Run flat tyres

[Stuart_374369251]

Has anyone experience of using a tow car with run flat tyres & no spare eg BMW. I am particuilarly concerned about getting a puncture on the tow car & having to drive a considerable distance with caravan attached before it can be repaired.

BMW say 30miles!! which is not practical

Thanks

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Stuart,

Run flat tyres and space saver tyres are meant to get you to the nearest tyre repair centre - they are not meant for you to continue your journey.

In the case of my Mercedes E-class, with 245/45 17" wheels - fitting a standard spare in the boot would occupy a substantial amount of space - and probably never be used - so I'm very happy with the space saver. I'm guessing your BMW would be a similar story.

But if you want a spare, there's no reason why you shouldn't fit one...

Robert

 

[RayS]

The big snag with run-flats is their limited life when inflated correctly.

I was interested in a new BMW / Merc. with run-flats and talked to my local ATS. They said they had never changed a runflat that had done more than 17,000 miles before needing the change - not from puncture but normal running. Further that the tyres are very hard and the suspension is "soft" to compensate - fitting an ordinary tyre as replacement may badly upset the handling of the car. BMW confirmed this.

The slightly better news is that most tyre depots should be able to fit runflats without any trouble, although small outfits may not as the removal tools may not be able to exert sufficient pressure to get the runflat off the rim. My idea was to carry a spare runflat tyre (without a wheel) when crossing Europe in winter, so I would at least have a tyre for someone to fit, rather than have to wait days for one to arrive.

Perhaps someone in the trade would like to comment ?

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Ray,

Well Mercedes don't normally supply run flat tyres, but regarding your comment about tyres not last 17,000 miles - I'd be very happy with tyres that lasted that long.

My E320CDI has eaten rear tyres every 10k or 12k miles - so after 35k miles from new, I've just fitted the third set. But it's not all bad, the E-class accelerates to 100 kph (62 mph) in under 7 seconds and handles and brakes equally well...

And if you are thinking of driving across northern Europe in winter - skiing perhaps - then don't forget about winter tyres...

Robert

 

[anotherDavid]

Hi Ray,

Well Mercedes don't normally supply run flat tyres, but regarding your comment about tyres not last 17,000 miles - I'd be very happy with tyres that lasted that long.

My E320CDI has eaten rear tyres every 10k or 12k miles - so after 35k miles from new, I've just fitted the third set. But it's not all bad, the E-class accelerates to 100 kph (62 mph) in under 7 seconds and handles and brakes equally well...

And if you are thinking of driving across northern Europe in winter - skiing perhaps - then don't forget about winter tyres...

Robert

To Rob_Jax

Hi there

I have an e 280 CDI estate with those tyres and have just over 12500 miles on now. 8.5K of that towing. My tyres look as good as new I wonder if you have a problem with tracking or the like?

Dave

 

[RayS]

Hi Ray,

Well Mercedes don't normally supply run flat tyres, but regarding your comment about tyres not last 17,000 miles - I'd be very happy with tyres that lasted that long.

My E320CDI has eaten rear tyres every 10k or 12k miles - so after 35k miles from new, I've just fitted the third set. But it's not all bad, the E-class accelerates to 100 kph (62 mph) in under 7 seconds and handles and brakes equally well...

And if you are thinking of driving across northern Europe in winter - skiing perhaps - then don't forget about winter tyres...

Robert

Hi Robeert - thanks for reply but sorry to hear about E class tyre wear as I am seriously considering one as a replacement for my ML 270. This gave me 40,000 miles from the as-delivered set of Continentals - on 16" wheels - and a new set of the same are looking good about 15,000 miles further on. Seems like what i might save on fuel would go on tyres !