very interesting opposing comments up to now, very interesting indeed!
Should BMW get rid of run flats?
- Thread starter powerontap
- Start date
The debate isn't about luggage space, it's about liability. Again, ask Ford and Firestone...
The Michelins ZPs are second generation run-flats--they originally had a tire within a tire design that took special wheels. They've now gone to stiff sidewalls like Bridgestone, and from the sounds of it, have improved on it while they were at it.
The Michelins ZPs are second generation run-flats--they originally had a tire within a tire design that took special wheels. They've now gone to stiff sidewalls like Bridgestone, and from the sounds of it, have improved on it while they were at it.
close race folks!
i was told ///M would of had them but no runflats suitable for the M power existed.
They are expensive but also last a long while assuming no punctures. I hate the thought of getting a puncture and having to replace wheel or use gunk stuff in the dark or on a busy motorway or something.
Soon after I got my car the runflat warning indicator came on - I didn`t know what it was at first then assumed it was faulty as the car felt perfect. I drove another 35 miles at 70mph (to fast i know) and the car felt fine. Only when i arrived at work and checked the car did i realise the seriousness of the problem (flat tyre with nail).
Runflats
in my opinion and they will improve
They are expensive but also last a long while assuming no punctures. I hate the thought of getting a puncture and having to replace wheel or use gunk stuff in the dark or on a busy motorway or something.
Soon after I got my car the runflat warning indicator came on - I didn`t know what it was at first then assumed it was faulty as the car felt perfect. I drove another 35 miles at 70mph (to fast i know) and the car felt fine. Only when i arrived at work and checked the car did i realise the seriousness of the problem (flat tyre with nail).
Runflats
in my opinion and they will improveI have no probs with my RF tyres and agree with most of the above yes i get some tramlining but coming from a modified Vauxhall its nothing and the car is a little bouncy but handles the pot holes well i think no huge crash through my steering wheel like my last car.
The other thing is i like the idea that they can handle a blow out a lot better as one of my best friends had a huge accident caused by a blow out and was badly injured and wrote of a lovely TVR.
The other thing to remember this is a two seater not meant to be silky smooth i would have bought a Jag if i wanted that sort of ride quality
The other thing is i like the idea that they can handle a blow out a lot better as one of my best friends had a huge accident caused by a blow out and was badly injured and wrote of a lovely TVR.
The other thing to remember this is a two seater not meant to be silky smooth i would have bought a Jag if i wanted that sort of ride quality
I can't comment on a comparison between the Bridgestone and Michelin RF tyres. Certainly sounds like the michelin are alot better. but bridgstones are what came standard on my car and should only have been an option definately let alone standard. I've no worries about swapping a wheel or using a can of tyre gunk at the side of a road but others will. so ideally this should be an option.
but what about the fact that once you've run on a run flat tyre it has to be replaced... whether you drove 5miles of 100 miles?
They're bloomin' expencive to replace. Put ordinary tyres on put the money towards RAC or AA membership and they'll change your wheel for all the people with painted nails
(i am just joking there i realise some people don't want to stop for safety reasons too 
)
I know side walls are thicker etc. but if instead of just a slow puncture you get a full on blow out can this mean you can't drive on a run flat tyre?
but what about the fact that once you've run on a run flat tyre it has to be replaced... whether you drove 5miles of 100 miles?
They're bloomin' expencive to replace. Put ordinary tyres on put the money towards RAC or AA membership and they'll change your wheel for all the people with painted nails
(i am just joking there i realise some people don't want to stop for safety reasons too )I know side walls are thicker etc. but if instead of just a slow puncture you get a full on blow out can this mean you can't drive on a run flat tyre?
I'll be switching as soon as my run-flats are worn down enough. From a safety standpoint I think runflats are more dangerous than regular tires. If I get a flat in the middle of nowhere with a spare I can just change the tire and be on my merry way with a small 10 to 30 minute delay (depending on your abilities). With a run-flat, I hope I am within 150 miles of tire shop that has the size that I need. The chances of that are slim considering the size of our tires. If you have ever driven through rural Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, etc, then you know it is not the safest place to be delayed and not have the requisite American pickup truck with a hunting rifle in the back window and a Confederate flat painted on the tailgate. I kid you not.
Yes, but in that case Ford and Firestone were found liable because the recommended inflation rate on those tires (the sticker on the door jamb) was too low. It was a compromised inflation rate between Ford and Firestone. Ford wanted the inflation rate low to give the Explorer a softer ride, and Firestone wanted it higher to carry the weight of the Explorer. The Firestone tire defects were exacerbated by a low recommended inflation rate. The same tire had far fewer problems on the Ford Ranger as the lower weight and typically lower average speed of the Ranger did not stress an already defect tire.
Wait to see what happens when the first person to get stranded in some hotel in the middle of nowhere because of his/her run-flat tire can't be replaced quickly and easily and that person is robbed/raped/murdered/etc. A good/sneaky lawyer will make the connection and sue the hell out of the run-flat tire manufacturer and auto manufacturer. Justice, American style.
Wait to see what happens when the first person to get stranded in some hotel in the middle of nowhere because of his/her run-flat tire can't be replaced quickly and easily and that person is robbed/raped/murdered/etc. A good/sneaky lawyer will make the connection and sue the hell out of the run-flat tire manufacturer and auto manufacturer. Justice, American style.
Smokin said:
Now, now, halcyon, quit the stereotypes. As a native Southerner I can guarantee you that's incorrect. The liberal non-southerners have made sure each and every firearm is something to be feared rather than a tool. Attitude of the strandee makes the difference (and yes, the South DOES have AAA and quite a few BMW dealerships)
[/quote]Smokin said:
It's not about liability, this is about what people on the Forum think BMW should do, not why BMW do it! - BMW sell M cars without runflats; and so do most manufacturers, so I don't think the liability thing is a factor. If it was - well, Ford at the very least would only be selling cars with runflats!
Research Triangle is not the south. It definitely was at one time, and there are still strong vestiges there (I am sure you have more Confederate Flags per person than we do, but the KKK chapter here is quite strong - is that a wash?), but NC has changed a lot in the last 130 years. I currently live in Jacksonville, Flor-duh and have lived in Texas and travel often in the states mentioned. Not trying to start an argument, but my point is that the prevalence of racism and ignorance in the South is not the primary problem, its the large sparsely-populated, open areas.
The same problem arises when driving through Montana or Alaska. BMW is right though, for the most part, one is rarely more than 150 miles away from a major metropolitan area where they theoretically should have run-flats.
You are right, the attitude does make a difference. Unless of course you are not white and stranded in a small southern town that just doesn't happen to be in any real hurry to order those tires you need. That problem can arise in the north as well, but one is more likely to be closer to a city in the north. It is simply a matter of population density at that point and racism becomes irrelevant.
Besides, I thought the south was only full of cotton fields and plantations? You have AAA? What about telephones? Sorry for the sarcasm, but I am originally from Oklahoma and people used to honestly ask if we still had covered wagons and indians. They were serious. Amazingly we even have indoor outhouses. Cool, eh?
The same problem arises when driving through Montana or Alaska. BMW is right though, for the most part, one is rarely more than 150 miles away from a major metropolitan area where they theoretically should have run-flats.
You are right, the attitude does make a difference. Unless of course you are not white and stranded in a small southern town that just doesn't happen to be in any real hurry to order those tires you need. That problem can arise in the north as well, but one is more likely to be closer to a city in the north. It is simply a matter of population density at that point and racism becomes irrelevant.
Besides, I thought the south was only full of cotton fields and plantations? You have AAA? What about telephones? Sorry for the sarcasm, but I am originally from Oklahoma and people used to honestly ask if we still had covered wagons and indians. They were serious. Amazingly we even have indoor outhouses. Cool, eh?
Smokin said: