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[Debaser]

'08 E92 with 12k miles on it. I've had the car for a total of two months since delivery from the dealership.

So the tire pressure monitor came on today. Took it to the dealer and they checked and corrected the pressure and, while doing so, noted a couple of bulges on the outer wall of my front right tire. (Potholes?)

I told the mechanic I was planning to take the car on a major road trip in the coming month and he basically told me I was risking death by driving with those two bulges. So we took a walk to servicing to price a replacement runflat with installation.

Grand total:

$700!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR ONE TIRE!!!

Needless to say, I was appalled. Is this the advantage of so-called "runflats"? To avoid a flat at the hands of a stray nail or rock, the whole TIRE is designed to risk complete compromisation by a couple of potholes?

Anyways, I pulled the mechanic aside and asked him for some alternatives. He confirmed my idea that it might be best to invest in some non runflats and take them to an ordinary mechanic for installation (BMW quoted mere installation @ $350 if I decided to bring in my own set). He told me I would lose some handling performance (the stiff RF walls ensure stiffer turns), but that it would be cheaper and the ride would be more comfortable on ordinary tires.

Anyways...so here's what I'd like to ask you guys:

- A recommendation for a replacement set of NON-RF tires; for an '08 E92 with SPORT PACKAGE (18" wheels).

- A recommendation for a tire shop or mechanic in Toronto where I could buy some tires and have them installed.
- Advice as to whether or not I should buy a spare tire if I go the non-RF route.

- Advice as to whether it's true what the service dealer told me: if I swap out the RFs, I'll have to sign a waiver that may affect warranty!

Recall that I'm leaving in just a couple of weeks!

[mds82]

i switched out my runflats with non-runflats.

Bought a very thin spare tire, made a bag for it, a jack, and some gloves. Soo much cheaper in the long run, but you just need to change the tire in case of a flat.

Go to tirerack.com you can get the same tire for like 1/3 the price.
If its the front tire and you have sport package its 185 per tire...
Non sport is even cheaper.
Rears are a little more expensive if you have sport because they are staggered, rear tires are wider then the fronts.

And just go to any tire shop, just call and make sure they have experience working with runflats.

[yomama69]

I still don't understand why people need run flats or a spare with an SOS button.

[noro]

Just got Sumitomo HTRZ IIIs, they are great Z tires if that's what you are looking for.

[noro]

Originally Posted by yomama69

I still don't understand why people need run flats or a spare with an SOS button.

LOL, have you ever used the SOS button. Depending on road conditions it may take about 2-3 hours before they show up.

[Debaser]

All initial advice welcomed. Do any Canadians have experience ordering from tirerack.com? Are the shipping/customs/all attendant taxes reasonable? I wonder if I can expect a savings.

I'll look into the Sumitomos, although I frankly admit that I have no clue what "Z" tires are.

[ragingclue]

I don't buy it that handling will suffer from switching to GFT's. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've hit a small crack, bump, hole, a little bit of gravel, sand, whatever... in the middle of a turn, and my back end hops to the side. I'm not a fan at all, but since I got the wheel and tire warranty, I figure I might as well stick with them.

[noro]

Originally Posted by Debaser

I'll look into the Sumitomos, although I frankly admit that I have no clue what "Z" tires are.

Are you replacing all-season or summer only tires? Do you have a dedicated set of snow tires, if not and you intend to drive in snow then these aren't gonna work.

[yomama69]

Originally Posted by noro

LOL, have you ever used the SOS button. Depending on road conditions it may take about 2-3 hours before they show up.

I have used the SOS button. The operators are really helpful when you're trying to find a titty bar with a buffet at 1pm.

[Debaser]

Originally Posted by noro

Are you replacing all-season or summer only tires? Do you have a dedicated set of snow tires, if not and you intend to drive in snow then these aren't gonna work.

I'll be replacing dedicated summer tires. I don't have a set for winter, but I plan to invest in them for next year (I live in Toronto).

I'm actually trying to decide whether I should get all-seasons or all-summers. I'd be open to advice, given that I'll probably be buying a set of winter tires.

[noro]

Originally Posted by Debaser

I'll be replacing dedicated summer tires. I don't have a set for winter, but I plan to invest in them for next year (I live in Toronto).

I'm actually trying to decide whether I should get all-seasons or all-summers. I'd be open to advice, given that I'll probably be buying a set of winter tires.

Well let me put it this way. If you KNOW you are getting snows then go with all-summer. summers provide same level of wet traction (or just about the same) as all-seasons. The only advantage I can think of is that you can get with all-seasons is much higher tread wear rating so they last longer but even with summers there are plenty of long lasting ones out there.

Don't even think about driving on summers in the snow so if snows may not happen for you then go with all-season.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by Debaser

I'll be replacing dedicated summer tires. I don't have a set for winter, but I plan to invest in them for next year (I live in Toronto).

I'm actually trying to decide whether I should get all-seasons or all-summers. I'd be open to advice, given that I'll probably be buying a set of winter tires.

Given the fact that you're going to be using dedicated winters, I'd go with PS2's, F1GSD3, or PZero Rosso Asimmetrico. Those are all tires I've used and loved in the past, although I'm not sure what fitments they still make in those models. A048's are also really nice, but not for everyone.

[bbbuzzy]

I still don't understand why people need run flats or a spare with an SOS button.

....because some of us are not too (lazy/afraid/interested in waiting for a flatbed) to change the tire ourselves. It's not real difficult and RFT's are shite.

[Debaser]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

I don't buy it that handling will suffer from switching to GFT's. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've hit a small crack, bump, hole, a little bit of gravel, sand, whatever... in the middle of a turn, and my back end hops to the side. I'm not a fan at all, but since I got the wheel and tire warranty, I figure I might as well stick with them.

I always attributed this to the RWD, not to the stiffness of the runflats. I can't imagine that regular tires would mitigate this?

As for summers or all-seasons, assuming that I WILL be getting dedicated winter tires, what is the advantage of summers OVER all-seasons?

I'll take a look at all your recommendations.

[yomama69]

Originally Posted by bbbuzzy

I still don't understand why people need run flats or a spare with an SOS button.

....because some of us are not too (lazy/afraid/interested in waiting for a flatbed) to change the tire ourselves. It's not real difficult and RFT's are shite.

90% of the time I'm in my BMW, I'm wearing a suit. No way in fucking hell I am changing a tire dressed like that.

[noro]

summers are stickier than all-season.

sticker = better roadholding
better roadholding = faster corners
faster corners = faster on straightaways
faster on straightaways= more speeding tickets

... yeah looks like all-seasons are better.

[noro]

Originally Posted by yomama69

90% of the time I'm in my BMW, I'm wearing a suit. No way in fucking hell I am changing a tire dressed like that.

Well get some real clothes then you jackass




I am only joking...

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by Debaser

I always attributed this to the RWD, not to the stiffness of the runflats. I can't imagine that regular tires would mitigate this?

As for summers or all-seasons, assuming that I WILL be getting dedicated winter tires, what is the advantage of summers OVER all-seasons?

I'll take a look at all your recommendations.

It's the overly stiff sidewalls that cause the car to hop on mid-corner imperfections. But I have to say they've probably saved my rims a few times over this year alone.

[Snaffoo]

Get the Michilin Pilot Sport SP2s. They are an amaizing tire. After getting another nail in my RFTs and having to replace the whole tire again because it couldn't be fixed, I switched to the SP2s and couldn't be more happy. No more tramlining, you don't feel the bumps as much and they handle way better on fast turns. They are incredible. I picked mine up at a local shop here for $1600, tax, install, balance and 4 wheel alignment all included. I think RFTs are the biggest mistake BMW ever made.

I have owned 3 other BMWs all without RFTs and the RFTs in my opinion made the my car feel very un-BMW-like. Now with the PS2s, it feels like a BMW should.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by Snaffoo

Get the Michilin Pilot Sport SP2s. They are an amaizing tire. After getting another nail in my RFTs and having to replace the whole tire again because it couldn't be fixed, I switched to the SP2s and couldn't be more happy. No more tramlining, you don't feel the bumps as much and they handle way better on fast turns. They are incredible. I picked mine up at a local shop here for $1600, tax, install, balance and 4 wheel alignment all included. I think RFTs are the biggest mistake BMW ever made.

I have owned 3 other BMWs all without RFTs and the RFTs in my opinion made the my car feel very un-BMW-like. Now with the PS2s, it feels like a BMW should.

Not all cars with RFTs are as bad as ours.

[Debaser]

Originally Posted by Snaffoo

Get the Michilin Pilot Sport SP2s. They are an amaizing tire. After getting another nail in my RFTs and having to replace the whole tire again because it couldn't be fixed, I switched to the SP2s and couldn't be more happy. No more tramlining, you don't feel the bumps as much and they handle way better on fast turns. They are incredible. I picked mine up at a local shop here for $1600, tax, install, balance and 4 wheel alignment all included. I think RFTs are the biggest mistake BMW ever made.

I have owned 3 other BMWs all without RFTs and the RFTs in my opinion made the my car feel very un-BMW-like. Now with the PS2s, it feels like a BMW should.

Hey Snaffoo,

These the ones? http://tires.costco.ca/TSSapp/TireDe...tml?cid=274413

If anybody knows a cheaper source in the GTA, I'd love to hear from you!