Runflats and 18" wheels - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

recruiter · 10-11-2006, 09:41 AM

Could someone give their experience with runflats on 18" wheels please

moO moO nEL · 10-11-2006, 02:27 PM

I think they are not that bad even with M sport suspension

9c1 · 10-13-2006, 08:34 AM

I have the 18" Bridgestone RFT's. You do feel the bumps on Sydney's poor quality roads and the car does tramline a bit with the M sport suspension but they do seem to be wearing ok with 8000kms.

These tyres are fairly quiet but not as quiet as the Michellins Pilot Premacy's (17" non rft) I had on my E46.

My E46 originally had Continental Sport Contact tyres which are very noisy.

I'd probably replace them with Michellins when it's time to replace the Bridgestones - although I'm not looking forward to the cost.

I think I saw that the Bridgestone fronts (225/35-18) cost about $600+ and the rears (255/30-18) cost about $1K+

shieldsup · 10-14-2006, 03:07 AM

I seem to be having an ok time with them... They can on ocassion trainline but generally on Melbourne roads they are good. Don't forget how hot they look.

NickG · 10-16-2006, 03:57 AM

Judging from my...um.. "exhilarating" 2 hour drive in the 335i coupe on demanding roads last Saturday the runflats are not as bad as I had feared. Absorption of sharp low amplitude bumps like concrete road joining strips and cats eyes was quite reasonable - more a muted thud than a harsh "clang". On smooth edged small to medium sized bumps the ride is definitely a little "knobbly", but again not overly so. Turnin was quite good, though not - I'm afraid to say - quite in the same class as my RX8 (however I fear that may be the car rather than just the tyres:cry). Road noise would upset anyone coming from a Lexus, but again was quite acceptable (you wouldn't want it to deteriorate too much with wear though. The cheaper RE030 Bridgestones [non RFT] become disgracefully noisy as they wear. Let's hope the RE050 fitted to the 335i do better).

Summary - Can I live with the runflats: YES. Would the car be better without them: YES. And I'm still puzzled as to why BMW would risk something as central to driver staisfaction as the ride/handling compromise to pursue this technology.

10-11-2006, 09:41 AM	#1
recruiter Private Drives: 335i Montego Blue(manual) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 70 iTrader: (0)	Runflats and 18" wheels Could someone give their experience with runflats on 18" wheels please

10-11-2006, 02:27 PM	#2
moO moO nEL First Lieutenant Drives: E90 323i M-sport; Mini CooperS Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 385 iTrader: (0) View moO moO nEL's Garage	I think they are not that bad even with M sport suspension __________________

10-14-2006, 03:07 AM	#4
shieldsup Enlisted Member Drives: E90 323i M Sport Idrive Silver Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 18 iTrader: (0)	18" RunFlats I seem to be having an ok time with them... They can on ocassion trainline but generally on Melbourne roads they are good. Don't forget how hot they look.

10-13-2006, 08:34 AM	#3
9c1 Enlisted Member Drives: E90 M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	I have the 18" Bridgestone RFT's. You do feel the bumps on Sydney's poor quality roads and the car does tramline a bit with the M sport suspension but they do seem to be wearing ok with 8000kms. These tyres are fairly quiet but not as quiet as the Michellins Pilot Premacy's (17" non rft) I had on my E46. My E46 originally had Continental Sport Contact tyres which are very noisy. I'd probably replace them with Michellins when it's time to replace the Bridgestones - although I'm not looking forward to the cost. I think I saw that the Bridgestone fronts (225/35-18) cost about $600+ and the rears (255/30-18) cost about $1K+

10-16-2006, 03:57 AM	#5
NickG Private First Class Drives: E92 335i 6MT M/Blue, Jade Grey Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newport Beach, Australia Posts: 199 iTrader: (0)	Judging from my...um.. "exhilarating" 2 hour drive in the 335i coupe on demanding roads last Saturday the runflats are not as bad as I had feared. Absorption of sharp low amplitude bumps like concrete road joining strips and cats eyes was quite reasonable - more a muted thud than a harsh "clang". On smooth edged small to medium sized bumps the ride is definitely a little "knobbly", but again not overly so. Turnin was quite good, though not - I'm afraid to say - quite in the same class as my RX8 (however I fear that may be the car rather than just the tyres:cry). Road noise would upset anyone coming from a Lexus, but again was quite acceptable (you wouldn't want it to deteriorate too much with wear though. The cheaper RE030 Bridgestones [non RFT] become disgracefully noisy as they wear. Let's hope the RE050 fitted to the 335i do better). Summary - Can I live with the runflats: YES. Would the car be better without them: YES. And I'm still puzzled as to why BMW would risk something as central to driver staisfaction as the ride/handling compromise to pursue this technology.