We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
Are run flat tyres a false economy...?
Comments
-
harveybobbles wrote: »I've noticed that working on cars with RFT's fitted that, while the tread in the centre of the tyre is still at 5/6mm, the shoulders of the tyre are down to 2mm or sometimes smooth.
But I can't help thinking that this tyre with 6mm on is now scrap. where as a normal tyre with 6mm on would last another 2 years or more.
The main culprit I've noticed is the 3 Series BMW with 205 55 16's...
Why is the tyre scrap? It is the center 75% of the tread width that counts, not the outer edges.
Tread wear that you describe indicates under inflated tyres. Stiff tyre walls don't usually cause that type of wear otherwise you'd see it on every commercial vehicle.
...usually owned by people who are the least likely to ever check their tyre pressures or even know what they are supposed to be.
The main culprit I've noticed is the 3 Series BMW with 205 55 16's...0 -
Strange how the most fuel efficient standard fuel cars tend to be BMWs with RFTs as standard. And as far as not being able to change a wheel is concerrned a lot of these cars don't have space for a spare so that's not really option, in fact the only option would be standard tyres with a mobility kit.
No, BMW are pretty well known for "massaging" their MPG figures and besides, nobody really buys a BMW for fuel efficiency, it's just a socially acceptable excuse for buying the badge
“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”
<><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/0 -
And you know that for a fact because....Strider590 wrote: »No, BMW are pretty well known for "massaging" their MPG figures and besides, nobody really buys a BMW for fuel efficiency, it's just a socially acceptable excuse for buying the badge
Lets get this straight. The OP asked are RFTs a false economy? IMO AND experience they're not. Would I prefer standard tyres with a full sized spare? Most definitely yes.0 -
Lets get this straight. The OP asked are RFTs a false economy? IMO AND experience they're not. Would I prefer standard tyres with a full sized spare? Most definitely yes.
Agree entirely.That's not the experience I've had. I had a 320D with that size tyre for 4 years and tyre wear was always even across the tyre.
Does seem to be a fairly common problem on the 3 series:-
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5617630 -
And you know that for a fact because....
Lets get this straight. The OP asked are RFTs a false economy? IMO AND experience they're not. Would I prefer standard tyres with a full sized spare? Most definitely yes.
I read lots and lots of web forums, it was even mentioned once or twice on this forum........ Unfortunately however I have a distinct lack of interest in debating this particular boooooring topic at this moment in time.“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”
<><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/0 -
I'd say that about 70% of the cars we have thru our garage with RFT's have got very worn inner/outer edges.
Can't all be low on air...0 -
My wife's 3 series runs 205/55/R16 RFTs, and they're actually wearing evenly. I had RFTs on my Z4, but have changed to non-RFTs (plus Tyreweld, a compressor & AA membership for backup) ; my RFTs also wore evenly, but gave the worst ride I've encountered in a car.
One point regarding false economy is the price of RFTs - a set of 18 inch RFTs for the Z4 was £900, compared to £600 for the same size of non-RFTs. So for me that's also a big factor.
As has been said, I'd like BMW to make RFTs optional, as I'd choose non-RFTs and a spare wheel over RFTs any day of the week.0 -
Autocar Magazine had an interview with the founder of Alpina Gmbh, Burkard Bovensiepen, in this weeks issue. Alpina cars are made on the same production lines as the standard BMW 3 series, but are fitted with normal road tyres rather than the runflat tyres. The reason for the fitment of RFT's is the American market who are paranoid about blowouts.The man without a signature.0
-
Why is the tyre scrap? It is the center 75% of the tread width that counts, not the outer edges.
I agree, but in another few months time these tyres could well be showing the belts on the edges, yet still showing decent tread in the middle. So it seens silly to be throwing a tyre away that still has life in the middle of the tread.
Hence why I asked about RFT's being false economy.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.7K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 259.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards