[shadyville03]

I was talking to my dealer and he told me my car would come with the 351M wheels with summer performance tires and I have to get it in this configuration to increase my top speed to 155MPH. I told him I would order winter tires and have them put on and he said BMW doesn't reccommend changing out run flat tires. Has anyone else ever heard this before? I would much rather order just tires as opposed to wheels and tires.

[Sharbotcom]

Because of the stiffness of the sidewalls on runflats the more often you put them through the stress of forcing them on and off the rim you run a higher risk of damaging the tire. Also, not all tire shops have the right equipment to handle RFTs and therefore you run a higher risk of both tire and wheel damage.

[raleedy]

Also, most tire shops that handle RFTs charge more to mount/dismount them than regular tires. Check it out; I think you'll find the payback on winter wheels relatively short. Separate wheels also gives you the option of getting a better wheel/tire size for winter use. In snow, wide tires are definitely not better.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by shadyville03

I was talking to my dealer and he told me my car would come with the 351M wheels with summer performance tires and I have to get it in this configuration to increase my top speed to 155MPH. I told him I would order winter tires and have them put on and he said BMW doesn't reccommend changing out run flat tires. Has anyone else ever heard this before? I would much rather order just tires as opposed to wheels and tires.

I'm actually taking mine to the dealer tomorrow. Purchased some wheels, 19s, from modbargins and some winter tires from tirerack. Had the dealer order me the small spare and jack.

Because mine is xdrive, it came with all seasons, on 351s, but after a number of years here in Germany, I'm more comfortable with full winters. When my all seasons wear out, I plan on getting summers. Still undecided whether they'll be RFTs or non-RFTs. After driving non-RFTs this winter, hopefully I'll be able to decide.

Where are you in Germany?

[shadyville03]

Originally Posted by Lee

I'm actually taking mine to the dealer tomorrow. Purchased some wheels, 19s, from modbargins and some winter tires from tirerack. Had the dealer order me the small spare and jack.

Because mine is xdrive, it came with all seasons, on 351s, but after a number of years here in Germany, I'm more comfortable with full winters. When my all seasons wear out, I plan on getting summers. Still undecided whether they'll be RFTs or non-RFTs. After driving non-RFTs this winter, hopefully I'll be able to decide.

Where are you in Germany?

I definitely plan on getting full winter for Germany too
What rims did you get from there I was actually just about to order a set of the VRM VB3's
I'm located in Ansbach, what about yourself? Hows your 550 treating you? What color did you go with?

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by shadyville03

I was talking to my dealer and he told me my car would come with the 351M wheels with summer performance tires and I have to get it in this configuration to increase my top speed to 155MPH. I told him I would order winter tires and have them put on and he said BMW doesn't reccommend changing out run flat tires. Has anyone else ever heard this before? I would much rather order just tires as opposed to wheels and tires.

Do you mean that BMW didn't recommend using non run flat tires? (i.e ordinary tires)

Or that BMW didn't recommend refitting run flat tires on a second set of rims?

If it's the first, i believe that this is official BMW policy.

See this article with an interview with a BMW representative:
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...-buy-them.html

When asked if owners could or should swap out their run flats either when a replacement tire is needed or because they’re looking for added performance, Roberts was unequivocal. “We do not recommend replacing run flat tires with conventional tires,” he said, “that deviates away from the original design, safety and suspension calibration technology that the run flats were originally designed for.”

[shadyville03]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Do you mean that BMW didn't recommend using non run flat tires? (i.e ordinary tires)

Or that BMW didn't recommend refitting run flat tires on a second set of rims?

If it's the first, i believe that this is official BMW policy.

See this article with an interview with a BMW representative:
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...-buy-them.html

He said they didn't recommend removing and re-mounting run flat tires after they had been removed. Basically saying how it is very easy to damage the tire. The article was pretty interesting but I'm not sure I'm sold on RFT's especially after seeing complaints about short tire lifespands.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by shadyville03

I definitely plan on getting full winter for Germany too
What rims did you get from there I was actually just about to order a set of the VRM VB3's
I'm located in Ansbach, what about yourself? Hows your 550 treating you? What color did you go with?

In Ansbach too. Imperial blue and I'm very satisfied.

Here are the wheels: http://www.**********s.com/Avant-Gar...Wheels-BMW.htm

[shadyville03]

Originally Posted by Lee

In Ansbach too. Imperial blue and I'm very satisfied.

Here are the wheels: http://www.**********s.com/Avant-Gar...Wheels-BMW.htm

I've never seen your car around. Is it new? Which tires did you get?

[Lee]

Originally Posted by shadyville03

I've never seen your car around. Is it new? Which tires did you get?

Picked it up in July, but didn't drive it that much. We can link up after I get back from leave in two weeks if you want to see it.

The tires are Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60s.

[Lee]

Put them on yesterday. Here they are.

Now I need to figure out how to lower the front end.

[shadyville03]

looking good, what color is your interior?

[Lee]

Originally Posted by shadyville03

looking good, what color is your interior?

Everest gray and dark wood.

[GIANITALY]

are u guys military? i guess LEAVE, call u out.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by GIANITALY

are u guys military? i guess LEAVE, call u out.

Affirmative.

[shadyville03]

Originally Posted by Lee

Affirmative.

^^^

[GIANITALY]