Run Flats Replaced with Yoko S-Drives

Light_Em_Up · 08-21-2009, 11:26 AM

With 900 km / 560 mi on the odo I pulled the run flats off and replaced them with Yokohama S-Drives. I stuck with the OEM size, which for my 128 Sport is 215-40-18 / 245-35-18 and filled them to the same pressure as was in the OEMs, 220/32 & 250/36.
After one day of mixed driving (100 kph / 62 mph max & no hard cornering) my first impression was - right decision (thanks everyone here). Surprisingly the whole character of the car was changed for the positive. I'm struggling a little to quanity this but here goes.

The dull thud / thump over road surface chop was gone.
The car felt lighter and more nimble with less friction to rolling.
A certain kind of darkness about the car (sound, ride-feel) was gone.
There was little if any noticeable difference in steering effort or feel.
There was a very slight bounce in response to road surface irregularities initially, but it is not noticeable now.

In short,

. Interestingly, the first tire shop I went to (owned by a friend) refused to replace the RFs with nonRFs on the basis that they would be removing a safety feature. They cited some related litigation that they were following in the US. The 2nd shop of equally good reputation and length of time in business had no issue with this and, based on a lot of experience with RFs on bimmers and other vehicles, felt that the run flats were creating a false sense of security leading to possible safety issues, e.g. people continuing to drive on them flat until they blow apart on a curve or during an evasive move on the highway.

Jack

ChrisK · 08-21-2009, 02:19 PM

I switched to the Yoko S-Drives and love them. I have about 2500 miles on them now - no complaints.

The tire shops comment about "related litigation" is the stupidest thing I have every heard. RFT's do not make you any safer on the road. After a flat - maybe.

My experience with RFT's so far is just the opposite. The side walls are so firm, that the tire can not take the same abuse as a non RFT tire. Too much stress from the road surface is transferred directly to the sidewall.

ptack · 08-22-2009, 10:36 AM

Sounds like the 1st shop is trying to keep people in runcraps which coincidentally cost a lot more money and probably provide a much better profit.

1HungryMan · 08-22-2009, 05:31 PM

Interesting, thanks for the report Jack.

spellbmw · 08-22-2009, 10:54 PM

Yea, thanks for the info, Jack. Am scheduled to pick up my 135i in Munich in October and am curious to experience a couple of weeks of driving the the run-flats...and one day switching over the to Yoko S-Drives as well.

08-21-2009, 11:26 AM	#1
Light_Em_Up Member 2 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 128is Join Date: May 2009 Location: N. Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Run Flats Replaced with Yoko S-Drives With 900 km / 560 mi on the odo I pulled the run flats off and replaced them with Yokohama S-Drives. I stuck with the OEM size, which for my 128 Sport is 215-40-18 / 245-35-18 and filled them to the same pressure as was in the OEMs, 220/32 & 250/36. After one day of mixed driving (100 kph / 62 mph max & no hard cornering) my first impression was - right decision (thanks everyone here). Surprisingly the whole character of the car was changed for the positive. I'm struggling a little to quanity this but here goes. The dull thud / thump over road surface chop was gone. The car felt lighter and more nimble with less friction to rolling. A certain kind of darkness about the car (sound, ride-feel) was gone. There was little if any noticeable difference in steering effort or feel. There was a very slight bounce in response to road surface irregularities initially, but it is not noticeable now. In short, . Interestingly, the first tire shop I went to (owned by a friend) refused to replace the RFs with nonRFs on the basis that they would be removing a safety feature. They cited some related litigation that they were following in the US. The 2nd shop of equally good reputation and length of time in business had no issue with this and, based on a lot of experience with RFs on bimmers and other vehicles, felt that the run flats were creating a false sense of security leading to possible safety issues, e.g. people continuing to drive on them flat until they blow apart on a curve or during an evasive move on the highway. Jack __________________ '09 128i 6Sp Man Sport (263 18" wheels), Space Grey / Coral Red leather, BMW Perf Intake, Exhaust & Suspension, 3-Stage Manifold, AA Ver 2 tune, Carbon Filter & CDV Delete, Yoko S-Drives
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08-21-2009, 02:19 PM	#2
ChrisK Major General 4449 Rep 7,594 Posts Drives: '19 M2C Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (7) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [7.00] 2015 Porsche Macan S [0.00]	I switched to the Yoko S-Drives and love them. I have about 2500 miles on them now - no complaints. The tire shops comment about "related litigation" is the stupidest thing I have every heard. RFT's do not make you any safer on the road. After a flat - maybe. My experience with RFT's so far is just the opposite. The side walls are so firm, that the tire can not take the same abuse as a non RFT tire. Too much stress from the road surface is transferred directly to the sidewall.
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08-22-2009, 10:36 AM	#3
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	Sounds like the 1st shop is trying to keep people in runcraps which coincidentally cost a lot more money and probably provide a much better profit. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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08-22-2009, 05:31 PM	#4
1HungryMan Lieutenant 24 Rep 536 Posts Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Interesting, thanks for the report Jack.
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08-22-2009, 10:54 PM	#5
spellbmw Feuertrunken 58 Rep 635 Posts Drives: MY10 135i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon iTrader: (1)	Yea, thanks for the info, Jack. Am scheduled to pick up my 135i in Munich in October and am curious to experience a couple of weeks of driving the the run-flats...and one day switching over the to Yoko S-Drives as well.
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