F31 LCI 335d non-runflats

[DocSteve]

So, the "new gen" runflats are still not that great IMO. I guess I can live with them as this is not an ultimate performance/track car but I do think that they spoil what could be a fairly rewarding car to drive (don't misunderstand my post, I think the car is great for the purpose I bought it for).

I was thinking of some Pilot supersports or something similar to replace the Bridgestone RFTs but the only issue is finding tyres with the load rating to match. I don't think this is an actual issue but I suspect fitting a lower load rating may not be deemed appropriate by insurers.

Anyone any thoughts on this and/or other non-RFT tyre options?

Thanks
Steve

[T5SOR]

Can't help with this, but I would take the RFs off your hands (depending on tread and size), if you change.

[Ninja59]

Pirelli Pzero RFT, you also have Dunlop which seem to feature prominently on the BMW range (whether they will do them in your size/load rating is another question).

[Maracus]

Recently swapped my Bridgestone RFs on my F31 328i for Dunlop Sport Maxx GTs.

Far quieter and softer and a decent price from Mytyres (with a 5% discount on top).

[JNW1]

Switched my F31 335d (running 18" wheels) from Bridgestone run-flats to conventional Goodyear AS2's and very happy with them; had also fitted AS2's to my old E92 335i so to a large extent they were a known quantity. To be honest I didn't think the ride was too bad on the run-flats but it's certainly a touch better on the AS2's and the road noise has reduced quite significantly with a consequent improvement in refinement. If you want ultimate performance the Michelin Pilot Super Sport sounds like the pick of the bunch but when I priced them up they were around 30% more expensive than the Goodyears and, on the basis the Goodyear is a premium tyre, I didn't think the Michelin's were worth the extra on what at the end of the day is a diesel estate not a sports car! I'm sure there are other good tyres around (including I assume the recently released AS3!) but IMO the Goodyear AS2 is a good choice if you're looking to ditch run-flats in favour a capable all-round conventional tyre.

[Slippydiff]

DocSteve said:

So, the "new gen" runflats are still not that great IMO. I guess I can live with them as this is not an ultimate performance/track car but I do think that they spoil what could be a fairly rewarding car to drive (don't misunderstand my post, I think the car is great for the purpose I bought it for).

I was thinking of some Pilot supersports or something similar to replace the Bridgestone RFTs but the only issue is finding tyres with the load rating to match. I don't think this is an actual issue but I suspect fitting a lower load rating may not be deemed appropriate by insurers.

Anyone any thoughts on this and/or other non-RFT tyre options?

Thanks
Steve

Depends on whether you're running 18's or 19's as standard. I swapped my F30 330 D MSport from 19's to 18's (both sets of wheels Bridgestone runflats fitted) the 18's transformed the car to the degree I was happy to run it in the runflats.

As long as the tyres you fit are legal from a tread depth perspective and they're the correct speed rating for the car, you'll have no issues with insurance.

[ryallm]

I have an F31 M Sport running on 19s with the standard Bridgestone runflats. Over the winter I was running the car on 18s with Goodyear winter tyres and the improvement in ride was significant and there was a massive reduction in road noise. When the time comes I will definitely be replacing the summer runflats with normal tyres. I have used Goodyear Eagle F1s on a previous car and they were very good.

I do wonder why BMW persist with runflats. Although the latest generation of runflats are nothing like as bad, they are still a fundamentally crap idea as they completely compromise the everyday the ride and refinement all for the once in a blue moon eventuality of a puncture. No other manufacturer uses them, Alpina doesn't use them, and even BMW's own M division doesn't spec them. You would think this would give BMW food for thought...

[DocSteve]

Slippydiff said:

Depends on whether you're running 18's or 19's as standard. I swapped my F30 330 D MSport from 19's to 18's (both sets of wheels Bridgestone runflats fitted) the 18's transformed the car to the degree I was happy to run it in the runflats.

As long as the tyres you fit are legal from a tread depth perspective and they're the correct speed rating for the car, you'll have no issues with insurance.

Thanks. I specced it with the 18s partly for this reason. I think you're right in that they're not that bad (certainly much better than previous ones when I used to have an E60 some years ago). Still, I'd prefer even if I don't change them straightaway to use non-RFTs when I change.

It's the load rating that I seem to be struggling with - I can't seem to source any non-RFT tyre (apart from Contis) that has the same land rating available in both axle sizes.

Cheers
Steve

[Slippydiff]

DocSteve said:

Thanks. I specced it with the 18s partly for this reason. I think you're right in that they're not that bad (certainly much better than previous ones when I used to have an E60 some years ago). Still, I'd prefer even if I don't change them straightaway to use non-RFTs when I change.

It's the load rating that I seem to be struggling with - I can't seem to source any non-RFT tyre (apart from Contis) that has the same land rating available in both axle sizes.

Cheers
Steve

I'm no tyre expert, but the load ratings don't need to be the same front and rear, on the contrary. More on load ratings here :

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating

The difference between the 94Y and 95Y load rating is minimal (20kgs per tyre).

Pilot Super Sports look to be available in the correct 18" sizes in the USA on the Tirerack site here :

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=M...

[DocSteve]

Slippydiff said:

I'm no tyre expert, but the load ratings don't need to be the same front and rear, on the contrary. More on load ratings here :

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating

The difference between the 94Y and 95Y load rating is minimal (20kgs per tyre).

Pilot Super Sports look to be available in the correct 18" sizes in the USA on the Tirerack site here :

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=M...

HI,

Not quite what I meant - the load ratings are different front to rear but what I meant is I can't find a tyre where they do the correct load ratings in the different sizes for each axle and the same tyre i.e. I could get one set rated for the front and one set rated for the rear but they would be different tyres on each axle as there appears to be none that are available front and rear. The Michelin UK website doesn't have any with the correct load ratings.

[335d]

I have 19" wheels so this may not be helpful, but I have just switched from Bridgestone run flats to MPSS. The original Bridgestones were 89 and 92 load ratings front and rear on my F30 335d. The MPSS are 93 and 96 XL, however this is apparently equivalent at the lower recommended pressure of 2.6 bar. The higher load ratings on these XL tyres apply at higher pressures.

[kingofdbrits]

I had 18" bridgestones from new (wasn't keen on the 19" options) and have now fitted a set of 19's 437M wheels with non-RFT goodyear AS2's, so when talking to my insurers about the wheel change the tyre selection wasn't asked, they just made a note about the alloy wheels.

The MPSS are a gripper tyre, but i won't be exploiting the extra grip the MPSS's offer above AS2's and the tyre roar at motorway speeds from the MPSS on the M135i was close to unacceptable, the goodyears are significantly quieter so that was my reason for buying goodyears.

The non-run flats are nicer, quieter and the handling was improved slightly, it's not hugely different but certainly noticeable.

[V10M5talbs]

Has anybody noticed an improvement in tramlining after ditching the run flats?

[V10M5talbs]

T5SOR said:

Can't help with this, but I would take the RFs off your hands (depending on tread and size), if you change.

Hi there,

I saw in a post that you may be interested in some part worn run flat tyres, is this still the case?

What would you offer me for my,

Bridgestone Potenza S001 run flats supplied with car when brand new at Sytner Birmingham, no repairs etc, mint condition

Fronts 225/45/R18 with 5mm tread left

Rears 255/40/R18 with atleast 6mm tread left

Regards

Chris Talbott

[Slippydiff]

V10M5talbs said:

Hi there,

I saw in a post that you may be interested in some part worn run flat tyres, is this still the case?

What would you offer me for my,

Bridgestone Potenza S001 run flats supplied with car when brand new at Sytner Birmingham, no repairs etc, mint condition

Fronts 225/45/R18 with 5mm tread left

Rears 255/40/R18 with atleast 6mm tread left

Regards

Chris Talbott

The OP's post was June '16.

[Ken Figenus]

LOL! I'm here too.

Have gone from E61 18" non RFT to F11 19" RFT - it is NOT progress other than visual!

Looking like a set of new 19" RFT Goodyear 245/40R19 Y 98 could be hitting the shelves soon as have just bought a spare wheel! They are still £50 more per corner than non RFT too - sidewall must be solid lead then