Help tires -06, e60-525I

[911S Targa]

I need to buy some new tires for my 06 525I non sport suspension.. Its running Continental run flats right now, but they really need to be replaced.

Looking at either BF Goodrich G Force sports, or the Goodyear Eagle GT's.

Is it really necessary to run run flat tires ? I mostly do city driving, but do use the car to go from Vegas to so Cali at least 9 times a year.

Any and all suggestions will be very appreciated

[GIBSON]

Bill, when you ask the dealer this, they will always say you should stay with the run-flats. The main reason is that there is no room for a spare. A few cars with run-flats have a "dummy spare" so you might get something in that spot but if you car has no place for a spare, that's a consideration. You can run other tires and
hope for no problems or keep a couple of cans of tire-inflater on hand.

Run flats do better on high-aspect tires. They also do better on cars without sport suspension. My nephew has replaced 5 run-flats on his 540 with sport suspension.
I have them on my X-5, Bridgestones, no problems so far.

[911S Targa]

Awww. I will need to check too see if I have a spare. Its at the dealer right now getting service done.
So if no spare, run flats, or a couple of can of fix a flat are needed.

I really don't want to replace the tires with the same brand that are on it now, very low customer rating, and crappy road noise, esp for the high cost.

Should I be looking at bridge stones ? I have so 3's on my 911, but really don't need those on this BMW.

[GIBSON]

I think Bridgestone has the most experience in run-flats but I'm not sure they are the best. I'm running S02's on the C4S now and do like the Bridgestone tires, have not had enough experience with the run-flats on the X-5 to say for sure but they seem like good tires.

Again, I think you'll be ok with the aspect ratio your car will run. It's the 35/40 aspect ratio run-flats that seem to be more problematic. And the technology gets better every year so you should be ok with the run-flats. My opinion of course!

Let me know which way you go, I'd be interested.