replacing run flat tyres

DKLS

Ditch the run flats, my wife's cars handling was transformed when she switched to decent rubber on her BMW.

Iceweasel

neilmcl wrote: »

It is but I've not heard of many that increase premiums accordingly.

I was going to suggest the OP ask his question over on the forums at bmwland.co.uk but that site is sadly down currently but he could try bimmerforums.co.uk or babybmw.net.

The chap (Matt) who almost singlehandedly ran bmwland sadly died last year, and for whatever reason the site closed down permanently in May 2015 with the result that all the many detailed archive posts have been lost and are unavailable now.

It has been replaced as best as possible by the site that I suggested in post #8

http://www.bmwlander.co.uk/index.php?forums/

If you read the thread I've linked below you will understand that there has had to be a slight name change, but it's mostly the same members as before.

http://www.bmwlander.co.uk/index.php?threads/a-little-piece-of-history.5/

Please spread the word to any BMW enthusiasts.

Iceweasel

DKLS wrote: »

Ditch the run flats, my wife's cars handling was transformed when she switched to decent rubber on her BMW.

That used to be true - but these days with the latest run-flats, you'd be struggling to tell the difference.

On the lastest generation of BMWs they have also tweaked the handling and finally got the suspension set-up best suited to run-flats.

Modern run-flats are great - no way would I 'ditch' them - I wouldn't like to think of Mrs Iceweasel having to struggle with a heavy, dirty, wet wheel at the side of the road.

DKLS

Iceweasel wrote: »

That used to be true - but these days with the latest run-flats, you'd be struggling to tell the difference.

On the lastest generation of BMWs they have also tweaked the handling and finally got the suspension set-up best suited to run-flats.

Modern run-flats are great - no way would I 'ditch' them - I wouldn't like to think of Mrs Iceweasel having to struggle with a heavy, dirty, wet wheel at the side of the road.

Her car was awful on run flats , and universal option on this marque suggests never using run flats, as to my Mrs struggling to change a heavy, dirty, wet wheel :rotfl: she could but thats why she pays for breakdown cover.

BeenThroughItAll

neilmcl wrote: »

Doesn't make it a good idea though.

OP, don't mix your tyres, if you want to change to non-RFT then get a full set.

I never said it was, nor implied anything of the sort. I was simply pointing out that it wouldn't ruin the TPMS.

livetoclimb

A year ago I needed two new rear tyres for my 1 series Coupe, and the tyre place nearest work (I'd never used them before and desperately needed tyres) recommended leaving RFTs at the front and going regular at the back, which I did, saving £50.

I then drove to Bournemouth, and terrified myself due to the car becoming almost uncontrollable at speeds over 60mph.

I called the tyre shop, who said they could do nothing as is done 150 miles on the tyres. I told them that their advice was negligent, and that I was happy to pay the difference in order to change them to new run flats, which they accepted.

Basically, don't do it! If the car feels too crashy, get the geometry sorted first and check springs and shocks for wear. Check alloys for cracks. If you still need to change the tyres for non RFTs then do them all.

Bear in mind that M-Sport suspension set-up is designed to work with run-flats, and a slightly harsh ride is inevitable on our bumpy (not Germanically smooth) roads.

Also, most BMWs (certainly up until a couple of years ago) don't use tyre pressure for the monitoring system - they use rolling circumference and tyre shape.

Nirav.Patel

Hi everyone,

I've been a bit a 'lurker' over the last few months, looking at all the different forums and researching on whether I should make the switch, so, I thought I should do my bit and share my experience..

I finally bit the bullet a month ago and changed the run flats on my BMW 640d Gran Coupe to Pirelli P-Zero Extra Load tyres. All I can say really is wow! It has completely transformed the driving experience in only positive ways. The car is more comfortable, it handles the horrendous potholes we have on our roads with ease, it no longer sounds like an explosion has gone off when I do hit a pothole, and the car no longer 'jumps' or jitters when taking a corner at pace.

The total cost to change all 4 tyres was just shy of £850 from Black Circles (2x 245/35/20 front and 2x 275/30/20 rear, fitted at home within 3 days by a mobile fitter)I also purchased a space saver spare wheel from eBay for around £300 and all told, still saved money vs. buying 4x new run flats. If any of you are pondering, my advice would be, don't, just get it done, your BMW will feel like a different car in a very positive way. Hope this helped.

Iceweasel

Nirav.Patel wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I've been a bit a 'lurker' over the last few months, looking at all the different forums and researching on whether I should make the switch, so, I thought I should do my bit and share my experience..

I finally bit the bullet a month ago and changed the run flats on my BMW 640d Gran Coupe to Pirelli P-Zero Extra Load tyres. All I can say really is wow! It has completely transformed the driving experience in only positive ways. The car is more comfortable, it handles the horrendous potholes we have on our roads with ease, it no longer sounds like an explosion has gone off when I do hit a pothole, and the car no longer 'jumps' or jitters when taking a corner at pace.

The total cost to change all 4 tyres was just shy of £850 from Black Circles (2x 245/35/20 front and 2x 275/30/20 rear, fitted at home within 3 days by a mobile fitter)I also purchased a space saver spare wheel from eBay for around £300 and all told, still saved money vs. buying 4x new run flats. If any of you are pondering, my advice would be, don't, just get it done, your BMW will feel like a different car in a very positive way. Hope this helped.

You haven't told us which brand of run-flats you had.

I had Bridgestone Potenzas and threw them off early - long before they were worn down as they displayed all the bad characteristics that you describe.

I replaced them with ContiSportContact5 run-flats - a sudden dramatic reduction in noise and a huge improvement in handling.

All runflats are not created equal.

To me it was important to keep the run-flats for when Mrs Iceweasel has the car - no way is she going to be able to change that massive rear wheel.

I do have a spacesaver wheel which I would change immediately the TPMS gave the alert, so that I can have the tyre repared as a normal puncture can.

You have to shop around to find a tyre fitter to do it though as most will give you a load of BS about run-flats not being allowed to be repaired.

JustAnotherSaver

I drove my brother's Mini Cooper S a while ago and noted how horrible the drive was. Felt like i was driving a fork lift truck with solid rubbers on. Horrible!

I didn't know at the time that they were run flat tyres. Had never experienced them before.

He got rid of them & put some Pilot Sport 3s on. Felt much better.

That was obviously without any bias towards anything because as i say, i didn't even know what run flats were when i took it out.

Iceweasel

It's interesting that most posters tell us exactly what brand and fitment of non run-flat tyre they fit - but very rarely do we hear exactly what brand of run-flat they are unhappy with.