Run Flat Tires

[running flat]

Hello
I am new to this forum and
the name says it all...running flat with money on flats

I need your help and advise;
I have 33i 2006 equipped with OEM run flat tires:
Bridgstone potenza RE050A
Front:225/40R18
Rear: 255/35R18

Last month had one flat cost $485; last week another flat same cost
and today low tires pressure warning; Guess what? another nail !!
it looks like each nail going to cost the same...
Needeless to say the waiting time was simply a waste.

I say this run flat concept is utter non sense
with or without purchasing the warranty on these tires.
I am giving up will not pay another cent on RFT

So here are my questions:
Assuming my willingness to carry spare tires + jack on my back
since trunk brilliantly is void of space for a spare tire.

1. Can I go with regular tires ?
2. Can I use these rims with conventional \ make sense tires?
Regular tires cost $700 for all four with a higher higher thread count .
Got a flat? Jack it up change it and go !
3. Pressure monitoring issues? warning stays on? solution?
4. Can I go with different size tires ? maching front /rear with 16? 17? instead of 18? Less money in the long run .

Any help/feedback is appreciated.
thanks to you all

[witeshark]

IMO run flats are rubbish. But I'm not sure about any issues with your wheels. Is there no space for a compact spare?

[running flat]

Thanks for your quick reply; I have no issues with placing a spare tire in the trunk and treat it like a piece of luggage; my real issues are numbered 1 to 4 above.

Thanks again

[witeshark]

I'm sure you can go with regular tires, though you may need to check on the rims. Pressure monitor should be able to adapt, as far as I know.

[running flat]

That is a relief indeed....
FYI BMW dealer said can NOT be done hense I posted my questions to be sure.
Anyone know if they make a donut size tire for spare ?
Again dealer said: they made something
called LN 36_1449 spare system
part number: 38 136 792 843
part number: 71 106 773 536
for $450
The trick?
It was available until last year when BMW decided NOT to sell in the US market.
Sounds great; No?

Any how
I purchased from BMW the jack kit for $150 getting ready to dump these back breaking RFT to where the hell they came from.

[BimmerE39]

To go along with what witeshark said, and to further reinforce popular opinions on run flats, they suck indeed. I no longer carry a spare in my E39 and I run relatively low profile tires these days. I have a flat repair kit in my glove compartment along with a compact pump. Haven't had to use it yet (knocks on wood) but the chances of ever using a spare are small to begin with.

[CanyonCreekMT]

Run flat tires are a piece of crap get rid of them. I can not help you with the 3 series but my 7 series had 20" or 21" low profile run flat tires and the dealer swaped them out for free since they are so expensive. I am now running 18" Bridgstone tires and no more flats. The low profile tires will go flat just hitting a pothole on the road. Car seems to handle better and ride better with the new tires. I have a full size spare on my 7 Series.

[TRuckee]

I got rid of the RFT's on my 325i and got some sweet Continentals from the Tire Rack. Now, I've no spare or back-up other than free 150 mile towing from my AAA membership and that works for me. If I find myself traveling outside of that manageable area too much, I'll get an on-board pump and repair kit. Most of the time, if you simply look at your tires daily, you'll see any problems. Crissakes, I'm a carpenter and I've never had as many flats due to nails as you. Is someone seeding your driveway?

[running flat]

Funny Truckee u said that;
I have 1992 toyota pickup with $70 general tires ; sofar 45.000 miles NOT one single flat.

Anyhow what your take on swaping all these 18" RFT (front back different sizes) with regular 17" (one size for front back) ?

[TRuckee]

Now I'm not speaking with any great authority or expertise on this subject,but I wouldn't think about changing the tire sizes that the vehicle was engineered for. I had a motorcycle once that I changed OEM tire sizes on ( Honda VF500F ) and the change in feedback to the 'bars' was much greater than I would have though it could have ever been. The smaller rear tires would probably really confuse the traction control, don't you think?

[sweetbrs]

I too had run flat tires that were recalled and I got a letter about the law suit however, I can no longer find it. I just had to replace all four tires and want to see if anyone knows who I contact about the suit?

[bighorns]

I bought a 5 year warranty on my run-flats, so I'll be using them at least 4 more years. Just had 1 replaced recently. The warranty covers ANY original equipment tire on the car, which means that if I have to replace due to wear, the new tires are covered. The only requirement is that the tires have usable tread left if they fail.
When I was researching these cars before I bought mine, the RFT's were the only issue that worried me, so when they offered the insurance I jumped on it.