I FINALLY ditched the runflats, and the rims

[denton]

I did it.

2007 328xi w/ sport package=BMW 159 wheels.

Low profile wheels + runflats in NYC = one big clusterf**k.

I think I have replaced five wheels and several tires due to wear from mis-alignment due to crappy run-flats crashing into low profile OEM wheels.

I finally bit the bullet and ordered one nice set of BBS wheels from TireRack along with one set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season Tires.

I think ordering these OEM wheels in NYC was possibly the worst automotive decision I ever made since I bought an early VW Kharmann Ghia as a kid. lol.

They feel great, like switching from combat boots to running shoes.





http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8193685455_db511fcf7e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32537810@N00/8193685455/)
bmw-10 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32537810@N00/8193685455/) by dentonTay (http://www.flickr.com/people/32537810@N00/), on Flickr

[Canada Jeff]

Those are nice wheels! May I ask how much package was?

[denton]

Sure, it was around $1600 less an $80 mail in rebate for the tires, plus $200 to mount them.

[jmo69]

I thought if you bought tires and rims from TireRack they mounted them for free. When I bought the Blizzaks for my E36 they didn't charge me extra.

[denton]

jmo69, yes the wheels were mounted on the rims, but I had to take the old wheels off and put the new wheels on the car, and fix the TPMS. I know this is easy if you have a garage, but I live in an apt in Manhattan :-(

[TheDraftsman]

I'm thinking of doing the same after I felt the difference in sound, vibration and drivability with my Conti RFT's after just putting on Blizzaks for the winter. I think the Contis' are just a horrible tire all around. Makes me want to try another brand of RFT all seasons before I go fully non-RFT.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[mryakan]

I'm thinking of doing the same after I felt the difference in sound, vibration and drivability with my Conti RFT's after just putting on Blizzaks for the winter. I think the Contis' are just a horrible tire all around. Makes me want to try another brand of RFT all seasons before I go fully non-RFT.<!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /--><o:p></o:p>
A lot of times the harshness and vibration is due to age. With age and reduced tread, runflats get noisier. Also tire cupping and feathering contribute to that, so an alignment check may be advised to avoid having the same thing happen to the new tire. BMW recommends alignment once a year or when you notice abnormal wear.
For example, I just switched from my 18" Potenza RFT to the 17" much taller (205/50/17) winter setup. The switch used to make it less noisy before when they were newer, but now it is the other way around. I notice a lot more noise now since they are older tires (3rd season on them).
Harshness/noise also seems to be exacerbated by cold temps.

[denton]

This was actually my second set of RFs. I thought they had improved. Not in the conditions I drive in. I only have 36k on this car. I don't entirely blame the RFs, but in combination with the 159 rims and NYC roads, it was a disaster.

[kme36]

smart decision (Y)

[roskinc]

those look nice! good job.

[usernameunavail]

what size rim did you get - did you stick with 17s? i have an '09 335ix sedan with 17s and run-flats. thinking about making a change, including rim size, but am concerned with ride quality and think that going to 19s may compromise too much comfort.

[denton]

I stuck with 17", since you seem to be in my hometown also can;t even imagine going to 19"!