LOOKING FOR SPARE CHANGE
CARS@NEWS.COM.AU OR PO BOX 2808, GPO SYDNEY, 2001
I think my 2020 BMW 320i is nice but flawed with its runflat tyres. It has a stiff ride over anything but the smoothest roads and becomes downright jittery over any bumps. On coarser chip bitumen road noise is very intrusive. I’d like to replace the runflats with ordinary tyres but there’s no place for a spare except in the boot where it would take up too much space. There’s no jack of course. Any suggestions?
Max Fitzpatrick, email
Many BMW drivers have replaced runflats with conventional tyres and say they are cheaper and more comfortable. I’d suggest you do too. In lieu of a spare, get tyre goo and a small compressor from an auto store to cover a puncture. It’s not ideal, but neither are runflat tyres. This may not totally solve your ride quality complaints. The BMW 3 Series sacrifices comfort somewhat for excellent handling, and your 320i no doubt came standard with M Sport suspension. This can be deleted when ordering, or $846 buys Adaptive M suspension with a very effective “comfort” setting. Acoustic glazing for the windows ($308) reduces road noise but needs to be optioned from the factory. Hopefully the new tyres will improve things for you.
NON-PERFORMING SEAL
Re Subaru repair costs, I’ve been surprised by Subaru parts costs in general. My 2007 Forester’s headlight compartment had a leak around the seal during recent heavy rains.
Subaru quoted $811 for repair. The lights all work but the seal leaks. Is this unusually expensive? I’m holding off repair until absolutely necessary.
Chris Siemon, email
If you’ve been quoted $811 just for a rubber seal, of course that is ridiculously expensive. It’s likely your Subaru dealer has quoted for a complete replacement headlight unit. Speak with an independent Subaru specialist. They’ll no doubt have seen your issue before and should offer a far more cost-effective solution.
NOISE CANCELLING
Re: Michelin Primacy tyres for reducing road noise on coarse chip roads, I’d like to try this fix
on my 2016 Mazda3 Astina. It suffers on its Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres, but will different tyres have a detrimental effect on handling, steering and braking?
Steve Clark, email
The Michelin Primacy tyre is more comfortorientated than your sportier Dunlop Sport Maxx rubber, but flicking through some independent tyre tests featuring both brands, the handling and braking capabilities of each isn’t far off. I don’t think you’ll suffer here. The bigger issue is your generation Mazda3 is renowned for high cabin noise, thankfully rectified in the new model. The Michelins should hopefully improve it, though. I’ve only had positive feedback from drivers using them to reduce noise.
POOR COMPARISON?
I don’t agree with your comparison between the Chinese owners of MG and BMW owning Rolls-royce. The more naive and trusting could be fooled that MG is the British company it was of old. I think Mr Lucas’ point was more about the marketing deception involved. The advertising watchdog should force MG not to mislead an often-misinformed buying public. Mike O’haloran, email
Your comment last week comparing BMW’S takeover of Rolls-royce to a Chinese car company taking over MG was poor. Rolls was still manufacturing and BMW inherited its skilled personnel. The Chinese bought a dormant MG many years after it lost its experienced workforce. Ian Gregory, email
That’s true, but it was more to highlight how new owners (BMW for Rolls-royce and Chinese stateowned SAIC Motor for MG Cars) have bought rights to use a brand’s heritage in their promotions and advertisements, despite no historical association to most of that heritage. Badge aside, a Chinese-built 2021 MG ZS has zero relation to a 1962 British-built MGB, but from a business sense, it’s understandable they trade on past glories. As mentioned last week, I find MG’S advert stating “97 years of experience” disingenuous, and I’ve been contacted by a 1967 Mgb-owning reader, Gary Mason, who has complained via Australia’s Ad Standards.
PADDING UP
Re: Stitch Up, at my mother’s Mitsubishi ASX’S 90,000km service its rear brake pads had to be replaced at a cost of $415! We’ll not be going back to the Mitsubishi dealer again. Steve Y, email
Dealers can charge whatever they deem appropriate, as long as it’s within this grey area of manufacturer guidelines. It’s little wonder you’ll take your business elsewhere in future. To others faced with a similar potential bill, get a quote from a brake specialist. This won’t affect a new-car warranty as long as the correct specification pads are used. A quote of $415 is way too much for two new brake pads on a small SUV.