What is the view on run flats
- Thread starter Sajk
- Start date
M cars were never fitted from the factory with them - which pretty much says it all.
they are simply terrible - my experience is from driving a big 6 series with and without them -it’s pretty remarkable how the RFTs are able to make a big planted car like that feel skittish over bumpy roads-no issue on smooth roads but our roads in UK are more on par with a developing country!
Oh and they crack rims - I’ve never cracked a rim on the Z3 even when it was running rubber band profiles and driving it downs lanes but the little used and gently driven 6 series has suffered 3 cracks on one rim which has now had to be replaced…
I really like the concept and security of RFT, especially if you in a place like SA where being able to just carry on driving is important but for a pleasure car it’s a big compromise.
they are simply terrible - my experience is from driving a big 6 series with and without them -it’s pretty remarkable how the RFTs are able to make a big planted car like that feel skittish over bumpy roads-no issue on smooth roads but our roads in UK are more on par with a developing country!
Oh and they crack rims - I’ve never cracked a rim on the Z3 even when it was running rubber band profiles and driving it downs lanes but the little used and gently driven 6 series has suffered 3 cracks on one rim which has now had to be replaced…
I really like the concept and security of RFT, especially if you in a place like SA where being able to just carry on driving is important but for a pleasure car it’s a big compromise.
Absolutely agree with Dino, my 2011 E89 on 19” wheels has had 3 replaced in its lifetime and the N/S/R (the last original one) had to have a crack welded for last years MOT. When I bought the car last year it had 4 almost new run flats which I will have to “use” before I can replace them with non run flat tyres. Just counting the days.
Tony.
Tony.
I have a little experience with runflats and my advice would be buy some normal tyres instead. It's an upfront cost but well worth it in my view.
In my case I was putting up with the hard ride and road noise for nearly two years, then when I did get a puncture it said I could drive 50 miles max at up to 50mph. Not much use when you are 150 miles from home and all the tyre depot's are closed.
Fortunately I had my air pump, so drove home slowly, stopping to pump it up about every 40 miles, and it did get me home, but I could probably have done the same with a normal tyre under those slow puncture conditions.
I was even less impressed when I found out runflats are about 20% more expensive than normal tyres and are not always immediately available.
The tyre fitter said that in many cases when people have driven on runflats with no air in the rims are damaged, so it can be a new wheel as well.
Needless to say when I bought my next BMW I insisted on not having runflats.
In my case I was putting up with the hard ride and road noise for nearly two years, then when I did get a puncture it said I could drive 50 miles max at up to 50mph. Not much use when you are 150 miles from home and all the tyre depot's are closed.
Fortunately I had my air pump, so drove home slowly, stopping to pump it up about every 40 miles, and it did get me home, but I could probably have done the same with a normal tyre under those slow puncture conditions.
I was even less impressed when I found out runflats are about 20% more expensive than normal tyres and are not always immediately available.
The tyre fitter said that in many cases when people have driven on runflats with no air in the rims are damaged, so it can be a new wheel as well.
Needless to say when I bought my next BMW I insisted on not having runflats.
So if M cars did not have them fitted from factory then someone must have put them on mine. They are truly terrible on a rough road and cannot do the car any good at all.
EDIT - I also seem to have a problem with the rears leaking around the seal against the rim which I have never experienced before. I think they have to go as soon as I can afford it.
EDIT - I also seem to have a problem with the rears leaking around the seal against the rim which I have never experienced before. I think they have to go as soon as I can afford it.