Just been informed that replacing run flats with standard tyres will void my insurance...

[Prof Prolapse]

mintblue said:

Do runflats ruin the ride that much? I bought my E61 535d in December and would say the ride isn't that bad, well not compared to my old Megane 225 anyway.
Perhaps a set of decent 'normal' tires will be the order of the day when it comes to renewal time.

I changed them on my Z4. Even with my budget tyres they are still much better than the RFTs that came with the car.

The difference is noticeable even if you don't drive at 10/10ths everywhere.

[Locknut]

Nigel Worc's said:

My insureres told me that as long as I fit something that was an option when new, then they don't need to be advised.

I wasn't aware that non RFT (conventional tyres) were an option across the whole range, in my mundane 320d there is no wheel-well in the boot for a spare. There is a big exhaust pipe under the floor where the wheel-well should be. Even carrying a space-saver would be pointless because if I had to change a roadwheel the 225/17 would take up most of the boot. Where would I put the luggage?

[cslwannabe]

was surprised to see the handbook in our 640d advises that you can replace the runflats with non-runflats, but change all 4 tyres if you do so - I was expecting it to say something like 'in no circumstances should runflat tyres be replaced with non-runflats...'

[Vladimir]

Locknut said:

I wasn't aware that non RFT (conventional tyres) were an option across the whole range, in my mundane 320d there is no wheel-well in the boot for a spare. There is a big exhaust pipe under the floor where the wheel-well should be. Even carrying a space-saver would be pointless because if I had to change a roadwheel the 225/17 would take up most of the boot. Where would I put the luggage?

It is annoying - there's no even a flipping wheel nut wrench! I keep the AAs number handy...! I have Tyre Weld, a decent pressure monitor (hand held) and a 12v compressor/pump but I still don't trust either. Luckily my Conti SC3s seem to be fairly strong. Had the same in my mk4 R32 - no spare or jack!

[Prof Prolapse]

Why would you need a "wrench"? Will you start carrying a spare or space saver after switching from RFTs?

I just have a can of tyre-weld, pump, and an AA card.

[Vladimir]

Prof Prolapse said:

Why would you need a "wrench"? Will you start carrying a spare or space saver after switching from RFTs?

I just have a can of tyre-weld, pump, and an AA card.

Some people might want to take their wheels off/loosen it to line them up for Tyre Welding. Or just swap them around at home. Or clean the insides of the alloys. Or just fettle for no reason.

[Paul_M3]

Vladimir said:

Prof Prolapse said:

Why would you need a "wrench"? Will you start carrying a spare or space saver after switching from RFTs?

I just have a can of tyre-weld, pump, and an AA card.

Some people might want to take their wheels off/loosen it to line them up for Tyre Welding. Or just swap them around at home. Or clean the insides of the alloys. Or just fettle for no reason.

To be fair, those type of people would probably buy a decent wheel nut wrench rather than the type you get given free with a car.

[Vladimir]

Paul_M3 said:

To be fair, those type of people would probably buy a decent wheel nut wrench rather than the type you get given free with a car.

True. And yes I do have one ;-)

[Phateuk]

Having owned my Z4C for two months now I've just placed an order for 4 non run flat tyres (falken 453). I thought I'd adjust to the the very firm ride given time which I possibly could, but the tramlining is unbearable, I feel like I could be in a ditch at any moment when travelling on bumpy roads.

Anyway, 10mins after placing my order on blackcircles I had a phone call informing I may have ordered the wrong tyres as they weren't run flat.. anyway I convinced them that's what I wanted and they're being fitted tomorrow

[pimpin gimp]

Incidentally, the tyres I bought were actually recommended for BMW's on the black circles website, so I'm happy anyway. The car is so much nicer to drive, doesn't knock much when you go over cats eyes, doesn't tramline, and doesn't pull me into the verge every time there is a slight camber on the left hand side of the carriageway!

[iSore]

RFT's are indeed awful, but they're just typical of a society where changing a wheel by the side of a busy road is viewed with the same horror as scaling the north face of the Eiger.
I'm not sure about RFT's, but in the days of the TRX Metrics, Michelin would supply BMW with the tyres FOC and make their money supplying the second, third etc sets of tyres to the poor owner.

[JohnRS4]

Does anybody know exactly what models BMW offer non-runflats as an option.

[Nigel Worc's]

Locknut said:

Nigel Worc's said:

My insureres told me that as long as I fit something that was an option when new, then they don't need to be advised.

I wasn't aware that non RFT (conventional tyres) were an option across the whole range, in my mundane 320d there is no wheel-well in the boot for a spare. There is a big exhaust pipe under the floor where the wheel-well should be. Even carrying a space-saver would be pointless because if I had to change a roadwheel the 225/17 would take up most of the boot. Where would I put the luggage?

You're a lost cause anyway, and a disgrace to the badge ...... a 2.0 4 pot oil burner, that ain't a BMW, I bet you even think it's fwd !

Just think, you could fit 4 space savers and not worry about your driving style/speed, and have room for a spare one in with the luggage.



The advice I gave did actually come from my insurer, which is RSA I think, and it came about as I had an E34 with metric wheels, and I wanted to change them to imperial ...... for obvious reasons.

I probably shouldn't say this, as you all know what'll happen next, but I've had my current car for 3 years in June, covered nearly 90,000 miles in it, and my full size spare that gets lugged around everywhere beneath the boot floor hasn't ever been used, it still has a brand new tyre on it !

As we're made to change the tyres when they still have loads of tread left on them, by the standards I grew up with, I can't remember the last time I had a puncture.

[Vladimir]

JohnRS4 said:

Does anybody know exactly what models BMW offer non-runflats as an option.

It's the other way around now. Not checked many models but the M135i has non RFTs standard. RFTs are a no cost option. I think that's similar to many other models but not certain!

[Panda76]

I'm more interested in any ones real opinion of the supposed new generation of runflats.

I read a review last night of all 3 generations of Bridgestones runflat tyres.
The independant test said and as we all know,the 1st and 2nd generation runflats were awful with all the faults we either have experienced or read about.
The review went on to say that whilst the 3rd generation was still in essence a harder tyre than non runflats it was far more comlpliant and behaved more like a non runflat tyre.

It's a subject I'm interested in as when my non runflat tyres wear out (Falken FK 452) I will more than likely make a move back to a set of runflats.I feel the ride on non runflats whilst good and without tramlining,just has that little bit of bounce in it which I have never liked or gotten used to.I preffered the suspension feel of the runflats but hated the skitty like wandering tramlining they had (Conti SSR)

Is anyone running a 3rd generation apparently more compliant runflat?
Is the articel and review just BS ?

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/reviewed-bridge...

[api330]

My run flats will be coming off as soon as they wear out, They are awful things.

[Panda76]

How old are they as in date they were produced and what brand?

[Locknut]

Nigel Worc's said:

You're a lost cause anyway, and a disgrace to the badge ...... a 2.0 4 pot oil burner, that ain't a BMW, I bet you even think it's fwd !

Just think, you could fit 4 space savers and not worry about your driving style/speed, and have room for a spare one in with the luggage.

You need to come off whatever you're on, it doesn't suit you!

Nigel Worc's said:

I can't remember the last time I had a puncture.

Uh-oh! Guess what's going to happen the next black, wet, windy night you go out.....

[Simes205]

I've got run flats - Bridgestone re05a's.
Yep they are stiff, crash about and make the car tramline - however my other car is like this so I'm not complaining.

I did think about changing over however about 3 months ago my wife came home saying there was a warning light on the dash. I checked it out and it indicated there was a puncture. I asked whether she'd notice the steering get heavier and she hadn't noticed. She had driven about 30 urban miles on it.
Basically the RFT had got her and my daughter home safely without any bother.

That changed my mind.


4 pot oil burning BMW owner.

[Nigel Worc's]

Locknut said:

Nigel Worc's said:

You're a lost cause anyway, and a disgrace to the badge ...... a 2.0 4 pot oil burner, that ain't a BMW, I bet you even think it's fwd !

Just think, you could fit 4 space savers and not worry about your driving style/speed, and have room for a spare one in with the luggage.

You need to come off whatever you're on, it doesn't suit you!

Nigel Worc's said:

I can't remember the last time I had a puncture.

Uh-oh! Guess what's going to happen the next black, wet, windy night you go out.....

Seriously ..... for a minute.

Why does your car need 225 tyres ?

Why does my mates oil burning piece of crap mondeo need 245 tyres (I think his were 245's)

(I'm not a diesel fan)

And even, why did my very underpowered 518i need 225 tyres ?

Even .........again ....... my 2.8 has W rated tyres, specified by BMW ...... it doesn't need them, it can't go that bloody quick.

Is there actually any good reason why cars seem to have such wide tyres these days, BMW being probably one of the worst offenders ?