Runflat tires, any experiences to share?

[89911]

I just sold me 550i and picked up a 2011 535i xDrive with an M sport option that includes 19" wheels with run flats. My previous car also had 19" wheels and I placed Michelin Pilot Super sport non run flat tires on it. The tires on the 2011 are for the most part new and run fine. I had it up to 90+ on the drive back from Detroit where I bought it with no issues. I initially was going to ditch the run flats and place conventional tires on it from recommendations of superior handling, wear, and weight. I did pull the tires yesterday for some general cleaning and I am staggered at the weight of the wheel and tire of a run flat. Perhaps 50+ pounds each? Those that changed to conventional tires, did you notice any improvements? Any loss in performance?

[Scott R]

Nope, they are on my 328 and I don't notice they are there.

[Chocaholic]

Supposed to produce more road noise, but that might be perception more than reality.

[Jim Bremner]

I had Goodyear Supercar F1 runflats on the Corvette. They rode harsh, and traction was OK but would last 25k miles. I changed to Bridgetone RE11's HOLY COW!!!! traction! better ride quality and noise. They've lasted 37k miles.


I did get one flat tire. One the way to a Job interview!

[Rednine11]

I hate run flats.
My Mini Cooper S came with them
Really noisy and poor ride quality, I got rid of them. it was like a different car

[Seabear]

I replaced the run flats on my '12 335i with Sport Pilots. The run flats were hard, noisy, and greasy. I'm very happy with the Michelins, noise reduced and much better handling.

[Rtrorkt]

dump 'em. Had them on my '02 and '09 Coopers. Harsh right, crap handling and noisy. Have them on my wife's 328XiTouring and if I wasn't worried about her getting a flat somewhere and not being able to change the tire, I would dump them from her car as well.

[weseeeee]

I had them on my Lexus SC430 and they were stiff and loud. I (like Jim Bremner) switched to R11's and they transformed the car. The only down side was that I had to purchase a spare (donut style) tire.

[89911]

Thanks. I'm thinking about getting them sooner then later and then putting them back on whenever I sell it. Any issues with sidewall stiffness of run flats compared to non? I'm thinking as long as you match the stiffness with high performance tire, you should be ok. I think they are thinking that some might dump the run flats and get some cheap tires from Walmart with poor handling to follow. Doing some searching on Tirerack, I found the reviews for the tires I have on there now.


http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyComments.jsp?additionalComments=y&commentStatus=P&tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+LS-2+RunOnFlat&fromTireDetail=true&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=2011&autoModel=535i&autoModClar=&partnum=44VR9ELS2XLROF&tirePageLocQty=%26partnum%3D44VR9ELS2XLROF

[cairns]

You'll be so much happier without the run flats and I don't think you'll have any sidewall stiffness issues with a performance tire.

When the X5 needed new tires (20") the dealer wanted $3K for those crappy run flats which didn't last for 20K. We bought Toyos for less than a grand- they're lighter, they're quieter, much better dry grip and amazingly good wet grip. These are all season (not high performance) tires but it's an X5.

But if you don't have a spare I'd buy one before I went on any long trips though. It really pees me off BMW has gone this route....but they're not alone.

[weseeeee]

I checked the owners club forum to see what others with the same car had done. That's where I learned that the R11's were the most popular choice. I'll never go back to the runflats, their ride is too harsh for me.

[glewis80SC]

Had them on the wife's 325i.....hated em loud, harsh and if they go "flat" they have to replaced. Running standards now put a spare in back on long trips.

[rfloz]

Originally Posted by glewis80SC

Had them on the wife's 325i.....hated em loud, harsh and if they go "flat" they have to replaced. Running standards now put a spare in back on long trips.

Same issues with my daughter's 2006 325i. My 2001 325ci with sport suspension rides (and handles) better with 108,000 miles on the original shocks!

Did you rig any kind of tie-down for the spare?

[svandamme]

i loved the run flats on my previous 1 series car felt like it was on rails..
but those were 16 inch, dunno bout bigger wheels with lower profile tires.. I don't like slowing down for speedbumps...

On my current 1 series it has eco tires, no runflats, feels like a boat now

[red-beard]

I have runflats on the 2011 X5-35d. They are friggen expensive. I have a plan to replace them with standard tires and put a spare kit in the SUV.