[rome7890]

Hi,

I have a 2011 535i M sport package and I am looking to replace my tires but the runflats are expensive. The alternative is to buy non-runflats which the mechanic at BMW said the car won't drive the same. Is this true? I'm trying to save money and I understand that there is no spare tire.

These are the tires I'm looking to buy:

Pirelli Cinturato P7
Load Index:98
Speed Rating:V

Will these work for my car or should I buy runflat tires.

Thanks.

[.BMW.]

With regular tires you will get better comfort at a lower price.

A easy choice if you ask me!

[ndinh]

I know I'm gonna get some slack for this but I'm using Hankook Ventus V12's and love them. Price is close to Cinturatos but IMO, they're much better. Also, worlds better than your original RF's. I also bought pumps and flat kits for both our BMW's because of the lack of the spares. AAA is a must also.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by rome7890

Pirelli Cinturato P7

Will these work for my car or should I buy runflat tires.

They will "work" assuming you get the right size, load and what not, however, it depends what kind of tire performance you expect and your driving style. I have these tires on our other car and while I think they are pretty good "generic" all season tire, they aren't the best I've had in terms of handling and not crazy good in wet. If you like spirited driving and push handling limits, I'd recommend you look elsewhere . Good for the money for sure, and I would buy them again, just not for my F10. Others might disagree, this is just my personal opinion on these.

As for run flats or not, so many threads on this topic in the forums, and no universal agreement yet. I have run flats for winter and regular "max performance summer" for the rest of the year, with Continental Conti "comfort kit" in the trunk. I like these run flats much better than Goodyear OEMs that came with the car, which were not good at all in my opinion. But I also like the comfort and handling of max performance summer tire. Not crazy about driving around with no spare in the summer, but my logic was that kit "may" work, same as run-flat tire, no guaranties.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by rome7890

The alternative is to buy non-runflats which the mechanic at BMW said the car won't drive the same. Is this true?

Yes its true. Your car will drive better. Run flats suck

[lsturbointeg]

^^^^ haha! So true in so many ways without the reasons why! There's tons of this discussion on this but for me in IMHO RF's suck and the bubble issues on the sidewall.... RIDICULOUS!

[SonicEndeavor]

The BMW mechanic is correct - your car will not drive the same. It will drive better! Your ride quality will improve as well due to the softer sidewalls.
The P7's get decent ratings on Tire Rack, but as one of the posters above stated, it depends on what you're looking for - performance, wet handling, lights snow, etc.

[splitsensetam]

Originally Posted by rome7890

Hi,

I have a 2011 535i M sport package and I am looking to replace my tires but the runflats are expensive. The alternative is to buy non-runflats which the mechanic at BMW said the car won't drive the same. Is this true? I'm trying to save money and I understand that there is no spare tire.

These are the tires I'm looking to buy:

Pirelli Cinturato P7
Load Index:98
Speed Rating:V

Will these work for my car or should I buy runflat tires.

Thanks.

I have the exact tire, the P7 and they are awesome!! quiet, smooth, comfortable and grips quite well for an touring tire. I switched out the GY run flats and the drive is so much better. I have them mounted on the 351M Wheels so I assume you have the same. The mechanic is BSing you.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by splitsensetam

The mechanic is BSing you.

Well not necessarily. Keep in mind that these cars have been designed to work with firm sidewall of runflat tires. I'm not a big fan of runflats, or the whole concept of "no spare", but, I do think that perhaps we're a bit unfair to these.

Most of us tried only OEM runflats and not many others. I felt OEM Goodyears were quite bad, but find my winter tires to be just fine in terms of ride quality, grip and noise. The additional cost and extra wear don't help the popularity of runflats, but they are some good ones out there, and they might get better as we go. The only fair comparison in terms of ride quality/comfort/grip would be to try two sets (regular and runflat) of the same tire, same size/brand.

[M5Beast_NYC]

comfort level on a non run flats are better. bear in mind that the F10 does not have a flat so you are taking a risk on running non run flats and getting stranded on the side of the road when you get a flat.

if the risk is low, then by all means go with non run flats.

[SuffolkIan]

As has been said your mechanic is correct, your car will not be the same. It will drive much better and be more comfortable. I ditched run flats for regular tyres a few days ago and the car is miles better. It feels lighter on it's feet and now rides over lumps rather than crashing over them. I am also on M sport suspension and 19" wheels. I have changed to Goodyear Eagle F1.

My partners car has Pirelli P7, I really don't like them, feels like it is skating on ice constantly. She has a F30 3 series, tried the same car on Bridgestone tyres and it was night and day different.

Good luck
Ian

[rome7890]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

^^^^ haha! So true in so many ways without the reasons why! There's tons of this discussion on this but for me in IMHO RF's suck and the bubble issues on the sidewall.... RIDICULOUS!

So the main reason I am replacing my tires is because my front left tire has a bubble in it and has been there for a while. How urgent is it, that I should replace it? ... It's a runflat.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by rome7890

So the main reason I am replacing my tires is because my front left tire has a bubble in it and has been there for a while. How urgent is it, that I should replace it? ... It's a runflat.

I don't drive my car much but I have a bubble on both my front wheels. Not sure how I got it but I know it's not from hitting potholes like most people have? I have new wheels in the make so when they come in I will be ordering snow tires for my OEM wheels and using them as my winter set. I've heard stories from members here saying they drive with them and some actually blowing out.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

I've heard stories from members here saying they drive with them and some actually blowing out.

Yeah, I was one of those. I'd advise you replace it as soon as you can. It may last you a while but it will eventually pop - hopefully not when you're somewhere remote or cornering at high speed (not that any of us do that of course ). Mine popped going at 10-15km/hr approaching our camp site, about 5+ cm. long rip in the sidewall.

[lsturbointeg]

^^^^^

There u go OP!

[rome7890]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Yeah, I was one of those. I'd advise you replace it as soon as you can. It may last you a while but it will eventually pop - hopefully not when you're somewhere remote or cornering at high speed (not that any of us do that of course ). Mine popped going at 10-15km/hr approaching our camp site, about 5+ cm. long rip in the sidewall.

Because the tire is a runflat how do I know my tire hasn't popped already, is there a way to tell? Will it go completely flat right away?

[Bbb34]

Flat tire monitor in iDrive will tell you (if it was initiated properly), but also, you will be able to tell, just by looking at the tire. It's run flat, but definitively you can tell as it will look deflated (besides the ripped sidewall obviously)

If in doubt, you can check the pressure, that'll tell you, if not drastically different just inflate them all to proper pressures reset flat tire monitor in iDrive and go from there.

[rome7890]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Flat tire monitor in iDrive will tell you (if it was initiated properly), but also, you will be able to tell, just by looking at the tire. It's run flat, but definitively you can tell as it will look deflated (besides the ripped sidewall obviously)

If in doubt, you can check the pressure, that'll tell you, if not drastically different just inflate them all to proper pressures reset flat tire monitor in iDrive and go from there.

Thanks

[ndinh]

Originally Posted by rome7890

Thanks

What size are your wheels? I happen to have a set of pirellis laying around.

[Alcenos]

Originally Posted by rome7890

So the main reason I am replacing my tires is because my front left tire has a bubble in it and has been there for a while. How urgent is it, that I should replace it? ... It's a runflat.

Replace it as soon as possible. The bubble can lead to a blow out in which it won't matter if you have run flats or not.

[NY Blue]

Take a look at the Bridgestone Driveguards. These run flats have softer side walls and are more forgiving on potholes than Good Year OEM tires. I've had them for a few months now and sometimes I forget they are run flats. Also they are quite affordable. I have 19" wheels and local tire store had them in stock.

[cipher5]

I've had 3 Goodyear LS2 RFTs blow out on me, NOT FUN for my commute home. Those tires are the worst. I have non-RFT now and have had 0 issues.