Getting rid of funflats
Discussion
I've got a 2005 E90 3-series that came with runflats and no spare. I've heard talk of improved ride quality and less tramlining (which I find quite noticeable) if I were to ditch the runflats and fit normal tyres, not to mention that standard tyres are cheaper.
So I'm thinking of doing this when it comes to replacing the fronts which are now starting to look a little light on tread. Obviously I'll buy a can of tyre repair foam to bung in the boot but I had a couple of other thoughts.
1) would this be considered a modification by my insurance company as they are not the standard spec tyre?
2) are there any potential issues having runflats on the rear and non-runflats on the front as the rears currently have a fair bit of life left in them and I don't need to change them just yet?
So I'm thinking of doing this when it comes to replacing the fronts which are now starting to look a little light on tread. Obviously I'll buy a can of tyre repair foam to bung in the boot but I had a couple of other thoughts.
1) would this be considered a modification by my insurance company as they are not the standard spec tyre?
2) are there any potential issues having runflats on the rear and non-runflats on the front as the rears currently have a fair bit of life left in them and I don't need to change them just yet?
Edited by lauda on Tuesday 6th January 22:10
I know ditching run-flats seems to be very popular, but my experience makes me wonder.
I know non RFT's are cheaper, but is a saving of £100 or so a pair on a car worth £5,000 or so that significant in the bigger scheme of things?
I had an E46 for 3 years and had one puncture on a lovely summers day in Windsor Great Park - just found a nice piece of tarmac and put the space-saver on.
Then I had a 1 series with RFT's for 6+ years and had 2 punctures in that - both days it was snowing but all I had to do was drive home at less than 50 which is not really a problem in snow! Much better than trying to change a wheel in slush in the half-dark half-way round a roundabout in Bracknell!
Just for the convenience factor I would happily trade a little ride comfort and ultimate handling - and depending on which model you have is ultimate performance that important? Maybe for a 330i or 335i going to the 'Ring but probably wasted on a 318d on the M25!
To be honest I did get some tramlining on the RFT's but it was improved no end by keeping the pressures up, although they did get worse as they got more worn.
I understand newer generations of RFT's are much better than the earlier ones - a bit of research on BMW specific sites might be worthwhile before you make a final decision.
Good luck either way!
I know non RFT's are cheaper, but is a saving of £100 or so a pair on a car worth £5,000 or so that significant in the bigger scheme of things?
I had an E46 for 3 years and had one puncture on a lovely summers day in Windsor Great Park - just found a nice piece of tarmac and put the space-saver on.
Then I had a 1 series with RFT's for 6+ years and had 2 punctures in that - both days it was snowing but all I had to do was drive home at less than 50 which is not really a problem in snow! Much better than trying to change a wheel in slush in the half-dark half-way round a roundabout in Bracknell!
Just for the convenience factor I would happily trade a little ride comfort and ultimate handling - and depending on which model you have is ultimate performance that important? Maybe for a 330i or 335i going to the 'Ring but probably wasted on a 318d on the M25!
To be honest I did get some tramlining on the RFT's but it was improved no end by keeping the pressures up, although they did get worse as they got more worn.
I understand newer generations of RFT's are much better than the earlier ones - a bit of research on BMW specific sites might be worthwhile before you make a final decision.
Good luck either way!
Is there a particular reason why you need to change all 4 at once and you can't just do an axle at a time?
I have advised my Mum to get rid of the ones on her 118i when the time comes and the fronts have plenty tread left on them. Doesn't really seem much point in throwing away perfectly good tyres.
I would have thought on a fairly low powered car that is not pushed hard at all it won't really make much difference?
I have advised my Mum to get rid of the ones on her 118i when the time comes and the fronts have plenty tread left on them. Doesn't really seem much point in throwing away perfectly good tyres.
I would have thought on a fairly low powered car that is not pushed hard at all it won't really make much difference?
Mr Tidy said:
Probably not, but if you don't want a call when she gets a flat why not leave it on run-flats - unless she is a track day demon!
Or you like trying to source replacement tyres around midnight to save a few quid.............
Car has breakdown cover and tyre weld in the boot. Or you like trying to source replacement tyres around midnight to save a few quid.............
I think the benefits of ditching them outweighs the advantage of keeping them. Do you even get all season run flat tyres?
Having purchased my wife a 2001 Mini with 2 nearly worn out run flats, one of which would loose 1 psi a week and 2 decent none run flats, I agonised over what to replace the run flats with, and I ended up with a Mini compressor, MINI gloop and jack and wheel brace in the boot, 4 normal tyres, a tube of Holts Gloop in the boot, and a brand new old stock wheel with the JUST legal run flat in the shed.
I figured that a spare in the shed would be useful as whilst the RAC might get you home on a Sunday Night, how do you get to work on Monday. It will fit in the boot, but totally fills it.
I figured that a spare in the shed would be useful as whilst the RAC might get you home on a Sunday Night, how do you get to work on Monday. It will fit in the boot, but totally fills it.
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