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[Dalex]

Hello all, this is a great forum. I've spent a few weeks just reading through all sorts of topics and then finally became a member.

I am trying to decided between the 335i E92 and the 335i E90. I love the coupe, but we just had our first baby so I am conisdering the 4-door. I know that I will get the sports package, but I'm a little concerned about what I've heard/read about the run-flat tires. I know that BMW would not put out a less than VERY high quality product, but I would like to hear from some of your experiences (and gain from your wealth of knowledge!!)

1. Is the noise llevel really that bad??

2. Do they need to be replaced at a shorter interval than "normal" tires?

3. I live in the Chicagoland area, are the run-flats a bad idea in this kind of area?

4. Would you choose run-flats again? Why or Why not??

TIA

[govtec]

Originally Posted by Dalex

Hello all, this is a great forum. I've spent a few weeks just reading through all sorts of topics and then finally became a member.

I am trying to decided between the 335i E92 and the 335i E90. I love the coupe, but we just had our first baby so I am conisdering the 4-door. I know that I will get the sports package, but I'm a little concerned about what I've heard/read about the run-flat tires. I know that BMW would not put out a less than VERY high quality product, but I would like to hear from some of your experiences (and gain from your wealth of knowledge!!)

1. Is the noise llevel really that bad??

2. Do they need to be replaced at a shorter interval than "normal" tires?

3. I live in the Chicagoland area, are the run-flats a bad idea in this kind of area?

4. Would you choose run-flats again? Why or Why not??

TIA

welcome to the forum!

1. i have sp, the road noise is acceptable to me as a daily commuter car. it's really not that noisy but it's noticeable at times, don't expect a quiet lexus ride. i have music on most of the time anyway so it cancels out.

2. i have 17" all season sport, don't expect to get a long life out of these tires. i can see it last between 20k-30k miles with spirited driving every now and then.

3. i live in a metropolitan area as well. ur facing the same obstacles as regular tires i.e potholes, nails, road debris, snow. only difference is any damage to rft will cost u a little more than regular tires.

4. yes, for the convenience of not having to change a flat tire in the middle of the road and gives me an advantage to have control of car in case a tire pops.

[Ryan 330i]

i dont notice a difference between the 18" bridgestone RFT as far as noise goes vs. my last car with 18" goodyear eagle F1's. maybe its just me.
they are however a harder ride. in SF it is really easy to get a bubble in such low profile tires, but i havent experienced it yet. i too expect these tires to last maybe 20-30k miles at max. havent had a flat yet, but we will see how nicely they come in then...

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by govtec

2. i have 17" all season sport, don't expect to get a long life out of these tires. i can see it last between 20k-30k miles with spirited driving every now and then.

gov, which all season sport do you have; when did you replace your original ones?

[Asiann]

[QUOTE=Dalex]Hello all, this is a great forum. I've spent a few weeks just reading through all sorts of topics and then finally became a member.

I am trying to decided between the 335i E92 and the 335i E90. I love the coupe, but we just had our first baby so I am conisdering the 4-door. I know that I will get the sports package, but I'm a little concerned about what I've heard/read about the run-flat tires. I know that BMW would not put out a less than VERY high quality product, but I would like to hear from some of your experiences (and gain from your wealth of knowledge!!)

1. Is the noise llevel really that bad??

No not that bad

2. Do they need to be replaced at a shorter interval than "normal" tires?
yes, considerable

3. I live in the Chicagoland area, are the run-flats a bad idea in this kind of area?
only in the winter time

4. Would you choose run-flats again? Why or Why not??

I'm going with Mich PS2 for the next round and see how the ride quality improves. RFT's are harder tires in nature and you will feel a bumpy ride and more so if the roads are bad.

[JSpira]

Since you are getting the sport package, it's important to distinguish between the RF tires that are all season and the sport tires that come with the sport package.

Based on comments posted here, and my own experience, it seems that most people are quite happy with the sport RF tires. My own experience is that they are not harsher than other sport/summer performance tires that bmw puts on its cars, nor are they noisier.

Also, the wear on the sport RF tires is consistent with the wear on non RF sport tires.

[CnoteMD]

I don't think the run-flat tires are all that bad considering the benefits. The ride in my car is somewhat rough, but I would expect that with such a low sidewall profile (225-40-18 and 255-35-18). The other issue is cost. A set of 4 run-flat tires in my size will probably run about $200 more than a set of non-runflat tires.

However, the time saved from having to potentially pull over and change a tire on the road is worth it for me. There are many others who don't feel the same and I can't say that their perspective is wrong. Each persons priorities will vary.

However, the other day I had a very good experience with the runflats. I was driving along and got a flat tire warning. I was about 2 miles from a gas station, so I just kept on driving. After stopping, I couldn't even tell which tire was flat (I used a pressure guage on each wheel until I found the rear passenger tire was at about 20 psi - usually set at 37psi). I put some air into the tire and looked up the nearest BMW center on the navigation. I was able to call them while I was driving and then the car directed me step by step to the dealer. When I got there, they found a large nail in the tire. They tire was patched and I was on my way within 10 minutes.

I have had similar situations in the past and with regular tires, I would have had to put on a spare in order to keep going. With the runflats, I was confident that even if my tire lost all pressure while on my way to the BMW center, I could still keep going.

Speaking of treadwear, i would expect to get at least 15-20k miles out of these tires (Bridgestone R050). My tires have about 10k miles and the tires aren't even halfway worn (I probably have another 4k miles on my snow tires).

During the winter my car has a 2nd set of 17 inch wheels and snow tires (also runflat). Futhermore, when these tires wear out they will be replaced by another set of RFT's.

[BMW Believer]

I had the same experience with a nail, but i could tell which one was flat once i got to work. You could push the top of the right rear down. i would guess not much air pressure. The car rode so well i didn't think the light was working. I even took the corners on my way to work as i normally would. Mine was also able to be patched. I will go with run flats again, but they will be on my 335i sedan

[Asiann]

I know a set of Mich PS2's will run just over 1k but I don't know what the RFT's are going for? The RFT's you can fix with a patch or a plug. The non RFT's will yield maybe double the miles depending on what tire you can get. The RFT's might last 2-3 years at best. Get a flat driving thru Texas and good luck finding a tire shop that will have RFT in stock. Having a spare might be a pain but will not delay your trip as much. RFT's will provide a safer means to get to a gas station within 150 miles but then you are stuck.

[ward]

if you're into sporting driving



the RFT's don't grip at all

[visor]

Originally Posted by ward

if you're into sporting driving



the RFT's don't grip at all

I've heard this mentioned before, but I wonder why that would be?

The extra stiff sidewall in RFT's should provide better support in cornering. Whereas grip should be dependent on the tread compound, which should be the same for RFT's vs. non-RFT's of the same tire brand/model.

The only downside to RFT's that I can see is a slightly harsher ride due to the stiffer sidewalls, and a slightly heavier tire that may negatively affect performance (ie. extra unsprung weight and rotational inertia).

[Nikki]

I think they're fine. I have no problems with them and I would definitely get them again.

[Paul330d]

Like you, I hate cars with a harsh ride. Manufacturers seem obsessed about providing cars that can take bends at ridiculous speeds, when most of us just want nice, comfy suspension. IMHO, it's not the tyres that count, but rather the suspension setup. In Europe we are lucky in that we are able to order the sports package without the sports suspension. This is what I did and, despite my predelivery worries and the 18" RFTs, I am more than satisfied with the ride quality. I have owned about 15 cars, mostly European makes, and would say my e90 is in the top 3 comfort-wise. Just avoid that sports suspension, if you can

[Redguy]

I don't find the ride any different from my previous BM, an E36 318is saloon with the M-tech setup.

Safety-wise, I'm really glad to have them. To get rid of the chance of a high speed blow-out can only be a good thing. If there is a noise increase, I'll put up with it as it could be a possible life saver.

[visor]

Originally Posted by Redguy

I don't find the ride any different from my previous BM, an E36 318is saloon with the M-tech setup.

Safety-wise, I'm really glad to have them. To get rid of the chance of a high speed blow-out can only be a good thing. If there is a noise increase, I'll put up with it as it could be a possible life saver.

Unless you plan on regularly escaping from police spike belts (eg. that crazy E90 car chase a few months ago in the US), how often have you heard of a high speed blow-out happening? Either your tires have to be so severely underinflated without being noticed or you have to hit an object large enough on the road that you have to worry more about your car's lower lip and undercarriage than the tires.

IMO, that high speed blow-out safety thing that BMW touts for the RFT's is just a cheap way of selling to the fear of consumers. Not having to change tires by the roadside in the event of a puncture is one thing, but high speed blow-out?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by visor

how often have you heard of a high speed blow-out happening? Either your tires have to be so severely underinflated without being noticed or you have to hit an object large enough on the road that you have to worry more about your car's lower lip and undercarriage than the tires.

Quite often actually ( at least 3 a month )
At least 10 people were killed near here 2 weeks ago when their work transport blew a tire and lost control.

I live near a highway, and have friends that are paramedics that respond to these accidents


Most common cause of a blowout here is hitting a bolt or sparkplug on the road


Maybe you dont hear so many cases where your speed limits are lower
Ours is around 75mph with most people traveling around 87mph

[E90Fleet]

For my car ( 17" Bridgestone RE050 runflats on M SPort Suspension ) id say ( % of my happiness)

Ride 100%
Noise 95%
Grip 90%

[MeTaL]

If we could keep a spare tire in the trunk, well underneath the trunk at least... I would change my RFT's in a heartbeat. At the moment I'm having doubts about doing so... I mean, you don't have a spare tire with you so if you'd have a flat, you would be obligated to use BMW assist.

And come on...a car that costs this much should have a spare tire. Just BMW's way of promoting RFTs.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by ward

if you're into sporting driving



the RFT's don't grip at all

I completely disagree. My tires grip AS WELL as the summer performance tires that have been on my prevous BMWs with sport package.

[Dalex]

Great information. Since RFT's are not an option, I just wanted a little info from people that have had experience with them.

I will definitely get the sport package, now I have to decide on the sedan or coupe!!

[Bimmerforlife]

Wait, when you open the trunk and lift up the carpet area, there is no spare in the trunk? What about the space for a spare?

On my E46 I have a spare, the carpet lifts up and it's hidden under with the jack. The E90 doesn't have this?

[MeTaL]

Apparantly not, I haven't received my car yet (2 weeks to go) but that's the way it is so it seems. Really a stupid thing to do of BMW if you ask me...but that's why they are promoting these RFTs so you don't have a need for a spare tire.

If you want to change them to some non RFT (PS2's for example) then you have a little problem in case you get a flat... I just hope BMW Assist will be able to help you in that case...But nobody seems to reply to my posts so...