Wheels and tyres. What to do?

[craigj]

Hi,

I have a 2009 E89 23i with 296 alloys.

Here is my situation:

• Both of the 2 original rear wheels developed cracks back in 2012 and were replaced for free under the extended warranty by BMW.
• All 4 wheels were refurbished in 2013 to remove some kerbing marks
• The front left wheel developed a crack in early 2016. I had this welded to get it through its MOT.
• As of 2017, all 4 alloys are pretty badly kerbed and all 4 tyres are heavily worn and need replaced.

My options:

1. Refurbish all 4 296 alloys and fit 4 brand new Bridgestone RFTs (at a cost of £763 + whatever the refurb costs, say, £300) = £1076
2. Refurbish all 4 296 alloys and fit 4 brand new Goodyear Eagle F1 non-RFTs (at a cost of £600 + whatever the refurb costs, say, £300) = £900
3. Buy 4 x 290 (17" wheels) on eBay (without tyres), fit 4 brand new Bridgestone RFTs (at a cost of £371 + say, £400 for a set of 290 wheels from Ebay), and then sell the old 296 set on eBay for whatever I can get (say, £300) = £771 - £300 = £471
4. Buy 4 x 290 (17" wheels) on eBay (without tyres), fit 4 brand new Goodyear "EfficientGrip Performance" non-RFTs (at a cost of £308 + say, £400 for a set of 290 wheels from Ebay), and then sell the old 296 set on eBay for whatever I can get (say, £300) = £708 - £300 = £408
5. Something else? If so, what?

I like the idea of the following things:

• Making the ride better by going for a smaller rim
• Making the ride better by going for a non-RFT tyre
• Making my future tyres costs cheaper by getting rid of the 19s"

I don't like the following things:

• The 17" 290-style wheels are pretty ugly compared to the big, sexy 19" 296-style wheels

The things I'm not sure about are:

• Is it dangerous to move on a non-RFT tyre?
• Is insurance affected by changing to a non-RFT tyre? i.e. is this a 'modification'

What would you do?

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, from reading posts on here I wouldn't fit rf tyres unless you want your wheels to crack again!
What do you mean by "move on rf tyres"?
Rob

 

[Busterboo]

1 Go to 18" wheels, not least because (a) they don't usually crack and (b) they're more comfortable.
2 Fit non-RFTs, not least because they're better than RFTs in almost every way.

p.s. RFTs don't crack wheels.

 

[jabber]

1 Go to 18" wheels, not least because (a) they don't usually crack and (b) they're more comfortable.
2 Fit non-RFTs, not least because they're better than RFTs in almost every way.

p.s. RFT's don't crack wheels.

+1

 

[mr wilks]

p.s. RFT's don't crack wheels.

That's a sweeping statement :? What proof have you to back this up

 

[mr wilks]

What would you do? [/b]

Well id sack the 17s idea for a start

Not sure what colour your E89 is but as you clearly appreciate the difference aesthetically from 19s to 17s ( or even 18s ) i would go for a decent set of reps / 19inch with a capable but not crazily expensive tyre (non runflat ) either Kumho Le Sports or Uniroyal RS3s
Wheel choice is a personal one but i would go with M4 style ones like i fitted on my E89 , http://www.cmwheels.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_91_92_302&product_id=957




They are decent quality with a high standard finish for around £500 delivered from CM wheels + tyres then sell your old 296s for whatever you can ?
As i see it whichever way you go its a hefty spend so why not go down the route that makes you smile every time you see the car :wink:

 

[Nictrix]

As said already dont go for 17" wheels, they will spoil the look of the car.
If it were me I would either go for 18" BMW wheels or 19" aftermarket wheels of a decent quality both with non runflat tyres.
18" Goodyears will be around £400 for the set

 

[Maniac]

What would you do? [/b]

Well id sack the 17s idea for a start

Not sure what colour your E89 is but as you clearly appreciate the difference aesthetically from 19s to 17s ( or even 18s ) i would go for a decent set of reps / 19inch with a capable but not crazily expensive tyre (non runflat ) either Kumho Le Sports or Uniroyal RS3s
Wheel choice is a personal one but i would go with M4 style ones like i fitted on my E89 , http://www.cmwheels.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_91_92_302&product_id=957




They are decent quality with a high standard finish for around £500 delivered from CM wheels + tyres then sell your old 296s for whatever you can ?
As i see it whichever way you go its a hefty spend so why not go down the route that makes you smile every time you see the car :wink:

These are my next set of wheels. How do the offsets look?

 

[mr wilks]

What would you do? [/b]

Well id sack the 17s idea for a start

Not sure what colour your E89 is but as you clearly appreciate the difference aesthetically from 19s to 17s ( or even 18s ) i would go for a decent set of reps / 19inch with a capable but not crazily expensive tyre (non runflat ) either Kumho Le Sports or Uniroyal RS3s
Wheel choice is a personal one but i would go with M4 style ones like i fitted on my E89 , http://www.cmwheels.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_91_92_302&product_id=957




They are decent quality with a high standard finish for around £500 delivered from CM wheels + tyres then sell your old 296s for whatever you can ?
As i see it whichever way you go its a hefty spend so why not go down the route that makes you smile every time you see the car :wink:

These are my next set of wheels. How do the offsets look?

Offsets worked perfectly imo , seen better in arches here with wheels straight




Although id like to see your black 35i on the 405m style wheels :evil:

 

[Busterboo]

p.s. RFT's don't crack wheels.

That's a sweeping statement :? What proof have you to back this up

None.

But I don't need to have proof, because I never claimed that they did.

Let those who make the claim provide the proof.

 

[Z4Rick]

Maniac gives you great advice. I would add that you consider your driving style and local conditions in picking tires. For instance, I wanted initially to buy Michelin Pilot Super Sports largely due to my occasional track use and a number of recommendations from fellow weekend racers. I researched extensively and settled on the Continental Extreme Contact for three reasons. First they exhibit somewhat better tread life. Secondly they performed noticeably better in the wet conditions I encounter in the mountains, but equally well on the track. And finally, they were $120 cheaper for a set of 4 (non-runflats of course.) Wheels are a matter of appearance and personal preference, but most aftermarket wheels are of better quality than OEM, and BWW OEM in particular as well documented. Definately get 19s if yours is an E89. Very happy with my choice.

 

[Smartbear]

p.s. RFT's don't crack wheels.

That's a sweeping statement :? What proof have you to back this up

None.

But I don't need to have proof, because I never claimed that they did.

Let those who make the claim provide the proof.

Id call the incidence of cracked 19" wheels using rf tyres pretty damming evidence (just from reading this forum)
The fact that this incidence seems to be virtually non-existent once normal tyres are fitted seems pretty convincing to me?
How do you see it?
Rob

 

[mr wilks]

p.s. RFT's don't crack wheels.

That's a sweeping statement :? What proof have you to back this up

None.

But I don't need to have proof, because I never claimed that they did.

Let those who make the claim provide the proof.

Have you not made a claim as in " RFT's don't crack wheels " :?

 

[Busterboo]

That's a sweeping statement :? What proof have you to back this up

None.

But I don't need to have proof, because I never claimed that they did.

Let those who make the claim provide the proof.

Have you not made a claim as in " RFT's don't crack wheels " :?

Yes, you're right. I have. And I shouldn't have. So, let me re-word it:

It seems probable that BMW's 296 19" wheels are prone to cracking. So, since "'Tis safer to avoid what's grown than question how 'tis born', avoid them.

Some claim that RFTs cause this cracking. This seems improbable to me, not least because RFTs don't crack other wheels. Far more likely is that the wheels are of poor quality.

 

[metal licker]

Getting rid of these (been sitting in my garage for a few years) BBS ck 18's which I had on my 23i give me a pm if your interested

 

[Smartbear]

None.

But I don't need to have proof, because I never claimed that they did.

Let those who make the claim provide the proof.

Have you not made a claim as in " RFT's don't crack wheels " :?

Yes, you're right. I have. And I shouldn't have. So, let me re-word it:

It seems probable that BMW's 296 19" wheels are prone to cracking. So, since "'Tis safer to avoid what's grown than question how 'tis born', avoid them.

Some claim that RFTs cause this cracking. This seems improbable to me, not least because RFTs don't crack other wheels. Far more likely is that the wheels are of poor quality.

It seems to me that its the result of two volatile ingredients coming together that should be kept apart, some 19" wheels are prone to cracking (but only when exposed to rf Bakelite tyres)
Its like combining magnesium & water, fine on their own but explosive together!

 

[willgill]

One of my RFTs got a puncture today, but didn't crack the wheel (326 19"). I subsequently decided to replace all four tyres to non-RFTs, shall report back once the tyres arrive

 

[R.E92]

17" wheels may spoil the cars handling. In my experience small wheels and fat tyres make a car sloppy.
18" might be a good compromise if you have to deal with poor roads.

As for tyres I've been really happy with Michelin Pilot Super Sports, they have impressed me in both wet and dry. I'm moving on the Pilot Sport 4S for my next set as they are supposed to be the successor.

 

[Busterboo]

17" wheels may spoil the cars handling. In my experience small wheels and fat tyres make a car sloppy.
18" might be a good compromise if you have to deal with poor roads.

As for tyres I've been really happy with Michelin Pilot Super Sports, they have impressed me in both wet and dry. I'm moving on the Pilot Sport 4S for my next set as they are supposed to be the successor.

I had 17" wheels briefly on a 911 and was happy to go back to 18", because of their handling characteristics.

19" on a Z4, however, seem to be more a matter of looks, which are irrelevant to me.

 

[Busterboo]

I know this chestnut has been roasted many, many, many times ... but isn't it enough to say that RFTs' poor driving characteristics alone are enough to rule them out from use on a sports car?