19" and non run flats......

R

ruggedscot

Member
So Is it worth putting on non run flats on 296 wheels or will that style still be plagued with cracks. Im on the verge of thinking about replacing the two rear tyres with normal tyres or going the whole hog and getting 18" wheels all round and bin the 19" wheels.
 
19" wheels are obviously more fragile on our rough roads & all styles can get damaged (not just BMW - it happens on all manufacturers wheels & gets worse as the wheel size goes up).

The main issue comes from the combination of 19" wheels with super firm sidewall tyres like the run flats - it essentially passes a lot of shock through to the rim & it can crack.

You will get a lot less issues with non-run flat tyres as they are more flexible on the sidewalls (plus better grip & more comfortable ride).

Nothing is immune from damage though - hit any wheel hard enough with a pothole & you can break it.

Personally I stuck with the 19" wheels & just swapped to pilot super sport tyres - made a lot of difference to grip & ride quality... no cracks so far.

Matt
 
From what I've read on here putting non runflats on the back whilst leaving the fronts unchanged is not a good idea. The car handles like a piece of sh1t.....apparently!
I was going to do the same as you until i read about this, I'm now sticking to runflats as I really don't think they're that bad. It was more of a cost saving thing really for me as the runflats are so expensive.
 
ruggedscot said:
So Is it worth putting on non run flats on 296 wheels or will that style still be plagued with cracks. Im on the verge of thinking about replacing the two rear tyres with normal tyres or going the whole hog and getting 18" wheels all round and bin the 19" wheels.
Click to expand...

I decided to be doubly safe and switch to 18s AND non run flats.
I could have gambled and stuck with the 19s,but they may have had faint stress fractures in them anyway.
The ride will be better with 18s than 19s as well.
 
I was thinking on the 18" and non run flat route - I may still go that way. Im going to the BMW meet in Gaydon and as one tyre was goosed I had to replace it - not wanting to buy another RFT went back to normal tyres and bought two as they can be used in axel pairs.

Like the 18" BMW OEM wheels so will try and see the 19" 296 alloys shortly as a set. Might get about 700 for them as all four tyres are pretty new and the cracked wheel was repaired professionally. Would look lovely on a driveway queen as long as not a racetrack warrior lol
 
I had 18's on my last e89 and now have 19" 326m's and I really cant tell that much difference between the two. However, the 19's look loads better, I think the 18's look lost on it.
 
Had a look at an 18" Z4 this afternoon and well have to say Im going to stay with the 19" for a while - the wheels are gorgeous and the NRF will hopefully reduce the cracking risk with the rear wheels - and if it cracks again can get another new one - I believe tha tthe newer 296's have been made to a revised design so may not be prone to crackign with NRF tyres fitted. The car really does look great with the 19"s

And its not a car thats going to be used a lot so think ill get away with it for a while. Looking forward to a decent trip in it. Its a huge pain looking out at a blue sky... should be out there with the roof down and enjoying the sunshine lol.
 
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