Just picked up my car from getting rid of the ( Goodyear ) run flats after 2000 miles...replaced with Pirelli PZero Rosso.....what a difference...its quieter, it feels firm but without the nervousness and fidgetting everytime I drive over rough surfaces and larger bumps get smoother out...its just a different , better car.

Now I know for sure why the E60 M5 I testdrove was a better ride....it doesn't use run flats!

 

I need to replace my Dunlop RunFlats. I didn't have the noise like some of you and i actually have 22,000 miles on mine. I called the dealer and they said i NEED to replace my RF's with only RF's. It is guy telling the truth? He said it will mess up the Flat Tire monitor or something.
I'd like to get something not as hard/firm as RF's. My co-worker replaced his RF on 2004 745 with Pirelli's and he also loves them. I'm wondering if i should do the same.

Can you replace RF with Non RF's?

 

All I can say is that the runflats ( 245/40X18 ) were replaced by the Pirellis without any chnage to the wheel, and the TPM works fine afterwards.

Since the pressure sensor on each wheel is attached to the wheel, not the tyre, I can't see how it knows if its a run flat or not.

I had TPM on my last car, which was never available with run flats, and the wheel sensors were identical.

 

Just got mine RUN FLAT changed to Michelin Pilot 245/45R17 - What a difference!! It's like day and night!!

It's so qiuet without those damm RFT tires

 

It's a small point but there is no sensor on the wheel. The FTM system uses the abs sensors to measures the rotational speed of each wheel. If a single wheel increases speed this indicates a flat as the rolling resistance has changed in relation to the other wheels. I still cannot understand why BMW do not programme the software to tell you which wheel is flat as you cannot tell with runflats which one has lost air unless you pressure check each tyre until you find the flat

 

I'm waiting for my E60 to arrive at the end of July and as part of the deal I got the dealer to swap whatever run-flats it comes in with with NON run flats.

At the time of the deal I never specified what tyres I wanted and I'm not going to let him stitch me up with the cheapest rubber he can lay his hands on.

So, I'll have to think about what tyre I'm going to replace them with. I reckon Pirelli's are probably more of a performance tyre but Michelins may probably last longer.

Anyone with any suggestions for a good all rounder?

 

Totally agree

 

I also swapped the runflats for standard tyres. I can also confirm the "pressure sensor" unaffected - as it is based upon rolling circumference rather han actual pressure (dealer service department didn't know this, but more knowledgeable salesperson did!)
However, I had thought the wheels would need changing. In fact I bought a set of standard wheels and tyres taken off a demonstrator (some innocent wanted these changed for runflats!) for less than the price of the tyres.

Don't forget you need a spare wheel and jack set - this comes as a standard set at a reasonable price

 

The dealer is simply wrong. On the E60, you can use whatever type of tire you want. Just remember that if you choose a non-runflat, you should have at least a donut spare in the trunk. The FTM will work perfectly with whatever type of tire you install, you just have to re-initialize the system once all the tires are mounted and the pressures are where you want them...

 

IrishEyes, get onto TireRack.com. Although I doubt they will ship tires (i.e., "tyres") to Ireland, their website is excellent for checking user reviews of all tires available within a given type - max performance summer, for example. The you can shop locally for the optimum rubber for your vehicle.

Good luck!