Learned something about run flats today

I am at the tire shop replacing my right front tire, which caught a nail Tuesday morning, and the tech tells me that I may have about 6 months before I need to replace the rears. That surprises me because I've put only 3500 miles on the tires that were new when I purchased the car (CPO) in September 2011. What I learned from the tech is that in the case of run flats the rear tires last about half as long as the fronts. Perhaps others here knew about this...I didn't...so, I thought I would share this information.

Have a great Memorial weekend all!

It has nothing to do with RFTs as it is basically a characteristic of rear wheel drive. Every one of the 5 BMWs I've owned has worn the rear tires about twice as fast as the fronts - and this includes both RFTs and go-flats.

I'd find a new tire tech. (I highly recommend Radial Tire Co. in Silver Spring.)

Tom

Originally Posted by Tom K.

It has nothing to do with RFTs as it is basically a characteristic of rear wheel drive. Every one of the 5 BMWs I've owned has worn the rear tires about twice as fast as the fronts - and this includes both RFTs and go-flats.

I'd find a new tire tech. (I highly recommend Radial Tire Co. in Silver Spring.)

Tom

Interesting...that's where I was (Radial Tire).

I don't buy 3500 miles for the rear RFTs...mine have about that mileage. They still have more than half their life left, and I tend to push them.

I've been using Crawford Tire (a Goodyear shop) in Bethesda the past four years for seasonalchanges to winters and back to summers. Their wheel and tire work is very good and reasonable, as is their maintenance (I actually have them do oil and filter changes between the BMW intervals). But for actual repair work they can be pricey.

Originally Posted by Leslierc

Interesting...that's where I was (Radial Tire).

I'm surprised as I've always gotten excellent advice & good service from them over the years. Maybe he meant to say that the RFTs rode harder - which is certainly true.

And 3,500 miles is terrible treadwear as I've averaged 15,000 to 30,000 on BMW rears. I'd recommend buying a good tread wear gauge and tracking it yourself so you won't be surprised again.

Tom

Originally Posted by Tom K.

I'm surprised as I've always gotten excellent advice & good service from them over the years.
Tom

Same here, and I've been doing business with them for almost 30 years. I still feel like I got some good advice.

Originally Posted by Leslierc

Same here, and I've been doing business with them for almost 30 years. I still feel like I got some good advice.

Leslie...go to Pepboys and buy a 2 dollar tread depth guage. Check your depth in the middle of the tire (lowest point). If you are at 3/32nds or higher the tires are fine. Below 2-3/32nds is replacement time. I cannot see how you need new rears when they were new and you only have put 3500 miles on them??? My 135i got 20k miles out of the rears and they were your typical BMW fare (Bridgestone RE050A run flats).

Originally Posted by Alpine300ZHP

Leslie...go to Pepboys and buy a 2 dollar tread depth guage. Check your depth in the middle of the tire (lowest point). If you are at 3/32nds or higher the tires are fine. Below 2-3/32nds is replacement time. I cannot see how you need new rears when they were new and you only have put 3500 miles on them??? My 135i got 20k miles out of the rears and they were your typical BMW fare (Bridgestone RE050A run flats).

Thanks! Much appreciated advice.

Originally Posted by Alpine300ZHP

Leslie...go to Pepboys and buy a 2 dollar tread depth guage. Check your depth in the middle of the tire (lowest point). If you are at 3/32nds or higher the tires are fine. Below 2-3/32nds is replacement time. I cannot see how you need new rears when they were new and you only have put 3500 miles on them??? My 135i got 20k miles out of the rears and they were your typical BMW fare (Bridgestone RE050A run flats).

Information from Tire Rack recommends 4/32nds is replacement time.

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index...&affiliate=TX4

I live in the Pacific Northwest and we get lots of rain and I will not let my tires get below 4/32nds.

Before watching this video I was one of the guys who used a penny to check tread depth.

Originally Posted by Norm37

Information from Tire Rack recommends 4/32nds is replacement time.

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index...&affiliate=TX4

I live in the Pacific Northwest and we get lots of rain and I will not let my tires get below 4/32nds.

Before watching this video I was one of the guys who used a penny to check tread depth.

I understand the logic behind the Tire Rack's recommendation and I do think it is a sound recommendation. The tires do not give optimal wet weather traction at 4/32nds or lower. However, in sunny South Florida I choose to replace when they are in the red zone which is 2/2nds or lower......I usually take them down the the bars or just above the bars. If I lived where you live then I would see it differently.

I've had 3 BMWs with runflats and the life was more like 20,000 front or back. I've NEVER heard the 1/2 life of the rears to front and it has not been my experience.

I recommend having your alignment checked. On my Z4 my rears went very quickly due to the factory alignment.