[23109VC]

I have yet ANOTHER bubble in my sidewall on the POS stock tires that came on my M550. I have the Goodyear Eagle F1.. they SUCK.

I am now considering instead of getting another warranty replacement.. just buying a new set of Michelin PSS or some other Summer tire… NON-RFT.

I have had no flats in the entire time I”ve owned the car..and if I do, I’ll just call AAA.

If I do swap to a non-RFT tire, what will I notice? Is it a small change or is it drastic? Better handling? Smoother ride? Better turn in? All of the above or just some??

For those of you who did the swap - is it worth it? Why?

[ppointer]

Haven’t swapped our g30 yet, but have swapped all others. Benefits are smother ride, quieter, cheaper, longer lasting. I just pay for the premium AAA and not worry about getting a flat.

[ezaircon4jc]

I went from the stock Michelin ROF's on my F10 535i to Michelin Pilot SuperSports. I hated them! They felt squishy and turn-in wasn't as sharp (yes, I was running the correct pressures). As soon as they wore-out I went back to the stock ROF Michelins.

Apparently, my experience is the outlier.

[Mike 540]

I am using rfts and do not consider non runflats. There is no spare tyre in car and I would hate being dependent on towaway service. In our country it tends to take quite long for them to come and when they come, they take you where you do not want to be. Threfore, I am ok with rfts...

[WretchedRefuse]

I went with Non-RFT Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and added the Spare Tire Kit from GetBMWParts, then dropped a subwoofer into the open space below my trunk floor. I've had no issues other than the considerable loss of space in my trunk. But I fully acknowledge that non-RFT tires aren't for everybody; e.g. somebody without the skill to change a tire or those who need all of their trunk space should run RFT.

[choppedliver]

As above I went to non RFTs after a bubble at 1500km. Never looked back. I live in a big city and the worst I’ve ever had is a screw/nail and a slow leak that the inflation kit fixes long enough to get home and to the tyre shop.

[BimmerGuyFL78]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I went from the stock Michelin ROF's on my F10 535i to Michelin Pilot SuperSports. I hated them! They felt squishy and turn-in wasn't as sharp (yes, I was running the correct pressures). As soon as they wore-out I went back to the stock ROF Michelins.

Apparently, my experience is the outlier.

I also recently switched from RFT Michelins to None RFT Michelins. I have noticed that you have to make more corrections to keep the car tracking straight and the steering is less sharp. Is that the same observation that happened to you? I had an alignment done and it's within spec so I am assuming what I am experiencing is the softer side wall of the tires having more flex causing me to feel more tramlining or having to pay more attention to make corrections while driving?

[DrSteveB]

I will try to answer your specific questions. I have had run flats on a MINI Cooper JCW, '18 X3, '10 335d and 540d xDrive. In each case, the differences were very noticeable and immediately. Non run flats are quieter, soak up harsh bumps much better and are more forgiving relative to rim damage from rough roads. I did not, in any case, experience the handling characteristics of squirmy / squishy / wandering some reported. The grip was as good or better IMHO. Regarding not having a spare, I carry tire repair supplies and a small compressor (as I do on my motorcycles) and most comforting, I have an AAA membership. I have never had to use it on a car in 20 years.

A variable with significant implications is rim diameter. A 20" rim leaves a very low profile tire which exaggerates all the negative characteristics I mentioned above for run flats. On our G30's, 18" rims provide more sidewall and more forgiveness.

All things being equal regarding rim size, I prefer non fun flats all day long.

[gsrbri]

Swapped the Bridgestone run flats for Michelin PS4S in the first 1,000 miles on my 2022 540i M Sport. Improved ride and better grip - especially on wet roads

I’ll put the as-new Bridgestones back on the car when my lease is up.

I do have the factory mini-spare but it takes up a solid 4 inches if the entire trunk floor, so I removed it and put it in my garage.

I find Michelins quite durable (sidewalls) and the Goodyear F1 run flats (I had them on my M-B) have sensitive sidewalls - really rigid and will split/bubble if you hit a bad enough bump. Replaced two fronts for this reason. Never such an issue w/non-RFT Michelins (I only buy Michelins)

[Daniels1117]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

I have yet ANOTHER bubble in my sidewall on the POS stock tires that came on my M550. I have the Goodyear Eagle F1.. they SUCK.

I am now considering instead of getting another warranty replacement.. just buying a new set of Michelin PSS or some other Summer tire… NON-RFT.

I have had no flats in the entire time I”ve owned the car..and if I do, I’ll just call AAA.

If I do swap to a non-RFT tire, what will I notice? Is it a small change or is it drastic? Better handling? Smoother ride? Better turn in? All of the above or just some??

For those of you who did the swap - is it worth it? Why?

I’ve owned run-flats and I’ve owned non-run flats and here is what I’ve noticed.

Run-flats are hard, they are loud, and they don’t grip the road very well. I feel like I don’t always know what my run-flat tires are doing while driving at high speeds. I also noticed that the car would noticeably start vibrating while driving 85+ on run flats. The last run flats I owned were Pirelli p-zeros. I bought the car with them on it and had every intention of running the tires into the ground and then switching to ps4s (which is exactly what I did).

Non run flats, especially the Michelin ps4s are soft and sticky. I feel like I know exactly what the limits of the car and tires are. When I drive on the ps4s compared to the run-flats I have complete trust in them. I’m never nervous about my grip on the road. Non run flats just give me a much better road feel while driving. The ps4s are smooth as butter. 110mph feels like 80mph and it feel like the faster I drive the more the tires dig into the road.

The only category that I can think of where run flats are better than non run flats is maybe longevity. Of course this is all very non-scientific and based solely on personal experience. I for one never really understood the hype of run flat tires on a performance oriented vehicle (even if it’s a daily driver). In my eyes, switching to non run flats is 1000% worth it from a performance, handling, and fun standpoint!

***my opinions are based off of my experiences with my f10 535i and my LCI g30 M550i

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Daniels1117

I’ve owned run-flats and I’ve owned non-run flats and here is what I’ve noticed.

Run-flats are hard, they are loud, and they don’t grip the road very well. I feel like I don’t always know what my run-flat tires are doing while driving at high speeds. I also noticed that the car would noticeably start vibrating while driving 85+ on run flats. The last run flats I owned were Pirelli p-zeros. I bought the car with them on it and had every intention of running the tires into the ground and then switching to ps4s (which is exactly what I did)...



***my opinions are based off of my experiences with my f10 535i and my LCI g30 M550i

I've read that before about the Pirelli's. My Michelin (F10 535i) and Continental (G30 540i) ROF's are rock solid at all speeds. Spent time in triple digits in Mexico with no vibrations at all. I hated the Pilot Super Sport's on my F10; they felt squishy and the sidewalls felt like they were "rolling-over" at times when hard cornering.

As always, YMMV and this is purely anecdotal.

[Daniels1117]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I've read that before about the Pirelli's. My Michelin (F10 535i) and Continental (G30 540i) ROF's are rock solid at all speeds. Spent time in triple digits in Mexico with no vibrations at all. I hated the Pilot Super Sport's on my F10; they felt squishy and the sidewalls felt like they were "rolling-over" at times when hard cornering.

As always, YMMV and this is purely anecdotal.

I have run super sports before as well and I find the ps4s to be just the right amount of squishy for me. I agree, they aren’t as soft (at least based on driving feel) as the SS tires are. Oddly enough when I called bmw the super sports are OEM for my 22’ m550i while the PS4s are technically not. So if you order ps4 through a BMW dealership (which you should prob never do unless you want Michelin stars) they charge you a bit more because it’s “off-spec” for the vehicle. I found this kind of odd and slightly comical. I ended up shopping a few local tire shops against each other and got a great deal from discount tire if all places!

[23109VC]

These last couple of posts are making me seriously think about ditching my run flats, and swapping over to a set of PS4S!

I’d have no spare but I don’t honestly care. I’ll call roadside assistance .. I Haven’t had a flat tire in probably 10 years… so of course I’ll probably get one as soon as I make the switch.. haha - but in reality it would be a once in a decade it kind of inconvenience…

How are PS4’s OEM tires on a new M550??? are they now making them with non-run flats and putting spare tires in the trunk? .

[23109VC]

Or were you guys running the PS4 zero pressure?

I briefly looked at those. It doesn’t appear that in my 20 inch wheel size they make the exact front size tire.
Fronts are 245-35-20.
Michelin doesn’t make that size. They do make 255-30-20. Close but not exact.

Or I could just Ditch runflats and go to ps4s regular tires!

It’s weird some people report going to non-run flats and think the car feels squishy and wobbly and other people say it’s the greatest change they ever made

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

...
I’d have no spare but I don’t honestly care. I’ll call roadside assistance .. I Haven’t had a flat tire in probably 10 years… so of course I’ll probably get one as soon as I make the switch.. haha - but in reality it would be a once in a decade it kind of inconvenience….

In my F10 I just carried a plug kit, compact jack & compressor. It fit neatly in the little cubby between the battery and back of the trunk. My G30 doesn't have that cubby . Should I go to non-ROF's I'll just have to find a place in the G30.

[TEF]

Unlike ezair, I went from19" GY runflats on my F10 to 17" non runflat Continentals. Frankly, I didn't notice any handling issue wheels, but went to non runflats. Once again the car seemed much more comfortable.

I suspect that the same stiff sidewalls of runflats that support the car without air contribute to a very positive steering feel. However, the same sidewalls make for an awful ride and bent rims when hitting something like potholes. Like most things in life there are tradeoffs.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by TEF

Unlike ezair, I went from19" GY runflats on my F10 to 17" non runflat Continentals. Frankly, I didn't notice any handling issue wheels, but went to non runflats. Once again the car seemed much more comfortable.

I suspect that the same stiff sidewalls of runflats that support the car without air contribute to a very positive steering feel. However, the same sidewalls make for an awful ride and bent rims when hitting something like potholes. Like most things in life there are tradeoffs.

I think a lot of that has to do with brand. Seems the Michelins & Bridgestone's are pretty good where the Goodyear's are crap. Our CPO 2012 535i came with the Crapyear LS2's. They were the worst tires I ever rode on; including the hard, solid rubber wagon tires! I replaced them with Bridgestone Driveguard's and the difference was incredible. The Bridgestone's rode like conventional tires. I was going to put them on our 2014, but Bridgestone didn't produce them in the size I needed. I've also read the Pirelli's are pretty rubbish.

[23109VC]

I looked into ps4 zero pressure RFT but they don’t have the right size for a 20” m550 staggered setup

[JSKS76]

Hi. I'm considering switching from RF to non-RF for summers. I do not want to lose cargo space, so keeping a compact spare kit in the trunk is a no go. I am pretty handy and can change a tire easily. If I were to go with non RF, I would be getting a CAA membership. But for cases where it's a simple tread puncture, I was reading people are keeping a tire repair kit for these scenarios. My question is how are you folks repairing the tire? Do you keep a compact jack and wrench kit to get the wheel off the car to do a plug until you can get a patch repair, or are you folks using the spray tire repair kit? Thank you for sharing.

[xander_g]

From what I understand, one would lose some performance and grip with rft as opposed to non rft tires and the bubbles can be mainly attributed to rim size and potholes.

Had non-rfts the since getting the car and I get bubbles in my tires regularly. I try to keep a spare pair of fronts at the tire shop I use at all times.

[KillerB]

A softer quiter ride for sure. Wheels are less susceptible to being bent. Especially true if you have the 20" wheels. I have made the change on every car that I have owned with RF tires to include this one that I just recently purchased. The RF summer tires are coming off Friday.

[LittleBlue]

I've switched to non run flats in the post on previous BMWs, always went with Z rated Continentals pro contacts, harder sidewalks to give you more control but much more comfortable ride and longevity.

I have 20" wheels now on my M Sport, differ size front and rear, when it's time I'll go with with non run flats for sure. I've even had someone plug a run flat years ago and lasted till the time came to change them. That proved that you can plug a run flat no matter what everyone says.