Run Flat Tyres

[Aussie]

I have purchased a 320i with 16 inch run flat tyres. This is the first car to my knowledge in Australia with run flats. Mine after 4000 kms (2500 miles) started to vibrate but only at 1000 rpm. The dealer told me it was a characteristic of run flats. I asked to drive another E90 and it had the same vibration. The tyres are Continential, I had the same brand on my Audi and although not run flats they were great and lasted almost 50,000 miles.

Can anyone educate this Australian as to what to expect with run flats and should they vibrate in the first place?

 

[Big Daddy]

Run flats wear fast, vibrate and handle terribly, not to mention they are expensive. Most people cannot stand them. I would wear them out and get performance tires.

By the way, welcome to bmwboard.com!

 

[Aussie]

Thanks I thought this might be the case. All 3 and 5 Series BMWs in Australia are now only offered with run flats and everyone seems to hate them.

 

[tazza0712]

My Dad's 530 have run-flats as all new 3 and 5's do, and I don't think it sounds any louder than the performance tyres or handles any worse. Obviously the balance between a low riding coupe and an uber-saloon (barge ahem) will be different, but I can't agree with the large amount of criticism the run-flats are getting.

 

[Big Daddy]

The extra weight and stiffness of the run-flat tire causes it to suffer in the handling catagory. This is common knowledge among track junkies and other motorsport addicts. There is no way a car with the stiff sidewall of a run-falt can compete with a performance non-run flat tire. Run-flat tires are the answer for people who just want to drive their car and are not concerned with performance. Just as ABS is the answer to those who panic brake and have who do not know how or do not want to threshold brake.

 

[tazza0712]

Very good point, considering the weight and stifness of the tire, I don't know if any of you (Aussie excepted) have driven on Australian roads, but they are known to be some of the most rough, corrugated and altogether crap stretches of tarmac in the developed world, and we're talking main arterial roads as well, not just small backstreets - not the best for run-flats - however again, I can't personally see a major difference, and I've driven both, albeit not to the limit or in a performance manner - just where most drivers would keep their vehicle, well within the limits of adhesion. As for ABS, it is more effective in most situations, bar gravel, than threshold braking, it is just an expectation of all vehicles today that it comes standard with it. I've been in driver training courses, and although the threshold braking technique works trumps, in a panic situation, I hope I would resist the urge to just slam the brakes on and hope for the best... not really great defensive driving!

 

[Big Daddy]

ABS is only more effective in panic brakig. During all our police driving schools we removed the ABS fuse to disable it and drive the car more effectively. Threshold braking is much more efficient and ABS is there for the worst of drivers, even though I will agree if your coing to panic and are not properly trained you need ABS.

 

[Kirby]

I don't have run flats, but every comment I have heard from enthusiasts has been negative. I guess they are OK for a numb-ass commuter, but BMW ("The Ultimate Driving Machine") should make run-flats an option for perfomance minded drivers.

 

[tazza0712]

I agree with you Kirby, it should be an option. At least that way people will stop complaining, I think it really is pathetic of BMW to assume everyone will want it simply because it offers the greater peace of mind that you can mantain driving even on an under inflated tire. At any rate, still love their cars!

 

[Tim Cogan]

Hi Aussie. The big problem with run flats is that you don't get a spare. What happens when you get a flat mid way between Melbourne and Adelaide and you have to buy a new tyre. They don't have new run flats in Bordertown.

 

[tazza0712]

You get it shipped at a cost of either a) one arm or b) three fingers and a knee. Or you just basically go to your nearest tyre shop and ask them. My Wheels magazine said much the same thing, but also said that run flats are now more widely available and will continue to become so, even in out of town areas. Good to see another Aussie here by the way.

 

[Zeratul]

hey since we are on the subject of tires... i was wondering... i have the stock 330i tires/rims but plan to upgrade my tires to 255 rear... would it be possible to do that and keep my stock rims (17")

I want better performance... i was also thinking of leaving the run flats in the front(225) Thanks.

 

[Tim Cogan]

Mate, you can't even get the runflats in Adelaide without having them shipped in. I'm sure Bordertown has its good points, but I don't want to spend the night there.

 

[tazza0712]

I guess that's the advantage of living in a sprawling metropolis, along with our shoddy public transport system, high crime rates and dwindling property values. Move to Sydney, and you could have all this and MORE! (including runflats, we guarantee it!*)

*not a guarantee