Life without Runflats
Discussion
Having had Runflats for nearly 20 years, I now have a new BMW with standard tyres and of course there is no spare wheel.
In the event of a puncture, the dealer says don't use the tyre inflator as it fouls up the tyres, and the BMW handbook says use of the inflator will damage the electronics.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance.
In the event of a puncture, the dealer says don't use the tyre inflator as it fouls up the tyres, and the BMW handbook says use of the inflator will damage the electronics.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance.
??? I use an inflater all the time no issues. If you get a puncture (slow) there is no issue. If you use the gunk with it you will need top replace the tyres its a get you home fix. I have always found small puncture use the electric pump , stopping every few miles if necessary. Big hole, gunk useless tyre ruined anyway. Call recovery
Every BMW I've had that had runflats, I've gotten rid of and gone onto non RFTs and never looked back
I have a decent tyre inflator kit in the boot; I have a non-gunk repair kit in the boot and also have decent breakdown etc
That for me is enough - albeit I don't do huge miles
But for a better ride, comfier/quieter and better handling / better turn in feel - but then again that's my perception; some folk feel their cars handle fine on RFTs
I have a decent tyre inflator kit in the boot; I have a non-gunk repair kit in the boot and also have decent breakdown etc
That for me is enough - albeit I don't do huge miles
But for a better ride, comfier/quieter and better handling / better turn in feel - but then again that's my perception; some folk feel their cars handle fine on RFTs
I switched to non-runflats and carry an inflator and can of goo in case I need it.
The fact the goo could leave a mess and interfere with a puncture repair is a bit of a red herring, as you're meant to replace run flats if you actually use that capability.
So your worst case is you have to bin a cheaper tyre than you would if you'd kept the RFTs.
The fact the goo could leave a mess and interfere with a puncture repair is a bit of a red herring, as you're meant to replace run flats if you actually use that capability.
So your worst case is you have to bin a cheaper tyre than you would if you'd kept the RFTs.
Edited by InitialDave on Thursday 30th April 11:49
InitialDave said:
I switched to non-runflats and carry an inflator and can of goo in case I need it.
The fact the goo could leave a mess and interfere with a puncture repair is a bit of a red herring, as you're meant to replace run flats if you actually use that capability.
So your worst case is you have to bin a cheaper tyre than you would if you'd kept the RFTs.
Correct, RFT is a complete waste of time & money.The fact the goo could leave a mess and interfere with a puncture repair is a bit of a red herring, as you're meant to replace run flats if you actually use that capability.
So your worst case is you have to bin a cheaper tyre than you would if you'd kept the RFTs.
OP.
The use of a tyre inflator WILL NOT mess with electronics at all, some "tyre gunks" may affect an individual TPMS sensor, but an inflator WILL NOT.
My Lexus had runflats as standard but I asked the dealer to a fit all seasons when I bought it. As the ones they fitted weren't runflats they threw in a Ring sealant and compressor kit. The sealant claims to be able to be cleaned out with water meaning the tyre should be repairable, and claims to be safe for TPMS. I've not had to use it yet though to know if the manufacturers claims are true
https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RTK6
Holts also claim their TyreWeld can be cleaned out and the tyre repaired too
https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RTK6
Holts also claim their TyreWeld can be cleaned out and the tyre repaired too
E-bmw said:
InitialDave said:
I switched to non-runflats and carry an inflator and can of goo in case I need it.
The fact the goo could leave a mess and interfere with a puncture repair is a bit of a red herring, as you're meant to replace run flats if you actually use that capability.
So your worst case is you have to bin a cheaper tyre than you would if you'd kept the RFTs.
Correct, RFT is a complete waste of time & money.The fact the goo could leave a mess and interfere with a puncture repair is a bit of a red herring, as you're meant to replace run flats if you actually use that capability.
So your worst case is you have to bin a cheaper tyre than you would if you'd kept the RFTs.
OP.
The use of a tyre inflator WILL NOT mess with electronics at all, some "tyre gunks" may affect an individual TPMS sensor, but an inflator WILL NOT.
High days and holidays, fun solo local driving sessions and low mileage? Swapping to normal tyres would seem a safe trade-off.
Daily use and/or longer distances with kids or elderly family? Arguably it would seem wiser to retain runflats so one can actually get to a preferred destination (albeit at a reduced speed) rather than suffer effectively total vehicle failure and a potentially several hour wait with more vulnerable humans that need regular food/water/facilities and a warm environment.
Edited by RSTurboPaul on Thursday 30th April 13:38
I have RFT's and have not had issues as such ... but prefer Non RFT's. I worry re RFT's causing my 20" wheels to buckle on pot holes.
I replaced the tyres on my 545e with Pirelli RFT's instead of the Good Year RFT's and they were far better - softer and just felt, well, better. I am paranoid re pot holes and the RFT's transmitting too much of the impact to the wheel causing it to buckle.
I prefer RFT's where I live for one reason only - Smart motorways !
Having worked in Traffic Police and for National Highways I have seen how totally petrified people are when they have spent even 5 minutes waiting for help stuck in a live lane / all lanes running section, I do not want to be them !! RFT's give you some chance to get into an Emergency Refuge Area.
That said, I have a new M240i on order and am hoping it comes with normal tyres
I replaced the tyres on my 545e with Pirelli RFT's instead of the Good Year RFT's and they were far better - softer and just felt, well, better. I am paranoid re pot holes and the RFT's transmitting too much of the impact to the wheel causing it to buckle.
I prefer RFT's where I live for one reason only - Smart motorways !
Having worked in Traffic Police and for National Highways I have seen how totally petrified people are when they have spent even 5 minutes waiting for help stuck in a live lane / all lanes running section, I do not want to be them !! RFT's give you some chance to get into an Emergency Refuge Area.
That said, I have a new M240i on order and am hoping it comes with normal tyres
I'm another in the 'RFTs are decent now' brigade. I had 18" Bridgestone RE050As on my 09 plate 123d and they weren't great. However the 20" Pirelli P-Zero PZ4s on my 840i GC were fantastic. Not only that but they saved me from being stranded on at least 2 occasions in the 2 years I had the car - conventional tyres would have been toast. All well and good saying, "Call out xyz recovery..." but in the real world you're talking about being stuck by the roadside for several hours waiting for a recovery service. And if you're on a 'smart' (hah!) motorway, you're sat on the verge the other side of the barrier in the dark/cold/relentless noise too.
The trouble is these days the roads are so bad, a can of goo won't get you home. I had an F32 that did 6 tyres on potholes in 4 years, and after the second one I got a space saver spare wheel from www.alloywheelsdirect.com and spacers, a bag and jack from ebay. I also got tyre insurance from Motor Easy that covered up to 6 replacements for the price of one, and all were paid out quickly without a quibble.
I still run my daily 3 Series on run-flats as it came with them I haven't worn them out yet!
My Z4M doesn't have them as they never did - I think that applies to quite a few M models. A can of sealant and a compressor were original equipment and I still have those, but I also bought a full-size front wheel and a jack for peace of mind when I'm doing a long trip, like up from Surrey to Scotland next weekend.
Last resort is RAC membership!
My Z4M doesn't have them as they never did - I think that applies to quite a few M models. A can of sealant and a compressor were original equipment and I still have those, but I also bought a full-size front wheel and a jack for peace of mind when I'm doing a long trip, like up from Surrey to Scotland next weekend.
Last resort is RAC membership!
Mr Tidy said:
I don't think the aerosol of gunk will inflate the tyre, so you'd need the compressor as well.
The OE kit for my car had both.
Yeah I discovered I've still got the rather fancily named 'BMW M Mobility Kit' in mine, which is Munich marketing speak for a BMW branded can of tyre goo to theoretically patch whatever leak there is, then a standard electric air compressor (which has actually come in handy when my cheapo Lidl one died the other week) to reinflate it. I should probably buy a new can of goo to be fair as the one in it I think is the one supplied with the car in 2011!The OE kit for my car had both.
I assume as others have said you'll probably write off the TPMS sensor as it'll get fouled up with the tyre goo, but that's a reasonably small price to pay. I certainly can't imagine any other electronics getting particularly upset, especially if you're just using a compressor to top up the tyre pressure as normal...
What model BMW is it?
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