Reply to: The bmw run flat conundrum

[vwdan]

I had a 2nd hand BMW 320 back when I was permie. It was a decent enough car. Nothing wrong with it, but it's not like it's the pinnacle of automotive engineering.

Never had a Mondeo, but they look like decent enough cars, lots of bells and whistles, reliable enough, reasonable price etc. They probably don't have the same level of performance as the BMW (I don't know), but I guess you're trading that and the badge for the pricing.

I had (at the time) a new 1 series when I was doing the company car thing and although it drove fantastically around the twisties, I was never really blown away by the quality. I had an Audi A3 170 S-Line after that which absolutely blew it away in terms of cockpit feel.

While I'd gladly go back to either, I think I'd still pick a comfy Mondeo for really churning up the miles. The A3 in particular was a harsh car over distance cos of the sports setup.

[Ticktock]

Um, technically they both come with a badge, but bmw is certainly the stronger brand.

Lots of bmw's are actually de-badged!

There is no comparison, there really isn't.

I wouldn't buy one new, but second hand bmw's are a great buy.

I had a 2nd hand BMW 320 back when I was permie. It was a decent enough car. Nothing wrong with it, but it's not like it's the pinnacle of automotive engineering.

Never had a Mondeo, but they look like decent enough cars, lots of bells and whistles, reliable enough, reasonable price etc. They probably don't have the same level of performance as the BMW (I don't know), but I guess you're trading that and the badge for the pricing.

[PurpleGorilla]

No. A silk tie doesn't come with a badge. It is inherently good. Here's how a badge works:

BMW 3 series = £15,000 car + £5,000 badge.

Ford Mondeo = £20,000 car + £1 badge.

Um, technically they both come with a badge, but bmw is certainly the stronger brand.

Lots of bmw's are actually de-badged!

There is no comparison, there really isn't.

I wouldn't buy one new, but second hand bmw's are a great buy.

[unixman]

A bmw is like a silk tie to a ford washable polyester tie.

They both do the same job.

But one is quality. It looks better, it feels better. It is classy. Not cheap.

I smile every time I get behind the wheel of my bmw. Mondeo is polyester to silk.

No. A silk tie doesn't come with a badge. It is inherently good. Here's how a badge works:

BMW 3 series = £15,000 car + £5,000 badge.

Ford Mondeo = £20,000 car + £1 badge.

[Scruff]

I have four different tyres, one on each corner. I'm trying to decide which one is the fastest, stickiest, quietest? Nankang, Bridgestone, Michelin or Toyo?

[Ticktock]

And I now drive happily on Goodyear Eagle F1 Asym 2 tyres that are so much quieter and comfier. And stick to the wet roads better.

+1 for the Eagle F1 Asym 2s. That's what I have on the front of my car.

[the_rangdo]

Got rid of mine a long time ago with no regrets. Quite a few reasons...

Harsh ride on uneven surfaces (even with non sport suspension)

Noise level after about 5k miles increases rapidly.

Uneven wear mainly on the rears caused by wheel camber and inflexible tyre walls. Quite a few pictures available online of tyres down to the canvas with plenty of tread on the outside.

Blowouts can still happen, run flats won't stop that. No added benefit there.

I got a pucture which turned out to be unrepairable; that's when you find out practically no-one stocks RFTs so I lost a days billing while one had to be sourced and bussed in.

The RE050 have terrible wet grip, they can let go with no warning at almost any speed. My F10 has all the traction/stability control wizardry but I'd rather not test that out when turning a corner to join a motorway, or find myself suddenly drifting across a wet bend (doing 35mph on a 50mph road). Pirelli's were marginally better but not particularly confidence building.

I have a can of gunk (official BMW stuff for no other reason than to shut the insurance company up) and breakdown cover.

And I now drive happily on Goodyear Eagle F1 Asym 2 tyres that are so much quieter and comfier. And stick to the wet roads better.

[Paddy]

My BMW 3 series run flats cost over well over £200 each. Must be the bad boy size I upgraded to.
Dont like run flats due to cost but I suppose could save your life on a blow out.

Despite this cost - you do really feel the potholes and bumps in the road in this car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2xLM91NUMs

But Citroen since many years ago has provided protection and comfort with their suspension

[unixman]

Forget the spare and carry a can of foam. Many new cars come without a spare anyway.

£200 is not unreasonable for a "premium brand" tyre, eg Michelin.

[saptastic]

My BMW 3 series run flats cost over well over £200 each. Must be the bad boy size I upgraded to.
Dont like run flats due to cost but I suppose could save your life on a blow out.

Despite this cost - you do really feel the potholes and bumps in the road in this car.

[psychocandy]

Can of foam. Never tried it, but that seems to be what lots of cars do now.

Load of wank. Got a Galaxy with a posh can of foam.

Had flat. Tried it. Just oozed out, drove 50 yards and it was just as flat as ever. Ended up having to phone the AA anyway.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

A bmw is like a silk tie to a ford washable polyester tie.

They both do the same job.

But one is quality. It looks better, it feels better. It is classy. Not cheap.

I smile every time I get behind the wheel of my bmw. Mondeo is polyester to silk.

Totally love my 3 series. Only drawback is the rough ride you get on bumpy roads, otherwise pure class.

[PurpleGorilla]

A bmw is like a silk tie to a ford washable polyester tie.

They both do the same job.

But one is quality. It looks better, it feels better. It is classy. Not cheap.

I smile every time I get behind the wheel of my bmw. Mondeo is polyester to silk.

[SteelyDan]

I think mine are Bridgestone tyres...

[anonymouse]

I used this site, and I'm happy with the tyre chosen

Michelin Pilot Sport | the Michelin Pilot Sport reviewed and rated - TyreReviews
For the Michelin Sport

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 | the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 reviewed and rated - TyreReviews
For Goodyear on mine, paid £85 each for 4 with mobile fitting

Saab Automobile 9 3 Aero 2.8T V6 Tyres - TyreReviews
Shows the choice for one of my cars