AlwynMike

Fraseman,

Thanks for your honest opinions. Here we are, Gentlemen - a person who hates runflats, but has decided they are perhaps better than he now has on the car.

My experience, having recently changed to "normal" tyres, is almost the opposite, with me an ardent supporter of the "Junk the Runflats Society". I have an SE, with 17" wheels.

In a previous post, I think as a reply to a Fraseman question, I said that I ran my tyres at the BMW recommended pressures. As of last night, I may need to experiment a little. I was giving the dirty diesel a bit of "right welly" and felt that it was not as stable as it might be over 140mph (its the first time I've had it seriously over 140, so I can't say how it was beforehand). It felt like the tyre pressures were a little high - just a slight "wander" - not enough to worry me, but there nonetheless. Saying that, the road surface was not the best, so I do need to experiment further. This is a problem because of the distance required for me to go and find a decent, dry, derestricted stretch of road where there's no traffic. Plus the fact that I don't always travel at that speed, and need to be "in the mood" to do it. Hence, my experimentation will take some time. At speeds of up to twice our legal limit, the car is solid.

So, Fraseman likes 'em and I don't. Who is to say who is right, because we both are. Individual choice. This is why we run E60's and not Fiat Panda's (or even Lexus!).

fraseman999

yeah guys only my opinion, and its a hard opinion to write cos its like saying for me, maybe i got it wrong. we cannot all drive on the same roads. Maybe at 73,000 miles the suspension is getting tired. All i know is one thing its bouncy bouncy.

red-max

When I put Conti SportContact2's on my 2004 530d E60, it was an awful lot smoother and quieter than it was before with the awful runflats it came with.

However, I would have to admit that the resulting suspension feel was a bit soft when taking corners hard. It wasn't bouncy at high speed though, so it sounds to me like your suspension could be worn out - might be worth getting a specialist to take a look, since some new shocks and/or springs might totally transform your car.

I very nearly went with some sport suspension springs from Birds http://www.birdsauto.com/

Sport Suspension Springs
Application : 525d, 530d, 535d, 545, 550, 30mm Lower
Installation cost : ?327.00
Parts cost : ?250.00

In the end I decided to trade the car in for a later model, but if you're planning to keep yours for a while, it might be a good investment.

Or you could look out for a low(er) mileage E39 - I have to agree that my model year 2000 E39 was a more enjoyable driver's car, but then again I haven't driven a recent model E60 with M-Sport suspension, so perhaps the first year E60s were not so good? One theory is that the car wasn't deisgned for runflats, but were forced upon the design team at the last minute, so they put extra soft suspension on to compensate. If that's true, it should be easily corrected...

cillian

I broke a wheel thanks to my Run flats last week. As soon as I wear out the other 3 tires they are gone. Worst idea ever!
Not only did I get a puncture then the alloy wheel cracked cost me about ?750 plus the car being off the road for 2 days. Get a spare tire a jack and some normal tires

07530d

I sorted it the hard way, Swapped for an E46 M3 2005 with 6K miles on the clock, feels smoother than the E60 530 D SE, no RFT's and mega hard M sport suspension. Have to admit that the E46 was far more refined and comfy, but I now get the train to work and only do 6K a year, a waste on an E60!
Still watch the E60's and admire - esp M5

Raighne

That's nasty...
How did the alloy crack? Was it after the puncture when you were driving on the run-flat?
Did you have to replace the wheel?

maninblack

The runflat debate/saga goes on and on I haven't had a problem with them and the touring does not have space for a conventional spare which adds attraction to keeping runflats. I have a set of winter wheels/tyres because I do a lot of alpine driving in winter here. I got the wheels 2nd hand from my dealer and when the tyre guy was pulling off the old Dunlop RFT's to put on the Nokian WR's he had a little problem initially but worked it out ok and there was no damage done to the wheels. The real problem here is that if you are somewhere remote and you really shred a tyre, no local country garage is going to have a replacement, but they are unlikely to have my tyre size in a conventional tyre either.

I still think that the concept is excellent though and i think that the safety/convenience element appeals too.

new-kid

There is enough space for a spare wheel with the Touring, as I have done so. Initially tried to put in and didn't fit - but you just remove the lift out liner and in she goes. The jack kit fits neatly inside and even space for the removable towbar. Also retains the shallow storage in the section below the boot floor.

mr_grinche

These opinions are great but here is where I stand. I have 15K miles done on my tires and everytime I go into a roundabout with a little bit of enthusiasm, I feel as if I cam loosing control of my car, I never felt like that with my E39

cillian

I got no warning from the i Drive that thewre was a problem. Next thing I knew black smoke and I am missing part of my Alloy. Had to replace everything. getting the dealer to look at the system next week to explain why I did not get a warning about the tire having a puncture