11-03-2012, 12:02 PM | #1 |
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Run Flats on long trips
One little concern I have about going with a BMW are the run flat tires, and long trips. I'll be planning zig zags all over North America in the next 5 years and my concern is what happens if I get a flat?
Do I limp along to the closet tire shop and wait till they can bring a new tire in? Do I have to hit a BMW service center? What is the likely hood of most tire shops having RFT(sized for X1's) in stock? Just curious, Thanks! |
11-03-2012, 01:01 PM | #2 |
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You can go with something like this
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-18...essor-kit.aspx Or this http://www.slime.com/shop/safety-spair-70005/ |
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11-03-2012, 01:25 PM | #3 | |
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11-03-2012, 02:38 PM | #4 |
Lucky13
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Run flats that get a nail in the tread can be repaired like any other tire. I've had two nails taken out of run flats and driven over 10,000 miles with a repaired tire. You just can't let all the air run out and drive it or you will destroy the side walls but you can certainly drive several miles when your light comes on showing low tire pressure. I've only ever had one side wall ever get destroyed and it wasn't a run flat but hit a huge pot hole in a 3 series convertible 10 years ago and the tire was toast. If you have to use the slime I don't know if the tire is usable afterwards.
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11-05-2012, 01:08 PM | #5 | |
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So is the idea you have to repair or replace a downed runflat tire within 10-20 miles? And if you use one of these kits, does that extend how long you can drive on the tire, at the cost of not being able to repair it due to the gunk? |
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11-05-2012, 03:21 PM | #6 |
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You can drive 50 miles on a run flat but I believe that if its really low with the minimum pressure the tire probably would be ruined because of the wear on the sidewalls. You certainly couldn't drive 50 miles on a non run flat and it definitely would be ruined quick. I think it all depends on the type of damage and whether its a simple nail or severe damage like a hole in a sidewall. I think it would be pretty hard to blow out the sidewall of a run flat tire but if you hit a big enough pot hole I'm sure it can be done if you bend your rim.
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11-07-2012, 02:53 PM | #7 |
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I already had an issue with ROF tire. Front left tire developed a bulge. The reality of ROF hits! You are limited to 80 km (50miles) drive range then what? I was lucky to be close to home since I had to wait two days to get a tire. Also, ROF cannot be repaired easily and you need a certified facility to dismount/mount them. There are none close to home beside the dealer! Good luck to find one. There are little advantage to ROF if you look at pros and cons.
You are pointing at very valid concerns. ROF is good for BMW but bad for the owners despite what BMW is saying. It will be a decision factor when I am ready to replace the X1. |
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11-07-2012, 10:09 PM | #9 | |
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Did you think about just buying a full size spare for long trips and throwing it in the back? If you're worried, that's by far the best way to go. |
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11-07-2012, 11:50 PM | #10 |
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11-08-2012, 12:06 AM | #11 | |
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But it would be nice to know that, yeah, I can limp into any city with a flat RFT and have the nice tire shop replace it in a day, and off I go. |
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11-08-2012, 02:31 PM | #12 |
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Please forgive my rants but you might not find a tire shop equipped to mount ROF; it required special machine. Also, I just learned today that my marvelous ROF are worn out. The front right is showing threads and the backs are 95% done. I rode them for 38,000 km, that is 0.4$ per 100km. Yes, ROF are not durable neither.
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11-08-2012, 07:13 PM | #13 |
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I've owned 14 BMW's with and without run flats and never got more than 20,000 on a set of tires. I've never rotated the tires because most were offset and I couldn't. I only got 16,500 on the front of the Mini Clubman I traded and they were done. The rears still had good tread with 26,000 miles.
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