I've had my '12 CM ALL4 for a week now and I can honestly say that I still do not like run-flat tires! I had them on my '04 MCS and replaced them a long time ago, so I had forgotten how uncomfortable they can be.

My CM came with Continental Pro Contact SSR (205/55 R17) run-flats. I'm going to replace them with an all-season non run-flat. With that in mind, I have some questions:

1. Are there any warranty implications with regards to what I’m planning to do?
2. Can you recommend a 17" all-season non run-flat for the CM ALL4?
3. Can I re-use the TPMS devices from the stock tires on the new tires?

By the way, other than the run-flat discomfort I am totally loving my new ride!

Thanks!
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2012 CMS ALL4, light coffee, black roof/mirrors, cold weather, anthracite wheels, sunroof, auto-climate, HK sound, bluetooth/usb/ipod.

 

Call tirerack. They really can help with your options. A lot of us run Continental DWS or DW's. They are great just look up all the reviews.

 

If go kart type handling is a priority for you, I would not go with DWS's. They have a relatively soft sidewall, and when we replaced the run flats on our R53 with DWS's we noticed a significant deterioration in handling, especially when driving the car hard or in emergency manuvers. Don't get me wrong...the tires are not dangerous, and the difference is barely noticeable in everyday uninspired driving. And adding an extra 6 psi to the tires offset the sloppy handling feel somewhat. And the tires were as good in the snow as Tire Rack's tests said they were, they wore very well, and the soft sidewalls provided for DRAMATICALLY better ride quality versus the run flats. But again, if handling is a priority for you, I would suggest the DWS is not the tire for you.

BTW, no warranty implications, and your TPMS will continue to work...but if you get a flat, you can't keep driving without damaging the tire and/or wheel or worse. Most of us who switch to non run flats seem to carry a spare and/or a can or two of Fix A Flat or similar products.

 

I have had some of the issues shark is talking about until they due a few heat cycles to firm up. Then they are pretty darned good. I also live in the Pocono's with lots of snow and loved them. Almost as good as a dedicated snow tire.

 

my dad's cms all4 has the 205/55R17 runflat tires and the ride was terrible at the factory reccommended 32psi

i upped the pressure to 38front/34 rear and everything is much better, ride, handling, noise etc

on my cms all4, i have 225/45R18 runflat tires and i am running 42front/36rear with similar results, at the stock 32psi, the tires were brutal

you should try upping the pressure, you have nothing to lose

scott

 

Thanks for all the info. I have used TireRack for all of my tire purchases in the past and plan to use them for this one too.

I was wondering about the tire pressure, bmwr606. I will check mine this morning and try running them at 38/34 as you suggest.

 

Thanks! Go kart handling is not a priority, especially with the CM ALL4. I traded in a '04 MCS so I didn't expect the CM to handle anything like my previous Mini. It's not bad though!

 

Thanks! I checked the tire pressure this morning and was surprised to find that three of them were set to 41psi and one of the rear tires was set to 44psi! So I adjusted the fronts down to 38 and the rears down to 34. The commute to work was a bit more pleasant (no surprise). Thanks for the tip. I had assumed the dealer set them all to 32psi. That's what I get for assuming!

I'm still planning to get rid of the run-flats, but I'm going to give it some time with the new psi settings before I make the final decision.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 225 50 17. Put a set on today. Runflats are in the garage and ready for a new owner.

 

On my previous car - a MkV VW GI, I was talked in to run flats by my local Firestone dealer. They were Bridgestone EL42 RFT's. They were absolutely the worst tires of any kind I've ever had. In order to improve the ride on the GTI, I swapped them out for a set of Michelin Primacy MXM4's. This is grand touring tire, which is silky smooth and has amazing wet grip. They made a huge difference in ride quality on the GTI. Tire Rack did a test of them vs. some other grand touring tires (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=138).

As with most aftermarket tires for the CM, you would have to move to a 225-50-17 size. I have a brand new CM with the all season Conti Pro Contact SSR 17's. I don't find the ride that harsh at all, although I am coming from a GTI, which had 45 profile tires and a pretty firm suspension as well. I'll probably stick with the Conti run flats until they need to be replaced.

 

I took the ContiPro RFT's off my Countryman after 3000 miles. I replaced them with non-RFT Bridgestone 225/50/R17's instead and obtained a BMW wheel as a spare. I have it in the trunk with bungee straps to the back seat anchors.

The handling improved immediately from being squirrelly in the corners at 25 mph to barely noticing the bumps at 50 mph. Not sure what kind of tires you prefer but I did my homework on the TireRack website where they have good real world tests of the tire options.

Not that I am an expert but I suspect the higher center of gravity in the Countryman is why the RFT's don't work properly.


Good luck.

 

I have the 18" Bridgestone runflats and they are great. I guess I don't understand all the issues with them. They are smooth and not noisy at all. Maybe if I could compare I could hear or feel the difference, but right now I'm happy!!

 

jasontom

i have the pirelli 18" runflats, and i agree with you, they are great

i did adjust the tire pressures up from the stock 32psi, i am running 42psi front and 36psi rear and that made all the difference in the world

due to the price of runflats vs non-runflats, i will not get runflats when these wear out, but til then i am happy with the runflats

scott

 

I have Kuhmo Ectsa's and love them. There is a thread about them. A lot of CM's run them and the price isn't bad.

 

I tried raising the pressure on my tires to 38 all around.

BIG mistake!

The car rides far, far rougher on a bumpy road, and the bump steer that other people have complained about (but did not previously exist on our car) is now there to the point of being scary.

Our car has the Bridgestone RFT's. I'm left wondering why several other people reported positive results from increasing the pressure, but we experienced the exact opposite. Strange....

 

different tires from different companies

just because the pirellis work better with higher pressure means nothing to any other brand tire

but you had nothing to lose

scott

 

NON RFT Michelin Primacy P225/45R-18 MXM4

Tire Rack - $151.00 per tire, $70 Michelin Rebate Certificate -- Fairfield (Connecticut) Mini Mount and Balance all four for $193

Ride definitely smoother, No more jarring impacts when I hit uneven pavement or speed bumps

The absolute most beneficial improvement is MUCH QUIETER cabin - Especially at speeds over 50 MPH -- It is amazing to now hear the engine and turbo more clearly, conversations inside cabin and audio system are much more enjoyable -- You can hear a bit more "wind" noise at higher speeds, however this is a welcome trade off!!

Got my portable 12V compressor and Green Slime, just in case!

Overall, I would Highly Recommend these tires, Two thumbs up to Logan Woodworth The Tire Rack logan@tirerackwholesale.com