Runflats and wheel replacement E92
Runflats and wheel replacement E92
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Discussion

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

5,121 posts

262 months

Friday 12th March 2021
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Advice sought please, in 18 months ownership of my E92 325i I'm on my 3rd wheel crack, seems to be time to swallow hard and replace all 4 wheels & switch to non runflats, anything in particular I need to bear in mind?, tyre pressure sensors? From what I've seen the insurance should be ok but will need telling, obviously will need to get a temporary repair kit.

SteBrown91

3,151 posts

159 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
No need to tell your insurance - the sensors will fit pretty much any wheel and can be transferred over.

I had an F31 and ran it for 18 months on non runflats with no spare wheel (there’s no place for one anyway on those) and nobody died. Just make sure you have recovery cover in case of a blowout. Realistically are you going to be swapping a wheel (especially drivers side) on the hard shoulder?

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

5,121 posts

262 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
What does changing the sensors over involve?

d_a_n1979

13,859 posts

102 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
IIRC you are supposed to let your insurance know you've moved from the OEM spec RFTs to OEM spec non-RFTs; but as long as the tyre sizes are more or less the same, it'll be fine and there should be no amendment cost etc

Everyone I know that has BMWs inc both my Dad and father in law have 'sodded off' the RFTs and now are on non-RFTs and they love the difference it's made. Quieter, smoother driving etc

They both have a genuine BMW repair kit in the boot; but as said; they'd sooner call out recovery if necessary. Neither car comes with a spare anyways

sortedcossie

965 posts

158 months

Friday 12th March 2021
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Are they MV3's by any chance that you keep cracking?

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

5,121 posts

262 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
Not sure what code number mine are, but a Google search would suggest not, mine have 2 spokes to each set if that makes sense

d_a_n1979

13,859 posts

102 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
FredericRobinson said:
Not sure what code number mine are, but a Google search would suggest not, mine have 2 spokes to each set if that makes sense
Style 135s by any chance?

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/135

All BMW alloys are on there FYI ^^^ thumbup

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

5,121 posts

262 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
That's them, don't think I'll be stretching to official BMW replacements though, especially if the strength is lacking

d_a_n1979

13,859 posts

102 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
FredericRobinson said:
That's them, don't think I'll be stretching to official BMW replacements though, especially if the strength is lacking
They do run the risk of cracking a lot more with RFTs; but they're also easy enough to pick up 2nd hand

Personally that's what I'd do; get them refurbed and then stick on decent non-RFTs smile

R129 300SL

281 posts

162 months

Friday 12th March 2021
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My E90 run flat system works off the Abs sensors so no specific tyre sensors to swap over.

Have had non run flats for about 10 years. No problems.

Mr Tidy

31,627 posts

157 months

Friday 12th March 2021
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FredericRobinson said:
That's them, don't think I'll be stretching to official BMW replacements though, especially if the strength is lacking
Also known as MV2s, but they aren't standard for the E9* 3 Series.

I didn't know they were prone to cracking until a couple of year ago when a relative had a rear one crack on his E46 Touring, and that doesn't use run-flats. Since then a couple of Z4 owners have had reported having the same problem, although they do use run-flats. Looks like I dodged a bullet when I had my first Z4 with those wheels and run-flats!

Anyway I'd be looking for a different set of wheels. There are usually plenty of used sets for sale on ebay, Gumtree, Facebook, etc.

I got a set of F30 3 Series wheels for my E91 (it came on winters) and am using E89 Z4 wheels on my current E90 (I didn't like the Style 158s it had), but both sets were 17" rims as mine were both SE models. Neither of them needed the valve-type sensors.

But I still have the 158s with good Continental run-flats if they may be of any interest - although 2 of them need a refurb!

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

5,121 posts

262 months

Saturday 13th March 2021
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Looking properly in daylight I've got style 225s, so probably the original wheels, 19 inch. Another dumb question, what's the effect if I drop to 18 or 17 inch wheels? It looks like both sizes were available as spec.

helix402

7,913 posts

212 months

Saturday 13th March 2021
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FredericRobinson said:
Looking properly in daylight I've got style 225s, so probably the original wheels, 19 inch. Another dumb question, what's the effect if I drop to 18 or 17 inch wheels? It looks like both sizes were available as spec.
Better ride quality with smaller wheels. Take your pick here:

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/3/E90+


FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

5,121 posts

262 months

Saturday 13th March 2021
quotequote all
Cheers, looks like I can get new 187s, which would have been an original option, for less than I was thinking, hopefully better handling, certainly better ride quality with getting away from the run flats, which are like the solid tyres on a kids bike

survivalist

6,124 posts

220 months

Saturday 13th March 2021
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Whereabouts are you based?

I have some 284 style wheels that I planned to use for winter wheels. Quite like them on the E92.




FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

5,121 posts

262 months

Sunday 14th March 2021
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They are nice, but I went for new, thanks.

survivalist

6,124 posts

220 months

Monday 15th March 2021
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FredericRobinson said:
They are nice, but I went for new, thanks.
No worries, only mentioned it as I’m having a bit of a clear out.

Have to say I’m surprised that BMW are still supplying new wheels. It was it a case of new old stock?

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

5,121 posts

262 months

Tuesday 16th March 2021
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survivalist said:
No worries, only mentioned it as I’m having a bit of a clear out.

Have to say I’m surprised that BMW are still supplying new wheels. It was it a case of new old stock?
Bought through Alloy Wheels Direct, old stock I'd imagine