Tyres..what's the best alternative to run flats

[Acebladesoldier]

Tune me in fellow members..thanks in advance 

[Greydog]

Morning Roy

What are you trying to achieve?? Better Ride ? More Grip ? Quieter Ride ? 

Runflats are well known for delivering a harsh ride, particularly towards the end of their useful life, as well as more road noise.

So if you are keeping the same wheels buy the same size tyres but non run flat, just don't buy cheap. Tyre footprint is about the size of a saucer, and that's all there is to accelerate, stop and steer your car. I always stay with recognised brands I am on Yoko's at the moment 275 x 40 x 20 Front 315 x 35 x 20 Rear. My brother inlaw has 535d touring and runs 245 x 40 x 19 Front 275 x 35 x 19 Rear Bridgestone non runflats.

If changing wheels to try and improve ride quality by fitting tyres with a taller side wall Brake size will dictate what will fit (18" I believe) so something like 245 x 45 x 18 may give a more forgiving ride

Dave

[PhilipE]

On 8/31/2021 at 7:30 AM, Greydog said:

Morning Roy

What are you trying to achieve?? Better Ride ? More Grip ? Quieter Ride ? 

Runflats are well known for delivering a harsh ride, particularly towards the end of their useful life, as well as more road noise.

So if you are keeping the same wheels buy the same size tyres but non run flat, just don't buy cheap. Tyre footprint is about the size of a saucer, and that's all there is to accelerate, stop and steer your car. I always stay with recognised brands I am on Yoko's at the moment 275 x 40 x 20 Front 315 x 35 x 20 Rear. My brother inlaw has 535d touring and runs 245 x 40 x 19 Front 275 x 35 x 19 Rear Bridgestone non runflats.

If changing wheels to try and improve ride quality by fitting tyres with a taller side wall Brake size will dictate what will fit (18" I believe) so something like 245 x 45 x 18 may give a more forgiving ride

Dave

If changing from run flats, the suspension should be adjusted too. You should also let your insurance company know, as it would be classified as a modification.

[Greydog]

Hi Philip

How is the suspension adjusted on the 335d?

I know the tracking and wheel alignment can be set/re-set which is good practice at every tyre change. Also as long as tyres are within the BMW specification why would you have to inform insurers, bearing in mind wheel/tyre combinations are available from 18" to 20" in a range of width combinations and tyre widths as standard OEM equipment dependent on customer order. This of course does not include Winter wheel and tyre combinations which are non runflat yet an OEM fitment with no recommended changes to the suspension shown in BMW TIS

I agree Insurers would want to know if the wheel tyre combination were outside the OEM specification. But if every time a new set of tyres are purchased ??

Dave

[SuzukiBoy2]

This would be my choice when my existing run flats have worn out:

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Michelin/Pilot-Sport-4.htm

I then need to invest in one of these:

https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk

[Greydog]

Morning Richard

The Michelins have had som good write ups and there seem to be some good deals going as well

When had the 4.4 it was LPG converted to the spare wheel is still in the garage full size 17" never seen the light of day let alone the road 😁 I carried a small compressor and a can of tyre goo in case of punctures. Still got those in the back of he 4.6. Tempt fate now in 18 years and a lot of miles I have used it once.

Dave

[Acebladesoldier]

On 8/31/2021 at 7:30 AM, Greydog said:

Morning Roy

What are you trying to achieve?? Better Ride ? More Grip ? Quieter Ride ? 

Runflats are well known for delivering a harsh ride, particularly towards the end of their useful life, as well as more road noise.

So if you are keeping the same wheels buy the same size tyres but non run flat, just don't buy cheap. Tyre footprint is about the size of a saucer, and that's all there is to accelerate, stop and steer your car. I always stay with recognised brands I am on Yoko's at the moment 275 x 40 x 20 Front 315 x 35 x 20 Rear. My brother inlaw has 535d touring and runs 245 x 40 x 19 Front 275 x 35 x 19 Rear Bridgestone non runflats.

If changing wheels to try and improve ride quality by fitting tyres with a taller side wall Brake size will dictate what will fit (18" I believe) so something like 245 x 45 x 18 may give a more forgiving ride

Dave...cheers dave

 

[PhilipE]

Hi Greydog

Apologies for not having responded to your earlier post, although, I don't know how the suspension would be adjusted to accomodate 'normal' tyres. I believe the suspension is softer to accomodate the harder ride of run flats.

Today, I picked up my new (to me) 523i. When I saw the car, I asked the dealer if the tyres were run flat, and had a reassuringly vague reply, so assumed they were. I got the car home, had a look, and aarrggh! they're not! Serve me right for falling for the charm, and not getting on my hands and knees to check. There isn't a space saver nor can of puncture repair gunk in the boot, so if I'd had a punture on the way home, I'd have been stuffed! Halfords first thing in the morning!

[Greydog]

Morning Philip

No apologies required, the suspension on your Beemer is either "Standard" "M sport" or full M series or Hard, Harder and Very Hard. Some of the newer cars have adjustable dampers which are controlled from the drivers seat by a switch (normally 3 settings) 

Your suspension is adjustable for alignment front and rear so advice is always have a 4 wheel alignment after new tyres.

Call me a cynic but first Space Saver spare were introduced not just by BMW but all manufacturers soon adopted it. Lets be honest it doesnt save a lot of space but it does save the manufacturer a load of cash when you compare the costs of a Full alloy an tyre against a Space saver. Then the Tyre manufacturers came up with Run Flats initially from a safety angle as cars were maintaining consistent high speeds on Motorways. Great Idea. Now the manufacturers could not only save the cost of a spare but also the Jack and Wheel brace !!

No one considers that if a run flat tyre is as it says "run flat" the side wall integrity will be compromised needing replacement even if the tread is in perfect condition (or may be they did?? Cynic again) 

The saving grace is you can fit standard tyres to a runflat wheel 

Dave

[btmaldon]

What is your reason for changing to normal tyres. I just changed three of my run flats due to some bulging in the side walls caused by pot holes. They are Goodyear F1's on 19 inch rims and the prices are now pretty reasonable. They were about £140 each. If they were the old price of £250 each I would have thought twice about it.

[jon green]

Hi guys, appreciate this topic is a bit dated, but within 6 months of owning my X3 M40d on 21" factory fitted run flats, and the state of our A & B roads, I've shelled out £700 on TWO tyres, due to the sidewall rupturing, leaving me stranded roadside and in need of a flatbed...not good. I'm looking for a back-up plan as we tour long distances on holiday and found an X3 space saver, claiming it fits all size wheels. BMW dealer was vague when I asked if it would fit....no surprise. The Wheel Shop said...check with the dealer. Wondering if anyone out there has more experience. Thanks all

19" BMW X3 G01 | Space Saver Wheel | The Wheel Shop

 

[Greydog]

Hi Jon

Welcome to the Forum

First is your car fitted with a Square wheel set (same size rims front and rear) or a Staggered wheel set (Wider rear wheels than the front) 

I suspect your car will have a staggered set probably 8j Front and 9.5j rear, so fitting a space saver wheel/tyre will mean there will be a different rolling radius on one wheel which can cause damage to the Transfer case and or diffs quite quickly if driven on for any distance (probably why your Dealer was vague) Even if your car has a square set up if the rolling radius of one tyre is different damage can occur. It isn't just BMW who suffer from this many 4x4 cars have the same issue.

First you would need to check the Off Set to make sure the 19" wheel clears your Brake callipers and fits in the boot along with a Jack and wheel brace. Then if you are sure it is only a real emergency measure and not a solution that will allow a distance to be covered and aware of the risks why not. I have 2 x X5;s both run 20" staggered wheels and early in their lives I changed run flats for standard tyres (as generally they are easier to source and wider choice, care still needs to be taken that front and rear Rolling Radius are closely matched) and I keep a small compressor and Tyre goo in the car in case (BMW actually supply these as well). I have used it twice and happy to say not on my car but to help out others.

Hope this helps not confuses

Dave

 

[jon green]

31 minutes ago, Greydog said:

Hi Jon

Welcome to the Forum

First is your car fitted with a Square wheel set (same size rims front and rear) or a Staggered wheel set (Wider rear wheels than the front) 

I suspect your car will have a staggered set probably 8j Front and 9.5j rear, so fitting a space saver wheel/tyre will mean there will be a different rolling radius on one wheel which can cause damage to the Transfer case and or diffs quite quickly if driven on for any distance (probably why your Dealer was vague) Even if your car has a square set up if the rolling radius of one tyre is different damage can occur. It isn't just BMW who suffer from this many 4x4 cars have the same issue.

First you would need to check the Off Set to make sure the 19" wheel clears your Brake callipers and fits in the boot along with a Jack and wheel brace. Then if you are sure it is only a real emergency measure and not a solution that will allow a distance to be covered and aware of the risks why not. I have 2 x X5;s both run 20" staggered wheels and early in their lives I changed run flats for standard tyres (as generally they are easier to source and wider choice, care still needs to be taken that front and rear Rolling Radius are closely matched) and I keep a small compressor and Tyre goo in the car in case (BMW actually supply these as well). I have used it twice and happy to say not on my car but to help out others.

Hope this helps not confuses

Dave

 

Hi Dave, thanks for your fantastic reply. I'm on a staggered set and I recall the wheel shop retailer was concerned about the M40d brake calipers and the 19" space saver not fitting 21" wheel. Hmmm, been researching more, and people either love or hate RFTs, think I'm stuck with them until pcp runs out in Dec 2025, but I'm now nervous about long journeys abroad cos each time I have a sidewall blow out, there's no way to run the car for any distance without wrecking the rims...

[Greydog]

Morning Jon

The main reason I moved away from run flats with the X5 E70 was tyre choice, with my E53 X5 I had plenty of practice. I learned that the recommended Star marked tyres were (a) not necessarily easy to get (often on back order) (b) They were also very premium priced (as you know)

I started using Bridgestone and Hankook and found that they were as well matched in a staggered set as the Star marked tyres so no transmission damage. I brought the E70 to cut the miles going onto the other X5 and quickly moved it onto Hankook non run flats a set of 4 285x40x20 Front and 315x35x20 rear was just under £800. 

In my breakdown kit I have as said a small compressor a can of tyre weld (or similar) and a tyre plug set. I have used it a couple of times a friend of my wife has a Volvo V60 on run flats she ran over a screw one of the plugs fixed it and stayed fixed until she needed tyres. My son inlaw suffered pot hole damage to his 330e when visiting us, a can of Tyre weld got him from Sussex back to the West Midlands where they live. When he went to the tyre shop they said "shouldn't use that stuff mate we cant repair tyres that have it in" well with 2 splits in the inner side wall it was a new tyre anyway but at least he could drive 190 miles and not be stuck overnight waiting for somewhere to open.

If there is a puddle I slow right down or go around if I can because in sunny Sussex it will be a Pot Hole 

I would go with a repair/limp kit like mine and fingers crossed the roads on the continent are in better nick than ours

As an aside our son inlaw started a claim against the county council it took ages to get a resolution they wanted to know how many miles the tyre had covered ? then how old was it then said as it was a used item they couldn't offer full value !!!! An invitation to appear on Rogue Traders finally got through

Dave

 

[jon green]

Thanks for the feedback Dave, really helpful stuff. I bet your friends and family are pleased you are sorted when it comes to puncture repair kits to keep them on the road. I like the sound of a puncture plug kit & tyre weld for screws and suchlike issues to help stay moving. Sidewall rupture is a flatbed for now, but I'm definitely going with non RFT in 17 months for the next M40d which I really enjoy driving. Ironically, we were in Arundel, W.Sussex when I got the recent pot hole blow out, so know exactly what you mean, I could not believe the state of the roads in the south of England to be honest, it was like wacky races avoiding pot holes on any main roads. We live in sunny N. Yorkshire and don't suffer from quite so many holes in the roads. Thank you for the information, but interestingly, I have already logged a claim for vehicle damage (tyre) with W. Sussex CC when I got home, their website says it can take 24 weeks before they even look at it... I'll wait and plan for the fight. Cheers Jon 

[Astonred]

On 9/12/2021 at 4:13 PM, SuzukiBoy2 said:

This would be my choice when my existing run flats have worn out:

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Michelin/Pilot-Sport-4.htm

I then need to invest in one of these:

https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk

Agreed, I was also eyeing up MICHELIN PRIMACY 4's, although BMW fitted new tyres when I bought the car, so I have a while to go until changing (hopefully).