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Jonathan Joseph
Expert
Date registered: Oct 2006
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Vehicle(s): 2004 G55
Posts: 1538
| Off topic but since it's about tires....
Guys I need some help, well actually my brother does. He has a 2007 BMW 328ix with "run-flat" tires. He has an alignment problem (probably from some horrendous pot holes in Philadelphia) and has worn his front left tire down to the belts in 20K miles.
BMW has told him that the life expectancy of run flats is about 20K miles. Is this true?
He is considering replacing them with non-run flats (after getting the alignment problem repaired) but then he will need a spare.
I don't like the run flats and the lack of self sufficiency that comes with them.
What do you guys think?
Thanks
Jonathan (And Ivan) |
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Brent
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SW Colorado USA
Vehicle(s): '13 Wolfsburg GTI
Posts: 1754
| RE: Off topic but since it's about tires....
Sounds to me as though the alignment problem was the issue that caused the tire wear. If 20k was the life expectancy for the tires, wouldn't they all be worn out at 20k?
The ix model most likely was fitted with an "all season" runflat tire. I have gone through high performance (non runflat) tires in 20k, but generally all seasons last longer. I would have expected more like 40k out of them.
I do not think he has any sort of warranty claim if the alignment was left out of spec for any period of time. Right or wrong, it is the owners responsibility to maintain proper alignment. I would have been to the dealer asking for one at the first sign of adverse or abnormal wear, not when the cords show up.
I think if you do mostly metro driving runflats are a great idea. Saves space, saves wieght, and you are probably never far from a source for replacement. I can't relate to the specific car/tire combo but runflats are becoming very popular on many high end cars. I do not think there is a discernable handling penalty anymore.
I also see the merits of a full sized spare, depends on useage and if that is his only vehicle in the event that it takes a few days to get a new tire should one go flat. |
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Jonathan Joseph
Expert
Date registered: Oct 2006
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Vehicle(s): 2004 G55
Posts: 1538
| RE: Off topic but since it's about tires....
Thanks for the answer Brent. I was hoping to get a bunch of anecdotal evidence as to manufacturers advice on the life span of the tires. Different manufacturers.
The tires are not worn out in general. Obviously they would go more than 20K miles if not for the alignment issues. I'm surprised that the dealer wold tell him that they are only good for that. I'm curious if anyone else has heard this same bull.
Jonathan |
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Marsden
Classic MB
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Capital City USA
Vehicle(s): Mercedes-Benz
| RE: Off topic but since it's about tires....
FWIW, I don't know anyone who's had run-flats that can stand them. What's so horrible about a spare tire anyway! |
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Benzcowboy
Detailing/CarCare Host
Date registered: May 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s): 2009 GL450 2005 E320
| they're not so bad....
I have over 1000 miles on my GL450 that has the appearance package, which includes run flats. ( It did however include a spare. ) So far no problems. I can tell no difference whatsoever between run flats and regular tires. I will report back here at 13,000 miles with an update.
Edited by Benzcowboy 5/4/2009 7:13 AM
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Benzcowboy
Detailing/CarCare Host
Date registered: May 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s): 2009 GL450 2005 E320
| RE: they're not bad....Update
Benzcowboy - 5/4/2009 6:11 AM
I have over 1000 miles on my GL450 that has the appearance package, which includes run flats. ( It did however include a spare. ) So far no problems. I can tell no difference whatsoever between run flats and regular tires. I will report back here at 13,000 miles with an update.
I'm at 14,700 miles. So far no problems. I still can tell no difference whatsoever between run flats and regular tires. They still have ample thread depth. I can see easily getting 30,000 these Eagle LS-2 RunOnFlat!  |
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