How was moving from run flats to non run flats?
Discussion
I've done this s couple of times on a 2005 and 2009 era car. So I'm led to believe modern RFT are better than they were so the change is less obvious if you have something quite recent. But basically a tyre which can flex and distort will be better than one that cannot at absolutely everything except driving on a very smooth dry road surface. Make sure you do all 4 as a friend tried to do one pair only and his car became erratic over around 50mph - no idea why.
MrBeEmW said:
Anyone that has made the move to non run flats, do you regret it ?
What s better now you ve moved over?
Anything I need to think about before moving over?
No, never...What s better now you ve moved over?
Anything I need to think about before moving over?
Went from RFTs to non RFTs on my F01 730D - went from a not very nice steering feel, tram-lining all over the show (more so the local country lanes etc); to being able to drive straight, comfier, quieter and no tram-lining at all.
More or less the same on the F31 too - although that was 19s to 18s
But it'd be the same and I'd personally never go back to RFTs
All I'd say is that ensure that you have a decent tyre inflator, and tyre puncture repair kit spugged away in the car, as well as decent breakdown cover etc
I dumped the runflats on a 2000 car and it made a big improvement to ride quality as well as grip.
I dumped the runflats on 2015 car and it didn't make much difference. Firstly, I think modern runflats are better. Secondly, big tyres that fit sports cars are typically the same size as tyres for hefty SUVs - "XL" specification and all that. As a result I suspect the sidewalls of non-RFTs are pretty much as stiff as RFTs.
I dumped the runflats on 2015 car and it didn't make much difference. Firstly, I think modern runflats are better. Secondly, big tyres that fit sports cars are typically the same size as tyres for hefty SUVs - "XL" specification and all that. As a result I suspect the sidewalls of non-RFTs are pretty much as stiff as RFTs.
I haven't had runflats on a BMW for >12 years now. I had a puncture with them and personally found them useless.
I had a puncture pre Chrsitmas on the Michelin PS4's, which resulted in a new tyre after just 3k miles. It was still driveable, just a bit leaky. That's the first one I've had in 12 years, circa 200k miles
That car has adaptive suspension, and noticely rides better with normal tyres. Even the wife commented!
I had a puncture pre Chrsitmas on the Michelin PS4's, which resulted in a new tyre after just 3k miles. It was still driveable, just a bit leaky. That's the first one I've had in 12 years, circa 200k miles
That car has adaptive suspension, and noticely rides better with normal tyres. Even the wife commented!
ATM said:
I've done this s couple of times on a 2005 and 2009 era car. So I'm led to believe modern RFT are better than they were so the change is less obvious if you have something quite recent. But basically a tyre which can flex and distort will be better than one that cannot at absolutely everything except driving on a very smooth dry road surface. Make sure you do all 4 as a friend tried to do one pair only and his car became erratic over around 50mph - no idea why.
Yes, I'd say modern RFTs better than first gens.I replaced the Bridgestone RE050A on my E91 for Goodyear Eagle F1 RFTs and they were much better (have since replaced for non RFT All Seasons).
Swapped the RFTs on the 6 Series to non RFTs. Made a big difference in ride quality and noise. Not gone back.
I swapped the run flats on my 130i and Mini JCW to non RFT. No regrets. Better comfort, noise, handling and feel. Maybe, a tiny loss of immediate turn in sharpness but that’s about the only negative. I’ve had a couple of slow punctures since which were repaired for c£20 (not possible I believe with RFT). I even replaced a set of nearly new Dunlop RFTs for PS4 as soon as I bought the mini, such is my hatred for RFTs.
RFT can be repaired if they've not been driven on, I had one go flat over a weekend that was repaired with no issue.
All our recent cars have had RFT, and echo the above about modern generation of tyres being much better. Our m135i on Conti sport contact 6's is no noisier than my brothers Passat on cross climates and as I don't need to attack the apex going into our local supermarket each time i'll stay on them (or similar RFT).
I get if you're pushing on, or track days and so on then there is a performance factor in modern non RFT but given that 99.9% of the time we're just doing a shopping run or driving to work it's not worth it for us.
All our recent cars have had RFT, and echo the above about modern generation of tyres being much better. Our m135i on Conti sport contact 6's is no noisier than my brothers Passat on cross climates and as I don't need to attack the apex going into our local supermarket each time i'll stay on them (or similar RFT).
I get if you're pushing on, or track days and so on then there is a performance factor in modern non RFT but given that 99.9% of the time we're just doing a shopping run or driving to work it's not worth it for us.
For me, its less about hitting the apex. If you run big wheels with low profile, you're less likely to crack the rims on non runflat tyres.
The issue BMW, and to be fair, most cars have nowadays is that the hubs are pushed further out, so there is more stress on the outer rim. They used to be more dished and offer more support/less stress. My old E38 Alpina, the hub was probably 60mm further inboard over my current G series.
I've never cracked a rim, although I have plenty of mates who have.
The issue BMW, and to be fair, most cars have nowadays is that the hubs are pushed further out, so there is more stress on the outer rim. They used to be more dished and offer more support/less stress. My old E38 Alpina, the hub was probably 60mm further inboard over my current G series.
I've never cracked a rim, although I have plenty of mates who have.
sortedcossie said:
RFT can be repaired if they've not been driven on, I had one go flat over a weekend that was repaired with no issue.
Yes, I've had two repairs in runflats. One a straightforward mushroom plug and the other a vulcanised repair because it was near the sidewall.As you say, repairs are fine - so long as the tyre's not been driven flat. Carry a 12volt tyre pump and keep topping up to maintain pressure (where possible).
I’ve had 2 x MCS and 2 x top end 3 series and ditched the RFT’s on all of them at the earliest opportunity, chucking away many miles of remaining life. Minis were the worst on them, in barely moist or cool condition the TC & ABS would be going nuts on uneven surfaces because they had no rebound. The current 2019 M340i is so much better on PS4S in summer and Wintracs in winter than the factory Bridgestones it came with.
Here's my post from 2023 having gone from non-run-flats to run-flats on my Cooper S:
BOR said:
OK, so I fitted the RFT Dunlop Sport Maxx 
I've only driven a few kms to bed them in so far, but in my opinion, they are really pretty good.
I would rate the ride comfort at 8,0/10 maybe even higher.
In comparison, I rated the non RFT Michelin Primacy 3 also at 8,0/10 and the winter RFT Dunlop Winter Contact at 7,5/10.
It's not a direct comparison as I went from the winter tyres straight to the new summer tyres, and the originals are 8 years old, so might have hardened.
Turn-in seems less crisp which adds supporting evidence to the idea that the RFT sidewall has been reduced in stiffness.
Very strange "uncanny valley" feeling at the moment, because I'm expecting much more of an impact as I go over potholes/drain covers etc, but it is really quite good.
Brand new Michelin non RFTs might be even better, but I'm quite happy with the result so far.
I've only driven a few kms to bed them in so far, but in my opinion, they are really pretty good.
I would rate the ride comfort at 8,0/10 maybe even higher.
In comparison, I rated the non RFT Michelin Primacy 3 also at 8,0/10 and the winter RFT Dunlop Winter Contact at 7,5/10.
It's not a direct comparison as I went from the winter tyres straight to the new summer tyres, and the originals are 8 years old, so might have hardened.
Turn-in seems less crisp which adds supporting evidence to the idea that the RFT sidewall has been reduced in stiffness.
Very strange "uncanny valley" feeling at the moment, because I'm expecting much more of an impact as I go over potholes/drain covers etc, but it is really quite good.
Brand new Michelin non RFTs might be even better, but I'm quite happy with the result so far.
Marginally off topic but chuffed to replace Tpms sensors on fronts today when new black circles were fitted which at 7 years old were starting to fail in the cold. I will now treat them as a service item evey 6 years or so at £40 for 4 off Amazon. These are probably more important than rft as I like knowing pressures with varying loads/drives
ATM said:
Make sure you do all 4 as a friend tried to do one pair only and his car became erratic over around 50mph - no idea why.
I agree with the advice to do all four, but I don't agree that your friend's experience was definitely down to tires. My 5er currently has a set of NRFT Pilot Super Sports on the rear but Goodyear RFT F1s on the front. Was an emergency situation that led to this, and I am replacing the fronts with the proper set in the Spring, but I noticed no negatives whatsoever. In fact, the car felt better than ever with the upgraded rears...
Night Owl said:
ATM said:
Make sure you do all 4 as a friend tried to do one pair only and his car became erratic over around 50mph - no idea why.
I agree with the advice to do all four, but I don't agree that your friend's experience was definitely down to tires. My 5er currently has a set of NRFT Pilot Super Sports on the rear but Goodyear RFT F1s on the front. Was an emergency situation that led to this, and I am replacing the fronts with the proper set in the Spring, but I noticed no negatives whatsoever. In fact, the car felt better than ever with the upgraded rears...
So I'm just cautioning people because that's what I know but never experienced it myself.
If you think it's a none issue that's good to know.
BTW I'm trying to encourage everyone in the world to use my term Go Flats which feels less of a mouthful than None Run Flats.
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