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[grafiksguy]

Originally Posted by Deep_Blue

I hated them too, until I got a flat going 80-ish one day...

All I felt was a slight pull to the right and a bit of steering wheel wobble. I went a few exits down before I thought "its probably nothing, but i should check it out" Pulled into a gas station, passenger front wheel was COMPLETELY flat.

Dealer said to drive it in staying below 55. Drove it in no problem. When i got there and touched the sidewall it was hot from flexing with each rotation of the wheel, and i could push it back like a flat basketball.

It was cut so badly on the inner sidewall that the steel belts were sticking out. I'm amazed I didn't fly off the road or into the divider whenever the blowout happened. With normal tires I probably would have. Converted me on the spot. Two more runflat Pilot Sports on the front please.

Yes these are the situations that proponents always point to in support of RFTs. Its just that I've been driving for over 40 years and have never had a catastrophic "blow out". I've had flats at highway speeds, but nothing that approximated the dramatic loss of control depicted in Hollywood blowouts. Sure as your situation shows, it's possible, but it seems like the unforgiving, bone rattling ride is a huge compromise for 99.8% of the time.

[Pittsburger]

Originally Posted by BlueBimmer

agreed - I've lived in Houston, compared to NY, NJ, CT or Philly Texas is silky smooth.

I concur. NYC is one of the worst.
Pittsburgh is also no fun especially at a bad railroad crossing.

Although rfts are more bone jarring, the firm sidewall quality is a unique handling experience... Probably great for Southern California roads.

H rated Conti rft are a decent rft that I have tried. But I am replacing rfts with pss and AAA basic.

[Revlis]

Bummer to hear that there haven't been any changes since 2008. Looks like I will be getting a set of Conti's or Michelins on order for delivery. I couldn't stand the Bridgestones a few years ago, so I'm just going to skip the disappointment this time.

[flip4335]

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

and when they are not sucking, they blow!

A perfect vacuum...

Originally Posted by krhodes1

The Continentals that came on my '11 ride OK, even on broken Maine pavement, at least in a 17" size. The Bridgestones that came on the older cars felt like they were made of cast iron.

My issues with them are the cost and the weight. And the fact that all they will do is get you to a tire store that won't have one in stock anyway.

I noticed on Tire Rack that the UTQG rating of the tire compounds is much softer than previously rated...almost as soft a compound as Drag Radials...so that is probably why the runflats seem better.

[N8N]

Originally Posted by flip4335

I noticed on Tire Rack that the UTQG rating of the tire compounds is much softer than previously rated...almost as soft a compound as Drag Radials...so that is probably why the runflats seem better.

yeah, it would appear that a set of PSS should theoretically last twice as long as the 'stones... does it really work that way in real life? If so that's a pretty good argument for going with the Michelins...

[Gary@TireRack]

UTQG ratings are only comparable within the same manufacturer. IE a Bridgestone 400 does not equal a Michelin 400.

Also the relative stickiness of the rubber compound plays only a very minor role in regards to ride quality. Ride quality is mostly determined by sidewall stiffness and other design characteristics of the tire itself.

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by N8N

yeah, it would appear that a set of PSS should theoretically last twice as long as the 'stones... does it really work that way in real life? If so that's a pretty good argument for going with the Michelins...

Rated 30k on Michelin website. So far mine seem to be on their way to do about that, so that's twice as much as I got from my PS2. We'll see.

[Deep_Blue]

Originally Posted by grafiksguy

Yes these are the situations that proponents always point to in support of RFTs. Its just that I've been driving for over 40 years and have never had a catastrophic "blow out". I've had flats at highway speeds, but nothing that approximated the dramatic loss of control depicted in Hollywood blowouts. Sure as your situation shows, it's possible, but it seems like the unforgiving, bone rattling ride is a huge compromise for 99.8% of the time.

You make a fair point. I may come off my runflat loyalty, especially if Atlanta ever decides that manhole covers arent supposed to be sunk 3 inches into the pavement.

Its similar to what front wheel drive proponents say about FWD being better in the snow. Sure its great in the snow the 1 or 2 days of the year you need it (in the South), but wouldnt you rather have a better handling car the other 364 days of the year?

[secondmidlifecrisiscar]

Bought used 225xi beginning of May and took it on a 3500 mile trip beginning the next day. Had I not already decided to change from the run flat tires after the trip, I'd have decided while on it. New York state seems to be in competition with Michigan (where I live) for horrible roads.

Bought a new set of Pirelli P7 conventional tires. Quieter, much more comfortable, and sticky as glue (for an all-season tire).

I can't imagine how anyone could pay upwards of 50k and put up with the noisy and uncomfortable ride you get with the run flats.

[secondmidlifecrisiscar]

Correction, typo. My car is a 335xi.

[Rickstir]

When I first bought my BMW335i X drive I was happy to have run flats and not need a spare, but I quickly discovered they were the cause for the hard ride I was experiencing.

About 12K into BMW, I hit a pot hole in Baltimore City and I didnt think anything about it, until the low pressure light came on, and I discovered that I had a side wall blow out that I could slide 3 fingers into with no problem. I was happy that I could continue my drive home. I called my local tire shop and to my horror, I was told I would have to replace all 4 tires. X drives models apparently require that all 4 tires be the same or very similar circumference. I thought this was a bunch of crap, so I called my trusted BMW dealer, only to find out that the tire shop was correct. So I purchased 4 new run flats and I was back on the road with a "hard" ride.

At 41K miles I hit another pot hole in Baltimore and I had the same problem, not quite as bad, but none the less I needed another 4 tires. this was getting frustrating and very costly. I decided to purchase regular non run flat tires. I went with the Continental DWS Extremes. 10K miles later I love the tires and the car no longer rides hard. The ride and handling are much better.

I did not want a spare tire in my trunk, so I keep a portable air compressor and a can of fix-x-a-flat in the trunk and so far so good.

I will never again use run flats, and as good as BMW is, I have no idea why they continue to use them.