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[Lotus99]

I too was going to switch them out to regulars once they were done, considering I have a spare, to save $, better handling, more tire choices, and the good old reason "how often have you really had a flat?"

For a decade I never had a flat.

Then this past year, I've had two already in the 5 wagon (my 3 series also has run flats). The first time, the car was fully loaded with stuff, two kids and a dog in it, and I was luckily only 10 miles from home, so drove home, put on the spare winter tire in half an hour (it was the fall, so not too hot) as I have a jack for swapping my winters,and dropped off the tire to be fixed at the tire shop the next day. Since I'd barely driven on it, and the air pressure wasn't super low, they fixed it no problem. Didn't have to unload the car or anything, and pull out the crappy little jack in the trunk, which is a pain to get to by itself.

Then the other week, my wife comes home and said there was the low tire pressure sign on, and I see this huge screw in the middle of the tire. The tire pressure was down to 20 PSI, so I pumped it up to 40, drove 5 miles to the nearest tire shop, and the guy fixed it for me within an hour and I drove off.

I have to say, I'm thinking my next set for this car will probably now still be run flats. Especially since this is the family car, we go on occasional long trips with it in the summer, and are planning on going to the mountains every weekend this winter. So I think I'll pay for the extra insurance by running run flats still.

Thoughts? The only thing is with my 3, since it's mostly a city car, I can afford being stranded til a tow truck shows up, seeing it has no spare, and I usually just drive it by myself, so I might just switch anyway.

[koh0886]

agreed, they have really bad side walls cuz i get bubbles a lot but the run flats have saved me more from nails. i work in newark so there's all kinds of crap on the road here. not having to stop and just driving to the tire repair shop to be fixed the same day is awesome

[SilverII]

its your choice. i prefer to pay less and get better grip/ride

[Turb0Surge]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

I too was going to switch them out to regulars once they were done, considering I have a spare, to save $, better handling, more tire choices, and the good old reason "how often have you really had a flat?"

For a decade I never had a flat.

Then this past year, I've had two already in the 5 wagon (my 3 series also has run flats). The first time, the car was fully loaded with stuff, two kids and a dog in it, and I was luckily only 10 miles from home, so drove home, put on the spare winter tire in half an hour (it was the fall, so not too hot) as I have a jack for swapping my winters,and dropped off the tire to be fixed at the tire shop the next day. Since I'd barely driven on it, and the air pressure wasn't super low, they fixed it no problem. Didn't have to unload the car or anything, and pull out the crappy little jack in the trunk, which is a pain to get to by itself.

Then the other week, my wife comes home and said there was the low tire pressure sign on, and I see this huge screw in the middle of the tire. The tire pressure was down to 20 PSI, so I pumped it up to 40, drove 5 miles to the nearest tire shop, and the guy fixed it for me within an hour and I drove off.

I have to say, I'm thinking my next set for this car will probably now still be run flats. Especially since this is the family car, we go on occasional long trips with it in the summer, and are planning on going to the mountains every weekend this winter. So I think I'll pay for the extra insurance by running run flats still.

Thoughts? The only thing is with my 3, since it's mostly a city car, I can afford being stranded til a tow truck shows up, seeing it has no spare, and I usually just drive it by myself, so I might just switch anyway.

It takes you half an hour to change one tire? Lol but yeah, as much as I don't like the performance of the runflats, they are usefull for what they are made. I wish bmw would have left room in the trunk (like the e46) for a spare. I would have greatly preffered that... But oh well.

[MattMD]

I have AAA for future mishaps when I take mine off - something you should consider. (not sure if they're in Canada or not) But, it's a 24/7 service and they do much more than just call tow trucks.

For you, I'd say performance non run flats in the 3, run flats in the 5.

[Meeni]

Have a AAA or BMW assist membership for a minor portion of the RFT price tag. It can serve other failures than just tires.

[jcarv20s]

Bought the car in April, RFT's. RFT got flat (sounds weird) in July....RFT's you'll always suck to me!

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by koh0886

agreed, they have really bad side walls cuz i get bubbles a lot but the run flats have saved me more from nails. i work in newark so there's all kinds of crap on the road here. not having to stop and just driving to the tire repair shop to be fixed the same day is awesome

Good point. That's one negative too. It's happened to me a few times too, but at least the Goodyears come automatically with a prorated warranty, so I was able to get them replaced with less $ than having to buy a new one.

Originally Posted by The Low Key OG

I have AAA for future mishaps when I take mine off - something you should consider. (not sure if they're in Canada or not) But, it's a 24/7 service and they do much more than just call tow trucks.

For you, I'd say performance non run flats in the 3, run flats in the 5.

I do have AAA. As well as the BMW Assist, which would do the same - tow me somewhere. But having been thru it, if it's just a flat I have, I'd rather do the above than wait around for 30-60 minutes for him to come, then tow me, then wait for the tire shop to fix, etc.

The fact that I barely lost time and could carry on (which I could if I installed the spare too, in the 5 series) is priceless and worth a few hundred extra $ over a few years you own the tires.

But for the 3, you're right, it's a different compromise, and I'd rather have the better handling tire, and give up the insurance factor.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by jcarv20s

Bought the car in April, RFT's. RFT got flat (sounds weird) in July....RFT's you'll always suck to me!

Got a puncture in one of my non-RFTs two months after I bought them to replace the OEM RFTs. Nails suck.

Tom

[mlifxs]

It's personal choice. If I lived somewhere cold and remote I might have them (run-flats).

If you're willing to take a small risk and willing to learn how to plug a tire, you can save $$ with non-runflats and lose a decent amount of un-sprung weight in the process. I've taken two nails but definitely don't regret ditching the runflats.

[EJ_3]

Good write up. RFT have some good advantages (like taking nails) just like non-RFT (grip and sidewalls). I also plan on going back to RFTs after I burn through my 2 sets of tires... or I'll keep a set around incase I decide to go to a track event. For daily driving, RFT is the way to go.

[GoRomeo]

I ve had a punture for over a month now on my RFT's. speaking of I need to have it repaired. I am sure If I had non RFT's I would heve been stranded with a flat somewhere. I am in sunny San Diego so summer tires can be used all year long. I know they are stiff, but here in CA with nice freeways dont seem to care to much. I v had my front set of tires for over 3 years cant complaint right?

[VMRWheels]

Yup, pros and cons. I think the convenience and safety factor was a huge reason why BMW opted to get run-flats on their cars. Since it's a family car and you seem to get many nails in your area, I'd stick with it. If you think it's coincidence and bad luck, switch to standard tires and keep a spare in the trunk. :twocents:

[Lotus99]

Thx, yeah, I'm leaning towards what you're saying. On the 5 series forum, someone shared this story with me, which if true (that the RFT's are what saved him), it's pretty impressive, notwithstanding how rare blowouts are:

Last year, my dad was driving home (BMW 120D on RFT's) on a dual carriage way, he was doing around 75mph, when he was overtaken by an Audi in a hurry. Some debris in the road ahead caused both cars to suffer instant punctures, the Audi suffered a serious blow-out and destroyed itself in bouncing off the central reservation and other cars in the space of 100 metres. My father was hard on the brakes to avoid the collision and with one tire going down gradually came to a nice straight stop.

Luckily the occupants of the Audi were ok, the car and two other cars were not. We are both convinced the RFT controlled the deflation in the BMW.

[Legion5]

If you're going to get run flats get the Michelin ones, they have extremely good performance.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by Legion5

If you're going to get run flats get the Michelin ones, they have extremely good performance.

Correct. For summer only run flat tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP is the way to go.


Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ires/index.jsp

[Vector]

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

Correct. For summer only run flat tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP is the way to go.


Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ires/index.jsp

Much better than the Bridgestones I had before. They do not bubble and have a more comfortable ride. Every time I hit a pothole, I knew there would be another bubble in the sidewall. This is not the case with the Michelins!