Ditched Run-Flats
Discussion
Finally found and fitted a set of Michelin Super Sports.
Only done 70 miles, and all on damp/wet roads, so can't comment on dry grip, but already the change has been far greater than I expected.
The ride is in a different league. No crashing/banging over road surface imperfection, far softer/more compliant ride - but better steering feel, all but eradicated tram-lining, road noise less and wet grip improved. Even MrsA said something felt different and when she drove it, and said it felt 'lighter' to drive.
...and at 70 wet miles, they will only just have silicon/release agent worn off.
I've always been staunch defender of run-flats. On my old 330i on 18s, the difference was negligible - but perhaps due to 20"/30-profile tyres or perhaps just the performance of the Michelin SS - this is night and day.
I'll never willingly go for runflats again.
My 2p.....
Only done 70 miles, and all on damp/wet roads, so can't comment on dry grip, but already the change has been far greater than I expected.
The ride is in a different league. No crashing/banging over road surface imperfection, far softer/more compliant ride - but better steering feel, all but eradicated tram-lining, road noise less and wet grip improved. Even MrsA said something felt different and when she drove it, and said it felt 'lighter' to drive.
...and at 70 wet miles, they will only just have silicon/release agent worn off.
I've always been staunch defender of run-flats. On my old 330i on 18s, the difference was negligible - but perhaps due to 20"/30-profile tyres or perhaps just the performance of the Michelin SS - this is night and day.
I'll never willingly go for runflats again.
My 2p.....
Couldn't agree more and we got rid of the run flats on the 640d(20" rims) in June and its a night and day difference.
I have always hated run flats regardless and I think its like travelling around with concrete wrapped around the wheels...I hate them even more now I have actually experienced the difference between the two.
Whoever came up with the idea of run flats deserves a good kick in the teeth! BMW can`t really rate them either as they don't fit them to their proper M cars(M3/M5 etc) so that tells you all you need to know about how lacklustre they are.
I have always hated run flats regardless and I think its like travelling around with concrete wrapped around the wheels...I hate them even more now I have actually experienced the difference between the two.
Whoever came up with the idea of run flats deserves a good kick in the teeth! BMW can`t really rate them either as they don't fit them to their proper M cars(M3/M5 etc) so that tells you all you need to know about how lacklustre they are.
First thing I did with my Mini, straight to Michelin PSS. Transformed the car
I left RFTs on my old E92 because of the mileage I was doing, thinking it would be convenient in case of a puncture. Never got one, but did end up with some nasty-looking lumps in the sidewalls on occasion. Just horrible tyres, turned to plastic in cold weather and feck all traction in the wet
I left RFTs on my old E92 because of the mileage I was doing, thinking it would be convenient in case of a puncture. Never got one, but did end up with some nasty-looking lumps in the sidewalls on occasion. Just horrible tyres, turned to plastic in cold weather and feck all traction in the wet
Edited by Leins on Thursday 3rd December 18:23
Ares said:
Finally found and fitted a set of Michelin Super Sports.
The ride is in a different league. No crashing/banging over road surface imperfection, far softer/more compliant ride - but better steering feel, all but eradicated tram-lining, road noise less and wet grip improved.
I'll never willingly go for runflats again.
Yes, that was exactly my experience too. A decent set of Michelin conventional tyres will simply wipe the floor with runflats. The ride is in a different league. No crashing/banging over road surface imperfection, far softer/more compliant ride - but better steering feel, all but eradicated tram-lining, road noise less and wet grip improved.
I'll never willingly go for runflats again.
The thing that baffles me is that a company like BMW - a company so keen to sell "the ultimate driving machine" faithfully stick to run flats when almost everyone can't wait to get a normal set of tyres fitted to their car, which more often than not is a huge improvement.
As mentioned, grip / traction wise they're especially bad in the wet and cold... and as for Ice and snow? Forget it!
As mentioned, grip / traction wise they're especially bad in the wet and cold... and as for Ice and snow? Forget it!
JD PH said:
The thing that baffles me is that a company like BMW - a company so keen to sell "the ultimate driving machine" faithfully stick to run flats when almost everyone can't wait to get a normal set of tyres fitted to their car, which more often than not is a huge improvement.
As mentioned, grip / traction wise they're especially bad in the wet and cold... and as for Ice and snow? Forget it!
I'm sure it'll be something to do with an agreement between BMW and Bridgestone which means BMW puts Bridgestone run-flats on all new cars - run-flats being Bridgestone's most expensive, and probably most profitable, tyres - however with a caveat in the agreement that allows BMW to fit good tyres to cars which they actually want to be recognised for their driving abilities i.e. the M cars.As mentioned, grip / traction wise they're especially bad in the wet and cold... and as for Ice and snow? Forget it!
Had a <brief> stint on the Beemer using non-run flats (P-Zero's, which I rated on my Porsche - and B'stone SO2's - but neither last long on the rear).
...Decided to go back on RFT's; if I was unfortunate enough to suffer a blow out with the kids in the car or whilst the missus was driving it was a risk I didn't think was worth it.
The car seems much more solid with them actually.
G.
...Decided to go back on RFT's; if I was unfortunate enough to suffer a blow out with the kids in the car or whilst the missus was driving it was a risk I didn't think was worth it.
The car seems much more solid with them actually.
G.
Edited by Gallen on Monday 7th December 15:13
JD PH said:
The thing that baffles me is that a company like BMW - a company so keen to sell "the ultimate driving machine" faithfully stick to run flats when almost everyone can't wait to get a normal set of tyres fitted to their car, which more often than not is a huge improvement.
As mentioned, grip / traction wise they're especially bad in the wet and cold... and as for Ice and snow? Forget it!
The latest generation runflats aren't as bad as everyone thinks, and while the purists on car forums would prefer normal tyres, runflats play an important role to "normal" people.As mentioned, grip / traction wise they're especially bad in the wet and cold... and as for Ice and snow? Forget it!
You'll find a runflat tread cap is normally made of the same compound, and has the same tread pattern as the non-runflat version of the tyre, so the cold weather and snow performance of the tyre should be comparable. The real issue comes from many of the runflats fitted to cars are made by Bridgestone, which are struggling with wet grip in all their tyres, not just runflat.
jon- said:
JD PH said:
The thing that baffles me is that a company like BMW - a company so keen to sell "the ultimate driving machine" faithfully stick to run flats when almost everyone can't wait to get a normal set of tyres fitted to their car, which more often than not is a huge improvement.
As mentioned, grip / traction wise they're especially bad in the wet and cold... and as for Ice and snow? Forget it!
The latest generation runflats aren't as bad as everyone thinks, and while the purists on car forums would prefer normal tyres, runflats play an important role to "normal" people.As mentioned, grip / traction wise they're especially bad in the wet and cold... and as for Ice and snow? Forget it!
You'll find a runflat tread cap is normally made of the same compound, and has the same tread pattern as the non-runflat version of the tyre, so the cold weather and snow performance of the tyre should be comparable. The real issue comes from many of the runflats fitted to cars are made by Bridgestone, which are struggling with wet grip in all their tyres, not just runflat.
JD PH said:
Maracus said:
OP - Are you carrying around a can or two of tyre foam or using Ultraseal or something?
I'm interested, as I need new to replace the RFTs on both of our cars in the Spring.
A can of foam and a small 12v compressor is all you get in a BMW M car...I'm interested, as I need new to replace the RFTs on both of our cars in the Spring.
I've heard about Ultraseal. Could be an alternative?
Maracus said:
JD PH said:
Maracus said:
OP - Are you carrying around a can or two of tyre foam or using Ultraseal or something?
I'm interested, as I need new to replace the RFTs on both of our cars in the Spring.
A can of foam and a small 12v compressor is all you get in a BMW M car...I'm interested, as I need new to replace the RFTs on both of our cars in the Spring.
I've heard about Ultraseal. Could be an alternative?
MrBarry123 said:
Run-flats are crap in comparison to normal tyres until you need to use the run-flat feature, then they become a Godsend.
Having never suffered a 'blow out', how does a run-flat equipped car feel when all the air escapes suddenly? Just curious / interested.I've only ever been in an E60 5 series with run-flats and it felt OK to me. It was only a 520d mind!
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