Are the OEM runflat tires symmetric?

gio · 12-08-2008, 01:39 PM

I've been trying to sell my runflat tires and I only have a single front tire (the other is flat) and someone asked me if it was the driver's side or passenger's side tire. I thought that the tires were symmetric but then he pointed out that there was an "inside" and "outside" printed on each side of the tire. Furthermore, the tread isn't symmetric across the tire. On the other hand there is an arrow saying which way the tire should rotate like on my new Dunlop Z1 star specs. Does this mean the tires could be mounted rotating in either direction? To further complicate things, I look at my rear tires and they are identical. The "right" and "left" versions are exactly the same. They aren't on the wheels anymore, but I'm guessing one was mounted rotating the other way (so the "inside" and "outisde" were in the correct positions).
So does anyone know if the rotation matters on the tires or not? When you order a new tire do you need to specify whether it is the right or the left?

Gary@TireRack · 12-08-2008, 01:44 PM

The OEM is asymmetric. It has an inside and outside only. It can be placed at any wheel position.

warmtoes · 12-08-2008, 02:36 PM

As Gill said above the tires are asymmetric not uni-directional like Goodyear GS-D3's for instance.

12-08-2008, 01:39 PM	#1
gio Captain 50 Rep 628 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	Are the OEM runflat tires symmetric? I've been trying to sell my runflat tires and I only have a single front tire (the other is flat) and someone asked me if it was the driver's side or passenger's side tire. I thought that the tires were symmetric but then he pointed out that there was an "inside" and "outside" printed on each side of the tire. Furthermore, the tread isn't symmetric across the tire. On the other hand there is an arrow saying which way the tire should rotate like on my new Dunlop Z1 star specs. Does this mean the tires could be mounted rotating in either direction? To further complicate things, I look at my rear tires and they are identical. The "right" and "left" versions are exactly the same. They aren't on the wheels anymore, but I'm guessing one was mounted rotating the other way (so the "inside" and "outisde" were in the correct positions). So does anyone know if the rotation matters on the tires or not? When you order a new tire do you need to specify whether it is the right or the left? __________________ Waiting on a 2015 M235
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12-08-2008, 01:44 PM	#2
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	The OEM is asymmetric. It has an inside and outside only. It can be placed at any wheel position. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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12-08-2008, 02:36 PM	#3
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	As Gill said above the tires are asymmetric not uni-directional like Goodyear GS-D3's for instance. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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