jprescott

I'm on the hunt for a new SUV and hope I can avoid run flats. I hate the noise and the hard ride. I can't tell by MBUSA site if these are standard. I have an X5 today because the 7 series is in the shop. Compared to the ML it is a hard ride in part because of run flats. ML is much more lux

xxGenericSNxx

I don't think MLs have run flats because they do feature a spare tire in the trunk's floor.

hutch300

No they do not have run flats. The prior generation diesels only did.

another_geek

If you order the B&O audio system, you sacrifice the spare tire for the subwoofer. I wonder if you get runflats with that option? One of the reasons I didn't order the B&O because I wasn't willing to give up the spare.

GregW / Oregon

I'm with you on that - one reason I did not consider the X5. The new MLs have a space saver spare conveniently located in a well under the rear cargo area floor; there is also a jack, lug wrench, folding wheel chock, alignment pin and towing eye. 2012s also had the ball coupling for the tow hitch here, but it does not come with 2013s.

jprescott

Thanks for the info. Run flats are a deal breaker. This morning I was on a drive with the BMW tech in my 740Li and he said he has multiple customers complain about run flat noise and vibration. They see several cars per month that come in for "vibration issues" and many are due to tires. It blows me away that BMW will sacrifice the entire drive with run flats. ALL BMW models have them

I will be beyond disappointed if the new S550 comes out with run flats since it will hopefully be my next car

GregW / Oregon

Well not quite all - the M line does not (at least the M3 for sure).

xxGenericSNxx

That's a good point and now you have me curious. All the sales people know of the BO system and how you lose the spare but there haven't been any cars that showed up so I can see it myself. I want to visualize how the sub fits in the spare area as the sub is only 8" yet apparently occupies such a large space that
the spare won't fit. Anyways, if I were in the position to get an SUV with the BO I definitely would and would just relegate to a hitch mounted spare for road trips only. Then around city use I'd just utilize roadside assistance should I get a flat.

iankayem

You must have the E46 as the E90/92/93 have runflats. (Subject to market variations of course.)

GregW / Oregon

On my M3 which has only injectible goop for flat repair, I made up a minispare that I put in the trunk for trips. On all my cars, I carry a plug kit and compressor on trips that will work on small punctures.

GregW / Oregon

Not in the US - mine is an '08 E92.

From BMW USA website:
"1 Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces, as well as debris, curbs and other obstacles, can cause serious damage to wheels, tires and suspension parts. This is more likely to occur with low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning between the wheel and the road. Be careful to avoid road hazards and reduce your speed, especially if your vehicle is equipped with low-profile tires. Performance tires are not recommended for driving in ice and snow conditions. Please note: M3 models are not equipped with a spare tire and wheel. They include M Mobility System, which offers lifetime BMW Roadside Assistance for tire assistance.

jprescott

So as I said, all BMW models come with run flats unless swapped out or special ordered. The M is an exception but you can imagine how some one may feel about paying a huge premium for an M and getting a goop repair kit(worth $25). Makes me upset that I had to take off new tires from my 7 and replace them immediately to turn the car into the luxury car it is supposed to be.

nosnoop

You may not like the ride of the run flats, but there is no denying that run flats are much safer and much less prone to tire blow out (and enable you to remain in control even if it does). It also has significant performance benefit with reduction in braking distance and better handling (shaving a few seconds off track times just by using run flats).

iankayem

For what function did you buy your car?

If its as a smooth riding limo, then you do not want runflats.

If its for track work, then first you do not want an SUV, but you want lowprofile HP tyres, inflated to the correct pressure.
Runflats at standard pressure may be less jelly like than standard tyres at standard pressures, but they will soon heat up excessively if pushed and potentially will prematurely blow. Extra rubber = extra flex = extra heat = extra failure. So high pressures are required for high performance at a loss of comfort.

BMW have decided to go with runflats as it frees up their design team who do not have to leave space for the spare. They have not done it for better handling, or else they would fit them to all the M cars. (They do fit them to the M3 in Australia, as it is possible to have a blow out on a main highway, 500km from a tow truck.)

Some posters have one car and try to do all with it which is always a problem. Others among us have sufficient garage space to have a car for the alternate desires. Thats the best way to shave seconds off a track time.

GregW / Oregon

Well, the goop kit also comes with a compressor, so probably worth $50. I was able to make up the minispare for about $200, so I have no qualms about not having runflats. Never had an issue in my 10 years of M3 ownership.