If you drive a BMW and you HATE the Run Flat Tires then GIH.

[Brunotheboxer]

For what ever good reason you give me that you like them I will give you one reason why I hate them. I'm thinking my next car might not be a BMW just because of them. Help me.

[Mosco]

What's wrong with them, Bruno?

BTW, good to see you actively posting again! I almost had a day like you had couple weeks ago... Look at the 'Pictures and Videos' threads...

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by Mosco

What's wrong with them, Bruno?

BTW, good to see you actively posting again! I almost had a day like you had couple weeks ago... Look at the 'Pictures and Videos' threads...

There's nothing right with them. They ride horrible, basically bouncing over ruts and imperfections on the road and what road isn't imperfect. They cost a lot more than regular tires to replace and you can barely find a place that will repair them if you get a nail. I'm not a fan, but I love the car and am looking to replace my ride in about twelve months.

Btw, I took a couple of days off from here and it did me good. I basically just added a few names to my iggy list so that should help..

[Mosco]

Iggy list.... I like that!

So you cannot use regular tires?

[swatty]

Originally Posted by Mosco

Iggy list.... I like that!

So you cannot use regular tires?

Yes you can use regular tyres , Bruno is correct in all his complaints .

[Rockrolex]

I have to agree with Bruno on the ride. I've got them on my SC430 and you feel every little bump in the road. And they wear much faster than regular radials. I have to swap them out every 20K miles, at $1600 per set.

But since the SC doesn't come with a spare (no room in the trunk), I don't feel I have much choice in the matter.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by Mosco

Iggy list.... I like that!

So you cannot use regular tires?

Originally Posted by swatty

Yes you can use regular tyres , Bruno is correct in all his complaints .

you can use regular tires but thats another expense of four new tires. Then what am I supposed to do if I get a flat tire. There is no room for a spare so basically I will have to call a tow truck every time.

[Mosco]

Bummer about your Bimmer dude!

[mfer]

You got the doughnut.

I too hate the run flats. Got all seasons on there. Awesome ride.

[musert]

I'm in that same boat with you. I was advised by all my carhead friends that if I went to regular tires, I will feel a difference in the lack of handling and all that jazz about not being the ultimate driving machine. Then again, I think BMW should do something about this, come to think of it. If i keep this car for 10 years like my previous vehicles I could at least afford two brand new submariners in the cost of changing the tires at $1000+ a set a year!

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by mfer

You got the doughnut.

I too hate the run flats. Got all seasons on there. Awesome ride.

No dough nut and no room for one. You have a 5 which has a lot more room in the trunk for a dough nut. I'm pretty sure that the 5's come with regular tires. I have dedicated summer run flat tires mounted on the original 162 BMW style rims, then I have dedicated winter tires mounted on after market rims I purchased at the tirerack.com

[diablojota]

You could always carry a can of the tire patch stuff (it'll temporarily patch your tire) and a cigarette lighter powered tire inflation in lieu of the spare. The stuff works fairly well for around 50 miles (as long as you're supposed to use a donut for). I used that for my Bimmer instead of having the runflats.

[musert]

Originally Posted by diablojota

You could always carry a can of the tire patch stuff (it'll temporarily patch your tire) and a cigarette lighter powered tire inflation in lieu of the spare. The stuff works fairly well for around 50 miles (as long as you're supposed to use a donut for). I used that for my Bimmer instead of having the runflats.

My only concern is when you're going out of town where a BMW dealer or tire shop is not available until Monday morning when you're suppose to be at work so you can afford to drive "the ultimate driving machine"!

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by diablojota

You could always carry a can of the tire patch stuff (it'll temporarily patch your tire) and a cigarette lighter powered tire inflation in lieu of the spare. The stuff works fairly well for around 50 miles (as long as you're supposed to use a donut for). I used that for my Bimmer instead of having the runflats.

I'd be afraid to use that stuff. Isn't this basically all you get when you drive an M3 because it doesn't have rft's or a spare?

[diablojota]

It works just fine. About the same as having a donut. As for the shops not being open till monday, can't help much there. You could always just buy a donut that fits and store it in the trunk. I know it takes up space but that way you can enjoy the ultimate driving machine and having the benefit of not driving on runflats.

[redshirt1957]

If you don't like run flats, look for a car with a spare. Seems simple to me. Got a 505 HP car with run flats and for some reason I don't seem to notice them. Must be like my dumdog on this one.

[Launch Mini]

I have the run flats, don't mind them at all.
Saved my backside a couple times where I had picked up a nail. Got me to home & to a service station without worries.

On our Honda, without run flats, we picked up a flat on a trip to California. Used that goop in a can. Got us trough the night (about 10 hours driving) until we could get it replaced.

[ROLEX MAN]

I just run normal tyres with a patch kit and foam can in spare!

"SUPER RIDE NOW"

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

I have the run flats, don't mind them at all.
Saved my backside a couple times where I had picked up a nail. Got me to home & to a service station without worries.

On our Honda, without run flats, we picked up a flat on a trip to California. Used that goop in a can. Got us trough the night (about 10 hours driving) until we could get it replaced.

Yeah but when you picked up that nail did you have to get a whole new tire?

[DMJ]

Switched the run flats on my Mini to regular & it made a huge difference to ride quality & grip on cornering. Only had had 1 puncture in 15 yrs before the run flats, then 3 in 2 yrs. I feel the design (hard walls) doesn't allow any give, so that object just punctures the tyre, where as with regulars you appear to have a fighting chance. That is subjective though. The big pain in the a*se (wallet) is when a nearly new tyre has to be replaced because of a puncture whilst a regular can be fixed. New run flats are expensive. The reason for sticking with them is (said) that there is less chance of a blow out. Modern regular tyre walls are very good & your chances of a blow out are slim; if there was a big risk then all cars would be run flat. I just carry a foot pump (slow puncture as Mini senses drop in pressure), a spare sealant (should I have a bigger leak) & also my RAC (for UK) membership should I breakdown. I dont bother with a spare...where would I put it?

Martin

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

Yeah but when you picked up that nail did you have to get a whole new tire?

Last couple of flats I have had were in the sidewall, so it did not matter if they were run flats or not; had to buy a new tire. Every ounce counts when it comes to CAFE rules so expect run flat technology to improve and the use of run flats to increase. The wife has a R500 and I thought it came with the usual temporary spare. Nope. I noticed that the required PSI was 50pounds and as I was blowing up the tire, it unfolded and became a normal size tire. Release the tire pressure and it folds back up. Sure it ain't cheap, but if cost is the issue, step down a notch or two.

[Dalton]

Run Flats dont feel right. I simply removed mine and sold them after I bought radials and a spare donut that lays flat in the boot. No big deal. Tires are not permanent so get rid of em

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Last couple of flats I have had were in the sidewall, so it did not matter if they were run flats or not; had to buy a new tire. Every ounce counts when it comes to CAFE rules so expect run flat technology to improve and the use of run flats to increase. The wife has a R500 and I thought it came with the usual temporary spare. Nope. I noticed that the required PSI was 50pounds and as I was blowing up the tire, it unfolded and became a normal size tire. Release the tire pressure and it folds back up. Sure it ain't cheap, but if cost is the issue, step down a notch or two.

Problem is that I really like BMW. There really isn't another car that I like at all and I've driven them all. I really don't want to switch cars just based on tires but I think I may. I may end up stepping up a notch not down to get away from the RFT's.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by Dalton

Run Flats dont feel right. I simply removed mine and sold them after I bought radials and a spare donut that lays flat in the boot. No big deal. Tires are not permanent so get rid of em

I agree 100% but what will you do when you trade your car in? I don't sell my used cars third party I always trade them in to the dealer towards a new car. If I were to trade my car back to the dealer they WILL notice that I don't have RFT's mounted anymore and I will get penalized for that.

[JJ Irani]

Would someone kindly explain what the hell "run flats" means?

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Would someone kindly explain what the hell "run flats" means?

It is tires that have the ability to run without air... I hear that everytime you let air out of one, an angel gets his wings....

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Mosco

It is tires that have the ability to run without air... I hear that everytime you let air out of one, an angel gets his wings....

Without air? You mean tubeless? Never heard of a tyre without air!!

[Mosco]

I never heard of a tyre either, just tire...

The sidewalls are reinforced with chicken gristles, the ride can be a bit bumpy and smelly, but it is worth the money if you hit a nail or something!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Mosco

I never heard of a tyre either, just tire...

And I "tire" of seeing the word "tyre" being spelt the way you guys spell it. Please check the OXFORD Dictionary, ya tosser!!

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

And I "tire" of seeing the word "tyre" being spelt the way you guys spell it. Please check the OXFORD Dictionary, ya tosser!!

I just checked Oxford and the correct spelling is..... TAYIRE! Whowouldathunk?!