Replacing RunFlats with Non RunFlats.

[White Lightning]

Hi all, as the title suggests i'm looking for advice.

I own a BMW 123d M Sport Coupe with the optional 18's. Currently it has runflats, but i was considering replacing them with non-runflat tyres next time. I've heard that this could be a bad idea. Has anyone on here moved away from runflat tyres in a 1 series or 3 series?

What was the affect on handling and the ride? Is it worth it? Thanks in advance.

[sinizter]

Not a 1-er or a 3-er, but my 530D has non-runflats.

Senior salesman at dealer thinks that age car should have had runflats, but I bought it used from the dealer with no runflats.

Haven't had any problems with it. I haven't driven a 5-er with runflats for any length before, so I couldn't comment on the difference. This one is comfortable, country road or motorways.

Even did pretty well on a PH run.

[E30M3SE]

What have you heard to suggest it's a bad idea?

Your car will ride better and handle slightly better, your pocket will be fatter also, ime.

[White Lightning]

There are loads of reports online of it not being a good idea. Auto Express did a tyre test and the non run flats on their bmw 3 series did alot worse in braking tests than the run flats. Plus there are loads of others. Here are some examples.

http://tyres-online.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/replaci...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/...

[Ranger 6]

Changed them on both the 1 series and the Mini.

[E30M3SE]

White Lightning said:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/...

What standard rubber did they use, as they don't actually state that...........

AE said:

When we swapped the run-flats for standard rubber on our test BMW 320i a whopping 3.5 metres was added to the car's wet stopping distance! The saloon also took longer to come to a halt on a dry road.

The figures on the right on the AE link are all for ruinflat tyres from here,

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/203...

[AutoAndy]

I am also interested in the answers to this, but I imagine the results and benefits or otheriwse could vary with the car model, suspension type, tyre profile etc. Has anyone got any comparison info on this?

My interest is if I should switch, based upon a 530 M-Sport spec Touring with 245/40 R18 tyres...Plus is it better to get a space saver or tyre glue stuff to cover for puntures?

Edited by AutoAndy on Monday 14th May 19:27

[roofer]

I was at the launch of the Pilot Supersport. Wet and dry braking on a 3 series was 6 Lm better on the SS's. The other 3 series had RF's on. Auto Express is for people who drive Kia's.

[sinizter]

AutoAndy said:

I am also interested in the answers to this, but I imagine the results and benefits or otheriwse coudl vary with the car model, suspension type, tyre profile etc. Has anyone got any comparison info on this?

My interst is if I should switch based upon a 530 M-Sport spec Touring with 245/40 R18 tyres...Plus is it beeter to get a space saver or tyre glue stuff to cover for puntures?

Mine is an M-Sport with 19" - and I like it. I think it may have been harder than I want with runflats.

It also has a full size spare wheel in the boot, which adds to confusion whether my car was originally supplied with runflats or not, but removed any concern about getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. Initially, 19" cars were supplied with normal tyres. It took a few months before 19" ones were supplied with runflats.

[MagicalTrevor]

I changed from runflats to NRF Conti 3 all round on my old 120D M Sport on 17s. Best thing I ever did! Handling and comfort was greatly improved.

Oh, I increased the recommended tyre pressure by 1 psi vs what BMW recommend for RF tyres

[Fox-]

White Lightning said:

There are loads of reports online of it not being a good idea. Auto Express did a tyre test and the non run flats on their bmw 3 series did alot worse in braking tests than the run flats. Plus there are loads of others. Here are some examples.

http://tyres-online.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/replaci...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/...

Another crap generic Auto Express tyre test.

WE REPLACE OUR BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RUNFLATS WITH 'A TYRE' AND WOW, THE POTENZAS WIN! Obviously Runflats perform better than every other tyre ever.

[paulmc]

19" run flats on my 535d GT. I changed to 20" non run flat. No down sided noted. Ride comfort is better even with the lower profile tyres of the 20". Wont be going back to run flats.

[Neil.D]

I got rid of the RF's on my E61.

Best thing I did. The car no longer slips, jumps and generally crashes about anymore.

It has returned to being a proper 5 series again and rides like my old E39.

[Guvernator]

Fox- said:

White Lightning said:

There are loads of reports online of it not being a good idea. Auto Express did a tyre test and the non run flats on their bmw 3 series did alot worse in braking tests than the run flats. Plus there are loads of others. Here are some examples.

http://tyres-online.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/replaci...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/...

Another crap generic Auto Express tyre test.

WE REPLACE OUR BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RUNFLATS WITH 'A TYRE' AND WOW, THE POTENZAS WIN! Obviously Runflats perform better than every other tyre ever.

^^^^ This, I absolutely abhor Auto Express with a passion, I associate their motoring journalism as equivelent to the motor pages in the Sun or the Daily Mail, i.e. designed for the lowest common denominator and I wouldn't trust one of their reports at all. Look at the literally hundreds of real world "owner reviews" who absolutely rave about switching away from RFT's.

I have RFT's currently on my car and I'd rate them as abysmal. The ride is very harsh, they tramline dangerously and god forbid going over a pothole. I will be getting rid within the next few weeks.

[philv]

Hi

Considering a 1 series diesal 2007 for tne girlfriend.

She finds my dad's A4 too firm (2005).

A golf (2008) fine.

She had a go in tne bmw, but was too firm with tne run flats.

How much better would normal tyres make it?
On a par with a go,f (standard non sporty model)?

Thanks