BMW and Run flat Tyres

[telecat]

What is the situation with the "Run Flats". Most Mini and BMW drivers seem to despise them and in a few cases they have caused problems with their cars. Is it possible to Order a BMW without Run flats?? Can you change the Run Flats to stnadard tyres without causing problems either with BMW's warranty or the Insurance? Why hasn't BMW addressed these questions??

[Tony 1234]

Replaced mine with non runflats (Z4) and it cost me an extra £20 on the insurance.

You have to tell them of course.

Tony

[j1]

I had a Mini which was supplied on run flat tyres, when they needed replacing i swapped to normal tyres and this had no effect on the BMW warranty.

Not sure about the insurance situation.

[jlanng]

I plan to change to non runflats. BMW do a kit for my car (E60) which is £180 and has a space saver, jack, brace etc.

Hadn't even considered the insurance implications. It makes some sense I suppose.

[DSM2]

jlanng said:

I plan to change to non runflats. BMW do a kit for my car (E60) which is £180 and has a space saver, jack, brace etc.

Hadn't even considered the insurance implications. It makes some sense I suppose.

some E60 (5 series?) are equipped with non RFTs so you would not have an issue.

The problem comes if you have a recent 3 or 1 series, or another model that is only supplied with RFTs.

[NickB12]

I've replaced the rft's on my 120D. The ride is as firm but smoother, so you don't feel every tiny bump. It feels more secure over wet and bumpy roads as well, where it used to skip sideways, unnervingly so, before. I told the insurance company and they weren't bothered.

I'd recommend it.

[JakeR]

What else does one need to consider? Is it simply a matter of changing the tyres and telling the insurers? Does anything else need checking/changing?

thanks

JakeR

[DSM2]

JakeR said:

What else does one need to consider? Is it simply a matter of changing the tyres and telling the insurers? Does anything else need checking/changing?

thanks

JakeR

Wouldn't have thought the same pressures would be suitable. Would think you would need to increase to take into account the much softer sidewalls.

[JakeR]

what about std BMW alloys that come with a runflat equipped car? Are they suitable for non-runflat tyres?

thanks

JakeR

[DSM2]

Yes. The only differnce is that they have the extended safety hump. The bead seat is still the same as any other BMW rim and of course they all have the assymetric safety hump.

[MK4 Slowride]

I listen to many a comment direct from customers on this. Really it should be optional for every car & I do believe it'll be something of a decision for future prospectors to consider on order.

[dxb335d]

Tony 1234 said:

Replaced mine with non runflats (Z4) and it cost me an extra £20 on the insurance.

You have to tell them of course.

Tony

why do you, tyres are just a consumeable

[DSM2]

dxb335d said:

Tony 1234 said:

Replaced mine with non runflats (Z4) and it cost me an extra £20 on the insurance.

You have to tell them of course.

Tony

why do you, tyres are just a consumeable

Not really. The RFTs are a lot different to standard tyres.

[dxb335d]

DSM2 said:

dxb335d said:

Tony 1234 said:

Replaced mine with non runflats (Z4) and it cost me an extra £20 on the insurance.

You have to tell them of course.

Tony

why do you, tyres are just a consumeable

Not really. The RFTs are a lot different to standard tyres.

Yes i know. The whole construction is different. Still consumables though. Just are brakes. IF you decide to change the type or make of pad.


But that should not affect your insurance.

[Mattt]

If you change the pad to a different make but same spec, you should be ok. But if you change to a part that is not the same as the manufacturers standard specification (e.g. fast road pad), you should generally inform them. You should disclose all material facts to your insurer.

[dxb335d]

Mattt said:

If you change the pad to a different make but same spec, you should be ok. But if you change to a part that is not the same as the manufacturers standard specification (e.g. fast road pad), you should generally inform them. You should disclose all material facts to your insurer.

and i dont believe changing to Non runflats tyres is a ''material'' fact that they need to know. You dont tell them everytime you change a tyre do you.

They are plonkers out there with varying amoung of worn tyres on each corner and different makes and tread patterns on the same driven axle. You dont need to inform your insurer about that and thats far more dangerous than changing to non run flat tyres from a factory run flat set up.

[KenD]

Insurance is a contract of good faith and material disclosure. If you do not disclose a material fact you can end up with no insurance. E9x cars come with run flat as standard, change to non run flat and that is a material change. £20 to notify is probable just an admin charge to note it on the policy, some companies will charge, some will not. £20 is a small price to pay for piece of mind knowinhg you are fully covered

[DSM2]

dxb335d said:

Mattt said:

If you change the pad to a different make but same spec, you should be ok. But if you change to a part that is not the same as the manufacturers standard specification (e.g. fast road pad), you should generally inform them. You should disclose all material facts to your insurer.

and i dont believe changing to Non runflats tyres is a ''material'' fact that they need to know. You dont tell them everytime you change a tyre do you.

They are plonkers out there with varying amoung of worn tyres on each corner and different makes and tread patterns on the same driven axle. You dont need to inform your insurer about that and thats far more dangerous than changing to non run flat tyres from a factory run flat set up.

Afraid you're way off beam dxb. Referring to the other thread where you complain about cracked rims; if you had had normal tyres, the rims wouldn't be cracked. They were cracked because your fitter, like you, didn't realise how different they are.

I ask you, if you were to change springs on your car, would you change them for much lower rated ones that weren't recommended by BMW?

That's exactly what you are doing changing from RFTs to normal tyres. Exactly.

[dxb335d]

I dont remember complaining about cracked rims? I have found the ride and handling better with non-runflats.

[DSM2]

dxb335d said:

I dont remember complaining about cracked rims? I have found the ride and handling better with non-runflats.

My apologies is was mda335i. Sorry about that.

Anyway, point remains, RFTs are a lot different to normal tyres. I think most people find the ride much better without RFTs and maybe think tha handling's better too. Problem is most owners don't ever get near the limits of the car and if in some circumstance they did..................