[Venom692x]

Hey my car now has about 41,200 miles (2011 328 x drive coupe) and I'm on my original set of tires still (the grand touring Continental Run flats H-rated) I feel like the car is noisier and rougher but more so I feel like slight vibration when going high speed on the highways in the steering wheel. Maybe its just the road feel?

I'm a newb to run-flats, never had a car with them. I'm thinking jus the tires are deteriotating, though there is still some tread left on them. You guys notice this when your RFTs were getting high mileage? I also have aftermarket TSW wheels which needed hub rings. I put the rings on, I just wonder maybe car with rings will never ride as smooth?

Thinking of putting on those new Michelin pilot sport a/s 3's on. I think it should smooth the car out a lot. Just looking for some insight because I dont have anyother e92s to access and compare, haha.

[Dozhdbog]

At 44k, I'm on my 3rd set of tires. Not sure how you made yours last so long.

[apc3libras]

RFTs are louder than non-RFT in my experience. They are more harsh as well. Have you checked to see how they are wearing? Do you rotate them (if not staggered)? I don't know much about hub rings but that could have something to do with it.

My guess is they are just getting towards the end of their life and are letting you know.

[Venom692x]

I think they've lasted a while because of a lot of highway miles. nonetheless I am surprised they've lasted this long. No I haven't rotated them, they are not staggered. If im not mistaken, cars with x-drive are not supposed to be rotated?

[Blackhawk36]

The get louder as they wear, pretty much like all tires. The Conti's are quieter than the Bridgestones, so you have that going for you.

[smallseafishie]

41k on original tires?! I got 22k out of my original ones and they were near bald.

[smallseafishie]

Originally Posted by Venom692x

I think they've lasted a while because of a lot of highway miles. nonetheless I am surprised they've lasted this long. No I haven't rotated them, they are not staggered. If im not mistaken, cars with x-drive are not supposed to be rotated?

You can move them from front to back. Not sure if your tires are directional but if they aren't, then you can go left to front as well.

AWD rotation becomes an issue if the tires are severely different in tread depths.

[asus389]

Rotation helps with the noise. Runflats tend to be worse on this issue, but it really just depends on the tire tread design. BMW's stock alignment settings tend to promote stability at the expense of uneven tire wear. If you rotate the tires in a cross pattern to reverse the rolling direction (assuming non directional tires that are the same size on all corners) it can help keep the noise down and promote better wear. Even "rotating" from side to side on a staggered setup helps with noise. But you have to do it relatively frequently. Also, make sure your car is aligned properly.

My car came with bidgestone potenza RFTs and they were unbearably loud by 20k. My second set of tires I "rotated" and they have kept down to acceptable noise levels. As far as vibrations go, RFT are just stiffer than regular tires so you feel everything on the road. Even the same model tire from the same manufacturer. However, in general I have found that Michelin tires are "rounder" than some of the other brands, so if you do switch to them you'll likely have less issues with the tire construction itself causing vibrations. Even more so with non-RFT versions.

[Venom692x]

Originally Posted by asus389

Rotation helps with the noise. Runflats tend to be worse on this issue, but it really just depends on the tire tread design. BMW's stock alignment settings tend to promote stability at the expense of uneven tire wear. If you rotate the tires in a cross pattern to reverse the rolling direction (assuming non directional tires that are the same size on all corners) it can help keep the noise down and promote better wear. Even "rotating" from side to side on a staggered setup helps with noise. But you have to do it relatively frequently. Also, make sure your car is aligned properly.

My car came with bidgestone potenza RFTs and they were unbearably loud by 20k. My second set of tires I "rotated" and they have kept down to acceptable noise levels. As far as vibrations go, RFT are just stiffer than regular tires so you feel everything on the road. Even the same model tire from the same manufacturer. However, in general I have found that Michelin tires are "rounder" than some of the other brands, so if you do switch to them you'll likely have less issues with the tire construction itself causing vibrations. Even more so with non-RFT versions.

Thanks! very informative. I'll probably order Michelin pilot sport a/s 3's in the next month or 2.

[Lucky13]

I've never got over 22K on run flats so yours must be smooth.