[bernpep]

Hi, as a 35 year BMWCCA member I swore I would not own another runflat optioned car after my 335i fiasco. Now the wife would like a 535xi and the one we are looking at has Goodyear 18" runflats. Have they improved enough not to be a headache? Your valued feedback needed please!

[vivanapoli806]

Originally Posted by bernpep

Hi, as a 35 year BMWCCA member I swore I would not own another runflat optioned car after my 335i fiasco. Now the wife would like a 535xi and the one we are looking at has Goodyear 18" runflats. Have they improved enough not to be a headache? Your valued feedback needed please!

If they are the Goodyear eagle ls2 they have terrible reviews. They came on my car when I purchase me it 3 months ago. I just bought continental dsw06 to replace them.

[Stück]

Yeah, the LS2 are nothing special. Traction is terrible and noise isn't much better.

As soon as my new wheels are done I'll be changing to Michelin AS3+ with the step up to 20's. I can count only twice I've needed a spare in the last 18 years of driving and both times I could have easily called for a tow instead.

Runflats just aren't worth the expense and ride quality.

[bernpep]

Why the heck does BMW ruin the ownership of a great car with lousy runflats.
I had a sidewall blowout on the highway in my 335xi in 2009. This was one reason I changed direction on my car choices. Was ready to pull the trigger on new 535xi for the wife as I thought tire technology had improved. Time to look at another brand again. The new Jaguar XF has a spare tire at least. Thank you!

[Stück]

Its just a tire man, fit what you like to the car.

Run flats are merely the suggestion of the automaker, and they are fine for 95% of the pleebs that buy these cars.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Stück

Its just a tire man, fit what you like to the car.

Run flats are merely the suggestion of the automaker, and they are fine for 95% of the pleebs that buy these cars.

Or for those that need ALL the available trunk space so can't carry a spare.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Or for those that need ALL the available trunk space so can't carry a spare.

For active family like mine, yeah lots of time I need all of the available trunk space. And just my personal take, space wasting aside, it's kinda silly to have spare tire and jack somehow "fastened" in the trunk in 70+K vehicle. In my opinion, this is something BMW should've done to start with, provide an option for owners to chose, car with, or with no spare, but that's been beaten to death now. I ditched the RFs for my summer tires and carry a Continental kit in the trunk (Winters are still RF, Dunlop - and I'm actually happy with them). I don't like having no spare, but I like "the safety" of the kit better than RF tires or having spare tire and tools in my trunk.

Originally Posted by bernpep

Now the wife would like a 535xi and the one we are looking at has Goodyear 18" runflats. Have they improved enough not to be a headache? Your valued feedback needed please!

I've said this in many threads so far, life's too short for these.
If you can afford 5 series, new or used, you can afford to ditch these.
Worst tire I ever had, no contest. Noisy, terrible in wet, not great grip in dry either, harsh ride and bubbles easy.

[Bmw doubles]

Run flats have not improved and even if you find a brand that claims they have its marginal. There's nothing performance about run flats and that also goes to say they're not about comfort either. They are great for people who live on flat, smooth highways and travel great distances on the regular.

[RMNB]

Originally Posted by bernpep

Hi, as a 35 year BMWCCA member I swore I would not own another runflat optioned car after my 335i fiasco. Now the wife would like a 535xi and the one we are looking at has Goodyear 18" runflats. Have they improved enough not to be a headache? Your valued feedback needed please!

Yes they have improved however are still horrible imo. I get the concept but for the uncomfortable ride and higher expense, what's the point really. I don't have a spare so I bought a air compressor and plug kit just in case. Hopefully I won't need since I haven't changed a flat nor needed to in a million years.

[mob17]

Sorry for jacking this thread, but what are the best non runflat tyres for noise, comfort and wear? The F10 currently has runflat conti sport contact 3, which are not good!

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by Bmw doubles

Run flats have not improved and even if you find a brand that claims they have its marginal. There's nothing performance about run flats and that also goes to say they're not about comfort either. They are great for people who live on flat, smooth highways and travel great distances on the regular.

The Michelin PS2 ZP (runflat) is very nice. It rode nice, quiet and had amazing steering response. This was when it was new. Due to an unrelated issue, I didn't keep them long and replaced them with Michelin PSS non runflats. The two tires felt remarkably similar. The difference being that the PS2 ZP had quicker, sharper steering response. The PSS, was slightly smoother, maybe a smidge quieter, but had more cornering grip - especially on less than perfect pavement.

Still the differences would go unnoticed by the "average" driver. If someone swapped the tires without the owners knowledge, many would never detect the difference. The PS2 runflats are quite good. Definitely a step up from the Bridge stone RE050 RFTs and Dunlop Sport Runflats I had prior. Both of those tires were hard, rigid, noisy with wear, and noticeably detracted from the ride quality.

Just food for thought based upon my real world experience.