[Bimmer100_]

Hey everyone. My x3 has 10k miles and I want to get rid of the run flats. I've narrowed it down to either the Michelin Pilot sport a/s 3 plus and the continental DWS. Does anyone have experiences with either and which is recommended for all season (NY). Also my next question is with a lease return, do I need to return the car with original run flats or can I return with either of the 2 tires listed above?

One more thing, is it recommended to have an alignment done after new tires even though the car has 10k miles? If so, should the dealer perform the alignment or can any performance shop with alignment rack do it? Thanks

[HoustonEaDo]

Re: lease return, it has to have run flats

I recently had an alignment done -- dealer wanted $250....had it done at local shop for $99

[Wgosma]

Search, plenty of reading material, example: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1674013

[dmicah]

Originally Posted by bwsteg

Hey everyone. My x3 has 10k miles and I want to get rid of the run flats. I've narrowed it down to either the Michelin Pilot sport a/s 3 plus and the continental DWS. Does anyone have experiences with either and which is recommended for all season (NY). Also my next question is with a lease return, do I need to return the car with original run flats or can I return with either of the 2 tires listed above?

I yanked my RFTs within 400 miles and am storing them to remount upon the lease return. Currently I'm on the Pilot sports you mention and really like the ride and handling compared to my OEM Alenza RFTs. I think you can get away with returning the car with 10k RFTs on it.

As for which tire, if you do the research on tirerack, I think the DWS tends to handle snow a bit better than the Michelins, and so might be better for you if you think you're going to need that. In Seattle we tend to get snow once a year and my other car wears winters in the winter, so I went with the Michelins.

[Bimmer100_]

Originally Posted by dmicah

I yanked my RFTs within 400 miles and am storing them to remount upon the lease return. Currently I'm on the Pilot sports you mention and really like the ride and handling compared to my OEM Alenza RFTs. I think you can get away with returning the car with 10k RFTs on it.

As for which tire, if you do the research on tirerack, I think the DWS tends to handle snow a bit better than the Michelins, and so might be better for you if you think you're going to need that. In Seattle we tend to get snow once a year and my other car wears winters in the winter, so I went with the Michelins.

We don't get much snow in NY either. I like the performance of the Michelin and the comfort of the conti (according to reviews). However I don't mind the current comfort of the oem Bridgestone rft so if I go with the Michelin, I should still notice a big improvement in comfort, I assume?

[dmicah]

Originally Posted by bwsteg

We don't get much snow in NY either. I like the performance of the Michelin and the comfort of the conti (according to reviews). However I don't mind the current comfort of the oem Bridgestone rft so if I go with the Michelin, I should still notice a big improvement in comfort, I assume?

Yes, you'll notice it. BTW, you're obviously not upstate if you don't get much snow!

[Bimmer100_]

Originally Posted by dmicah

Yes, you'll notice it. BTW, you're obviously not upstate if you don't get much snow!

NYC. Have you had any issues with the Michelin and pot holes as far as getting bubbles on the tires, etc? The reviews say the sidewall is stiffer.

[dmicah]

Originally Posted by bwsteg

NYC. Have you had any issues with the Michelin and pot holes as far as getting bubbles on the tires, etc? The reviews say the sidewall is stiffer.

Sorry, too early to tell. Less than 1K miles. But none so far

[Yellowmattei]

Originally Posted by bwsteg

NYC. Have you had any issues with the Michelin and pot holes as far as getting bubbles on the tires, etc? The reviews say the sidewall is stiffer.

Bubbles in the sidewall generally only apply to RFT's. The bubbles occur when the rubber separates from the steel that supports the sidewall after the air goes out.

The Michelin's might ride harder because they're stiffer. The DWS's are definitely a softer tire from everything I've read, but I've never had the Michelin's on any car so I can't really compare them. I have had the DWS's though, and liked them very much. I will either switch to those, or perhaps the Goodyear Exhilarates, which I've been hearing good things about.

[kargurin]

Originally Posted by Yellowmattei

Bubbles in the sidewall generally only apply to RFT's. The bubbles occur when the rubber separates from the steel that supports the sidewall after the air goes out.

The Michelin's might ride harder because they're stiffer. The DWS's are definitely a softer tire from everything I've read, but I've never had the Michelin's on any car so I can't really compare them. I have had the DWS's though, and liked them very much. I will either switch to those, or perhaps the Goodyear Exhilarates, which I've been hearing good things about.

In December I had a blowout on the sidewall of my Pirelli rear passenger tire. Good news: it was RFT so I easily drove to a BMW dealership just 15 minutes away where they had a replacement in stock. Bad news (potentially): did the blowout occur because it was a RFT and developed a bubble somehow (pothole impact)? Do standard tires ever blowout on the sidewall? Ever since RFTs became repairable I don't mind them. Five years ago no one would touch the Pirelli's if it caught a nail. A few years ago they changed their policy and now no one complains when I need a nail plugged.

[blschaefer1]

I’ve had Conti DWS06’s on my 2020 M40i since new. Love everything about the tires. They ride well and are very quiet. Plenty of grip for an SUV. Tire pressure is a bit critical with these in my opinion. I’m on 20” and running 38 front and 40 rear, cold.

[harperium]

The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ are good all-rounders. Great traction in any temp, wet or dry. However their weakness is when on actual snow and ice. Perhaps the Conti DWS 06 are better on snow/ice.

The Bridgestone Duelers RFT aren't terrible. They are mediocre, however they are low-rolling-resistance and get great MPG - about 8-10% better than the Pilot Sport A/S 3+. If that matters to you.

[Bimmer100_]

I just ordered the Michelin's. I've had that the contis on my previous cars so I'm eager to try these out.

Is it recommended to have an alignment done after swapping the tires?

[dmicah]

Not required, but is a good idea WRT preserving the tires and making sure they wear correctly. If your alignment is already good, like you had an alignment a couple months ago, then there's little value. If it's been a while, it's a good idea.

[Bimmer100_]

Originally Posted by dmicah

Not required, but is a good idea WRT preserving the tires and making sure they wear correctly. If your alignment is already good, like you had an alignment a couple months ago, then there's little value. If it's been a while, it's a good idea.

I'll probably just get the alignment. I've never done the alignment and I purchased in Aug 2019. I rather do it since I've read that many cars come from factory with the alignment out of whack

[MikeG12]

i've had the Michelin AS3+ on both my 228 RWD and X1 X Drive. I use snow tires on the 228 during the winter because it is RWD but use the AS 3+'s all year on the X1. No problem handling snow on the X1. They are still high performance tires so don't expect 70K miles out of them but they are better than the original RFT's which wore out very quickly.

[Bimmer100_]

Had the Michelin's installed yesterday and alignment done. I was surprised to see that the rear alignment was off from factory. Does anyone have the stock alignment specs for 19 m40i with 19" wheels? Thanks

[newsmarr]

The Michelin's would be a great 3 season tire but I wouldn't use them in the winter.