Kumho or Run-flats?

gunner · 08-01-2007, 11:59 AM

Hello,

I'm new here and I've been reading a lot about tires (good and bad). I just thought I'd get some expert advise from the forum regulars.

I purchased a great car. My first BMW. It's a 2006 330i with sports/premium packages. I love the car!!

Anyway my question about tires. The car came with KUMHO I'ZENXW snow tires! The dealer told me they were run-flats but after getting home I looked them up and they aren't run-flats.

So, I went back and told them that we had a problem. The owner came out and when I told him he said, "No problem, I'll buy you a new set of run-flats". Talk about service!

So, in looking around here I've seen several members who hate the run-flats. I'm wondering if the KUMHO tires might be a better option and just let them buy me the BMW tire care kit.

Or, should I go ahead and let them get me the run-flats? They mentioned Bridgestone but he was going to call around to find the best deal. I don't blame him for that really.

So, what do you guys/gals think?

Thanks!!

Scott Doyle

bavarian19 · 08-01-2007, 01:06 PM

get some tires that are niether RF's nor winter tires...

look on tire rack for some great options...

phantom330 · 08-01-2007, 01:12 PM

stick with the run flats if they are going to give them to you for free. They are expensive tires, and unless you auto cross or something you'll never be able to tell the difference, and don't have to worry about flats.

gunner · 08-01-2007, 11:01 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have an appointment Friday to have the run-flats put on. New Bridgestone Potenza Run-flats. 225R4018 fronts and 255R3518 rears. Even with the problems reported I guess I can live with them since they are free.

I'll re-evaluate near the end of this set.

Thanks again.

Scott

montreal_bimmer · 08-02-2007, 12:06 AM

for free.... take them....

uberschnell · 08-02-2007, 12:13 AM

keep the Kumho's, take the runflats and sell them.

Picklito · 08-02-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom330

unless you auto cross or something you'll never be able to tell the difference

This couldn't be further from the truth. The run flats tramline horribly, and are the harshest riding tires I've ever driven. The improvements made by switching mine to Kumho's was shocking. It's a totally different car. Comparing Run Flats to Non, I can't believe the "Ultimate Driving Machine" was put on the lots with such a huge handicap. They suck. Ruins an otherwise nice car.

Take them for free, sell them, and buy some real tires.

gunner · 08-02-2007, 07:36 AM

Man, such a wide swing of opinions on these tires!

I have to take them at this point. I don't see me selling them (lazy) and will probably live with them for a while. If it's too bad I'll get me another set down the road.

I'll keep a log on how they perform and periodically post my 2-cents worth. Coming from a newby it might not mean much!

Scott

Bimmerboy87 · 08-03-2007, 12:35 AM

Kuhmo FTW!

gunner · 08-03-2007, 12:51 PM

New tires on. Initial impression is that those old Kumho snow tires sucked! The new Bridgestone run-flats are not nearly as harsh on rough pavement.

I hope they hold up. I definitely don't look forward to having to pay for a set with my dollar!

Scott

Carguy1965 · 08-03-2007, 07:04 PM

I hope you like them better than I did. I tolerated the run flats for 19,000 miles, and they even saved me a few weeks ago in Tennessee. That being said they sucked. Worst driving tires I have ever experienced. I now have had BFG G Force KDWs on there for a few weeks. We now know what a truly great car this is. Its quiet and it doesnt dart all over the road anymore. Its truly like a different vehicle. The handle is fantastic, It goes exactly where you point it, and you dont here the tires at all. Im just now feel like Im enjoying the sport package.
Sell those run flats, get a jack and a donut and really start to love your car..

ALPINE6SPD · 08-03-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picklito

This couldn't be further from the truth. The run flats tramline horribly, and are the harshest riding tires I've ever driven. The improvements made by switching mine to Kumho's was shocking. It's a totally different car. Comparing Run Flats to Non, I can't believe the "Ultimate Driving Machine" was put on the lots with such a huge handicap. They suck. Ruins an otherwise nice car.

Take them for free, sell them, and buy some real tires.

ya +1

rmorin49 · 08-04-2007, 07:00 PM

If you're lucky you will get 20K miles on the RFTs, then get ready to spend around $1300-1500 to replace them. I would have sold them immediately, you could get at least $600 for them, and bought a nice set of non-RFTs, say Yokohamas, Dunlops, Pirellis, etc. Just my 2 cents.

08-01-2007, 11:59 AM	#1
gunner Private 10 Rep 65 Posts Drives: Black 2006 330i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisville, KY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Kumho or Run-flats? Hello, I'm new here and I've been reading a lot about tires (good and bad). I just thought I'd get some expert advise from the forum regulars. I purchased a great car. My first BMW. It's a 2006 330i with sports/premium packages. I love the car!! Anyway my question about tires. The car came with KUMHO I'ZENXW snow tires! The dealer told me they were run-flats but after getting home I looked them up and they aren't run-flats. So, I went back and told them that we had a problem. The owner came out and when I told him he said, "No problem, I'll buy you a new set of run-flats". Talk about service! So, in looking around here I've seen several members who hate the run-flats. I'm wondering if the KUMHO tires might be a better option and just let them buy me the BMW tire care kit. Or, should I go ahead and let them get me the run-flats? They mentioned Bridgestone but he was going to call around to find the best deal. I don't blame him for that really. So, what do you guys/gals think? Thanks!! Scott Doyle
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08-01-2007, 01:06 PM	#2
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	get some tires that are niether RF's nor winter tires... look on tire rack for some great options...
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08-01-2007, 01:12 PM	#3
phantom330 Captain 18 Rep 892 Posts Drives: e93 335i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: OH iTrader: (0)	stick with the run flats if they are going to give them to you for free. They are expensive tires, and unless you auto cross or something you'll never be able to tell the difference, and don't have to worry about flats.
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08-01-2007, 11:01 PM	#4
gunner Private 10 Rep 65 Posts Drives: Black 2006 330i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisville, KY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Thanks for the replies. I have an appointment Friday to have the run-flats put on. New Bridgestone Potenza Run-flats. 225R4018 fronts and 255R3518 rears. Even with the problems reported I guess I can live with them since they are free. I'll re-evaluate near the end of this set. Thanks again. Scott
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08-02-2007, 12:06 AM	#5
montreal_bimmer OEMconcept 174 Rep 5,593 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada \| USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2006 325i [10.00]	for free.... take them....
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08-02-2007, 12:13 AM	#6
uberschnell Brigadier General 675 Rep 4,080 Posts Drives: Wide Body 1 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (48)	keep the Kumho's, take the runflats and sell them.
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08-02-2007, 07:36 AM	#8
gunner Private 10 Rep 65 Posts Drives: Black 2006 330i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisville, KY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Man, such a wide swing of opinions on these tires! I have to take them at this point. I don't see me selling them (lazy) and will probably live with them for a while. If it's too bad I'll get me another set down the road. I'll keep a log on how they perform and periodically post my 2-cents worth. Coming from a newby it might not mean much! Scott
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08-03-2007, 12:35 AM	#9
Bimmerboy87 Banned 5 Rep 342 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Down South iTrader: (0)	Kuhmo FTW!
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08-03-2007, 12:51 PM	#10
gunner Private 10 Rep 65 Posts Drives: Black 2006 330i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisville, KY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	New tires on. Initial impression is that those old Kumho snow tires sucked! The new Bridgestone run-flats are not nearly as harsh on rough pavement. I hope they hold up. I definitely don't look forward to having to pay for a set with my dollar! Scott
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08-03-2007, 07:04 PM	#11
Carguy1965 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 06 325I,07 Avalanche 65 Impala Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Social Circle GA iTrader: (0)	I hope you like them better than I did. I tolerated the run flats for 19,000 miles, and they even saved me a few weeks ago in Tennessee. That being said they sucked. Worst driving tires I have ever experienced. I now have had BFG G Force KDWs on there for a few weeks. We now know what a truly great car this is. Its quiet and it doesnt dart all over the road anymore. Its truly like a different vehicle. The handle is fantastic, It goes exactly where you point it, and you dont here the tires at all. Im just now feel like Im enjoying the sport package. Sell those run flats, get a jack and a donut and really start to love your car..
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08-04-2007, 07:00 PM	#13
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	If you're lucky you will get 20K miles on the RFTs, then get ready to spend around $1300-1500 to replace them. I would have sold them immediately, you could get at least $600 for them, and bought a nice set of non-RFTs, say Yokohamas, Dunlops, Pirellis, etc. Just my 2 cents. __________________ Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD 2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired) 2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired)
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