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BMW 3-Series Run Flat Tires

3108 messages,  Last post on Apr 21, 2013 at 1:52 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Tires

Messages Page 288 of 312

#2863 of 3108 RFT by jagost

Jun 06, 2011 (8:37 am)

I have own three BMW, the latest 2009 328. What is funny about BMW and Bridgestone run flat tire bull... is that surfing the web, you read articles dating back to Feb-July 2009 that the new Bridgestone 3rd generation run flat tires have been tested, and that all types of automobile magazine reps were on hand and noted great improvements driving BMWs with run flat tires etc.... Now it is June of 2011, and where are the run flat tires? I feel they were just buying time, and ripped off. I already switched to regular tires, and I’m looking at trading in my BMW for a VW Diesel Golf that does 42 miles per gallon on the highway, at about 25K less, and no run flat tires. The bad part of trading my car in is that if I go to a dealer that knows his stuff, the dealer will give me less for my trade-in. He will ask, where are your run flat tires.

#2864 of 3108 Re: Press request [busiris] by dohrmc

Jun 06, 2011 (8:54 am)

Replying to: busiris (Jun 06, 2011 8:29 am)
According to that "analysis", it would seem that the majority of BMW owners really don't see GFT .vs. RFT an issue.
 
Wow, sarcasm! You might need to cut down on the caffeine.......Talking to actual customers provides "analysis" aplenty. It's not that they don't see it as an issue, they don't even know there is an issue. Probably playing the radio too loud.
I am guessing, but I think the biggest concern of most of these drivers is nothing but how much the lease payment is. Some of them are enthusiasts, but most see the cars as something like a fancy Rolex watch. Something to be seen in. [I could be wrong, but I doubt it.] IMHO.

#2865 of 3108 Re: Press request [busiris] by 1socalgal

Jun 06, 2011 (10:20 am)

Replying to: busiris (Jun 06, 2011 8:29 am)
You're right: BMW really could have used the area in the trunk where the spare used to go (for a space-saver spare). There's certainly enough space, but all it's good for now is additional space for stuff. But if you want to carry a space-saver spare, you also have to have a jack, tire irons, etc. and where are those things stashed? If BMW has all of these various packages available, it is not impossible for them to offer a "space-saver spare" package. Equipping the BMW with RFTs was supposed to do away with the notion of having a spare, but if that's what the customer wants and is willing to pay for, BMW would probably do it --- eventually. But does BMW hear the clamor? BMW has long had a problem with hearing and understanding customer complaints.

#2866 of 3108 According to that analysis by jagost

Jun 06, 2011 (10:23 am)

I think the analysis are basing their info on the first 90-days when car manufactures mail the Questionnaire to the buyer, and the car is brand new, etc.... and the dealer begs you for an excellent rating. A run flat tire does not hit the buyer until 15000 miles and they buy new tires because of wear or a flat. They are sticker stock on the price of the tires, how fast they wear out, and how loud the tires get. I bet if the Questionnaire was sent 12-18 months later and based on tires only, the results would be different.

#2867 of 3108 Re: Press request [busiris] by boston303

Jun 06, 2011 (10:25 am)

Replying to: busiris (Jun 06, 2011 8:29 am)
Certainly goes to show how much of a status symbol the BMW has become. Those same drivers are likely driving automatic transmissions and would have gotten to wherever they were going in a Ford, but, of course that would not be driving a "beemer" (as opposed to "Bimmer"). Good for BMW a they have increased their market tremendously which of course is what they should accomplish. The Ultimate Driving Machine has been relegated to the "M" at stratuspheric prices. I saw a 2002 yesterday which looked small, but I remember the ads "The Ultimate Driving Machine built to cruise at 100 MPH" and it was affordable. Great flashback, bit clearly not a mass market car as they have today with an automatic, RFT shod 3 series.

#2868 of 3108 Re: Press request [busiris] by kirstie_h HOST

Jun 06, 2011 (11:51 am)

Replying to: busiris (Jun 03, 2011 1:41 pm)
These requests come to us from members of the press - only credible journalists/reporters. They don't use anything, including your name, unless you give them permission.
 
As for the other questions (GFT vs RFT), it wouldn't hurt to respond. The question would be sent to the reporter and they might want to follow up.

#2869 of 3108 Re: Press request [dohrmc] by busiris

Jun 06, 2011 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: dohrmc (Jun 06, 2011 8:54 am)
Lets face it. Those folks who dislike RFT really HATE them, and they aren't satisfied by simply saying they dislike them...They want EVERYONE to HATE RFT's.
 
From BMW's perspective, they are selling more cars than any time in their history, so, in that light, RFT's are pretty much a "success story" for the manufacturer. For many RFT antagonists, if GFT's were suddenly available once again, the complaint du jour would simply move to the next item on the list (and, for many, that list is a long one).
 
Personally, I see both sides of the issue.
 
RFT's usually are louder, ride rougher and don't get the mileage of GFT's. On the other hand, if your wife or daughter is in the "bad part" of a city or on the highway late at night and have a flat, RFT's are probably a good thing.
 
Like most things, its rarely a black .vs. white issue, but many shades of gray.
 
As a member of BMWCCA, I get the club magazine each month, and there are always letters bitching about how BMW has "lost its way" by straying from its history of manufacturing the "Ultimate Driving Machine".
 
An example...Most BMW's sold nowadays are automatics. That isn't due to BMW mandating them, but it is due to what the buying public wants. Like any successful company, BMW provides what the vast majority of buyers want, or at a minimum... will accept.
 
I say again, IMO it would be great if BMW offered an optional spare tire/tool kit. Of course, I feel sure that there are a few million other options that others would want if asked.
 
At this point, its really a non-issue. BMW is NOT going to return to GFT's regardless how many in the minority of owners (or "would-be" owners) scream and complain.
 
Just like I would tell anyone who suggests cars move away from drive-by-wire throttle back to cable/linkage throttle controls, it ain't gonna happen...
 
Time to move on...
 
If most drivers don't know what tire type they are running on their automobile, it really is a "non-issue".

#2870 of 3108 Re: Press request [Mr_Shiftright] by busiris

Jun 06, 2011 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 06, 2011 8:39 am)
My wife has a 2005 MINI convertible, and even though it came with RFT's, it also came with a space-saver spare.
 
When it was time for new tires, she elected to stay with RFT's, even though I suggested otherwise.
 
Her reasoning was that, flats seldom occur in front of a tire store, but at the most inconvenient time and place... when she is alone.
 
Her $$$, and her choice.
 
She did change to Continental RFT's, and IMO they are much quieter that the OEM tires. Its a MINI, so ride quality really wasn't/isn't an issue with her.
 
I do agree with the noise level on the older RFT's....The Bridgestones on my 07 Z4 sould a lot like that 18 wheeler you spoke of earlier....
 
Good thing my radio has a lot of volume to it, coupled with my "less that perfect" hearing ability nowadays...

#2871 of 3108 Re: Press request [busiris] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 06, 2011 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Jun 06, 2011 1:52 pm)
My personal view of RFTs is "a solution in search of a problem".
 
Prior to the introduction of the RFT on everyday passenger cars, the only vehicles that ran run-flats were armored limousines and combat vehicles---which should tell you their proper place in the world IMO.
 
To me, the RFTs on my MINI were as useful as bullet-proof glass and 1" armor on the floor pans.
 
So when I get a flat with regular tires, I have to stop and call AAA on my cell phone.
 
When I get a flat on my RFTs I can drive for 50 miles and pay for two brand new RFTs, because I've totally ruined one of them, for a mere $400.
 
OR---I could leave my car and take a taxi home for that kind of money and have plenty left over for the cab ride to the tire shop and the $15 repair bill waiting for me there.
 
I do believe you though, that newer RFTs are *much* better, but they still strike me as a kind of expensive overkill and, most ironically, a rather vulnerable piece of equipment.
 
I like $1.99 rubber gloves that are disposable, not $200 tires.
 
  
 

#2872 of 3108 Re: Press request [Mr_Shiftright] by busiris

Jun 06, 2011 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 06, 2011 2:50 pm)
My personal view of RFTs is "a solution in search of a problem".
 
Agreed in total.
 
Unfortunately, we appear to be seeing a lot of those solutions in search of problems these days...
 
I will say this, though... I had a neighbor that got killed by a drunk driver while he was along side the interstate hwy changing a flat (he was well off the roadway, even off the emergency strip on the right side of the road). He might still be dead today, but if his car had RFT's then, he wouldn't have been on the side of the road waiting for that drunk driver to come along and hit him that particular day.
 
I feel confident his wife would see a lot of value in RFT's...

Messages Page 288 of 312

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