Run flats?

[BUG4LIFE]

Not sure if this is the best place for such a question, so apologise if not?!

I think my GF's Mini is going to need new front tyres and I was wondering if anyone can recommend a decent place to source them [that'll be more competitive than getting them through Mini]. They're 17in run flats...

Ta in advance.

[Codswallop]

Any place will be more competitive than Mini.

Try blackcircles.com, camskill.co.uk, mytyres.co.uk, and event-tyres.co.uk for a start.

Blackcircles and event-tyres will be more hassle free than the other two as fitting is included. In my experience, getting tyres fitted that you bought online can be a pain unless you know a freindly local fitter.

[pjdow]

Camskill, BlackCircles

or consider ditching them and replacing all 4 with non run flats. It will improve the ride considerably.

Well, that was true on my old BMW Z4 when I ditched them.

[BUG4LIFE]

pjdow said:

Camskill, BlackCircles

or consider ditching them and replacing all 4 with non run flats. It will improve the ride considerably.

Well, that was true on my old BMW Z4 when I ditched them.

Well yes, the ride certainly is a touch hard due to the run flats and sports suspension! Replacing all 4 with non-run flats would be an option if Mini don't kick up a fuss [the car is still in warranty].

I've used Camskill before so will try them again, plus the others suggested...cheers guys.

On a different note: I spoke to our closest Mini dealer earlier, about potentially having a look at the car, as the tyres have worn quite unevenly and I want to make sure nothing major is up. I got them to quote a 4 wheel alignment - £250+vat for their fancy KDS system. I wasn't expecting that!!!

Edited by BUG4LIFE on Monday 17th September 15:47

[tim0409]

BUG4LIFE said:

Well yes, the ride certainly is a touch hard due to the run flats and sports suspension! Replacing all 4 with non-run flats would be an option if Mini don't kick up a fuss [the car is still in warranty].

I've used Camskill before so will try them again, plus the others suggested...cheers guys.

On a different note: I spoke to our closest Mini dealer earlier, about potentially having a look at the car, as the tyres have worn quite unevenly and I want to make sure nothing major is up. I got them to quote a 4 wheel alignment - £250+vat for their fancy KDS system. I wasn't expecting that!!!

Edited by BUG4LIFE on Monday 17th September 15:47

Having just replaced RF's on my 118d with non-RF I noticed uneven wear, specifically on the outside edges of the fronts. I am sure I have read somewhere that this is not uncommon with RF and not necessarily a problem with alignment.

[mat777]

When mum used to have a mini on runflats, with the usual ruined ride, none of the usual tyre fitters could get them on and off and we HAD to take it to a bmw tyre fitters at complete ripoff prices. Ditch the fking things and do your wallet and spine a favour

[BUG4LIFE]

I'll be pissed if we HAVE to get them fitted by BMW if no one can do them!!!

[Drek]

I've got RFTs on my BMW and to be honest I'm quite happy with them, the ride is a million times better than the A3 S-line I came out of. That said, you HAVE to keep the pressures spot on otherwise they will wear unevenly and any tyre fitter can replace them although my local garage hated doing them because they were so difficult to get on and off. Horses for courses ultimately, I don't mind them at all, others absolutely loathe them. Mind you, they are bloody expensive.

I used Merityre in the end as they were best prices I could get, £350 cheaper for a complete set than my BMW dealer!

Edited by Drek on Monday 17th September 22:39

[CO2000]

I'd ditch the runflats it's an amazing change (I went for these on my Mini http://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b758s103p14918/Vredes...

& get it aligned at your local place on here

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

[BUG4LIFE]

Drek said:

I've got RFTs on my BMW and to be honest I'm quite happy with them, the ride is a million times better than the A3 S-line I came out of. That said, you HAVE to keep the pressures spot on otherwise they will wear unevenly and any tyre fitter can replace them although my local garage hated doing them because they were so difficult to get on and off. Horses for courses ultimately, I don't mind them at all, others absolutely loathe them. Mind you, they are bloody expensive.

I used Merityre in the end as they were best prices I could get, £350 cheaper for a complete set than my BMW dealer!

Edited by Drek on Monday 17th September 22:39

My other-half spoke to the dealer yesterday as well and he said he'd be surprised if it needed a full KDS alignment [Mini's don't generally need this so he said] - he did however mention it could be a pressure issue as you say Drek. Annoying, cos I could of obviously prevented this!

[BUG4LIFE]

Going back to my old thread..what tyres [both RF and non-RF] are you PHers recommending now-a-days?

Cheers

[jon-]

People will recommend a mix of:

Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2
Michelin Pilot Super Sports
Continental Sport Conact 5s

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta / Vorti
Falken FK452
Toyo T1R

Kumho KU31

That probably covers it. Or: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Type/Passenger-C...

[Steffan]

I understand that fitting run run flats on cars designed for run flats is now an MOT failure point. Daft I agree but that is my understanding. I HATE run flats very expensive very noisy and very short life. But possibly necessary.

[Sticks.]

Steffan said:

I understand that fitting run run flats on cars designed for run flats is now an MOT failure point. Daft I agree but that is my understanding. I HATE run flats very expensive very noisy and very short life. But possibly necessary.

Got a link for that? Seems improbable tbh.

ETA googled it myself http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Mine passed in April btw.

Edited by Sticks. on Monday 3rd December 17:25

[tonys]

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_410.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...



A bigger problem as far as I am concerned is the lack of spare wheels being provided now, just to meet Co2 / cost / weight savings etc. , although it isn't usually 'sold' that way. I actually saw new car yesterday with a full-sized spare wheel, first time for ages. Slightly off-topic though

[Sam.F]

BUG4LIFE said:

I'll be pissed if we HAVE to get them fitted by BMW if no one can do them!!!

You don't! Just find a local Indy and once the tyres have been replaced you can easily reset the tyre pressure monitor yourself.

It's my own opinion bit TBH I can't see the point of going for non-RFTs if the car is on 17s as the ride is still going to be awful plus if you have a puncture you will end up stood at the side of the road with a can of sealant and a compressor (which you'll need to buy) instead of just slowing down! I found the RFTs were a lot more hard-wearing than standard tyres as well, the fronts on my JCW lasted 19K and were only about £115 each to replace. I will say though that on 15s or 16s there is more of a difference in ride quality.

[Sticks.]

Sam.F said:

It's my own opinion bit TBH I can't see the point of going for non-RFTs if the car is on 17s as the ride is still going to be awful....

Getting rid of them from my 120D M Sport with 17s not only improved the ride but also eliminated tramlining and changing direction over bumps or mid-bend.

[Steffan]

Sticks. said:

Sam.F said:

It's my own opinion bit TBH I can't see the point of going for non-RFTs if the car is on 17s as the ride is still going to be awful....

Getting rid of them from my 120D M Sport with 17s not only improved the ride but also eliminated tramlining and changing direction over bumps or mid-bend.

That is my experience. I hate run flats. Have we decided their absence can be a MOT problem??

[Sticks.]

Mine wasn't on my Z4. Quick read of the link led me to think it was to do with tyre-pressure-sensors. AFAIK, BMW's system works via the ABS, the altered circumference of the part-deflated wheel triggering the warning.

I'm no tech though so...

[BUG4LIFE]

jon- said:

People will recommend a mix of:

Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2
Michelin Pilot Super Sports
Continental Sport Conact 5s

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta / Vorti
Falken FK452
Toyo T1R

Kumho KU31

That probably covers it. Or: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Type/Passenger-C...

Your list all non-RFTs buddy?