Run flats or regular tires ?

I read an article about pros/cons for BMW RFT (i believe the article was on tirerack). The article pointed out that the same RFT rims cannot be used to mount regular tires. From the reading here, it appears none of you have mentioned anything about replacing your rims. The 328 has RFT and we're considering to replace them with regular tires for greater longevity and also pick up a donut or spare tire and throw it in the trunk..

Can anyone please offer clarity here? Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by goinsurfin

I read an article about pros/cons for BMW RFT (i believe the article was on tirerack). The article pointed out that the same RFT rims cannot be used to mount regular tires. From the reading here, it appears none of you have mentioned anything about replacing your rims. The 328 has RFT and we're considering to replace them with regular tires for greater longevity and also pick up a donut or spare tire and throw it in the trunk..

Can anyone please offer clarity here? Thanks so much!

Non RFTs can be mounted on BMW E9x OEM rims.

CA

Originally Posted by goinsurfin

I read an article about pros/cons for BMW RFT (i believe the article was on tirerack). The article pointed out that the same RFT rims cannot be used to mount regular tires. From the reading here, it appears none of you have mentioned anything about replacing your rims. The 328 has RFT and we're considering to replace them with regular tires for greater longevity and also pick up a donut or spare tire and throw it in the trunk..

Can anyone please offer clarity here? Thanks so much!

You can check with Tire Rack, but RFT tires use the standard rims, so no reason you can't switch. Tire design is different, not the rim.

Not sure if this istill the case, but a few years ago, you were advised not to mount RFTs on standard wheels as a special flange was needed to retain the bead when flat. But go-flats can always be mounted to OEM BMW RFT designed wheels, as many of us have discovered.

So there is no need to buy new wheels simply because you are replacing RFTs with non RFTS.

Tom

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Not sure if this istill the case, but a few years ago, you were advised not to mount RFTs on standard wheels as a special flange was needed to retain the bead when flat. But go-flats can always be mounted to OEM BMW RFT designed wheels, as many of us have discovered.

So there is no need to buy new wheels simply because you are replacing RFTs with non RFTS.

Tom

The special flanged rim and tire were early run flat attempts.

Originally Posted by madurodave

The special flanged rim and tire were early run flat attempts.

no, most rims intended for use with runflats are "EH2" or "EH2+" rims. still currently used, they are not mandatory for runflat use, but help to retain the tire when the tire is "run flat"

bmw OEM rims are EH2+. they can take runflat or non runflat tires.

Originally Posted by goinsurfin

I read an article about pros/cons for BMW RFT (i believe the article was on tirerack). The article pointed out that the same RFT rims cannot be used to mount regular tires. From the reading here, it appears none of you have mentioned anything about replacing your rims. The 328 has RFT and we're considering to replace them with regular tires for greater longevity and also pick up a donut or spare tire and throw it in the trunk..

Can anyone please offer clarity here? Thanks so much!

It's perfectly acceptable to mount non-RF tires on wheels designed for RF tires. Our BMW wheels have a special safety feature known as an "extended hump" in the bead-seating area that helps keep the tire bead from dislodging during runflat operation. RF tires are prone to bead dislodgment due to their design -- a safety issue. Consequently, they should not be mounted on wheels that are not designed for RF tires (so called EH2 bead contour wheels...as marked, stamped on the wheel).

I just switched last month when my ContiproContact RFT were worn down


I went to go flats and my ride is HEAPS better. so much its like a new car


now the ass-end grips the road instead of sliding/drifting ( in extreme turns)


The only positive is that RFT's are like riding on rails but the ride sucks



This comes from my experience on my 2008 335XI CPO


I hear the newer models have a better ride with the RFT's who knows



I went the route of getting a SLIME mobility kit in the back just in case but I have AAA, BMW roadside and BMW CCA so I am triple covered!!

OK great. So I'll use the same rims but switch all 4 to regular/non run flat tires.

Thanks for everyone's input!

I spent a lot of time researching replacing the 225/45/17 oem run flats on my 07 335 convertible. I really wanted to go with non rf as I disliked the rough ride of the oem bridgestone second generation potenzas. After the research I decided to stay with the Bridgestone Potenzas but selected the third generation RE960AS Pole Position tiresome flats.

I made the correct decision. These tires are 100% better than the second generation rf that came with the car. The 335 feels like it is riding on regular tires. They are quiet and smooth. Special ordered them at Costco. No regrets.

Run Flats are just too expensive to justify. I've been looking for another set of wheels and I'm just going to get 5 wheels and tires and keep the spare in the garage and call my wife if I ever get stranded. Long trips = throw in trunk.

Performance at a slight inconvenience.

BTW, a few of you are asking about the issue or rims. I think the notion that the rims are not compatible may have come from one of the earlier RF systems. I know some Honda minivans came with these special rims that had some feature that allowed the car to run on tires with no pressure. The RFT systems on BMWs have never employed that technology though and the rims can be used for any kind of tire.

I disagree with Caleb Matthew (with no disrespect intended, of course) about the improvement with the 3G BS Potenzas. I have those tires, and they've been fine. I wouldn't say there is a major improvement in ride quality - it is far more subtle. Then again, I was fine with the ride quality in the earlier generations too.

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

I disagree with Caleb Matthew (with no disrespect intended, of course) about the improvement with the 3G BS Potenzas. I have those tires, and they've been fine. I wouldn't say there is a major improvement in ride quality - it is far more subtle. Then again, I was fine with the ride quality in the earlier generations too.

I appreciate the input. I guess it would be hard for them to live up to the hype. And of course any new tire is going to feel better than the old tire, so very hard to compare.

I've heard (read) Gary from tire rack say multiple times that the ContiProcontact SSRs are actually more quiet and comfortable than the 3G Potenzas. Guess he would know. Although there was another guy from tirerack (Alex I believe?) who said the 3G potenzas are the best runflat ever. He may have been taking into account performance rather than strictly ride quality though.

Just ditched the RFTs for Michelin Pilot Super Sports. What a difference! I don't have to hold my breath every time I drive over any imperfection on the road.

Originally Posted by matts335

I appreciate the input. I guess it would be hard for them to live up to the hype. And of course any new tire is going to feel better than the old tire, so very hard to compare.

I've heard (read) Gary from tire rack say multiple times that the ContiProcontact SSRs are actually more quiet and comfortable than the 3G Potenzas. Guess he would know. Although there was another guy from tirerack (Alex I believe?) who said the 3G potenzas are the best runflat ever. He may have been taking into account performance rather than strictly ride quality though.

I have a loaner with the Contis right now. They are definitely not quieter than the BS tires. If anything, they are a tad noisier.

Otherwise, I don't see a huge difference between the tires. Both are fine and should be real easy to live with over time.

The whole set with wheels that were on closeout was 930 delivered.
The wheels are lighter and look better than the originals.
As stated ride is better and they are incredibly quite compared to the BS Turanza's

At times like these, I love the Internet.

I've replaced random tires on my 2008 335ix which came with the BS Turanza EL42 225/45R17 RFTs, but now, at 71,000 miles, one tire is just about down to the wear bars, one still has got 4 mm left, and the back tires each have 2mm until wear bars. Based on that, I should probably replace all four. My original tire and wheel warranty has expired, so I'll probably look elsewhere for tires.

I'm in Minnesota, and have all-wheel drive, so decent all-season tires are important. Like others, I've found the ride on the original tires pretty harsh. From this thread, it appears the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT tires would be a good option, as would the Continental ContiProContact SSR RFT.

I can afford to wait a few weeks. A friend mentioned that Discount Tire often has Black Friday sales. I'll also be checking Tire Rack, and our local Tires Plus stores, but any pointers would be appreciated. I saw one mention of CostCo. I never thought to check Sam's Club, but perhaps they have these tires as well. Are there any concerns about Sam's or CostCo being skilled at installing the RFT with TPMS? Long, long ago I worked at a service station and mounted many a set of tires, but we didn't have RFT or TPMS back then, and I'm not sure if that makes things more difficult or not.

Thanks,

John

what size rims do you have. I have 2009 335 x drive with 18 inch runflat 40s in front and 18 inch runflat 35s in rear. Just got it three months ago and already went through one front tire (sidewall bubble). Concerned about bumps / potholes and winter driving and looking for feedback.

The lower the profile, the more chance of bent rims and bubbles.

FWIW, I just put on my (new) winter set - 225/45R18 all round. Yeah, that's a bit taller than the sport package staggared set that are my normal (and which you appear to have, too), but it actually makes the speedo only 1 mph fast rather than 2-3 fast, so it's not much bigger. The rims are ugly and cheapo Enkei, but I have no doubt that the taller profile will protect them.

BTW, although it's hard to compare two such disparate tires, the non-RFT Blizzak LM-60 snows are perhaps a bit less crashy over potholes/pavement seams than the SP Michelin PS2 ZP. I don't see much benefit in going to non-RFT after comparing the ride with my PS2 ZP. They're much louder and have quite a bit more initial understeer at turn-in (more due to taller profile and winter tread than anything else.)

OK thanks, did you consider 17 rims.

Originally Posted by Teesand

OK thanks, did you consider 17 rims.

I did, but it would have been more expensive. Used 18" tires and rims for $500, even with 5K miles on them is way cheaper than new - $125/rim + $200/tire.

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Any reason not to consider the Conti DWS? After 20,000 miles, I'm enjoying mine more and more.

Tom

I've heard some positives concerning the Cont DWS...

Originally Posted by Chop362

I've heard some positives concerning the Cont DWS...

On second set for my 530. On first set on Z4. Love them so far!

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

BTW, a few of you are asking about the issue or rims. I think the notion that the rims are not compatible may have come from one of the earlier RF systems. I know some Honda minivans came with these special rims that had some feature that allowed the car to run on tires with no pressure. The RFT systems on BMWs have never employed that technology though and the rims can be used for any kind of tire.

I disagree with Caleb Matthew (with no disrespect intended, of course) about the improvement with the 3G BS Potenzas. I have those tires, and they've been fine. I wouldn't say there is a major improvement in ride quality - it is far more subtle. Then again, I was fine with the ride quality in the earlier generations too.

Honda uses a diff run flat system than BMW, and most manufacturers. Dying.

Caleb's spot-on if he's never had run flats installed. He'd learn a good lesson installing Michelin PSS's.

I know that a lot of people really like the RE960AS, but what if you want a summer RFT instead of an all-season RFT?

As far as I know, there are only 3 options:
* RE050A (oem)
* PS2
* Pirelli P zero

Obviously the OEM is terrible, we can rule it out. Consensus seems to be that the PS2 is better than the Pzero.

But are there any other summer RFTs that should be considered? (And yes, I know the goflat PSS is better than all of these. Humor me.)