Agent001
Agent001
I like to go top shelf, where Mama hides the cookies
View My AgentSpace

Print this Page | Digg It | del.icio.us

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?



Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]
dwatsondwatson - 5/24/2006 8:29:01 PMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the 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.


reply to this comment
RedwoodRedwood - 5/25/2006 12:02:54 PMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the 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.

reply to this comment
BMWDan583BMWDan583 - 5/26/2006 12:27:02 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the 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.

reply to this comment
cjxxcjxx - 5/27/2006 10:44:47 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the 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.

reply to this comment
To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories
700HP Audi RS6Maserati Grand Turismo convertible with metal hardtopFirst Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport sold for $2.9 millionReport: BMW doesn’t feel the need to compete with the Audi R8New Mercedes-Benz / AMG SLC Gullwing Spy VideoVolkswagen Introduces The 2009 Passat CC Gold CoastHonda Announces 2009 Civic and Civic HybridWho Is Plotting To Takeover Daimler?Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid ReviewAudi working on new RS TT and RS3Tesla working on electric SUV and four-door-coupe for 2015General Motors Drastically Cuts Back On All LeasingGated Texas Community Declares War On Domestic Pickups!BMW Ties Lexus In Latest Customer Satisfaction SurveyVolvo kills plans for more C30 variantsProduction Cadillac CTS Coupe coming to LA Auto ShowDinan working on a 628-hp 2008 BMW M3 CoupeBe The First On Your Block To Know More About The 2010 Camaro Than Your FriendsDodge Challenger Performance Tested......So much Horsepower So Slow!!Lexus GS 350 vs. Hyundai Genesis V8: Has Hyundai Out-Lexus Lexus?Ultra futuristic Lexus Nuaero conceptFirst Audi V10 R8 Spotted On U.S. SoilVW roadster concept coming to LA, styling influenced by SciroccoFord's EcoBoost models will have a premium of $700Toyota to have hybrid in each of its product lines by 2020Spies Find 2008 Concours D'Elegance Weekend Just McDreamy!Another 700HP Audi RS62008 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance Photo Gallery Now Live2010 Hyundai EquusBMW's next 7-series is a technological marvel First real life images of Rolls Royce Hyperion2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan first detailsNew Car: 2010 Bugatti Veyron Grand SportWho Wins "Best In Show" at Pebble Beach 50 Years From Now - A Look Into the Future of the Concours D'EleganceINFINITI G37 Convertible - First Official Photos Agent 001 is Live at the Concorso Italiano: Italian Cars and Beautiful People, What More Could You Ask For - Check Out the Concorso Italiano GalleryLotus Evora testingThe Jaguar XKR-S is not fast enough for the U.S?All-new Hyundai Portico crossover spiedNew High-Res Images: Pininfarina HyperionSpied: 2010 Cadillac CTS-V CoupeAgent00J Looks to Buy a New Car - And What an Experience It Has Been!Which car manufacturer is top dog in the luxury vehicle segment?Sneak Peek: 2010 Chevrolet VoltToyota Kills FJ Cruiser and The Supra In One Fell SwoopCould Every New Car Be A Hybrid By 2020?2009 Ford Ka in 007 Quantum of Solace2009 Jetta TDI Road Test: Has Volkwagen Finally Created The GTI's Little Brother?Lexus Releases Pebble Beach Editions Of Both The SC430 And The LS600hThe 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class' First Unveiled Photos