550i with Sport Pkg & runflats- A rough ride??
04-06-2006, 05:54 AM
#21
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My Ride: 2001 BMW330ci, Steel Gray, Black leather, Steptronic, PP, SP, PDC, Heated seats, Xenon head lights, HK, 6 disk changer, OEM alarm, OEM clears,Iice white fog lights ,Universal trasnciver, 17 inch Michelin Pilot Sport Tires
2005 530i Titanium Gray,Black leather, Nav.,HUD,PP,CWP,SP,PDC,Xenon lights,Steptronic,Logic 7 sound system,,Fold down read seats,Power shades
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Originally Posted by Presley348' post='265310' date='Apr 5 2006, 10:41 PM
================================================== ===================
The sport package on your new BMW will be awesome!
The only problem I found is that people don't maintain their tires correctly...for that superior and handling Bimmer ride that a sport package has you will still need have to balance and rotate your tires, with is not that easy with a staggered set opposed to non staggered set , buy hey that why you got a sport package for that awesome aggressive staggered look, plus handling capabilities, right...
so every 5000 mile you will need to locate a local tire company i.e. a Kauffman, or a Big 10 Tire or Goodyear (sometimes runs these lifetime rotation and balancing packages), and purchase the lifetime rotation package I know at Kauffman time here in Atlanta GA, for $59.00 or one pay BMW dealer their price of $90.00 per time, and swear your getting a good deal!
:thumbsdown:
The only thing with the staggered set will be a little tricky to rotate your tires, because remember you will have to keep you radial belted tires rolling in the same direction which will cause you to have dismount and mount and rotate your tires not rear to front, but side to side every rotation to keep the radial belts running in their set same direction, which might cost a little more, but not that much, and you will have your smooth Bimmer ride, or forget rotation like some BMW drivers do, and you will hear noises and wear your tires out about every 10,000 to 12,000 miles, but the choice is your, and I wish you the best with you decision and you new awesome BMW!!
Sincerely,
R. Eddie Presley
PS,
Also remember to check your tire pressure about twice a month, and that too will give you better service than most get out of theirs, because they assume their ok, because the tire store salesman said they will check for them, and if they believe that I will be glad to sell them some ocean front property in Arizona! (LOL)
The sport package on your new BMW will be awesome!
The only problem I found is that people don't maintain their tires correctly...for that superior and handling Bimmer ride that a sport package has you will still need have to balance and rotate your tires, with is not that easy with a staggered set opposed to non staggered set , buy hey that why you got a sport package for that awesome aggressive staggered look, plus handling capabilities, right...
so every 5000 mile you will need to locate a local tire company i.e. a Kauffman, or a Big 10 Tire or Goodyear (sometimes runs these lifetime rotation and balancing packages), and purchase the lifetime rotation package I know at Kauffman time here in Atlanta GA, for $59.00 or one pay BMW dealer their price of $90.00 per time, and swear your getting a good deal!
:thumbsdown: The only thing with the staggered set will be a little tricky to rotate your tires, because remember you will have to keep you radial belted tires rolling in the same direction which will cause you to have dismount and mount and rotate your tires not rear to front, but side to side every rotation to keep the radial belts running in their set same direction, which might cost a little more, but not that much, and you will have your smooth Bimmer ride, or forget rotation like some BMW drivers do, and you will hear noises and wear your tires out about every 10,000 to 12,000 miles, but the choice is your, and I wish you the best with you decision and you new awesome BMW!!
Sincerely,
R. Eddie Presley
PS,
Also remember to check your tire pressure about twice a month, and that too will give you better service than most get out of theirs, because they assume their ok, because the tire store salesman said they will check for them, and if they believe that I will be glad to sell them some ocean front property in Arizona! (LOL)
cheers
vern
04-06-2006, 06:04 AM
#22
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My Ride: '03 540i 6MT
'04 R1100S
obviously, the caveat is that switching out of the OEM RF's also negates the ability to cash in on the DUNLOP replacement tires as well. the referenced TSB authorizes replacement up to 20K miles if noise or abnormal wear surfaces on the tires with autos with SP setup.
04-06-2006, 06:08 AM
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
Wave, In my intial response to you, I made light of our living in the Great Northeast, and our need for smoother riding snowtires 5 mos a year. But seriously, if you take a look at the responses from around the country (and world), I think they unwittingly bear out my point of humor.
In sum, all the So Cal and SW and Fla guys think the ride is fine. Anybody north of NYC has serious issues with thumpflats. This is not only due to colder temps that the tire tread compound does not agree with, but also due to our potholes and expansion-joint road construction.
I ride on snows 5 months and will go back to the Dunlop Thumpflats in another week or two. I dread it because I can feel them literally jarring the car apart (see all the posts on sqeeks and groans). They are a detriment to the car.
And even more annoying, they are unnecessary: You can get just as good handling, without all the harshness, with standard high-perf tires. As long as you have the spare donut (that Euros do NOT get), you have the exact same weight distribution.
So, try them, and then try them at a decreased psi (which is going to be my tactic when they are remounted and I reset my tire pressure monitoring system). But, be aware: They are not a comfortable tire, and you'll probably want to change them out once they are through their rather short lifespan. (Assuming that you don't get a freebie set due to strange wear patterns and noise...but that's just another "issue" with these wonderful tires...).
I just hope BMW got these things for free, because they are costing us and them a LOT of dissatisfaction and money.
Otherwise, have fun,
Ray Hull
In sum, all the So Cal and SW and Fla guys think the ride is fine. Anybody north of NYC has serious issues with thumpflats. This is not only due to colder temps that the tire tread compound does not agree with, but also due to our potholes and expansion-joint road construction.
I ride on snows 5 months and will go back to the Dunlop Thumpflats in another week or two. I dread it because I can feel them literally jarring the car apart (see all the posts on sqeeks and groans). They are a detriment to the car.
And even more annoying, they are unnecessary: You can get just as good handling, without all the harshness, with standard high-perf tires. As long as you have the spare donut (that Euros do NOT get), you have the exact same weight distribution.So, try them, and then try them at a decreased psi (which is going to be my tactic when they are remounted and I reset my tire pressure monitoring system). But, be aware: They are not a comfortable tire, and you'll probably want to change them out once they are through their rather short lifespan. (Assuming that you don't get a freebie set due to strange wear patterns and noise...but that's just another "issue" with these wonderful tires...).
I just hope BMW got these things for free, because they are costing us and them a LOT of dissatisfaction and money.
Otherwise, have fun,
Ray Hull
04-06-2006, 02:47 PM
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Dont get me wrong I still love my 550 with the sports package and the rfts but it just could be better with non runflats. I am used to a harsh ride since my 997 911 CS is pretty rough but smoother than some super sports cars. The 550 is smooth as butter but could be smoother with non runflats. I mean you can get the 550 and have runflats until they go bald then swicth to non runflats later.
04-06-2006, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by TV550' post='265685' date='Apr 6 2006, 06:47 PM
Dont get me wrong I still love my 550 with the sports package and the rfts but it just could be better with non runflats. I am used to a harsh ride since my 997 911 CS is pretty rough but smoother than some super sports cars. The 550 is smooth as butter but could be smoother with non runflats. I mean you can get the 550 and have runflats until they go bald then swicth to non runflats later.
Thanks TV, Ray, and everyone else for your input. It sounds like I'm not going to be disappointed in any event, but I'll have to keep an eye on the tires, rotate them and see if I even want BMW to replace them for me if I have troubles. I do like the idea that the run flats will help you get where you're going and that it will most likely save the rim from any damage... I'll prob get the winter run flats as well or just pick up something else to drive for a few months during the winter.. Now I just have to wait two months.. ughh
04-06-2006, 04:27 PM
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
Originally Posted by wavehogger' post='265709' date='Apr 6 2006, 08:16 PM
I'll prob get the winter run flats
Grin and bear the wait,
Ray Hull
04-06-2006, 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Ray Hull' post='265713' date='Apr 6 2006, 08:27 PM
No such animals that I am aware of, and there is no reason to use runflats. Your wheels will accept regular tires just fine. For non-crazy-pricing, I'd suggest after-market 17" winter wheels and snows from one of the tire specialists--just be SURE to emphasize that you have the SPORT pkg brakes; otherwise the wheels don't fit over the calipers. The car handles just fine as such. See my profile pic for my winter setup.
Grin and bear the wait,
Ray Hull
Grin and bear the wait,
Ray Hull
Well I came across a few threads that talked about winter run flats.. I know that dunlop has some here:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...Winter+Sport+M3
I prob will get some 17" rims and throw some snows on them.. maybe run flats..
04-06-2006, 07:26 PM
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My Ride: 530i Touring, M Sport, build date 10/05, Silver Grey, Black leather, Maple Anthracite, Anthracite roof lining, panorama roof, M Aerodynamic, M Steering wheel, M Sport suspension, sport seats, shadow line, 135 M wheels, Goodyear NCT 5 runflats, and some other stuff too.
Originally Posted by Ray Hull' post='265713' date='Apr 6 2006, 07:27 PM
No such animals that I am aware of, and there is no reason to use runflats. Your wheels will accept regular tires just fine. For non-crazy-pricing, I'd suggest after-market 17" winter wheels and snows from one of the tire specialists--just be SURE to emphasize that you have the SPORT pkg brakes; otherwise the wheels don't fit over the calipers. The car handles just fine as such. See my profile pic for my winter setup.
Grin and bear the wait,
Ray Hull
Grin and bear the wait,
Ray Hull
04-07-2006, 07:19 AM
#29
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My Ride: 2005 545, nav, sport, PP, cold weather
i havent read every post, but dont worry. i had a 2001bmw330, 2002 330cic, audi tt, subaru gt all with sport packages. the 545 with the sport packages is not as stiff, rough... as all the above but it holds the road and corner flater than any thing i have ever driven.
04-07-2006, 08:24 AM
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i "Ben Hogan's 5 Iron"
SilverGrey/Black Sport, L7, NAV, CW, AS, Split FR
2003 Audi A4 3.0 CVT "Part of the Moniker"
Silver/Ebony, Prem, CW, Star 17s
Originally Posted by Ray Hull' post='265468' date='Apr 6 2006, 09:08 AM
Wave, In my intial response to you, I made light of our living in the Great Northeast, and our need for smoother riding snowtires 5 mos a year. But seriously, if you take a look at the responses from around the country (and world), I think they unwittingly bear out my point of humor.
In sum, all the So Cal and SW and Fla guys think the ride is fine. Anybody north of NYC has serious issues with thumpflats. This is not only due to colder temps that the tire tread compound does not agree with, but also due to our potholes and expansion-joint road construction.
I ride on snows 5 months and will go back to the Dunlop Thumpflats in another week or two. I dread it because I can feel them literally jarring the car apart (see all the posts on sqeeks and groans). They are a detriment to the car. And even more annoying, they are unnecessary: You can get just as good handling, without all the harshness, with standard high-perf tires. As long as you have the spare donut (that Euros do NOT get), you have the exact same weight distribution.
So, try them, and then try them at a decreased psi (which is going to be my tactic when they are remounted and I reset my tire pressure monitoring system). But, be aware: They are not a comfortable tire, and you'll probably want to change them out once they are through their rather short lifespan. (Assuming that you don't get a freebie set due to strange wear patterns and noise...but that's just another "issue" with these wonderful tires...).
I just hope BMW got these things for free, because they are costing us and them a LOT of dissatisfaction and money.
Otherwise, have fun,
Ray Hull
In sum, all the So Cal and SW and Fla guys think the ride is fine. Anybody north of NYC has serious issues with thumpflats. This is not only due to colder temps that the tire tread compound does not agree with, but also due to our potholes and expansion-joint road construction.
I ride on snows 5 months and will go back to the Dunlop Thumpflats in another week or two. I dread it because I can feel them literally jarring the car apart (see all the posts on sqeeks and groans). They are a detriment to the car.
And even more annoying, they are unnecessary: You can get just as good handling, without all the harshness, with standard high-perf tires. As long as you have the spare donut (that Euros do NOT get), you have the exact same weight distribution.So, try them, and then try them at a decreased psi (which is going to be my tactic when they are remounted and I reset my tire pressure monitoring system). But, be aware: They are not a comfortable tire, and you'll probably want to change them out once they are through their rather short lifespan. (Assuming that you don't get a freebie set due to strange wear patterns and noise...but that's just another "issue" with these wonderful tires...).
I just hope BMW got these things for free, because they are costing us and them a LOT of dissatisfaction and money.
Otherwise, have fun,
Ray Hull
I think its uniservally accepted (except by BMW and Dunlop) that the 1st generation RFs are not the best. Top gear mag lists this as well and they tend to know their stuff. I just got my car (last night) and I'll check if I have the Bridgestone and Dunlop RFs. I assumed Bridgestone.
