finally ditched OEM runflats

aesfah · 08-11-2011, 10:35 AM

So I experienced a flat on my Potenza runflats in the middle of nowhere eastern Maryland this weekend. 1AM, 2 car caravan, 4 people in my car, on the way to a beach house. 2 hours from nearest dealer.

Limped to a gas station and pulled tire off. I couldn't tell where it was punctured, so I couldn't patch it. Couldn't get the slime goo into the tire either (how the hell do you do that?!). BMW assist and GEICO road side assistance were of absolutely no help. Only wanted to tow my car to god knows where.

We abandoned car at gas station and all crammed in one car. The next day, I took the tire to a repair shop and they found a small crack near where the tire touches the inside rim. Tires were original from CPO purchase in 2009. Plenty of tread. Luckily, I found a random shop that stocked Potenza RE760 sport (non-RFT) in my size, so I bought one and ordered 3 more from Tire Rack, thinking if one tire had a stress fracture, maybe the others did too.

I got the other 3 tires installed last night; i was FLOORED when I saw the condition of the other rear tire. HUGE crack running 3/4 the way around the inner circumference of the tire. Pics don't do this justice. This tire had a fairly large bubble on the sidewall, which based on my research on this forum, i wasn't terribly concerned about. Turns out, I should've been concerned. This was a ticking time bomb. Really dodged that bullet.

In other news, the new RE760's are AMAZING. Everyone says to ditch the OEM runflats; I only wish I had done it sooner.

bmwfan75 · 08-11-2011, 10:41 AM

Others have been saying for years and I did the same as soon as I got my 3. Really don't see the point of run-flat because you still need to repair (only if possible) the tire and still need to pull off the road. The super stiff sidewall has also caused some members' rims to crack because it's not absorbing impact force but transferring through to the rim directly. The working theory of run-flats is flawed.

Drivaar · 08-11-2011, 10:46 AM

Not to mention the cost of run-flats!

norcal_cyclist · 08-11-2011, 10:51 AM

The run flats are what got you to the station - they do have a purpose. FWIW a bubble is never good, it's your tire seperating - ie: coming apart at the seams.

The tire looks that way because it was, well, run flat. It stress's the sidewall and that's where you'll see evidence of the stress, the tire looks normal for one that was driven on while flat.

Coolieman1220 · 08-11-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmwerks

The run flats are what got you to the station - they do have a purpose. FWIW a bubble is never good, it's your tire seperating - ie: coming apart at the seams.

The tire looks that way because it was, well, run flat. It stress's the sidewall and that's where you'll see evidence of the stress, the tire looks normal for one that was driven on while flat.

had it been a regular tire the sidewall would not have been stressed in such a way and that wouldn't have happened

and if it did happen, a spare would have been there to change and keep it movin

Q4P · 08-11-2011, 11:08 AM

Best decision I made was to ditch the runflats, I saw no compromise in handling and performance but a massive gain in comfort.

BANKAI · 08-11-2011, 11:13 AM

My tires have only 36xxx miles on them and I have been noticing what looks like what dry rotted tires look like on outer edge of the tire... I think this is what you're referring to too.

Alex D · 08-11-2011, 11:19 AM

My run flats ae about doen after 27k miles. This fall I am going to get a set of the brand new Michelin Pilot Super Sport mounted. They got rave reviews all over the place. Same tires will also also be going on my G35S this fall.

aesfah · 08-11-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmwerks

The run flats are what got you to the station - they do have a purpose. FWIW a bubble is never good, it's your tire seperating - ie: coming apart at the seams.

The tire looks that way because it was, well, run flat. It stress's the sidewall and that's where you'll see evidence of the stress, the tire looks normal for one that was driven on while flat.

This was not the tire that was driven while flat - it simply had a bubble in the sidewall, no loss of pressure. That's what was shocking to me

JayKay335i · 08-11-2011, 11:29 AM

Looks like they were under inflated and you were driving, or the previous driver was driving on the sidewalls at some point. Once you have a flat in a run flat and drive on the sidewall they are garbage. Same thing goes for severely under inflating them.

BANKAI · 08-11-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aesfah

This was not the tire that was driven while flat - it simply had a bubble in the sidewall, no loss of pressure. That's what was shocking to me

Shiiiet... I have a small bubble on my front tire from a pothole. A gift from the great state of California.

norcal_cyclist · 08-11-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aesfah

This was not the tire that was driven while flat - it simply had a bubble in the sidewall, no loss of pressure. That's what was shocking to me

Ahh my bad - but still never run a tire with a bubble longer than you need to.

1986pacecar · 08-11-2011, 11:51 AM

I ditched my runflats two months ago for Michelins and was disappointed that the ride didn't really improve much. It's better but not as much as I expected.

JayKay335i · 08-11-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aesfah

This was not the tire that was driven while flat - it simply had a bubble in the sidewall, no loss of pressure. That's what was shocking to me

Tires undergo huge changes in temperature and pressures from season to season, day to night, driving, etc. I've watched a tire inflated to 36psi shoot to 65psi while driving to vegas.

Just because you didn't drive on it for extended periods of time while severely under inflated doesn't mean somebody else didn't.

bmwkbiker · 08-12-2011, 12:08 AM

RunFlats suck, pick up a nail and you get to drive another 40 miles.
That 40 miles destroys an otherwise repairable tire, which you now have to replace at at least 2x the cost of a GFT tire.

e46mpwr · 08-12-2011, 01:11 AM

You're quite lucky to be able to find tires and it wasn't worse. I had a similar experience a few hundred miles from home but I had Non-RFT Direzzas on my car. I ended up getting RE760s too but coming from the Direzzas am very disappointed with the RE760.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aesfah

So I experienced a flat on my Potenza runflats in the middle of nowhere eastern Maryland this weekend. 1AM, 2 car caravan, 4 people in my car, on the way to a beach house. 2 hours from nearest dealer.

Limped to a gas station and pulled tire off. I couldn't tell where it was punctured, so I couldn't patch it. Couldn't get the slime goo into the tire either (how the hell do you do that?!). BMW assist and GEICO road side assistance were of absolutely no help. Only wanted to tow my car to god knows where.

We abandoned car at gas station and all crammed in one car. The next day, I took the tire to a repair shop and they found a small crack near where the tire touches the inside rim. Tires were original from CPO purchase in 2009. Plenty of tread. Luckily, I found a random shop that stocked Potenza RE760 sport (non-RFT) in my size, so I bought one and ordered 3 more from Tire Rack, thinking if one tire had a stress fracture, maybe the others did too.

I got the other 3 tires installed last night; i was FLOORED when I saw the condition of the other rear tire. HUGE crack running 3/4 the way around the inner circumference of the tire. Pics don't do this justice. This tire had a fairly large bubble on the sidewall, which based on my research on this forum, i wasn't terribly concerned about. Turns out, I should've been concerned. This was a ticking time bomb. Really dodged that bullet.

In other news, the new RE760's are AMAZING. Everyone says to ditch the OEM runflats; I only wish I had done it sooner.

aesfah · 08-12-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolieman1220

had it been a regular tire the sidewall would not have been stressed in such a way and that wouldn't have happened

and if it did happen, a spare would have been there to change and keep it movin

Absolutely. I'd much rather swap out a spare and keep moving, rather than waste hours on end searching for a BMW tire in the middle of nowhere. Designing a car with RFTs and no spare is an absolutely retarded idea, especially for road trips.

Now that I have non-RFTs, I threw in a winter tire/wheel in the trunk as my spare. There goes 1/2 of my trunk space, but at least I'll never be stranded again.

e46mpwr · 08-13-2011, 02:49 PM

LOL. I actually drive my car with non-RFT tires and no spare.

I live in Southern California which generally means the following:
* No Rain - Summer tires all the time
* There is usually a service station (tire shop) nearby
* Cell phones typically work and I can call someone

Quote:

Originally Posted by aesfah

Absolutely. I'd much rather swap out a spare and keep moving, rather than waste hours on end searching for a BMW tire in the middle of nowhere. Designing a car with RFTs and no spare is an absolutely retarded idea, especially for road trips.

Now that I have non-RFTs, I threw in a winter tire/wheel in the trunk as my spare. There goes 1/2 of my trunk space, but at least I'll never be stranded again.

Dark_Knight_335 · 08-13-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Questforpower

Best decision I made was to ditch the runflats, I saw no compromise in handling and performance but a massive gain in comfort.

I actually saw increases in handling and performance plus zero road noise and Lincoln like comfort with my Yoko S-drives. I also, only wish I had done it before bubbling not one, not two, not three, but FOUR TIRES. If it weren't for my rim and tire protection I probably would have done it a lot sooner. I would go so far as to say the RFTs transfer more shock to the rims. Never will I go back. I would rather go flat than go run flat!

Moz_e90 · 08-13-2011, 10:02 PM

Same deal here. I just replaced RFT with very small bubble. Upon removal also saw a 1ft long crack running at edge of tire wall/tread!! Yikes! I think the design is flawed in how the RFT's distribute impact force. Clearly, the stiffness (lack of give) of the side walls has to place undue stress on other parts of the tire (observation).

Hankook v12's all around. Incredible value. Feel like a fool for not having listened to the advice of others earlier. I couldn't believe the difference in ride quality and improvement in grip. 2 cans of slime, air pump and patch kit in the trunk.

rudypoochris · 08-14-2011, 03:15 AM

Dos this happen if you drive at ~15psi, or is this only happening with RFT's at ~5psi and below?

jvsxn · 08-14-2011, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drivaar

Not to mention the cost of run-flats!

Not to mention the rigidness of the ride. Too many cons with very little pros.

08-11-2011, 10:35 AM	#1
aesfah Max Powers 27 Rep 271 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MoCo, MD iTrader: (0)	finally ditched OEM runflats - never believe what i found So I experienced a flat on my Potenza runflats in the middle of nowhere eastern Maryland this weekend. 1AM, 2 car caravan, 4 people in my car, on the way to a beach house. 2 hours from nearest dealer. Limped to a gas station and pulled tire off. I couldn't tell where it was punctured, so I couldn't patch it. Couldn't get the slime goo into the tire either (how the hell do you do that?!). BMW assist and GEICO road side assistance were of absolutely no help. Only wanted to tow my car to god knows where. We abandoned car at gas station and all crammed in one car. The next day, I took the tire to a repair shop and they found a small crack near where the tire touches the inside rim. Tires were original from CPO purchase in 2009. Plenty of tread. Luckily, I found a random shop that stocked Potenza RE760 sport (non-RFT) in my size, so I bought one and ordered 3 more from Tire Rack, thinking if one tire had a stress fracture, maybe the others did too. I got the other 3 tires installed last night; i was FLOORED when I saw the condition of the other rear tire. HUGE crack running 3/4 the way around the inner circumference of the tire. Pics don't do this justice. This tire had a fairly large bubble on the sidewall, which based on my research on this forum, i wasn't terribly concerned about. Turns out, I should've been concerned. This was a ticking time bomb. Really dodged that bullet. In other news, the new RE760's are AMAZING. Everyone says to ditch the OEM runflats; I only wish I had done it sooner.
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08-11-2011, 10:41 AM	#2
bmwfan75 Private 7 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Others have been saying for years and I did the same as soon as I got my 3. Really don't see the point of run-flat because you still need to repair (only if possible) the tire and still need to pull off the road. The super stiff sidewall has also caused some members' rims to crack because it's not absorbing impact force but transferring through to the rim directly. The working theory of run-flats is flawed.
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08-11-2011, 10:46 AM	#3
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Not to mention the cost of run-flats!
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08-11-2011, 10:51 AM	#4
norcal_cyclist Private First Class 4 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rancho Cordova iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 BMW 323i [0.00]	The run flats are what got you to the station - they do have a purpose. FWIW a bubble is never good, it's your tire seperating - ie: coming apart at the seams. The tire looks that way because it was, well, run flat. It stress's the sidewall and that's where you'll see evidence of the stress, the tire looks normal for one that was driven on while flat.
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08-11-2011, 11:08 AM	#6
Q4P Colonel 83 Rep 2,291 Posts Drives: Too Much Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: World iTrader: (0)	Best decision I made was to ditch the runflats, I saw no compromise in handling and performance but a massive gain in comfort. __________________ 2jZ + RB26 + 4G63 + LS9 + N54 =
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08-11-2011, 11:13 AM	#7
BANKAI Private First Class 7 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	My tires have only 36xxx miles on them and I have been noticing what looks like what dry rotted tires look like on outer edge of the tire... I think this is what you're referring to too.
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08-11-2011, 11:19 AM	#8
Alex D Private 5 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	My run flats ae about doen after 27k miles. This fall I am going to get a set of the brand new Michelin Pilot Super Sport mounted. They got rave reviews all over the place. Same tires will also also be going on my G35S this fall. __________________ '07 335i Convertible - Karmesinrot/Korallrot, Dinan Stage 2, 6-speed, Sport/Premium/Cold Weather Pkgs., iDrive/Nav, BMWCCA#407025 '13 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 - Ingot Silver/Gray, Ecoboost 3.5l Twin Turbo, 302A Equipment Group, 3.31 Electronic Lock Axle, 5Star 93 Perf./Tow tune '08 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring - Crystal Pearl White/Tan
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08-11-2011, 11:29 AM	#10
JayKay335i Banned 189 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Looks like they were under inflated and you were driving, or the previous driver was driving on the sidewalls at some point. Once you have a flat in a run flat and drive on the sidewall they are garbage. Same thing goes for severely under inflating them.
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08-11-2011, 11:51 AM	#13
1986pacecar Enlisted Member 0 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2014 320i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I ditched my runflats two months ago for Michelins and was disappointed that the ride didn't really improve much. It's better but not as much as I expected.
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08-12-2011, 12:08 AM	#15
bmwkbiker Private 2 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 335i E93 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SF Bay area iTrader: (2)	RunFlats suck, pick up a nail and you get to drive another 40 miles. That 40 miles destroys an otherwise repairable tire, which you now have to replace at at least 2x the cost of a GFT tire.
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08-13-2011, 10:02 PM	#20
Moz_e90 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 325 e90 Sparkling Graphite Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (2)	Same deal here. I just replaced RFT with very small bubble. Upon removal also saw a 1ft long crack running at edge of tire wall/tread!! Yikes! I think the design is flawed in how the RFT's distribute impact force. Clearly, the stiffness (lack of give) of the side walls has to place undue stress on other parts of the tire (observation). Hankook v12's all around. Incredible value. Feel like a fool for not having listened to the advice of others earlier. I couldn't believe the difference in ride quality and improvement in grip. 2 cans of slime, air pump and patch kit in the trunk.
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08-14-2011, 03:15 AM	#21
rudypoochris Private 5 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 08 E92/72 Datsun 240z Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Dos this happen if you drive at ~15psi, or is this only happening with RFT's at ~5psi and below?
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