Why is BMW moving away from offering run-flat tires?

[bayarea328xit]

The newest tire models work well and are great for drivers who don't want to bother with a flat. I would want my kids or spouse to drive home or repair shop.

I can see offering both run-flat and non-run-flat tires but why get rid of run-flat tires altogether? They were offered across the board (except M models) previously.

Maybe run-flat tires lower the EV range enough to become unfavorable.

[tturedraider]

I don’t give a damn about EVs, so I’m not paying attention to the tires BMW is putting on them. Is that what you’re referring to?

[KevinC]

Because they SUCK!

[Nai1ZuTe]

What you described is pretty much the only pro of a RFT. On the other hand they are noisy, uncomfortable, kills range, prone to bubbles and expensive to replace. I'm glad BMW listens to customers and get rid of them (or pretty sure they have a side too, so at least win-win). But I agree the best option is to offer both and let customers decide

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

increasing the car price, while decreasing wholesale. market it as listening to the customer.


are you asking WHY? business 101

[TTM0TION]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Because they SUCK!

This.

[co_440i]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I don’t give a damn about EVs, so I’m not paying attention to the tires BMW is putting on them. Is that what you’re referring to?

You don't give a damn so hard you commented about it!

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by co_440i

You don't give a damn so hard you commented about it!

He seemed to indicate it was the EVs that were no longer getting run flats, so I asked a question to clarify. Idiot! No need to respond. You are now on my ignore list. My patience for idiots like you on this forum is over. After 17 1/2 years on this forum I’m now up to a total of ten. Five added just this year.

[pbonsalb]

Please add me to your list. I want nothing to do with someone like you.

[Bc2005]

I was told by the dealer (not always the best source) that BMW can get slightly better range with EVs that have the low rolling resistance go-flat tires, so they are not using run-flats.

I’ve also noticed that if you look at the range specs for EVs, in many cases the range changes a little based on tire selection. Seems crazy that tires would have that much effect on EV “mileage”.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Runflats suck

EDIT: To add on the arguments about their wife being stranded. If no runflats BMW would have a spare and I sure as hell would teach my wife how to change a tire, we're in 2023 now come on. And if she's that incompetent then roadside assistance can come change it for her.

[MJBO]

I’m much happier knowing my wife’s X3 G01 is on runflats, I don’t want her stranded or otherwise having to hang around on the side of the road for goodness knows how long for roadside assist to show up.

I’d rather just replace an unrepairable run flat if it came to that, but I’ve had them successfully patched in the past.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Please add me to your list. I want nothing to do with someone like you.

Done. Being that since you joined in 2011 I’ve never seen a single one of your 10k+ posts I don’t think either of us will miss the other one iota.

[bayarea328xit]

Originally Posted by MJBO

I’m much happier knowing my wife’s X3 G01 is on runflats, I don’t want her stranded or otherwise having to hang around on the side of the road for goodness knows how long for roadside assist to show up.

I’d rather just replace an unrepairable run flat if it came to that, but I’ve had them successfully patched in the past.

This is exactly the reason that I like run-flat tires - I don't want family members to be stranded. I'm now stuck replacing the tires to run-flat upon delivery.

People say they suck, but I am not sure what fraction of people on this forum (already self-selected to be the ones that would most likely notice) would notice the difference if they drove two identical vehicles back-to-back blind to the tire type.

P.S. - the EV range consideration was the only item that came to my mind as to why they were removed entirely. I think if they offer both, they may have to quote the range with both types of tires (as they currently do for the different sized wheels).

[Tejas1836]

Originally Posted by bayarea328xit

This is exactly the reason that I like run-flat tires - I don't want family members to be stranded. I'm now stuck replacing the tires to run-flat upon delivery.

People say they suck, but I am not sure what fraction of people on this forum (already self-selected to be the ones that would most likely notice) would notice the difference if they drove two identical vehicles back-to-back blind to the tire type.

P.S. - the EV range consideration was the only item that came to my mind as to why they were removed entirely. I think if they offer both, they may have to quote the range with both types of tires (as they currently do for the different sized wheels).

Probably 98%; 100%
They do suck

[Rafichicago]

Over the past 20 some years of driving my wife and I had a total of 3 flats combined. Ride harshness and increased loudness of those is something that I don’t want to put up with. I’d rather have proper spare in the trunk than having to deal with their characteristics over the course of their life. In my experience they have always gotten louder after 15k miles or so and I hated that. My understanding is that manufacturers also went for run flats because
1. only 4 wheels/tires per car instead of 5
2. Bigger trunk as no more space for spare was required.
Could be more but who knows.

[Bruuuce]

Because they are cheaper, no spare is cheaper, no jack is cheaper, and a can of fix a flat is cheaper. I guess weight loss as well.

Flat tires are almost a thing of the past, I don't think most people know how to change a tire.

Also roadside assistance is cheaper overall to provide, especially given the use case of EVs. Although M cars have been fit a flat vs spare for years.

So costs/weight would be my guess/answer.

[Bc2005]

I don’t like the harsh ride of my Pirelli P7 run flats, and I’ve definitely broken the rule that “nobody gets flats anymore”.

I have the BMW tire and wheel insurance, and in 43k mikes they have replaced six tires.
1 - nail in the tire
2 - sidewall bulge appeared, but no pressure loss. On travel near Minneapolis, but it was Saturday and the BMW dealer there did not have the correct speed rated tire until Monday. Finally just continued on the trip and got it replaced at my home dealer.
3 - hit a wide “pothole” created by road repairs; caused sidewall flap of rubber to blow out. Deflated completely over about an hour.
4 - 1 day later, got in the car and found out the pothole was so wide that it got both front tires. Break/cut was on the inside of the tire, and not visible.
5 - wife hit a large pavement break on an otherwise smooth Interstate; instant flat tire with zero pressure.
6 - construction screw in the tread

For tire number 5 it was about 4:00 in the afternoon, on I-65 near Indianapolis, and I called BMW assistance. They dropped the ball and never even called back. Drove slowly to a gas station and called a local tow company. Only got an answering machine, with no call back. I wanted to get somewhere off the interstate, so we finally called and drove about 35-40 miles to the nearest BMW dealer, which gave us a loaner and replaced the tire the next day.

I don’t like the runflats, and I’d rather have a spare, but assuming that you can always rely on roadside service may also not be very realistic. There is usually going to be a long wait, either because you are too far away (rural) or they are too busy (city). Then you also need to find a tire dealer that can do the repair. Finding BMW-spec low profile tires will usually require a non-BMW shop to go back to the warehouse if you need replacement, and that takes time. It’s even worse if it’s the weekend, when major tire supply houses may be closed.

[zachdog]

I bought a new spare tire for my 230. I picked up a jack and wrench from the salvage yard. I prefer regular tires and don’t mind losing a little trunk space for a traditional spare, especially if I’m out in the sticks.

[unluky]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Because they SUCK!

100% this - and this is from a guy who was saved by them once, but I'll never own another one unless they just come on the car I buy. Terrible.

[UPSROD]

This is a M3 forum and no M3 has ever had run flat tires!

[///MPhatic]

They're trash.