Anybody ditch their run-flats?

[jt6gc]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Looking at a left over 2014 GC and it has the 20s which are going to be just lovely here in Chicago (in a bad bad way). I could of course get 19s, and tires, and well, then I have the 20s and then the 19s and I still need to get tire and wheel insurance.

So it hit me that changing the 20s over to something like the Continental DWS would probably
1) improve the ride
2) remove the need for winter tires

Curious if anyone did this and what their thoughts were? As for a spare, well, that's what roadside assistance is for right?

Hey doug, I'm also from Chicago and I got rid of my run flats and am running DWS tires. The tires are perfect for a 4 season weather area. No need to swap out with winter tires.

[BOSTONbeemer]

I'm running 22" wheels and tires on my GC... Conti DWS. IMO They ride much better than my oem 19" run flats...

[GreyCoupe]

Wish Michelin made tires for the 20 wheels. Southern's idea about conventional Dunlops is a good one. It will be interesting to see if they wear well...I think they make good tires.

[-JLT-]

Originally Posted by BOSTONbeemer

I'm running 22" wheels and tires on my GC... Conti DWS. IMO They ride much better than my oem 19" run flats...

Holy Big Wheels BATMAN, haha

[Bönz]

Originally Posted by GreyCoupe

Wish Michelin made tires for the 20 wheels. Southern's idea about conventional Dunlops is a good one. It will be interesting to see if they wear well...I think they make good tires.

Michelin makes lots of tires for 20" wheels. Is it a particular model you can't find?

[GreyCoupe]

Pilot sport AS/3 is what I would put on a 6...

[Bönz]

Checking Tirerack for you, I found that they have the PS AS/3 in 255/35/20 and 285/30/20. I assume you have the staggered setup.

These will fit the 6er, but they will weigh a little more than the 245/275 setup, although tons less than the Dunlop RFTs.

[GreyCoupe]

Bonz,

Thanks. I suppose that small difference would make very little difference in OD, and I agree that they'd weigh a fraction of what the RFTs weigh. I will likely play hard with the RFTs and then go to these.

[Bönz]

The diff in OD is less than the amount of wear you go thru from new to worn.

[cjackson1906]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Looking at a left over 2014 GC and it has the 20s which are going to be just lovely here in Chicago (in a bad bad way). I could of course get 19s, and tires, and well, then I have the 20s and then the 19s and I still need to get tire and wheel insurance.

So it hit me that changing the 20s over to something like the Continental DWS would probably
1) improve the ride
2) remove the need for winter tires

Curious if anyone did this and what their thoughts were? As for a spare, well, that's what roadside assistance is for right?

I also ditched my RFT for Continental DWS and have no regrets. Another unexpected, but appreciated, benefit is that the DWS tires have been great when it comes to potholes in DC area. Based on my experience with previous RFT, there is no way they would be intact after hitting some of these potholes.

[GreyCoupe]

Wonder if RFTs are to blame for so many bent and cracked wheels? Stands to reason that far more rigid RFT sidewalks would transmit much more pothole impact to the wheel rim.

For replacement, I like the looks of the Conti DW or Michelin AS/3...

[doug_999]

I am going with the BMW tire and wheel insurance. I expect to use the run-flats for at least this summer unless the ride drives me completely nuts. Then, unless I find a set of 19s with all seasons on them, I will put the Contis on and leave as long as I can before putting the OEMs back on and returning it at the end of the lease. That's the plan anyway Either way, a year from now, I should be back on the 20s with the Contis.

I am not sure if the BMW tire and wheel insurance will cover the wheels if I have the conti's on -however as noted, I don't expect to have any rim/tire issues with the Contis

[Mrrippey]

I got the tire/wheel insurance and I really do not like the run flats. In NJ with all these potholes, man it sounds really bad if you hit one. I'll switch to DWS once I'm done with these. I loved them on my Audi TT.

Rippey

[WWnyc]

Rippey
Will your Road Hazard Ins cover the Contis? I recently read ALL the fine print on the Allstate policy I got from my dealer and only the OEM tire and wheels are covered. Just be sure.

[Bönz]

OK. Time to report on the Hankook Ventus EVO 2s. After about a 3 week wait they came in and I had them installed the next day at Discount Tire. I trust these guys as I have used them before and I watch them like a hawk. They use all the latest touchless equipment and a real torque wrench for the final bolt twist. They are careful and listen to customer requests.

Firstly, since I drove in with RFs and drove out with the non-RF, I can now say with all due authority that RFs suck. I didn't realize just how bad the OE tires were until I ditched them. The 20" Hankooks ride better than my 18" RF winter Dunlops. No matter what my next car is, if it comes with RFTs, I will swap them at delivery. I cannot emphasize enough the difference. I thought it would be subtle, but it's significant. Enough so that I don't care to hear about the safety aspects of the RF. I bought a mobility kit and I have a cell phone and the BMW button. I'm good.

As far as performance - I don't track this car, but after a couple hundred miles I can say that the dry traction, both longitudinally and laterally, is excellent. These tires grip hard. Even better than the OE tires off the line. Due to the more compliant ride, I would suggest the Hankooks are better around ramps, etc. since the car doesn't get upset by bumps or other irregularities in the road while cornering. This makes them more confidence inspiring allowing one to search for the limit, which I haven’t yet found. Steering response is immediate and holding the line is easy, no different than the RFs. Feel is still somewhat lacking, but this is attributable to the electric assist steering no doubt.

This morning it was raining during my commute. I tried to get the traction light to flash, and from this simple test, it seems to me that it takes way more throttle (straight line or around corners) to break these loose on water than the OE Dunlops. Another plus. From what I’ve read, these tires should also last much longer than the Dunlops, which for me lasted about 11k miles (rears, the fronts, to be fair had a little tread remaining).

Since I only have one more spring and summer with this car, I wanted to save a few bucks over my favorite tire, the Michelin PSS. At $824 out the door, after $80 mail in rebate, the Hankooks are a bargain. And the difference from the Michelins in daily driving is insignificant.

[neversummer78]

Thank you!

[EmMHoLLa]

I started to until i hit a massive pothole on the FDR drive in NY and blew a tire and bent a rim.. Was able to get to my destination. Get home. And then to the dealership on the run flats.. I won't be switching out of run flats ever..

[Mrrippey]

I hit a pothole in Brooklyn on Atlantic Avenue and got back to NJ. Rim is bent but getting a new rim and got a new tire. Maybe not super sport car performance but I didn't have to worry much quite frankly. I'm good with RFT's.

Rippey

[doug_999]

I'm 30 days into ownership and have a bubble in my RFT. Thought I could make it through the summer!

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by doug_999

I'm 30 days into ownership and have a bubble in my RFT. Thought I could make it through the summer!

Go to Dunlop rep in your area and ask them to replace the tires since this is factory defect. I had the same bubble on my previous 650i two years ago. BMW dealer denied covering by warranty since they do not cover tires. Then I went to Dunlop rep. The guy looked at my tire and immediately said this is factory defect. He replaced all 4 tires with new Bridgestone Potenza (since he did not have any Dunlop in stock ) FOR FREE
BTW I had 5k on odometer at the time he replaced my tires!

[GreyCoupe]

Bonz--
Thanks for the thorough review.

[ShakeDaddy]

Yea I second that. Thanks Bonz, great review.

And, I like you switched out my rolling rocks for real tires and for better all around performance.