IrishEyes

From the many posts regarding the problem I would conclude that many of the first generation runflats espescially from dunlops have many problems. My 2005 545i has dunlop runflats and I see no problem regarding ride/handling....
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But have u tried running in a 545i with standard tyres after riding in yours?

When I collected my own E60, I had the run flats on for a few days before the guys swapped them to Pirelli P-Zero's. Even the first few feet in the car park on the new tyres was incredible. Noticable straight away. My previous E60 had the RFT's and although I had no problems, I just accepted the low quality ride at the time because I didn't compare. This time around I was determined to swap the tyres and made it part of the deal.

I previously had a blow-out at 80mph on the freeway (not in a BMW) with standard tyres and the car was fairly stable at thst speed. I think the forward momentum kept it straight. At lower speeds, around 30mph, it started to feel queasy. So I'm not necessarily concerned about high speed blowouts.

However, I've had two punctures since 1999 so I reckon the increased smoothness of the non run flats more than makes up for the abysmal ride of the RFT's and the lowish risk of having to make a tyre change when it happens.

Make the change I say.

JStraw

From the many posts regarding the problem I would conclude that many of the first generation runflats espescially from dunlops have many problems. My 2005 545i has dunlop runflats and I see no problem regarding ride/handling....
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Same here - no issues with my Ultra High Performance tires or my current winter set-up.

Folks, your BMWs are luxury sport sedans, not luxury sedans. If you wanted a better ride, then you should be looking at a Lexus (or something similar).

CRRobert

M5 - no RFT's - nuff said.

IrishEyes

But u can still have your luxury sport sedan with a better ride far easier than buying a Lexus.
Just put real tyres on.

Do I suspect from your comment above that you don't believe a tyre replacement will cure the woeful ride quality? Or that the mere thought of replacing the RFT is heresy?

Ray Hull

Same here - no issues with my Ultra High Performance tires or my current winter set-up.

Folks, your BMWs are luxury sport sedans, not luxury sedans. If you wanted a better ride, then you should be looking at a Lexus (or something similar).
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Jstraw (and SWAJames): Not sure your experience level with "Luxury Sport Sedans," but I've been driving high performance 5 series cars since 1987 (the original Sport 5: 535 iS, 5 spd). It might interest you to know that that car came with some real odd-ball Michelin tires, the TRX models that were used only on this car and high performance Mustangs. Unlike the current crop of RFTs, the ride, noise level and wear were all VERY GOOD. What wasn't acceptable was that the WHEEL AND TIRES were METRIC sized, and larger and of a lower profile than the standard 535 wheels/tires.

Way back then, I resented this life-time committment to buying only Michelin tires at what were premium-PLUS prices; unless you wanted to swap out the wheels, and of course, what the hell size were they (somewhere north of 15"--probably the first lower-profile, plus-sizes to enter the market)? So, to say that I have some experience, both at what a Hi-perf BMW should handle and ride like, as well as have some idea how the exclusive niche-marketing of tires is condiucted is, well, an understatement. (and if you want to ride a sled, try the old Lexus GS 400).

SWAJames: What I meant when I said "cost savings" was that BMW probably gets these RFTs virtually for free, just as I suspect they did the TRXs. Just think about the prestige for these B-team tires companies (Dunlop and Bridgestone) being able to point to the M5's little brother, shod with their wares; not to mention hoping to lock in those OEM buyers for the life of their high-performance machines (2 or 3 sets?). That's cost savings and marketing for BMW and the OEM guys.

Now, I may be all wet, but if I am, I"ll restate as a question, the fact that CRRobert stated above: M5, no RFTs; how come?

We're getting hosed; but if you don't know the difference, you're their target audience.....keep buying them!

Ray Hull

swajames

Same here - no issues with my Ultra High Performance tires or my current winter set-up.

Folks, your BMWs are luxury sport sedans, not luxury sedans. If you wanted a better ride, then you should be looking at a Lexus (or something similar).
[/quote]


Jstraw (and SWAJames): Not sure your experience level with "Luxury Sport Sedans," but I've been driving high performance 5 series cars since 1987 (the original Sport 5: 535 iS, 5 spd). It might interest you to know that that car came with some real odd-ball Michelin tires, the TRX models that were used only on this car and high performance Mustangs. Unlike the current crop of RFTs, the ride, noise level and wear were all VERY GOOD. What wasn't acceptable was that the WHEEL AND TIRES were METRIC sized, and larger and of a lower profile than the standard 535 wheels/tires.

Way back then, I resented this life-time committment to buying only Michelin tires at what were premium-PLUS prices; unless you wanted to swap out the wheels, and of course, what the hell size were they (somewhere north of 15"--probably the first lower-profile, plus-sizes to enter the market)? So, to say that I have some experience, both at what a Hi-perf BMW should handle and ride like, as well as have some idea how the exclusive niche-marketing of tires is condiucted is, well, an understatement. (and if you want to ride a sled, try the old Lexus GS 400).

SWAJames: What I meant when I said "cost savings" was that BMW probably gets these RFTs virtually for free, just as I suspect they did the TRXs. Just think about the prestige for these B-team tires companies (Dunlop and Bridgestone) being able to point to the M5's little brother, shod with their wares; not to mention hoping to lock in those OEM buyers for the life of their high-performance machines (2 or 3 sets?). That's cost savings and marketing for BMW and the OEM guys.

Now, I may be all wet, but if I am, I"ll restate as a question, the fact that CRRobert stated above: M5, no RFTs; how come?

We're getting hosed; but if you don't know the difference, you're their target audience.....keep buying them!

Ray Hull
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Hi Ray, I understood where you were coming from re cost savings, but your arguments here could apply equally to any tire maker and tire (not that the couple you highlighted could really be described as B-players, but I would guess that any tire company would want to be OEM on BMW). The position now is not really that comparable to your old TRX's as there are many different tires from many manufacturers that could be fitted to an E60 - we're not tied to run flats, and we don't have to buy tires from Dunlop or Bridgestone. That said, it would make sense for BMW to offer a choice and the ability to swap out RFT's at the time of purchase if you don't want them. By the way, did you switch yours out already or are you still on the OEM tires? Only ask as with an 04 you might still have the gen 1 run flats which have clearly created a lot of trouble for many owners - seems like the newer run flats are holding up better, but I do understand why some owners don't like them.
cheers

evh5150

wonder if I can make a deal to swap them when I get the car?
Which tires should I go for? What is the best?