F31 340i Touring tyres

[Sticks.]

I've mentioned it to my insurance broker in the past and it's not been an issue. Still, worth mentioning, I think.

Did your car come with non RFTs as an option?

[CrgT16]

No, mine didn't have non RFT as an option. It is annoying you can't just fit the tires you want these days. In 20 years of driving I had only one puncture so not that worried about a puncture. I know the evidence shows RFT can be safer on a blow out but how many people have blow outs? I always have them jnflatwd to correct pressures, in good condition and from quality brands so I should be OK. One think I don't save is tires... contact patch with the roads I want the best I can afford.

[DocSteve]

CrgT16 said:

Yes, I thought that... mine have a load index of 92 not 96 so don't feel to rigid.

I need to clarify with BMW UK and my insurance if using non RFT would invalidate my warranty or insurance. Any experience with that?

I can't see why it would but they may say RFT are safer so in effect I would modify my car by fitting tyres that are not as safe on a blow out.

I would prefer the non run flat as there are better choices of tyre but until I get the green light in writing from both I will keep the run flats going.

There really is no issue with insurance and non-RFT tyres. BMW UK will advise you to use them but that is it - there will be no invalidation of the warranty (I can't see what component failure could be linked to using non-RFT vs RFT tyres). If you bought a new Merc (with non-RFT OE tyres), had a non-repairable puncture and decided to replace it with a correctly speed/load rated tyre of the same size but from some awful budget range there would be a better case for it being "more dangerous" but this would equally be no problem in terms of the issues you describe. I'm sure you will get clarification from your insurance company without any problem and as for the warranty I wouldn't be concerned at all.

[CrgT16]

Thanks for the advice, that is reassuring.

[bodhi]

Can't comment on the consequences of removing run flats when in warranty, but I recently did the same with my 1-Series and the difference is night and day. Far more confortable, less road noise, better grip - especially on bumpy surfaces.

I went for Michelin PS4's and they are fantastic tyres, especially in the wet. Much cheaper than the runflats as well.

[T16OLE]

CrgT16 said:

Yes, I thought that... mine have a load index of 92 not 96 so don't feel to rigid.

I need to clarify with BMW UK and my insurance if using non RFT would invalidate my warranty or insurance. Any experience with that?

I can't see why it would but they may say RFT are safer so in effect I would modify my car by fitting tyres that are not as safe on a blow out.

I would prefer the non run flat as there are better choices of tyre but until I get the green light in writing from both I will keep the run flats going.

I was under the impression that you could select not to have RFT fitted as new?

[CrgT16]

Possibly but didn't see that option available in configuration. In fairness I didn't ask the salesman if that was available to me. On the online configuration I couldn't really see it, maybe I missed it.

[GTEYE]

paulwirral said:

Mine came with Pirelli tyres , 12000 miles later there's plenty of life in them and the car drives great compared to other bmws I've had on run flats

Worth considering the Goodyear Eagle F1 RFT also fitted by BMW (on my 4 Series). Nearly worn out the second set at 60k miles now, 30k from a set is not bad IMHO, and as above much, much better than previous RFTs.

Probably cant loose (sic!)on any any of the newer generation RFTs...

[smashy]

My non runflats pilots PS3 F30 30d lasted 40k on rear still plenty left on fronts at 42k............

[CSLchappie]

GTEYE said:

C
Worth considering the Goodyear Eagle F1 RFT also fitted by BMW (on my 4 Series). Nearly worn out the second set at 60k miles now, 30k from a set is not bad IMHO, and as above much, much better than previous RFTs.

Probably cant loose (sic!)on any any of the newer generation RFTs...

I have these on my 340, they might last a while but the 'feel' of them is awful compared to a decent set of premium non-rift rubber, all imho of course.

[VerySideways]

Bridgestone RFTs, 340iT, adaptive suspension, 19's.
Bearable, but they still thump through potholes (of which there are a million - i live in Gloucestershire!) so i am also considering ditching the RFT's and simply keeping them in the loft until i part-ex the car.

And someone mentioned blowouts? A runflat can still blow out (i.e. catastrophic sudden loss of pressure and tyre integrity) which renders it as useless as a non-runflat blowout.

[smashy]

Never tried but maybe worth a look http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Falken-have-a...

..and the new Bridgestone Driveguard runflats http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Bridgestone-D...

[CrgT16]

VerySideways said:

Bridgestone RFTs, 340iT, adaptive suspension, 19's.
Bearable, but they still thump through potholes (of which there are a million - i live in Gloucestershire!) so i am also considering ditching the RFT's and simply keeping them in the loft until i part-ex the car.

And someone mentioned blowouts? A runflat can still blow out (i.e. catastrophic sudden loss of pressure and tyre integrity) which renders it as useless as a non-runflat blowout.

don't tell me you went for estoril blue as well.. lol

yes I am probably going to ditch rft if I can. like you said the bridgestones are ok but nothing exciting.

[VerySideways]

CrgT16 said:

don't tell me you went for estoril blue as well.. lol

yes I am probably going to ditch rft if I can. like you said the bridgestones are ok but nothing exciting.

Estoril with oyster - you?

[Spanglepants]

Recently bought a pair of Pirelli P Zeros for the rear of my E61, great tyres and will replace the fronts with them as well.

[CrgT16]

VerySideways said:

Estoril with oyster - you?

Estoril with saddle brown. Both good choices in my opinion, a change from boring black

[VerySideways]

CrgT16 said:

Estoril with saddle brown. Both good choices in my opinion, a change from boring black

Indeed. Any pictures?

[VerySideways]

Well that's annoying.
I now need a new front tyre on my 340i due to a Gloucestershire Highways pothole.

So, rather than spend £200+ on a replacement Bridgestone RFT I'm going to eBay the remaining three (only done 2k miles!) and get a set of non-RFT.

The question is, what can I get as a matching set in stock sizes?
Not a lot around in 225/40R19 and 255/35R19.
GY Asym 2, Vred Ultrac Vorti, Mich PSS... any others?
I wanted to try the GY Asym 3 but they're only available in the rear size, and I'm loathe to mismatch front and rear axles (other than the stagger obviously).

[CrgT16]

I am considering going non rft when need to change. To be honest after 8k miles on the Bridgestones I find they are reasonable thus far.

[Monty Python]

I'm probably going to normal tyres on my 340i when the RFTs are at the end of their life.

My "problem" was what to use in case of a puncture. I don't really want to carry a space-saver, and although there are "TPMS-safe" sealants that can be washed out of the tyre, I'm still not convinced of their ability to work properly.

So, after a bit of searching I came across this:

http://www.stopngo.com/deluxe-model-tire-plugger/

Anyone any experience of it? It looks to be a better solution than sealant.