Over tyred and over here
Early last summer I was delighted to take delivery of a new BMW 320D Estate but regrettably it has not lived up to my expectations, BMW has, and is continuing to deal with clutch judder and engine management system problems which appear to be quite common with this vehicle. One thing I am not getting much joy with is the 'run flat tyres'.
Whilst accepting your previous comments about 'blow outs' they are outweighed in my view by their dangerous handling characteristics in cold weather and on poor road surfaces. Whilst BMW recommends winter tyres this is the first time that I have ever found a need for such tyres in over 40 years of motoring.
Surely BMW should think again before continuing with these tyres on the forthcoming new 3 Series and reintroduce a proper spare wheel with normal tyres? Finally I have to say my local BMW dealer; Rybrook in Worcester has been excellent.
Whilst accepting your previous comments about 'blow outs' they are outweighed in my view by their dangerous handling characteristics in cold weather and on poor road surfaces. Whilst BMW recommends winter tyres this is the first time that I have ever found a need for such tyres in over 40 years of motoring.
Surely BMW should think again before continuing with these tyres on the forthcoming new 3 Series and reintroduce a proper spare wheel with normal tyres? Finally I have to say my local BMW dealer; Rybrook in Worcester has been excellent.
Asked on 21 January 2010 by PS, Lower Broadheath, Worcester
Answered by
Honest John
There is nothing wrong with runflat tyres. The problem comes when the car is fitted with excessively big diameter wheels and excessively low profile runflat tyres. These care completely useless. They rob the driver of steering feel, they aquaplane in the wet, they are hopeless on snow, they are vulnerable to pothole and speed cushion damage, they make the rims vulnerable to pothole and speed cushion damage, the tyres wear out much faster, and the tyres are much more expensive to replace. The only upside is that if you are a rapper or a Premier League footballer you might think they "look good". Winter compound tyres are a comparatively new innovation because wide, low profile summer tyres are useless in snow. They are compulsory in Austria from November to March and compulsory in Germany whenever there is snow on the ground. They work brilliantly well.
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advice
winter tyres
Cold-snap snow-how: Advice on coping with the freezing weather, including videos, facts and winter driving advice.
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