Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Tyre cracking on runflats

Alloy wheels and tyre discussion
Post Reply
thespannerman
Member
Member
Posts: 110
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 5:10 pm
Location: Oldbury, West Midlands

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by thespannerman » Mon Jun 28, 2021 9:13 pm

Folks, had our Z4 for a few weeks, and one of the things that looked ok was the tyres, in terms of tread depth. They are all about 6mm, dot coded for 2017, so not massively old, but if I look in the treads I can see the rubber is cracked. I have only seen this before on old tyres, and usually more on the sidewalls, whereas the sidewalls on ours look ok. Are runflats more susceptible to cracking. My thoughts are to ditch the runflats but didn’t want to shell out on a set of tyres just yet.

Al
BMW newbie, 2003 E85 2.5 SE - but after 10 Discoveries this ought to be a walk in the park :P

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23608
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by Mr Tidy » Mon Jun 28, 2021 9:32 pm

Cracking on tyres seems to have only become an issue more recently, but I don't think it is just run-flats that suffer from it.

My sister just bought a 2018 Fiat 500 (on non run-flats) and when it had it's first MOT in May the tester gave it advisories for cracking on all 4 tyres. :o

Whether you change them probably depends on how bad the cracking is - but if you do you definitely don't want more run-flats!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

User avatar
groovy_hippy
Member
Member
Posts: 395
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:37 pm
Location: Derby

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by groovy_hippy » Mon Jun 28, 2021 9:54 pm

OP, are they Bridgestones? I seem to remember that it was an issue on the RE050 run flat…
Current ... 2007 Z4 Coupe 3.0si Sport | Manual | Alpine White | Black leather | Piano black dash
Intro to Zeds, now sold... 2007 Z4 2.5i SE Roadster | Manual | Stratus Grey | Red Leather | CDV delete | DLV backbox

User avatar
M1k3yC
Member
Member
Posts: 624
Joined: Tue Aug 06, 2019 6:38 pm
Location: Stafford

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by M1k3yC » Mon Jun 28, 2021 10:03 pm

The rears on my M135i were cracking after about four years. They also showed small cuts around some of the treads where the tyre makes contact with the road. The fronts didn't seem to suffer from it. All tyres were Michelin Pilot Super Sport and on the car since new.
2022 Hyundai Kona N - greyhound transport
2018 F56 Mini JCW
2016 MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
Gone to a good home: 2007 E86 3.0Si Sport

thespannerman
Member
Member
Posts: 110
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 5:10 pm
Location: Oldbury, West Midlands

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by thespannerman » Tue Sep 21, 2021 5:07 pm

Well swapped the runflats for a set of “normal” Bridgestones, and the ride is much nicer, less harsh, and not tramlining anywhere near as much.

Happier now :D

Al
BMW newbie, 2003 E85 2.5 SE - but after 10 Discoveries this ought to be a walk in the park :P

User avatar
Chippie
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2311
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:11 pm
Location: Wakefield

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by Chippie » Tue Sep 21, 2021 5:40 pm

thespannerman wrote: Tue Sep 21, 2021 5:07 pm Well swapped the runflats for a set of “normal” Bridgestones, and the ride is much nicer, less harsh, and not tramlining anywhere near as much.

Happier now :D

Al
Make sure you have a can or two of tyre weld and a 12v inflator in the boot just in case you get a puncture
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather

thespannerman
Member
Member
Posts: 110
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 5:10 pm
Location: Oldbury, West Midlands

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by thespannerman » Tue Sep 21, 2021 8:05 pm

Already had them :thumbsup:

Al
BMW newbie, 2003 E85 2.5 SE - but after 10 Discoveries this ought to be a walk in the park :P

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23608
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by Mr Tidy » Tue Sep 21, 2021 8:31 pm

thespannerman wrote: Tue Sep 21, 2021 5:07 pm Well swapped the runflats for a set of “normal” Bridgestones, and the ride is much nicer, less harsh, and not tramlining anywhere near as much.

Happier now :D

Al
That's great news. :thumbsup:

I regret not binning them run-flats on either of my 3.0Si Coupes just to experience the difference, although I don't have run-flats now!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

thespannerman
Member
Member
Posts: 110
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 5:10 pm
Location: Oldbury, West Midlands

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by thespannerman » Thu Sep 23, 2021 7:34 am

Further update. I did approx 50 miles yesterday, a mix of urban (full of pot holes and badly repaired surfaces) and rural ( fast but uneven) roads, and the car is transformed :thumbsup:

It’s a much much nicer car to drive without the runflats, much more comfortable ride, no tramlining but still pin sharp steering. :driving:

Al
BMW newbie, 2003 E85 2.5 SE - but after 10 Discoveries this ought to be a walk in the park :P

KryStallone
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2022 12:03 pm
Location: Herts

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by KryStallone » Sat Mar 12, 2022 12:10 pm

Glad I spotted this! Couldn't understand why my Z4 just failed its MOT due to both RE050 rears having cracks in. Looking forward to switching to non-RFTs :D

KryStallone
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2022 12:03 pm
Location: Herts

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by KryStallone » Sat Mar 12, 2022 12:41 pm

groovy_hippy wrote: Mon Jun 28, 2021 9:54 pm Tyre cracking on runflatsQuote groovy_hippy
by groovy_hippy »

OP, are they Bridgestones? I seem to remember that it was an issue on the RE050 run flat…
Glad I spotted this! Couldn't understand why my Z4 just failed its MOT due to both RE050 rears having cracks in. Looking forward to switching to non-RFTs :D

Allan280
Member
Member
Posts: 94
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2019 5:35 pm

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by Allan280 » Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:10 pm

Hi
Re050 s do crack a thing that can make them crack quicker is low tyre pressure I was surprised at was the recommended tyre pressure on my E92 coupe with the fronts at 38 psi and rears at 42 psi ! You would expect low to mid 30 s
Seems far too high for the weight of the car but that is what is recommended .

Allan

User avatar
dhobbs
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1621
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:33 pm

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by dhobbs » Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:42 am

I thought tyres cracking can only be an MOT advisory not a failure.
Maybe if you can see any of the structure through the crack but not for general aging

Happy to be proven wrong :|
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive :driving:
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds :thumbsup:

Scooba_Steve
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5277
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: NW London

Tyre cracking on runflats

Post by Scooba_Steve » Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:57 am

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... tion-5-2-3

Tried pasting but doesn't come out well. Nothing on that list for cracks, so advisory.
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.

Post Reply