Bought a BMW 320d!!

[dem maser]

will do exactly that, wear them out (see how I get on with them) and then buy non flats summer in March

 

[Dan!]

From a JD Power survey:

Run-flat tires are primarily being used on luxury and performance sports vehicles. In both instances, overall satisfaction with tires is lower when vehicles are equipped with run-flat tires, compared with when they are equipped with standard tires.

Overall satisfaction among owners of luxury vehicles with run-flat tires is 728 (on a 1,000-point scale), compared with 739 among those who own luxury vehicles with standard tires. The gap is even more pronounced among owners of performance sports vehicles, among whom overall satisfaction is 665 with run-flat tires vs. 732 with standard tires.

So a satisfaction score of 728 to 739... or 1.5% difference in satisfaction.

Probably best to form your own opinion Dem.

 

[dem maser]

Thanks Dan

Being honest, I have not found them a problem so far either on the motorway or in town (have only done 200 miles)

 

[drewf]

I suspect few people could actually tell you what was fitted on a blind test Dem. The satisfaction reviews above are not blind - the drivers know what's fitted to their cars, and there's a fair amount of sheep following the received wisdom of run-flat bad, standard good. If you put runflats on a car which doesn't have suspension designed to allow for the heavier stiffer sidewalls, I'm sure the ride is poorer. Similarly, if you take runflats off a car with suspension tuned for them, and fit soft-walled lighter standard tyres, then the ride will be so much 'better'. I'd wager there's just as much difference between different brands of similar tyre types.

My 5-series had run-flats on, and when worn out I changed them for standard tyres and a spacesaver bought on eBay. Why? Have you seen how expensive run-flats are??? And adding fuel to the fire, a mate with an identical 5-series had a flat, drove for 4 or 5 miles to the garage to get it sorted, and the tyre was completely destroyed. New tyre required, naturally. What happens when you have a puncture in a normal tyre? Frequently you can stop, put the spare on and get the other one repaired, particularly if it was flat when you came back to a parked car. I personally don't see the value in having run-flats, but I wouldn't rush to get them off the car until they are worn out.

 

[DPS20K]

I have a 320D with run flats and have driven 120k miles in it. My view is they are no worse than the same profile normal tyres I had on my previous 3 series. Personally I'd always have run flats if they are an option. Why? Have you ever seen a car going out of control in the outside lane of the M25 following a blowout? I have and it's scary, but it doesn't happen with run flats. They may cost more but the price difference is dropping as they become more popular and personally I'm happy to pay the extra for that peace of mind.

 

[Ian3200]

I suspect few people could actually tell you what was fitted on a blind test Dem. The satisfaction reviews above are not blind - the drivers know what's fitted to their cars, and there's a fair amount of sheep following the received wisdom of run-flat bad, standard good. If you put runflats on a car which doesn't have suspension designed to allow for the heavier stiffer sidewalls, I'm sure the ride is poorer. Similarly, if you take runflats off a car with suspension tuned for them, and fit soft-walled lighter standard tyres, then the ride will be so much 'better'. I'd wager there's just as much difference between different brands of similar tyre types.

My 5-series had run-flats on, and when worn out I changed them for standard tyres and a spacesaver bought on eBay. Why? Have you seen how expensive run-flats are??? And adding fuel to the fire, a mate with an identical 5-series had a flat, drove for 4 or 5 miles to the garage to get it sorted, and the tyre was completely destroyed. New tyre required, naturally. What happens when you have a puncture in a normal tyre? Frequently you can stop, put the spare on and get the other one repaired, particularly if it was flat when you came back to a parked car. I personally don't see the value in having run-flats, but I wouldn't rush to get them off the car until they are worn out.

All I can say is that I have driven many miles with and many miles without, and you're right, I can't tell the difference in normal driving... but the tramlining absolutely definitely happens to an alarming degree with them, and doesn't happen at all without... that's enough for me...

 

[Zep]

I had a chuckle about the 'blind test'. Would they give their opinion after they were cut from the wreckage?

 

[drewf]

I had a chuckle about the 'blind test'. Would they give their opinion after they were cut from the wreckage?

I can give you mine, if you like?