This is their advantage and … deceit. From the point of view of safety, it’s good: tires broken even at high speed will not cause an accident, but will allow you to drive 80-200 km at a speed of up to 80 km / h without stopping. But for the wallet - ruin: the tire can not be repaired! So you have to choose one of two options: either change all four wheels to regular ones (you can't have one tire different from the rest!), Or try to get a new super tire. In Moscow, this can only be done through a dealer who sold the car …
Two types of safety wheels are known. The first one, which appeared on the market in 1998, is based on the PAX System, patented by Michelin (see. Fig.). A special support ring is placed inside the tire. Such tires are installed on Audi A4, A6 and A8, BMW 7 Series, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Bugatti-Veyron 16/4, The Lanche Thesis.
The second idea, known since 1993, was developed only now. The sidewalls of the tire are so reinforced that they are able to hold the load without air for 80–150 km. The French ("Michelin") called these tires ZP, Zero Pressure. Germans (Continental) - SSR, Self Supporting Reife. The Italians (Pirelli) - Euforia @. Here, the rim, if it differs from the usual one, is only increased by the protrusions-humps that prevent folding. But the tire is a product of the highest technologies using special rubber compounds. True, these tires more transmit noise and vibrations from small irregularities of the road surface to the body.
All BMWs of the 1st, 3rd and 6th series, Z4, as well as the Mini Cooper S can boast similar wheels in the basic configuration; for "fives", "sevens" and just "coopers" this is an option. In addition, ZP tires are found on the Cadillac-XLR and Dodge Viper.
