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[igzekyativ]

So I have read a lot on this forum about people getting non-rft tires and either just rolling like that and not worrying about flats or putting a full size or smaller spare tire in the trunk.

I dont want to put a spare tire in the trunk. So RFT is probably best for me, but I would like the more forgiving ride of a non-RFT.

According to tire rack there are only 3 tires for me to choose from in a summer oriented RFT tire (I have a set of winter wheels)..

RFT
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT - $1182
Pirelli P Zero Run Flat - $1196 (after Mail-in-rebate)
Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST RunOnFlat - $1254 (after Mail-in-rebate)

Non-RFT
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2 - $664

this seems ungodly expensive for a set of 4 RFT tires, but what can i do..

anyone have experience with any of these? I want to get at least 25,000 miles out of my tires... I am in NOVA and drive in rain somewhat often (I read a review that Pirelli tire is only ok in the rain) and don't drive incredibly spirited when it is raining. The Bridgestone has poor reviews..

Can you convince me to get non-rft and not have a spare? That would be best for me but I don't have AAA (my BMW warranty runs out June 2013 - so the same for BMW Assist/Roadside Assistance - will the help if I get a flat?). I do take the car on long road-trips every now and then, so the thought of getting a flat and not having a spare or RFT sucks.

[DanG]

You can get the M mobility kit and get non runflats. The M mobility kit includes an electric air pump and puncture seal material. I had an E46 M3 and that is BMWs "spare tire" solution.

I had my M3 for 9 years and never used the kit.

[cdde323]

Take the $600 you're saving, buy the mobility kit mentioned above and buy a $100 AAA membership? If it's a nail, the kit should get you to a tire shop... If it's a blow out, AAA will come and get you.

AAA and BMW Assist use the same towing companies... difference being that BMW will only compensate the tow company if your car ends up at a dealership.

[SSunklug]

The Best for me... NON run flat, BUT always EXTRA-LOAD (XL)
Actually I have installed in a e81 pack M:
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 Extra-Load.

PD extra-load la carcasa o estructura del neumático es mas resistente.
Reducirás la sensación blanda de montar neumáticos convencionales sin extra-load
La suspensión del pack M es bastante enérgica. Sino notarias el neumático blando.

[SSunklug]

A good mobily kit is the BMW-MINI Cooper. It can be installed perfect inside the hole of our trunks car.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by cdde323

Take the $600 you're saving, buy the mobility kit mentioned above and buy a $100 AAA membership? If it's a nail, the kit should get you to a tire shop... If it's a blow out, AAA will come and get you.

AAA and BMW Assist use the same towing companies... difference being that BMW will only compensate the tow company if your car ends up at a dealership.

+1 And get the AAA Plus or Premier, 100-200 mile tows (rather than 5 miles/closest AAA garage with the base plan).

When my wife ripped the sidewalls of two tires (and ruined two wheels) on a granite curb in my then new E46, I had the car towed (flat bedded) to my house so I could put on another set of wheels.

[igzekyativ]

Originally Posted by DanG

You can get the M mobility kit and get non runflats. The M mobility kit includes an electric air pump and puncture seal material. I had an E46 M3 and that is BMWs "spare tire" solution.

I had my M3 for 9 years and never used the kit.

This sounds like the best option..

Originally Posted by cdde323

Take the $600 you're saving, buy the mobility kit mentioned above and buy a $100 AAA membership? If it's a nail, the kit should get you to a tire shop... If it's a blow out, AAA will come and get you.

AAA and BMW Assist use the same towing companies... difference being that BMW will only compensate the tow company if your car ends up at a dealership.

this makes sense..

Originally Posted by SSunklug

The Best for me... NON run flat, BUT always EXTRA-LOAD (XL)
Actually I have installed in a e81 pack M:
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 Extra-Load.

what is extra load and why do I need it?

Originally Posted by SSunklug

A good mobily kit is the BMW-MINI Cooper. It can be installed perfect inside the hole of our trunks car.

i'll have to check this one out..

Originally Posted by jkoral

+1 And get the AAA Plus or Premier, 100-200 mile tows (rather than 5 miles/closest AAA garage with the base plan).

AAA plus should do the trick!



Thanks for the info!

[SSunklug]

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

what is extra load and why do I need it?

I will try to explicate you in english.

Tire has 3 parts.
Banda de rodadura. The part what take with tarmac.
Flanco.outside and inside side, where is write the numbers.
Carcasa o estructura interna. What you can't see. That normally is composed for several layers. Extra-Load is another layer. A reforced layer.

This is used en sport cars, as Ferrari, Porsche... you can drive more agressive with more security.

What is the diferent between Extra-Load and Run-Flat?
Extra-Load is a reforced internal layer. Is something general inside de tire.
Run-Flat is a reforced side. It is only reforced de flanks.

Layer tire:

[SSunklug]

This is my rear car tire:

[SSunklug]

Why is necesary a Extra-Load tire?

Simple, Run-Flat is a more rigid-stiff flanks.
Pack M suspension y more agressive o rigd-stiff.

If you install a conventional tire, an agressive suspension, as pack M or a sport car, will do that the tire finally """squash""" into the tarmac.

It is probably that you feel the tire more "weak" or "soft". That in Spain is called: "Flaneo"

It's probablye you can understand it with this video.

But "Flaneo" happens when you are driving.

[SSunklug]

But you don't have to confused with the type of compound (soft, hard, medium, supersoft...).

That you can see it in code:
00W
89Y
91Z
....

The letter, more soft o more hard composed:


The number, more or less weight.

[igzekyativ]

so what does everyone think I should get (non-runflat)?

Continental ExtremeContact DW - $692
or
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2 - $664

I'm thinking Continental?

[Simsims]

pss

[igzekyativ]

Originally Posted by Simsims

pss

what?

[Rodzilla]

My runcraps barely lasted me a year!

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

what?

I think he means Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

[igzekyativ]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I think he means Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

they cost as much as the RFT..

[Simsims]

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

they cost as much as the RFT..

but they'll be 3x as nice

[igzekyativ]

decided on this setup:

225/40ZR18 XL Continental ExtremeContact DW
255/35ZR18 XL Continental ExtremeContact DW
Continental ContiComfortKit
$923 with shipping

+$109 AAA Plus membership
=$1032

[bozola]

Good choice.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

Continental ContiComfortKit

FYI (from the ComfortKit instructions):

Use of sealant on damaged tyres linked with a tyre pressure monitoring system may lead to error prompts and incorrect readings by the air-pressure sensor. When replacing such tyres, make sure you observe the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions with regard to the sensor. In case of doubt, you are recommended to replace the sensor.

[igzekyativ]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

FYI (from the ComfortKit instructions):

Use of sealant on damaged tyres linked with a tyre pressure monitoring system may lead to error prompts and incorrect readings by the air-pressure sensor. When replacing such tyres, make sure you observe the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions with regard to the sensor. In case of doubt, you are recommended to replace the sensor.

any other suggestions? i probably have time to cancel my conti kit order...