[Bill Kayen]

Just got a flat with my Conti RFT. Drove it 10 miles in the rain while flat to my tire repair shop. They plugged it and off I went. Called Continental and they said to get a new tire instead and they would prorate the plugged tire. Decided to get a new tire and was very impressed that Continental prorated the plugged tire.
The secret is to avoid potholes and nails to have a good experience with RFTs. Without them I would have been inconvenienced in the rain and might have ruined my alloy wheel driving on non RFTs.

[VIN240i13]

Originally Posted by Bill Kayen

The secret is to avoid potholes and nails to have a good experience with RFTs. Without them I would have been inconvenienced in the rain and might have ruined my alloy wheel driving on non RFTs.

I got rid of my RFT's because of the experience I had with these when I owned a Vette, they sucked.

Your absolutely correct nails and wide and/or deep potholes are disaster for RTF, problem is how does one actually try to avoid them? When your driving in "fun" mode in areas where these two items are more frequent (rural twisty back roads) usually by the time you find one (or it finds you...) it's too late.

Wonder how far out is the technology to scan the road ahead for these pesky items?

[Denk]

Run flats are hideous! I would've replaced those things immediately. I'm so happy MPSS's came stock on mine. I've been a fan since they first came out replacing the PS2's...which were my fave up until then. The MPPS or MPS4S are my recommendation for a street tire...outside of winter. Superb performance and look great with their broad shoulders which help on the skinny stock rims. Maybe check out Continentals new ExtremeContact Sport for a less expensive alternative.

[Poochie]

I love those wheels! Those are from the new 240i, right ? I think I'm go searching for that part number..

Denk

[Lucky13]

RFT’s can be patched due to nails, done it 3 times on 3 different cars just has to be in main part of tread no sidewall. Did it on a Mini at 800 miles and put almost 20,000 on the tire. Just got a quote from Costco on replacing my worn out MPSS with the new 4S on staggered 18’s and installed $898 without tax $963 with tax. Will go that route when its time which is soon. Thought about the Continentals but the 4S got better reviews.

[Denk]

Originally Posted by sunil_linus

I love those wheels! Those are from the new 240i, right ? I think I'm go searching for that part number..

Denk

Yup, 719M wheels I believe.

[Maynard]

I've heard that the RFT's shouldn't be repaired if you drove any distance on them while deflated - apparently is jacks up the sidewall somehow and they aren't ever quite right.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I've heard that the RFT's shouldn't be repaired if you drove any distance on them while deflated - apparently is jacks up the sidewall somehow and they aren't ever quite right.

On all of my repairs the cars were in the garage and in the morning it showed low pressure because of slow leaks from nails. Since they were all slow leaks I filled to full pressure and drove to get them fixed. Yes, you can’t drive around with 15-20 lbs of pressure because they will be toast.

[crbalch]

Just swapped out my stock Pirelli AS RFTs for the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ and I am SO happy.

Got the Michelins from Discount Tire Direct when they ran an ebay deal...cost me $576 for a set of 4 after a $100 off coupon.

[sicktim]

How do low profile standard tires compare to run-flat low profile tires for pothole protection? Between my wife's RFT's and mine in the past 2 years (in NJ) we have replaced 4 tires due to sidewall damage caused by either a pothole or a bridge lip. We don't even speed! We drive like old people! I really miss having a spare tire.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by sicktim

How do low profile standard tires compare to run-flat low profile tires for pothole protection? Between my wife's RFT's and mine in the past 2 years (in NJ) we have replaced 4 tires due to sidewall damage caused by either a pothole or a bridge lip. We don't even speed! We drive like old people! I really miss having a spare tire.

Go down an inch in wheel size. You're not enjoying any benefit from a more performance oriented setup.

[shawncas]

Dump the run flat!

HUGE believer in Hankook tires.. Have run the Hankook Ventus on all of my cars from Corvettes to my Lotus to the M235i...

One of the most affordable, stickiest, longest lasting performance tires you can buy.

[Rayscott]

I will order some non RF's when these go. Should I go with Alll Weather or not. Do they handle differently, I don't drive aggressively or track it. I do have xdrive on the 228 and an X3 which is great in snow.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

I will order some non RF's when these go. Should I go with Alll Weather or not. Do they handle differently, I don't drive aggressively or track it. I do have xdrive on the 228 and an X3 which is great in snow.

Do you plan to drive at all in the cold or hibernate the car?

[emtrey]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

I will order some non RF's when these go. Should I go with Alll Weather or not. Do they handle differently, I don't drive aggressively or track it. I do have xdrive on the 228 and an X3 which is great in snow.

Michelin PS as/3. Handle very well, stick super in wet and should give some bad weather protection

[DaleHeinz]

Run flats are great if you don't have any other option. BMW has made sure to not give you a spare or donut, thus making you seemingly rely on run flats. I've always gotten rid of them as soon as I can. For almost twice the cost per tire, it is so much more cost effective to run a premium tire and just worry about the rare flat tire. Put a donut in your trunk, or carry a repair/slime inflator kit for that rare occasion. You will have much better gripping/performing tires and will have a way out in rare occasion you encounter a puncture. Road side assistance or AAA is also a third option.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Do you plan to drive at all in the cold or hibernate the car?

I plan to drive in the cold. I stay mostly local and use the X3 for longer distances or in bad winter weather (snow ice)

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by DaleHeinz

Run flats are great if you don't have any other option. BMW has made sure to not give you a spare or donut, thus making you seemingly rely on run flats. I've always gotten rid of them as soon as I can. For almost twice the cost per tire, it is so much more cost effective to run a premium tire and just worry about the rare flat tire. Put a donut in your trunk, or carry a repair/slime inflator kit for that rare occasion. You will have much better gripping/performing tires and will have a way out in rare occasion you encounter a puncture. Road side assistance or AAA is also a third option.

The donut could be an option as my trunk is usually empty. My mechanic advises against slime as it is a mess when trying to remove the tire and takes much longer. I do have State Farm towing insurance. I have 18's all around. Are donuts size specific. thanks.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by emtrey

Michelin PS as/3. Handle very well, stick super in wet and should give some bad weather protection

Thanks, I will keep them in mind when the time comes. I have a friend who works at Tire Rack so I will ask him too when it is time.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

I plan to drive in the cold. I stay mostly local and use the X3 for longer distances or in bad winter weather (snow ice)

I've done MPSS, DWS06 and AS3+. For what you're doing the AS3+ would be my choice they are VERY close in performance to the MPSS for the type of driving you do then you can drive them on good days in the cold avoiding the need for a winter setup.

I'm assuming you don't plan to change wheels as well? For a spare hell I'd get the cheapest wheel you can that would work with your old RFT and just mount the best one once you swap the tires out. If one of your wheels is curb rashed just use that one as a spare and use this as an excuse to replace it.

[morphomeman]

Unlike almost everyone on this thread, I LOVE RUN FLAT TIRES. What you need is tire and wheel insurance. I have had two flats from potholes and several incidents of kerb rash in a bit over 3 years with this car. The dealer has replaced the tires and fixed the kerb rash with no questions asked.
I am too old to be jacking up this car and fiddling with wheels. RUN FLATS FOREVER!!
As for handling, I challenge anyone to see if they can reliably tell the difference in a blind test on a regular road (not the track). Maybe the princess from the princess and the pea could.

[morellomax]

"As for handling, I challenge anyone to see if they can reliably tell the difference in a blind test on a regular road (not the track). Maybe the princess from the princess and the pea could"

Or maybe the engineers in M division, since they still spec non-runflats on all M cars ?.....