Change run-flats to standard tyres?

rs65

Paradigm wrote: »

I find it hard to believe that BMW have "set up" to use run flats

I agree. They were promoting winter sets recently. Would that mean you have to get the car set up twice a year when you put them on an off.

neilmcl

Beastface wrote: »

All,

Has anybody with a BMW which came equipped with run-flat tyres made the move to swap them out?

I'm thinking ahead to my first tyre replacement and at £287 each, the run-flats are amazingly expensive.

Any pit falls or obvious reasons not to?

Loads of info over on bmwland.co.uk or babybmw.net regarding this topic.

neilmcl

flashnazia wrote: »

I get recon run flats for £25 each (west Yorkshire).

Good for you but personally I would never recommend (nor would any of he tyre manufacturers) paying for a repaired runflat, particular if it's previously been driven for any distance whilst deflated.

neilmcl

BAA1 wrote: »

In your opinion ... there is no "of course" about it
Since BMW cars have been designed and set-up to use Run Flat Tyres which have different operating characteristics to none run flats.

So in my opinion ... I stick with my earlier comment :

So how do you explain BMW dealers across the land recommending and selling non-RFT winter tyres.

Of couser non-RFTs can be used but just bear in mind you may need to adjust your tyre pressures accordingly, and its usually recommended going for an XL (reinforced) equivalent tyre.

neilmcl

rs65 wrote: »

I agree. They were promoting winter sets recently. Would that mean you have to get the car set up twice a year when you put them on an off.

The suspension is indeed setup to take into account for the stiffer characterstics of the RFTs which is why I said above that you should go for an XL tyre and also adjust tyre pressures accordingly.

GolfBravo

Paradigm wrote: »

I find it hard to believe that BMW have "set up" to use run flats

All BMW models released after 2005 have their suspension tuned for run flat tyres only - the reason for different shock absorber and spring setting is to account for strengthened tyre sidewalls. By the end of 2009 all available BMW models were tuned for run flat tyres.

If BMW now also offer cars with non-run flat tyres (probably to make company fleet managers/accountants happy) just find out what tyres they are and just get them. My guess is they are reinforced tyres (with load rating of 97 or higher), and also need to pay particular attention to tyre pressures then - reinforced tyres usually need higher pressure.

GolfBravo

Beastface wrote: »

I'm thinking ahead to my first tyre replacement and at £287 each, the run-flats are amazingly expensive.

And how much are the non-run flat alternatives?

Looking at Blackcircles tyre prices the difference between standard and run flat tyres is only £15-£25 per tyre.

What tyre size are you after?

Nearly_Old

GolfBravo wrote: »

All BMW models released after 2005 have their suspension tuned for run flat tyres only - the reason for different shock absorber and spring setting is to account for strengthened tyre sidewalls. By the end of 2009 all available BMW models were tuned for run flat tyres.

But different models have significantly different suspension set-ups. My wife has a Z4sp and the difference between that and the Z4se that we also looked at is like chalk and cheese even though both are on run flat tyres. The sp model is lowered with stiffer springs and has 18" wheels. Changing that to non-runflats softens the ride slightly (no more loose fillings!) and the handling isn't affected all according to lots of users on the Zed forums. OK you have to carry a 12v compressor and tyreseal and make sure that your breakdown cover is up to date.

My Z3 does have a skinny spare and a nice bag to put the punctured wheel in as the only place it will fit is the passenger seat. So not a lot of use really as my wife would not be very amused being left at the roadside whilst I drive off to get the puncture sorted.

Interestingly the high performance version (Z3M) was supplied from new with ordinary tyres and no spare but BMW provided a "mobality kit" - a 12v compressor and tyreseal.

18" run flat tyres have got very expensive 2 No 255x35x18 tyres were £432.78 in April 2010 and they are now £564.18!!!!! So ours will be going to non run flat tyres later this year when the current rear tyres need changing.

flashnazia

neilmcl wrote: »

Good for you but personally I would never recommend (nor would any of he tyre manufacturers) paying for a repaired runflat, particular if it's previously been driven for any distance whilst deflated.

Call me a cynic but I would never expect a manufacturer (of anything) to recommend reconditioned goods; the'd soon go out of business if they did

Nearly_Old

GolfBravo wrote: »

And how much are the non-run flat alternatives?

Looking at Blackcircles tyre prices the difference between standard and run flat tyres is only £15-£25 per tyre.

What tyre size are you after?

With 18" wheels the price difference is astronomic:

As previous post 2 No 255x35x18 run flat tyres £564.18 (Event Tyres)
As all 4 tyres will need replacing this year total for run flat tyres: £960.18. The 225x40x18 front tyres are £396.00 for the pair.

Going to Flaken 912's: 2 No 225x40x18 plus 2 No 255x35x18 = £455.18. Even going to Continental Sport Contact 3 comes in at £679.80 so still almost 30% cheaper.