergency Rim 36116796147: 18x4.5
Tire: 135 80r18 Conti
All in cost including jack kit is about $569.

For me the question is whether it is small/light enough to make it worth buying instead of one of the Alpina 18" winter wheels that I will have anyway.

Apparently it has to special ordered from Germany. Maybe that is why you can't find it.

Had run flats on my 750i told the dealer would not buy it unless he got me a full size spare to go with it, (front wheel that is) , that worked, now running on non run flat Firestone 500 Indy ovals

Originally Posted by Dutch750i

Had run flats on my 750i told the dealer would not buy it unless he got me a full size spare to go with it, (front wheel that is) , that worked, now running on non run flat Firestone 500 Indy ovals

I really do not have an option, for a quality tire that is an exact fit for my RR. I'm just sticking with the Goodyear Run on Flats. Luckily, the ride in my RR is very composed and posh (although I know it could be heaven, w/non-RF tires!

Originally Posted by Deutsch100

I really do not have an option, for a quality tire that is an exact fit for my RR. I'm just sticking with the Goodyear Run on Flats. Luckily, the ride in my RR is very composed and posh (although I know it could be heaven, w/non-RF tires!

You can try various tire sizes (eg. 295/35 R20 instead of 295/40R20) on http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html

I've upsized/downsized several times and as long as you're within a +- 3% rate from the original tire, no errors etc. are tripped.