I am looking at purchasing a used '08 550 with sport package. I have gotten conflicting info, do run flat tires still come on the 550 with sport package? Thanks for your help.

 

'08 550 w/ SP does not come with run flats...

 

Not sure whether it is standard equipment; if I had to guess, I'd say yes. But as much as people are against them, I must say I rather like not having to worry about a flat ruining a rim... That's just my two cents. GL w the purchase!!! Post pics when you get it

 

Nope, the 550 sport package comes with 19" M 172 wheels wrapped in NON-RFT tires

 

+1 That is correct

 

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it. Did they do away with the RFT on the Sport Package for performance reasons, and does anyone know what the ballpark miles people are getting on them? Last 5 series I had was a 545 with RFT, the car I am looking at has about 20K on it's tires and wondering how much more I could expect out of them. Thanks

 

18" sport package wheels still come with RFT's....cannot comment on the tread life of the 19" conti sports (I believe that is the tire brand BMW provides with the 172's).

this thread does speak about it tho..

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=59165&hl=

 

I am at around 13,000 miles on my Conti's. Just eyeballing the tread remaining, I will consider myself lucky if I top 20,000 miles on them. They are sport tires and I do drive them fairly hard. I would say getting 20,000 out of your old RF's was pretty good relative to the experience of many members here.

Edit: Sorry, just re-read firewired's second post. I would say with 20,000 miles on them, they are just about done unless the previous driver was a little old lady who only drove back and forth to church on Sunday...

 

The 550i sport package Conti's are not RFTs. I didn't reach 20k miles. In fact, in order to ensure no issues on a long trip, I changed them out to Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics at 17k miles. With 4k on the Goodyear's I really like them.

 

That's unlikely to be the reason, RFTs handle better than regular tyres. I saw on German TV this weekend an extensive test of RFT vs non-RFT and the RFT out-performed on every performance test (handling, braking, and of course the high speed nail-strip induced blowout without damage to the rims). The non-RFT only gained back some points by being quieter, 20% cheaper, and by giving a slightly softer ride (which is only noticeable if you have over-sized rims and hard suspension - with standard suspension you would barely notice a difference in the ride quality).

I'm running RFTs in summer on 18s and in winter on 17s with standard suspension, standard ride height and very pleased with the combination. I'll be paying the 20% premium to keep RFTs when my tyres need replacing.