XSeries-forum

Hello... can anyone tell me if its better to fit normal tyres rather than run flats to my 2010 x5 to get a smoother ride?? will it make that much of a difference?
cheers Paul

I think the general consensus is that non runflats give a better ride due the the softer side walls and a lot of BMW owners change from runflats.
You will however have to consider either a spare wheel or some tyre sealant just in case you get a puncture with non runflats

[align=left][/align][quote="mansa"]
Hello... can anyone tell me if its better to fit normal tyres rather than run flats to my 2010 x5 to get a smoother ride?? will it make that much of a difference?
cheers Paul
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Owners that have 19" rims feel more benefit than those with 20" rims.
I've ditched my Runflats on my 3 series, the ride and handling is miles better. I also did the same on my 5 series a few years ago. Both on 18" rims after suffering rim damage through Runflats.
Half the price too, which will buy a spare and Jack kit. And have money left over.

hi the other option is to drop a wheel size depending on what you have on already , generally 19" or 18" run smoother , the depth of the tyres is another factor as new tyres are more forgiving than ones near the limit . Runflats over the years have become better although some are worse than others , remember it is a big car and sometimes fitting none runflats result in a bit of a wollowy ride especially around corners .
  What ever you choose I would stay with a  well known premium brand as cheaper ones tend to be that , the car was designed to run on runflats !
 

I agree with the fact that non RFTs give a better ride. However I was under the impression that there are NO star marked tires non RFTs for the X5, and I have read in the past that if you don't put star marked tires, you increase the risk of ruining the transfer box???

If you change to non run flat the car becomes non standard and should inform insurance company . A mate of mine did this and had a accident the insurance refused to pay out as he had not informed them

There are NO non star non RFs for 20s. The Michelins in 275 size for the front have the wrong load rating. I went from non RFs 20s to RF 19s and that has made a difference to ride quality and has stopped the transmission noise. I was sceptical about star marked tyres, but my experience is that they made a difference.

[quote="rob"]
If you change to non run flat the car becomes non standard and should inform insurance company . A mate of mine did this and had a accident the insurance refused to pay out as he had not informed them
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When I intially went from Rft to standard, my insurnce company were uninterested, saying as long as the size, load and speed ratings were unchanged, they didn't need to record the change.

When I went from 20" to 19", they recorded that as a tyre downgrade! The non Rft 20s were Kumho and the 19s, Goodyear F1, so arguably a better tyre and therefore an upgrade......  Always better to let them know and get things recorded, rather than give them an excuse to deny a claim.

[quote="sitrom"]
I agree with the fact that non RFTs give a better ride. However I was under the impression that there are NO star marked tires non RFTs for the X5, and I have read in the past that if you don't put star marked tires, you increase the risk of ruining the transfer box???
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This is what I need to know too.

There are reports on here of diff and transfer box failures due to tyres.

The E70 has never been sold as a 'waft mobile' (nor have any of BMWs 'X' cars) as it has a sporty set up.  That's not a market BMW is interested in.  If you want 'waft' you buy a Range Rover.

The 'catch' if you can call it that with tyres, seems to be those with a more off-road/utility vehicle style of tread pattern.  That really seems to cause upsets, and as with the X3 it is staggered set ups that seem to suffer.

[quote="kay323"]
[quote="sitrom"]
I agree with the fact that non RFTs give a better ride. However I was under the impression that there are NO star marked tires non RFTs for the X5, and I have read in the past that if you don't put star marked tires, you increase the risk of ruining the transfer box???
[/quote]

This is what I need to know too.
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See my above post - I recently went from 20' to 19' as I couldn't get star marked non RFT which had the correct load rating. The only non RFT is Michelin diamaris which was designed for the E53. If you have an E53, these will work, but the front load rating is too low for an E70. I went from 20' non RFT to 19" RF and the ride is a bit better. My wheels and tyres are in the for sale section !

[quote="Riggie"]
[quote="kay323"]
[quote="sitrom"]
I agree with the fact that non RFTs give a better ride. However I was under the impression that there are NO star marked tires non RFTs for the X5, and I have read in the past that if you don't put star marked tires, you increase the risk of ruining the transfer box???
[/quote]

This is what I need to know too.
[/quote]

See my above post - I recently went from 20' to 19' as I couldn't get star marked non RFT which had the correct load rating. The only non RFT is Michelin diamaris which was designed for the E53. If you have an E53, these will work, but the front load rating is too low for an E70. I went from 20' non RFT to 19" RF and the ride is a bit better. My wheels and tyres are in the for sale section !
[/quote]
i have a E70 3.0sd  so need to have 107 load index

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

Rears are normally 111 !

I spent a lot of time reading reviews from people speculating on what changing to non run flat might be like  !
I really wanted to hear from someone who had done it. Well I have and this is a detailed account.
X5 40d on type 333 20" wheels. Model year 2012.
Reason for change: Harsh (tiring) ride.
Firstly despite comments below you can get suitable tyres in non run flat for 20". I changed from awful Bridgestone Duelers to SUV specific, non run flat Michelin Lattitude Sport3 f/r load index 106/110. Porsche standard fit these tyres to their SUV's for good reason, they are very very good.
I had a BMW dealer fit the tyres and the insurance company confirmed no impact to my policy conditions.

The car has been transformed. Before even the smallest defect in the road would jolt the car this being both uncomfortable and disrupting to the handling. It is now much more comfortable but what has been amazing is the improvement in the handling. Before the car required constant steering inputs to counter the tramlining effects of the run flats, subtle, almost unconscious inputs but tiring even on motorways. I had not really realised this until the change, now the car is fun to drive and feels like a BMW should (my 6th). The steering is precise, progressive and not a hint being 'wallowy' as mentioned in an earlier post - these are very controlled, pin point accuracy at speed.

As a note going 19" run flat is not the answer. The 19" run flat tyre wall  will still need to support the car to function and so is still ridiculously stiff and heavy. Have a look at one, the tyre walls are just solid rubber !

I got to compare the tyres off the car. The weight of the Duellers was astonishing alongside the replacement Michelins. 1 hand lift versus 2 hand, not sure what this is in Kg's but substantial and definitely not what you want on the rim of a wheel. It makes a mockery of run flats saving the weight of a spare.

BTW I have purchased the excellent AirMan compressor/sealant kit as supplied OEM to top brands. 50% 0f all new cars have these type of repair kits in place of a spare so this is now normal - just make sure you have a recovery service to back you up should you shred the tyre (same for run flats).

Why on earth has BMW compromised the performance and enjoyment of this car and the brand so extensively.
I was ready to sell this car if this change did not work out, that said I would struggle to by another BMW again as this remedial action was not something I had planned, was very expensive,  and has left me with 4 almost new run flats to dispose of.

100% agree. I went from 20 run flats to 19 run flats and still awful. Now on 19s non run flats and a much better car. I got slated for using the words "waft mobile" but hell it is a big car that is supposed to carry 4 adults at least in comfort. It definitely is not a sports car just a big wagon with handling more towards the enthusiast BUT it should not be compromised with a ride this bad when using run flats!
I'm just about to go for my 2nd set of Lattitude Sport 3s. The Falkens I used before were ok but the Michelins have lasted another 4000 miles longer and are absolutely great.

Run flats produce a ride quality that just doesn't work in the Uk on these cars.