Should I change my BMW's tyres to improve the steering?

Hi,

I recently traded in my 2001 BMW 318i for a 2011 BMW 318i. The main difference I discovered between the two models was the steering. The older car's steering was lighter and more responsive while the newer model feels that bit heavier. If I did not know better I would think I was driving a car with front-wheel drive. The car has Run Flat Tyres, and my question is, do you think its the tyres that is causing this experience and if so would it be worth my time to replace them?

Regards,

Hugh McGarr, Dublin

Hugh McGarr (Dublin)

Sep 2015 Filed under: tyres

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Expert answer

Hi Hugh,

OK, first off - well done. You obviously have sensitive driving senses. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed. Secondly, BMW's steering has gotten noticeably heavier over the years - basically as a way of adding more "sporty feeling" (inverted commas author's own) to the car as less and less real road feel is transmitted. So it's partially built in to the design of the car.

As for changing the tyres. It might help - changing the tyre, especially if you change the brand of the tyre, can have an effect on steering effort and it's possible that a switch to low rolling resistance tyres may lighten the steering a bit. But it won't make an enormous difference, and I'd seriously advise you not to change from runflats to conventional tyres - the car was designed around runflats and you could be setting yourself up for an evening on a wet hard shoulder, with no spare wheel, if you swap out the runflats.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D