do I have to have run flat?

I got a 2008 335XI sport package.. I need 4 tires:

front:
225/40 ZR 18

rear

255/35 ZR 18

I have run flats now, michelin super sport. They are 1500$ on tire rack. They have some decent other tires for 850$ but are not run flats.

Is that a big deal? and what differences do I expect ?

Thanks.

This may have been asked before

No, but you do have to search.

The car will be fine without run flats and many people have replaced the RFTs and are happy with the change, The major issue is the lack of room for a spare.

CA

Get the non run flats and see how it goes. Tread wear on Kuhmos (etc) is higher so grip will be slightly lower. I put 17" wheels on and the 225/45R17 Kumho Ecsta 4Xs are only $112.00 each + semi-work in snow too. It's not a race car so I'll save some pennies. Be sure to carry a repair kit/ fix-a-flat + mini compressor.

Originally Posted by MP3_E46

Get the non run flats and see how it goes. Tread wear on Kuhmos (etc) is higher so grip will be slightly lower. I put 17" wheels on and the 225/45R17 Kumho Ecsta 4Xs are only $112.00 each + semi-work in snow too. It's not a race car so I'll save some pennies. Be sure to carry a repair kit/ fix-a-flat + mini compressor.

The Kuhmo Ecsta are summer onlys, that turn into little rocks when it is below 40 degree. You should not go anywhere near snow in them.

I had a set and thought they were great overall. Handling, noise, and ride comfort were all great. They wore badly though.

Kuhmos are a lot of tire for the money.

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

The Kuhmo Ecsta are summer onlys, that turn into little rocks when it is below 40 degree. You should not go anywhere near snow in them.

I had a set and thought they were great overall. Handling, noise, and ride comfort were all great. They wore badly though.

Kuhmos are a lot of tire for the money.

Ecsta 4x are real all season and wear well IMO

Other Ecstas (AST etc) are kinda all season

Yet other Ecstas are summer only, yet other Ecstas are for track events

Their names were changed semi-recently and I am pretty sure there used to far fewer Ecstas.

Have been using them for years. Ecsta 4x has a decent tread wear (~400 IIRC) and grips fine for everyday driving + I used the 4x on seven AutoX events and two track days last year. Probably my skills are ready to move up but I am still having fun and they cost relative peanuts compared to BMW OEM Sport Package tyres - $1,400->1,500 for street tyres?!?! No thanks