runflats to non runflats, opinions?
Discussion
I just changed my tyres and decided to go with normal ones and ditch the runflats (55 plate 330i). I recon the ride is to me is much better without them. I can still feel the road and yet the ride is more comfortable, its no way as soft and squidgy as I thought it would be, in fact I have to concentrate a bit and drive on my usual roads to notice the difference but it is definitely there and in my opinion for the better. any one agree, disagree?? or maybe I'm just old now and don't want an imported impreza STi ride that I used to love in the 90's (Boneshaker),
My recently acquired 325i is fitted with run flats, fairly worn and so thankfully I will need to replace in two/three thousand miles. Done much research into the pro’s and con’s of replacing with conventional tyres and decided that conventional rubber is my choice.
The run flats I find to be as bad as others said they would be, especially when worn like mine.
Hard jittery ride transmitted through the car whilst the suspension does its best to cover the shortcomings. Tramlining is worse than in one of my vintage cars I used to enjoy, a 1930 Austin 7.
For the supposed benefit of the run flats I personally feel that they are pointless and expensive.
Incidentally my 325i is the SE version so fitted with the less sporty suspension setup
The run flats I find to be as bad as others said they would be, especially when worn like mine.
Hard jittery ride transmitted through the car whilst the suspension does its best to cover the shortcomings. Tramlining is worse than in one of my vintage cars I used to enjoy, a 1930 Austin 7.
For the supposed benefit of the run flats I personally feel that they are pointless and expensive.
Incidentally my 325i is the SE version so fitted with the less sporty suspension setup
Edited by crankedup on Thursday 30th November 11:59
Hi
I have a 2007 E92 330i currently on runflats. (17" alloys) I find the ride fine with the current runflats, but will be trying some of the Bridgestone Driveguard tyres soon.
Making comparisons between runflats and non runflats is often also comparing worn rubber with brand new rubber - so my comparisons may be a little biased one way or another - but so will most other peoples as we rarely do back-to-back with new rubber. Basically, tak this with a pinch of salt, as well as others reviews!!
I have owned MINIs for about eight years and approx. 80,000 miles. So I have swapped back and forth between RFT and NRFTs over the years. I always used premium branded tyres, although I cannot remember the specifics. My preference was with RFTs , my reasoning being
1) This is what the car was designed to use
2) The turn in felt crisper and the car felt more 'alive'
3) Ultimate grip was not so great, but it 'felt' more progressive
4) Comfort level was marginal. (MINIs were both on 17s)
5) I 'could' continue driving if I had a flat. (Only ever had a flat in my bosses BMW on a rainy winters evening - got us home safely)
Mike
I have a 2007 E92 330i currently on runflats. (17" alloys) I find the ride fine with the current runflats, but will be trying some of the Bridgestone Driveguard tyres soon.
Making comparisons between runflats and non runflats is often also comparing worn rubber with brand new rubber - so my comparisons may be a little biased one way or another - but so will most other peoples as we rarely do back-to-back with new rubber. Basically, tak this with a pinch of salt, as well as others reviews!!
I have owned MINIs for about eight years and approx. 80,000 miles. So I have swapped back and forth between RFT and NRFTs over the years. I always used premium branded tyres, although I cannot remember the specifics. My preference was with RFTs , my reasoning being
1) This is what the car was designed to use
2) The turn in felt crisper and the car felt more 'alive'
3) Ultimate grip was not so great, but it 'felt' more progressive
4) Comfort level was marginal. (MINIs were both on 17s)
5) I 'could' continue driving if I had a flat. (Only ever had a flat in my bosses BMW on a rainy winters evening - got us home safely)
Mike
It depends on the RFT and car I think.
My 04 Z4 was crap on RFT Bridgestone re050 (horrible in non-rft too) the back end felt like it did lateral wibbling of inches while going over bumps.
It rode hard too, and the TPMS on them was slow so you could easily be down at 10psi after s slow leak over an hour and not know the tyre was buggered, despite doing fast motorway work.
Foam tins and a pump etc, and non-rft made the car tolerable, great infact.
Indeed with normal tyres and the msport seats the early Z4s are lovely imo.
They'd have got a much better rep had they come like that, but that's another story.
My wife's new 335d xdrive, 19" rft Bridgestone s001, it rides wonderfully.
I've read these are the worst of the rft too, and Goodyear f1 rft are an improvement again.
You have proper pressure sensors too, so can see a failing tyre early and not 'drive on flat' and potentially ruin the rft.
It's a family car too, so better on rft for improved 'get home' capability.
I think rft are getting there, and car suspension is tweaked to work more harmoniously with them too.
I'd still prefer a spare and non-rft, I've no idea why room can't be found for a spare on decent sized modern cars.
My wife's 16 Fiesta ST had a space saver, but looking at the back of the car a full sized would fit.
I'm kinda surprised the decision makers at car co's see absolute room/weight/mpg ahead of ride comfort.
You'd get less mpg and space with a spare, but you get more comfort and cheaper tyres too.
Anyhow, you can still take your chances with non-rft.
Arguably it's less risky than ever with roadside assistance the way it is, mobile phones to call for help, 24/7 tyres, tpms with quality readouts to spot punctures happening early and top up etc etc.
My 04 Z4 was crap on RFT Bridgestone re050 (horrible in non-rft too) the back end felt like it did lateral wibbling of inches while going over bumps.
It rode hard too, and the TPMS on them was slow so you could easily be down at 10psi after s slow leak over an hour and not know the tyre was buggered, despite doing fast motorway work.
Foam tins and a pump etc, and non-rft made the car tolerable, great infact.
Indeed with normal tyres and the msport seats the early Z4s are lovely imo.
They'd have got a much better rep had they come like that, but that's another story.
My wife's new 335d xdrive, 19" rft Bridgestone s001, it rides wonderfully.
I've read these are the worst of the rft too, and Goodyear f1 rft are an improvement again.
You have proper pressure sensors too, so can see a failing tyre early and not 'drive on flat' and potentially ruin the rft.
It's a family car too, so better on rft for improved 'get home' capability.
I think rft are getting there, and car suspension is tweaked to work more harmoniously with them too.
I'd still prefer a spare and non-rft, I've no idea why room can't be found for a spare on decent sized modern cars.
My wife's 16 Fiesta ST had a space saver, but looking at the back of the car a full sized would fit.
I'm kinda surprised the decision makers at car co's see absolute room/weight/mpg ahead of ride comfort.
You'd get less mpg and space with a spare, but you get more comfort and cheaper tyres too.
Anyhow, you can still take your chances with non-rft.
Arguably it's less risky than ever with roadside assistance the way it is, mobile phones to call for help, 24/7 tyres, tpms with quality readouts to spot punctures happening early and top up etc etc.
I ditched the runflats (Bridgestones) a month or so after getting my 335i and have Michelin PSs on it at the moment.
Better grip and ride, especially over uneven road surfaces and potholes.
Cold weather and greasy roads were a particular problem with the RFTs. Very little traction and grip. That's much better now.
I'll be putting on PS4s when the time comes to change and they will be even better.
BMW do a 12v tyre inflator with built-in repair foam you can buy, called a "mobility kit", so I got one of those to keep in the boot, as it makes it easier for the OH if she suffers a puncture in it.
Better grip and ride, especially over uneven road surfaces and potholes.
Cold weather and greasy roads were a particular problem with the RFTs. Very little traction and grip. That's much better now.
I'll be putting on PS4s when the time comes to change and they will be even better.
BMW do a 12v tyre inflator with built-in repair foam you can buy, called a "mobility kit", so I got one of those to keep in the boot, as it makes it easier for the OH if she suffers a puncture in it.
BMW do a 12v tyre inflator with built-in repair foam you can buy, called a "mobility kit", so I got one of those to keep in the boot, as it makes it easier for the OH if she suffers a puncture in it.
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And how much do BMW want for that? I got my 12v inflator off ebay, bargain lol. I think that's what I must have had in the e46 then I recon
[/quote]
And how much do BMW want for that? I got my 12v inflator off ebay, bargain lol. I think that's what I must have had in the e46 then I recon
If anyone doesnt want the hassle and maybe puncture problems with NON after 3 years of Michelin Pilot normal I have gone back to runflats as my final year before handback,After much googling I went Goodyear Eagle F1 assymetric 3 and they are ok. So ok re crashyiness and roadnoise I wouldnt bother messing about again.Far better than any runflat I have had in the past. My 64 plate came on bridgestones or contis cant remember and they were awful so awful I got rid after 3 weeks, these Goodyears are on another level
Edited by smashy on Friday 1st December 19:51
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