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[sochermit]

Can anyone tell me, if they know, why BMW chose to mouth RFT's? They put out a caveat about hitting curbs, pot holes... Why select a tire that has problems what are mentioned in this area?

[Phlonx]

No spare = RFTs

[sochermit]

Good point.

[mdputnam]

Originally Posted by sochermit

Can anyone tell me, if they know, why BMW chose to mouth RFT's? They put out a caveat about hitting curbs, pot holes... Why select a tire that has problems what are mentioned in this area?

Actually, the stiff side wall of the RFT will reduce the chances of bending the rim. The rim usually gets bent when the tire side wall completely collapses and the rim comes in contact with the curb/pothole. As you can imagine it takes quite a bit more effort to completely collapse a RFT. Of course working against you is the tiny amount of sidewall that has to collapse, almost all manufactures put out caveats about hitting curbs etc on cars with low profile tires.

[sochermit]

Originally Posted by mdputnam

Actually, the stiff side wall of the RFT will reduce the chances of bending the rim. The rim usually gets bent when the tire side wall completely collapses and the rim comes in contact with the curb/pothole. As you can imagine it takes quite a bit more effort to completely collapse a RFT. Of course working against you is the tiny amount of sidewall that has to collapse, almost all manufactures put out caveats about hitting curbs etc on cars with low profile tires.

Never thought of it that way. Interesting viewpoint. I like it.

[Red Bread]

Instead of bending rims, RFT's lead to more broken rims. I hate having to budget $1k+ for any new BMW to immediately put good tires on one.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Phlonx

No spare = RFTs

Except for BMW M models, Porsches and a few others which have OEM go-flats, no spare and a mobility kit.

Tom

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Except for BMW M models, Porsches and a few others which have OEM go-flats, no spare and a mobility kit.

Tom

And they'll tell you to jettison the mobility kit immediately because that stuff goops up your tire and wheels and you're better off just getting towed or learning to use a plug kit.

I made it twelve years with my M Coupe and no spare with only one trip on a flatbed. My wife's 1er doesn't have a spare or RFT's, just a AAA card and a much better ride.

[sochermit]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Instead of bending rims, RFT's lead to more broken rims. I hate having to budget $1k+ for any new BMW to immediately put good tires on one.

Funny that you should bring up budgeting for new things on a new car. I was talking to my wife just last night and was mentioning how people get the new care and began replacing exhausts, intakes, lights... I will run with the RFT and if/when the time comes I will replace the tires.

A short time ago I had to replace a fairly new tired that ran flat and was chewed up before I could get off the road.

You are right, of course, that we should not have to replace something new on a new vehicle.

Have a great day.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

And they'll tell you to jettison the mobility kit immediately because that stuff goops up your tire and wheels and you're better off just getting towed or learning to use a plug kit.

I made it twelve years with my M Coupe and no spare with only one trip on a flatbed. My wife's 1er doesn't have a spare or RFT's, just a AAA card and a much better ride.

Which is why my "mobility kit" consists only of the compressor and a dynaplug kit. (Didn't realize the term must include the sealant "goop".)

Tom