Run-Flats in Winter?

Lynchwayne · 01-08-2007, 01:00 AM

About 2 weeks and counting for my new baby (e92 Space Grey). Copped the 18" - style 189 wheels to match.

I heard that the Run-Flats are to much of a danger if the temperature drops below 0. I don't want to plant it in a ditch the first few days of bad wether. Anyone have any recommendations on suitable alternatives that don't have a 16" flat-black metal rim @ $50/piece that kills the look in it. Does it make sense to get a set of anything else?

Gary@TireRack · 01-08-2007, 10:51 AM

Run flat tires are fine in lower temps, in fact there are run flat winter tires available and popular on this forum. The problem you'll have is not that you have run flat tires, but that your tires are summer-only tires, not all seasons. Summer-only tires will be extremely poor in snow and have reduced grip even on dry cold roads. No 16" and very few 17" wheels will fit over the brakes and none are plain steel wheels. You can view a list of current selections here :

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

SoYank · 01-08-2007, 11:21 AM

Without the Performance Package, the stock tires are all-season run-flats. It's the tires that come with the Performance Package that are not recommended for driving in snow or ice.

I once had a car that came with "Summer Compound" tires. It was brutal driving that thing in snow so I opted for a set of all-seasons. They looked exactly like the original and performed just as bad.

Gary@TireRack · 01-08-2007, 03:03 PM

Since he opted for 18" the only available runflat tires currently produced in those sizes are summer-only tires, the Bridgestone RE050A RFT.

tirana · 01-08-2007, 06:44 PM

I have the same 18" summer tires and you should invest in a set of winters on a second set of alloy rims. The dealer will charge C$3000 or so for a set of alloy rims and tires but there are plenty of options at TireRack or locally. You can find some very nice rims for about C$200 each (less than the tires). I use (17") Dunlop wintersport M3 225/45/17 DSST run flats but there are also cheaper tires. BTW, is your E92 a 328 or 335?

Lynchwayne · 01-10-2007, 12:46 AM

Thanks for the ideas. The e92 is a 335. I don't know if this will make any difference in the recommendations that you guys have made for the tire types.

01-08-2007, 01:00 AM	#1
Lynchwayne New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: e92 2007 (AT) - Space Grey Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hamilton, Ontario CANADA iTrader: (0)	Run-Flats in Winter? About 2 weeks and counting for my new baby (e92 Space Grey). Copped the 18" - style 189 wheels to match. I heard that the Run-Flats are to much of a danger if the temperature drops below 0. I don't want to plant it in a ditch the first few days of bad wether. Anyone have any recommendations on suitable alternatives that don't have a 16" flat-black metal rim @ $50/piece that kills the look in it. Does it make sense to get a set of anything else?
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01-08-2007, 10:51 AM	#2
Gary@TireRack Moderator 372 Rep 4,742 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	Run flat tires are fine in lower temps, in fact there are run flat winter tires available and popular on this forum. The problem you'll have is not that you have run flat tires, but that your tires are summer-only tires, not all seasons. Summer-only tires will be extremely poor in snow and have reduced grip even on dry cold roads. No 16" and very few 17" wheels will fit over the brakes and none are plain steel wheels. You can view a list of current selections here : Winter http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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01-08-2007, 11:21 AM	#3
SoYank Major General 584 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	Without the Performance Package, the stock tires are all-season run-flats. It's the tires that come with the Performance Package that are not recommended for driving in snow or ice. I once had a car that came with "Summer Compound" tires. It was brutal driving that thing in snow so I opted for a set of all-seasons. They looked exactly like the original and performed just as bad. __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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01-08-2007, 03:03 PM	#4
Gary@TireRack Moderator 372 Rep 4,742 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	Since he opted for 18" the only available runflat tires currently produced in those sizes are summer-only tires, the Bridgestone RE050A RFT. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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01-08-2007, 06:44 PM	#5
tirana Lieutenant 15 Rep 575 Posts Drives: M2 6MT + F25 35i AT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (2)	I have the same 18" summer tires and you should invest in a set of winters on a second set of alloy rims. The dealer will charge C$3000 or so for a set of alloy rims and tires but there are plenty of options at TireRack or locally. You can find some very nice rims for about C$200 each (less than the tires). I use (17") Dunlop wintersport M3 225/45/17 DSST run flats but there are also cheaper tires. BTW, is your E92 a 328 or 335?
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01-10-2007, 12:46 AM	#6
Lynchwayne New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: e92 2007 (AT) - Space Grey Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hamilton, Ontario CANADA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the ideas. The e92 is a 335. I don't know if this will make any difference in the recommendations that you guys have made for the tire types.
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