Blowout by blowout account

I have a 2007 BMW 525D M Sport with Goodyear Eagle 245 40 R18 93Y runflat tyres, on 18" alloys. One tyre has developed a small distortion in the sidewall (I kissed a kerb) and needs replacing. I don't like the ride or handling from the runflats especially in very wet conditions and would like to take the opportunity to replace the tyres in pairs with Eagle F1's or similar. I've been told and read on one post on your forum that BMW do not recommend fitting non-runflats to my car that seems odd given that 16" and 19" models run on ordinary tyres. Is this just a BMW 'marketing opportunity' or are there genuine safety/performance issues in fitting non-runflats? I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Asked on 6 June 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

The ride will be better on smaller wheels with deeper profile tyres, but I thought that 17" was always the minimum for the 5 Series and 16" the minimum for the 3 Series. I don't recommend switching out of runflats after a near-death experience I had changing a blown out offside rear in the rain on the hard shoulder of the M3. Despite police blue and red lights behind me, several 40-ton trucks missed turning me into strawberry jam by a matter of inches. So just hold that in your mind before you abandon the idea of runflats that will get you home safely without having to stop and change a wheel.

Tags: wheels and tyres technical issues owning

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