Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Run Flat Tyres

Has anyone here had any experience of fitting run flats to a series 3 Aero 8?

I want to go long distance touring in France using mostly D roads which usually means not having easy access to tyre repairers/suppliers. Having just a can of tyre foam doesn't give me much confidence!

Have thought about pre-puncture tyre sealants which I have used on other cars and motorcycles in the past but not sure if they can be used on high performance tyres or with pressure sensors.

John

I am presently in dispute with BMW about the fitness for purpose of run flat tyres on my 3 Series.

They are harsh, noisy and on certain types of UK road surface generate so much noise that I have to wear ear plugs.

Run Flat Ryres will probably go on an Aero but unless the suspension has been designed to work with them the noise transmitted back to the chassis will be terrible. Run flat tyres work because the side walls are ultra stiff.

The sealant goo can't be used with pressure sensors.

I am not sure what the answer is! One reason why I bought a Roadster is that I have a spare wheel that is the same as the other 4 wheels, so can be used at normal speed and for as long as is needed.

Bottom line: I will never buy another car that has run flat tyres and I'm no fan of "space saver" tryes having had to drive on the M3 at 50 mph after a puncture. In the end I pulled off and called RAC Recovery to take me home.

In most modern carsa puncture more than 30 miles from home means calling a recovery service. Insanity in my view, but tht is what it is.

And some of the Recovery Clubs may be charging if you don't have a spare...

Morgan Rescue being one of them.

Even if the car is not capable of carrying a spare? I need to check with the RAC.....!

Aldermog
100% agree on the subject of BMW and run flat tyres. We swapped a Volvo XC70 for a 3 series touring last October and have regretted it. The worse thing is the road noise due to the run flats and the seats give SWMBO backache. Certainly not going to have another one

Andy

Andy,

I got the fully adjustable + lumbar adjustment seats. They are OK, but I prefer the seats in my Daughter's £20K Mercedes C180 Estate.

The rest of the car, bar a couple of stunning features, is somewhat of a let down and certainly not the "ultimate driving machine".

My 3rd and last BMW was a 530d M sport with run flats, and I hated it. The ride was awful, and I should never have gone for the Sport version, but the previous model was beautiful to drive - but had conventional tyres. The second last straw was a blowout in the fast lane of the M5 at 5.00am one morning on the way back from Birmingham airport. The car did stay straight, but the tyre had shredded, and was not driveable. There had been no warning from the sensors. Of course, with no spare or spacesaver I had to call a recovery service.
The last straw was a split alloy due to the state of South Glos' roads.
I will never have run flats again, and will avoid low profile tyres on our third world roads.

Thanks Peter.
Though I have to say, I have run BMWs for many years, all on runflats and have never had a problem with them. I especially like the fact that when I got a puncture on a motorway, I was not left stranded on the hard shoulder waiting for the AA and risking life and limb, let alone the car itself, to the antics of myopic drivers who can't tell the difference between the inside lane and the hard shoulder, to say nothing of the difference between a stopped car with hazards flashing and a moving one!

I do take your point about suspension as I know that BMW set their suspension up around the stiffness of run flat tyres.

I suppose I could always take the pressure sensors out if I were to use a pre puncture sealant as it will prevent any air loss either from a puncture or porosity of the tyre so they would become redundant.

John.

I have had 3 BMW's with run flats and each of them I have fitted conventional tyres when the first set of rears have worn out. I think run flats are getting better, but conventional are way better even now.

The rears on my current 640D will need changing soon and I will be going for conventional Michelin pilot super sports as fitted to the Alpina B6 and M5. I will change all 4 even though only the rears are worn. I'll tell the insurance and have not had issues with BMW and warranty on previous cars.