Fears alloyed
I’m considering a new set of ‘KEI force 10’ Alloy wheels for my 2002 Mini Cooper S. To keep costs down I was considering, swapping the runflats from the old wheels to the new. I am getting mixed opinions as follows:- Different tyre firms say this can’t be done as the tyres are too rigid to take off one wheel for another. Kwik Fit says yes it can be done. Different Alloy wheel sellers say runflats have to go on a "runflat wheels" only, as the tyre needs an extra bit lip on the wheel, yet Performance Alloys say no problem putting runflats on. What is the truth?
Asked on 3 October 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
The first, obvious point is that this is madness. I guess the wheels
are 17s, and they are prone to pothole damage anyway. Aftermarket alloys could be softer and even more prone to damage. There is some sense in the argument that the rims need to support the runflats and some nonsense, because if the sidewalls cannot flex properly by rubbing on a deeper rim the tyres could be destroyed. More likely the rims would be damaged by fitting the runflats than the tyres would be damaged. New range of softer sidewall runflats coming this month.
are 17s, and they are prone to pothole damage anyway. Aftermarket alloys could be softer and even more prone to damage. There is some sense in the argument that the rims need to support the runflats and some nonsense, because if the sidewalls cannot flex properly by rubbing on a deeper rim the tyres could be destroyed. More likely the rims would be damaged by fitting the runflats than the tyres would be damaged. New range of softer sidewall runflats coming this month.
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