I hate Run Flats.... thoughts and options pls

[JBF650]

I love my Shark but haaaaaaate the bloody hard as hell Dunlop RFT. I’m going to replace them, I’m planning to treat the car to some new shoes at Xmas. I’ve put up with the RFT for 6 months since buying the car and that’s enough.... they are the original tyres the car was delivered with 4 years ago. I spend my time constantly avoiding cracks and holes in the road to save the crash and bump that inevitably follows. Even in Comfort + mode it’s still crashy and unpleasant on these RFT. I don’t drive it in sport mode often because I cannot stand the harsh ride the RFT give. In the wet the car is ‘fun’ but the traction control goes crazy trying to contain the slip even on modest throttle take offs....

My question is what brand ? Michelin certainly seem to be favoured from what I see here. Talking to some good tyre people here they are very much advising the Michelin’s Sports too. I would never go for cheap anything when it comes to tyres and safety so my question isn’t about what is cheaper..... it’s more are there other brands recommend like pirelli or continentals? What are your thoughts and experience?

[doggboy]

I am running Kuhmo PS91s, whichc are basically a Michelin PS4 rip off for less then half the price. They ride great, and stick like crazy. If you do a quick search there are tons of positive reviews.

[Frupal]

I went with the Michelin AS3+ and I’m thrilled with them. They’re grippy, quiet, and ride like a dream. And they are wonderful in the wet as well.

[ezmaass]

It really depends what you're after. MOST non-RFTs are going to feel like a dream after the RFTs are off the car.

Like Frupal, I went with the Michelin A/S 3+. They're designed to give you 90% of the performance of an ultra high performance summer tire with the added benefit of dealing with some light inclement weather and much longer tread life. I've found them to be incredibly comfortable - no more dodging cracks in the road - while more than capable.

That said, plenty of options will do... so long as it's not an RFT, you'll likely love it! It's still amazing to me that BMW put such terrible tires on this car (and so many others in their line-up).

[JBF650]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

It really depends what you're after. MOST non-RFTs are going to feel like a dream after the RFTs are off the car.

Like Frupal, I went with the Michelin A/S 3+. They're designed to give you 90% of the performance of an ultra high performance summer tire with the added benefit of dealing with some light inclement weather and much longer tread life. I've found them to be incredibly comfortable - no more dodging cracks in the road - while more than capable.

That said, plenty of options will do... so long as it's not an RFT, you'll likely love it! It's still amazing to me that BMW put such terrible tires on this car (and so many others in their line-up).

Thanks ezmaass and team ! here in Sydney, Australia, our weather is usually brilliant all year round, never snow or ice, some thunderstorms and rain occasionally. so its really a 'summer tyre ' I'm after. sounds like its the Michelins then.

[Mhnd198502]

Lexani LX Twenty. 400$ all 4.
2 years on my 640 and no problem. All season tires.
I also had them on a 335 M performance edition for 30000km and they were great.

[MichaelInChicago]

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is the best tire I have ever owned (I use them as my spring/summer/fall tire as I have a dedicated set for winter).

[SanDiego640]

I am still running the 20" RFT's that came with my 640.

Question to those of you who have 20" rims and have switched from RFT to non-RFT, it is that big of a difference on the 20"? Interested to know, given how large the rim is already, if the benefit of the switch is limited on 20" as opposed to 19".

[arucano]

The non-RFT will definitely give you a smoother ride as will the 19" rims.

[iamvanja]

Originally Posted by SanDiego640

Question to those of you who have 20" rims and have switched from RFT to non-RFT, it is that big of a difference on the 20"?

Huge difference.
I hated the ride on 20" RFT and wasn't sure if I should also go with 19" when I was switching to non-RFTs. Stuck with 20" and never looked back. Roads in AZ are quite good though. Never took Benny (the car) to SD, but I am 95% sure you will be fine with 20" non-RFT.

[Flintstone148]

Our 650i convertible had the Dunlop RF tires from the factory. Living in South Florida, and having better roads in general than our Northern friends, I had no ride quality concerns with the tires. However, I recently hit a broken piece of concrete pavement on I-95 at about 80 mph that produced a large bubble and bent the left front wheel. As the RFs are/were summer tires, and can not be used in temperatures less than 40, I changed all for Michelin A/S 3+ as we have family in SW Virginia. All four were road-forced balanced and a 4 wheel alignment performed.

Would have purchased Sport 4S, but it also has the cold weather limitations.

40 lbs front, 45 lbs rear. Car rides and handles very well.

Flintstone

[512cello]

i have driven 30.000 miles in one year with the 351 19inch with dunlop sport maxx gt rft without any problems. Ride was good and comfortable didn't feel any need for non rft.

Last month i changed to 373 20inch with dunlop sport maxx gt rft (looks better imho) and for that choice i am sorry.... This combo completely changed the car, very uncomfortable, feeling every bump in the road, actually just horrible.

So gonna change tires quickly to non rft hopefully that will change the ride back to normal again…..otherwise the 351 19inch will come back (with rft)

[Russbmw]

Originally Posted by doggboy

I am running Kuhmo PS91s, whichc are basically a Michelin PS4 rip off for less then half the price. They ride great, and stick like crazy. If you do a quick search there are tons of positive reviews.

When mine need changing, I'll be going Kumho as well, had them for years on previous cars and they are really good.

[TON-III]

Originally Posted by 512cello

So gonna change tires quickly to non rft hopefully that will change the ride back to normal again…..

I'm very sensitive for those too wide/tough tires, my 1'st experience with F13 was a RWD car with 20" alloys and spike free winter tires ( non rf) and I was surprised how nicely car did go !

As said many many times earlier the tire is most critical component while creating enjoyable drive experience ( some like it tough, some a bit softer but still).

[dsocold]

im running michelin as3 much better than stock bridgestone rft i had.

[JBF650]

It’s done..... I could no longer stand it and the bubble on one of the front RF was getting worse and I was feeling a slight vibration at high speed...... enough was enough....

Michelin Pilots 4s
245 / 35 / 20s Y front
275 / 30 / 20s Y rear
$ 1600 for the whole set! Including the balance . Not bad

Well I don’t have to say to much more ..... but I will....

COMPLETE REVELATION, DEVINE , SMOOTH, POISE, GRIP! I could continue..... the very minute I drove the car out of the Tyre Centre I felt the transformation.

I no longer fear the odd missed pot hole or crack or uneven surface... gone is that awful crashy ride and that jarringly hard compliance. All replaced with smooth, quiet BMW ride quality. Ahhhhh Devine. Thanks all for the Michelin advice , very grateful and I’m sure My Shark is too! I will even put it into sport mode tomorrow! I have only used this mode on smooth roads a handful of times due to my fear of uneven surfaces and the awful RF hardness is sooooo bloody uncomfortable.
RF be gone!

[Frupal]

Originally Posted by SanDiego640

I am still running the 20" RFT's that came with my 640.

Question to those of you who have 20" rims and have switched from RFT to non-RFT, it is that big of a difference on the 20"? Interested to know, given how large the rim is already, if the benefit of the switch is limited on 20" as opposed to 19".

After I switched, I couldn’t believe it. The ride is like 6000% better and although I still make the pothole face cringe when I see I cant avoid one, the car rolls over them with MUCH less drama. Also it handles waaaaaaay better. I got the Michelin AS3+. Very happy.

[Frupal]

Originally Posted by 512cello

i have driven 30.000 miles in one year with the 351 19inch with dunlop sport maxx gt rft without any problems. Ride was good and comfortable didn't feel any need for non rft.

Last month i changed to 373 20inch with dunlop sport maxx gt rft (looks better imho) and for that choice i am sorry.... This combo completely changed the car, very uncomfortable, feeling every bump in the road, actually just horrible.

So gonna change tires quickly to non rft hopefully that will change the ride back to normal again…..otherwise the 351 19inch will come back (with rft)

I changed to non rft (Michelin as3) and it transformed the car! Smooth as silk!

[bimmer12]

Originally Posted by Frupal

After I switched, I couldn’t believe it. The ride is like 6000% better and although I still make the pothole face cringe when I see I cant avoid one, the car rolls over them with MUCH less drama. Also it handles waaaaaaay better. I got the Michelin AS3+. Very happy.

Even after reading so many people on here discussing RFT vs. Non-RFT, it's hard to imagine the amount of difference they make until experiencing it. Looks like most 6 owners on this forum went with Michelin, I was on the fence between Continentals and Michelins, ended up going with Conti's. The difference in ride quality is unbelievable. Sport mode on non-RFT is magnitudes better than comfort plus on RFT. Since switching, unless the engine is cold, I only put the car in comfort mode in heavy traffic, it's such a nice balance between the drive (for a 4,500 lb. car that is) and comfort.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by bimmer12

Even after reading so many people on here discussing RFT vs. Non-RFT, it's hard to imagine the amount of difference they make until experiencing it. Looks like most 6 owners on this forum went with Michelin, I was on the fence between Continentals and Michelins, ended up going with Conti's. The difference in ride quality is unbelievable. Sport mode on non-RFT is magnitudes better than comfort plus on RFT. Since switching, unless the engine is cold, I only put the car in comfort mode in heavy traffic, it's such a nice balance between the drive (for a 4,500 lb. car that is) and comfort.

Yes, the RFTs are the biggest injustice BMW did to these cars out the door. It's still unbelievable to me that they continue to insist on this technology. While I love the idea of being able to drive with a flat tire, the compromise is just too steep for most people given the awful ride quality.

This past week I drove into Boston - first longer-distance trip I took on the new non-RFT tires. While I knew they'd perform night and day compared to my previous trips there on the RFTs, it was truly amazing to compare. The car was happy to soak up most of the roads without incident, and only the MOST broken pavement (which would even upset my wife's SUV) was felt. Just a real pleasure. With the RFTs, that trip was always a nightmare of cringing every 100 feet in the city - crashing over each bump and small crack in the road.

I got to appreciate just how compliant the 6's suspension actually is now that the tires are sorted properly. For anyone still running on the RFTs, it's a MUST that you switch if you want to properly experience this car. It's not simply the ride comfort that transforms, but the car feels lighter and more nimble once you take the boulders (RFTs) off the wheels!

[Bigjule1111]

Originally Posted by Mhnd198502

Lexani LX Twenty. 400$ all 4.
2 years on my 640 and no problem. All season tires.
I also had them on a 335 M performance edition for 30000km and they were great.

I must agree ..have them on my e400 aswell ..no issues whatsoever ... Great bargain if u ask me

[doggboy]

Originally Posted by Bigjule1111

I must agree ..have them on my e400 aswell ..no issues whatsoever ... Great bargain if u ask me

I had them on the 650 before i went with the Kuhmos. They rode fine, but handled terrible, very unpredictable in the corners. If you are just commuting or city driving they are a great value, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone doing any spirited driving.