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Can I fit my BMW 320d Sport with 235/40 runflat tyres?
My BMW 320d Sport is of course fitted with runflat tyres as original equipment, 235/40 R18 on the front wheels and 255/35 R18 on the rears. I have just replaced the fronts with Michelin Pilot Sport runflats at a discounted cost of £423 and the rears will soon need to follow suit. As the BMW 335d with considerably more power wears the same size rear tyres, it has occurred to me that my car would be perfectly adequately shod with 235/40s on the back wheels. I also understand that BMW does not fit the M3 with runflat tyres as original equipment. Fitting Michelin Pilot Sport 235/40 non-runflat tyres to the rear would save me a considerable amount of money and improve the ride with, I would imagine, no loss of road holding or handling. Is BMW over the top with its tyre sizes on the lower powered models or am I being too simplistic?
Asked on 10 February 2011 by DJ, Penrhyndeudraeth
Answered by
Honest John
Your 320d would be perfectly adequately shod with 205/55 R16 tyres on 16-inch wheels that used to be the spec for the 320d SE and remained the spec for the 320d ES. You simply shouldn't have gone for the M Sport bling option. The 335d needs 255/35 R18s. The 320d doesn't.
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