Is this information true about the run flat tires on the new BMW 3-series?

One of our readers posted this in our blogs and we need to know the truth.

Is this info about the BMW run flats true or is this guy spending a little too much time in his own virtual version of fantasia?

From the blog...

One thing that just digs me with BMW, you spend $40K plus on a 330i series and they have those nasty, crapy Run Flat Tires (RFTs). You go onto any internet tire forum for BMW 3 series and EVERYONE hates them.

The biggest problem is the very limited miles you get on a set. Seems most people are averaging around 8k-12k miles per set. That's about as stupid as a car company can be.

Sure....the "Ultimate Driving Machine". I'd be too busy buying tires at my local tire store every 4 months rather then enjoying it.

I also see how people are disgusted with the "rough" ride. So BMW can say they "saved weight", BMW removes the spare tire, gives you a set you will have to replace at LEAST once per year (maybe more), then tells you to pay $250 (and up) per tire, mounting, balancing, etc.

Who is making these awful decisions there. I was pondering the idea of buying a BMW since I had one many years ago. But hell, with me driving 15K per year, I know I'll need 1 set maybe 2 sets per year. Some drivers on Edmunds noted they were only getting a little over 5K miles on a set of tires.

MyCar

So...What say you, the most knowledgeable car audience on earth?

dwatson - 5/24/2006 8:29:01 PM

+1 Boost

So, as far as the runflats go...I have the a 2006 330i. I think everyone just likes to find something to bitch about. It is very smooth. I have the sports package too. I had a 2002 330i previously and the ride is far superior. Don't listen to all these douches. And also...All the people talking about how much they spend on tires are the same dumbasses that are driving like jackasses around the city in their leased 3 series. If you have the money to buy one, spending $250 on a tire isn't that big of a deal. The warranty covers everything else.

Redwood - 5/25/2006 12:02:54 PM

+1 Boost

Those runflats are max performance tires and they won't last as long. I run the same type (though not runflat) on my '99 328i. The rears last ab out 18-20K and the fronts about 30K. I got about the same mileage out of Pilot Sports and S-02s on my '99 M3 I used to have. I've driven the '06 330i several times and did not find the ride harsh. However, run flats only is definitely tops in the negative column for getting an E90 3-series in my book. I'd much rather have a spare and deal with the extra weight. For the '06 330i sport replacements, it's $238 and $291 (front and rear) for tires from Tirerack.com. That obviously doesn't include mount & balance. For that price, I'd sure like to have more choices in what tire I run.

BMWDan583 - 5/26/2006 12:27:02 PM

+1 Boost

I have an 06 330i and the ride is fantastic! The run-flats do not wear out faster than any other low profile tire, the fun-flat portion has no impact on tread life. Any low-profile tire is going to have limited life, and when you compare the tire wear to last year you need to remember they have 18's now. And like the guy above said, he drove to his destination and did not have to change a flat in the rain. I love them, only 5k on them but they still look new!

And as for the cost issue, the do cost about 20% more. I just know I do not want to get out in the weather in a suit and change a tire, I would not trade them.

cjxx - 5/27/2006 10:44:47 AM

+1 Boost

I'm a new car dealer (Toyota) and we get a lot of complaints about wear rate of RFT's. The benefit is that a family or an individual doesn't experience the danger of changing a flat tire in a less than desireable location (highway at night etc.). But most people see RFT's as a pain in the butt and an expense. I'm certain that most people would rather have a space saver spare, full size spare rather than a RFT.
I am fortunate to sell Toyota's . We get very few product related complaints relative to other brands. RFT's rank as our most frequent source of disatisfaction.