Tire noise -Run flats

[jrcowboys]

Guys:

I have Michelin 275-35,19 tires on rear of BMW 650 and have noticed a lot of tire noise (tires have 12-15K miles). Have you guys noticed the same problem with run flats? Note: I just got the car and the dealer has been putting 40 PSI in the tires for a while. Could excessive tire pressure have caused the tires to wear irregularily? thus causing the noise.

Thoughts?

JR

 

[Quattro Pete]

Increased tire noise is a common complaint with most RFTs. That and harsher ride. That's why people hate them.

Now, if these are high performance summer tires, sitting on the back of a RWD car, then it's quite possible they've become noisy by 15K miles, regardless if RFT or not. If the car has significant negative camber (like many BMWs do), then it'll be even more pronounced.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Now, if these are high performance summer tires, sitting on the back of a RWD car, then it's quite possible they've become noisy by 15K miles, regardless if RFT or not. If the car has significant negative camber (like many BMWs do), then it'll be even more pronounced.


Yes, I imagine the issue in this case is likely related to tire wear. Most BMWs use some negative camber and/or toe-in, and those two can combine for some choppy tires if not rotated on a regular basis.

JR, try rotating the tires. If the rears are a different size than the front, at least swap the back to to reverse their direction, if they're not directional tires. Heck, even if they are directional, it won't hurt to rotate them on a temporary basis. If the tire noise/pitch changes, or even goes away, then you have your answer.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: jrcowboys
Guys:

I have Michelin 275-35,19 tires on rear of BMW 650 and have noticed a lot of tire noise (tires have 12-15K miles). Have you guys noticed the same problem with run flats? Note: I just got the car and the dealer has been putting 40 PSI in the tires for a while. Could excessive tire pressure have caused the tires to wear irregularily? thus causing the noise.

Thoughts?

JR

Get rid of that junk before your wheels get damaged.

 

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted By: jrcowboys
Guys:

I have Michelin 275-35,19 tires on rear of BMW 650 and have noticed a lot of tire noise (tires have 12-15K miles). Have you guys noticed the same problem with run flats? Note: I just got the car and the dealer has been putting 40 PSI in the tires for a while. Could excessive tire pressure have caused the tires to wear irregularily? thus causing the noise.

Thoughts?

JR


To reiterate what others have said: The problem isn't the RunFlats, it's the camber spec. BMW's are noted for not being nice for treadwear. For as long as I can remember, BMW owners have been complaining about noise and irregular wear - long before RunFlat tires were on the scene.

The increased pressure probably helps, rather then hurts, but the real solution is to make sure the toe is right on the money, and dial out as much camber as you can. You'll lose some of that great handling BMW's are noted for, but the wear will be better.

And just to complete the picture: Once a tire develops a wear pattern, it is extreme difficult to erase the old one. Even if you fix the source of the bad wear pattern, any new wear will be on top of what is already there. Replacing the tire(s) is the only true fix.

 

[SteveSRT8]

The last line is spot on. We see this in our fleet vans which are extremely heavy and will wear tires very fast if everything is not correct.

Rotating the tires is always a mixed bag, I am not a huge fan but sometimes you must...

 

[JHZR2]

I've gotten very good wear and no noise complaints so far on the staggered size runflats on my 135i. I won't necessarily replace them with the same, but no wear or noise issues.

Mine are spec'd at 39f 41r.