Runflats - Replacing them

Noffles

BMW 320 E90

Has runflats on it but they're noisy and not cheap.

Need to get rid of them and put standard tyres on the car.

What would be the most economical way to do this, I know i could do two at a time and simply get a spare wheel for the car.

Is this the best way?

Anyone else done this without a large layout?

Ardent

I swapped all 4 RFTs for Falkens I bought off camskill.co.uk. I keep a couple of cans of tyre weld in the boot in case of emergency.

Anan1

What engine and wheel size?

RobAMerc

I was all for getting rid of run flats ( I did and it made a huge difference to noise and ride ) but having watched a BMW video of the reasoning behind them, I am thinking they will save a few lives, well worth having once they get the aforementioned issues sorted.

edit : to answer your question, get tyre weld and a 12v tyre inflator off ebay. 50 quid all in.

Anan1

The problem with BMW runflats isn't the tyres themselves, it's the Irish love affair with big wheels with rubber band tyres. 16"s work well - they're safe, convenient, economical to replace, ride is ok, handling is good and the wheels don't crack. But they don't fill the arches like...

Noffles

2.0l petrol and they're 16"

I'm actually looking for winter tyres so getting rid of the runflats at the same time would be an ideal solution.

Anan1

Noffles wrote: »

2.0l petrol and they're 16"

I'm actually looking for winter tyres so getting rid of the runflats at the same time would be an ideal solution.

My mother has a 320d with Continental runflats and they're quiet - what make are on yours? Re the winter tyres, I got her a set of winter RFTs on steel wheels.

Noffles

I just found them noisy and with the thought of replacing them with winters I'm thinking get rid of them and use 'normals'...

I like the idea of a new set and carry the tyre weld, instead of the spare tyre purchase...

To be honest it's going to be cost that will be the deciding factor..

goz83

Runflats are only noisy if the air pressure in the tyres are low. The weight of the car on the composite walls, esp when turning will cause noise. Properly inflated tyres will significantly reduce noise.

pajo1981

I find the RFTs on my own yoke very surface sensitive. On some roads the car is impressively quite, but on others the road noise is bad.

bazz26

I ditched by run flats about 8 months ago, would never go back to them. The ride is alot more comfortable and the handling has improved also. I got 2 punctures on the RFTs in 12 months, non on the normal tyres yet.

ongarite

Ditched then on my E60 wouldn't go back to RFT again.
Quieter and more comfortable ride even with my lower profile regular tyres compared the standard 17" RFT.
I had Dunlop and Bridgestone RFTs and both were noisy in tyre noise and suspension noise.

Marcusm

Swapped Bridgestone Potenza RFTs for ContiSport and very happy about it. Changing the car now and half thinking of getting them to swap tyres.

MetzgerMeister

I know nothing about run-flats but I will be replacing the ones on my car with normal ones when they are due. Is there any sensors that will detect this or am I talking waffle?

My reason behind wanting normal ones is that I simply can't afford the run-flats and I would be much happier with normals and tyre weld. I already have a compressor.

The car is a 335i if that makes a difference!

ongarite

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I know nothing about run-flats but I will be replacing the ones on my car with normal ones when they are due. Is there any sensors that will detect this or am I talking waffle?

My reason behind wanting normal ones is that I simply can't afford the run-flats and I would be much happier with normals and tyre weld. I already have a compressor.

The car is a 335i if that makes a difference!

You may need to reset the TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system) with the new tyres but once that's done it should be business as usual.

Nice motor BTW, wear well.

alexmcred

You also need to inform your insurance company if changing from run flats as its considered a modification

veetwin

alexmcred wrote: »

You also need to inform your insurance company if changing from run flats as its considered a modification

Have you any proof of this? Why would not having run flats be of any concern to the insurance company?

Anan1

veetwin wrote: »

Have you any proof of this? Why would not having run flats be of any concern to the insurance company?

Seems like no more than common sense to me. The car was designed to be driven on RFTs, driving on standard tyres could cause an accident that might otherwise have been avoided.

veetwin

Dunno..I'm not convinced that the insurance companies give a hoot whether you have RFTs or Standard tyres. I doubt they do much checking in the event of a claim. Maybe you or alexmcred know different.

Anan1

veetwin wrote: »

Dunno..I'm not convinced that the insurance companies give a hoot whether you have RFTs or Standard tyres. I doubt they do much checking in the event of a claim. Maybe you or alexmcred know different.

Stop and think about it for a minute. Why would an insurance company not be interested in a policyholder replacing tyres that cannot suffer a blowout with tyres that can?

veetwin

By that rationale all cars fitted with non RFTs should be loaded by insurance companies and those with RFTs should pay less. What I'm saying insurance companies don't factor this in their calculations.

Have you heard of many cases where they were making an issue of this?

Anan1

veetwin wrote: »

By that rationale all cars fitted with non RFTs should be loaded by insurance companies and those with RFTs should pay less. What I'm saying insurance companies don't factor this in their calculations.

Yes they do, albeit indirectly. All cars are assessed based on claims history, which is in part a function of that cars safety systems. Disabling one of those systems alters the risk.

veetwin wrote: »

Have you heard of many cases where they were making an issue of this?

No, but I know from reading my policy that you have to inform them.

veetwin

Anan1 wrote: »

Yes they do, albeit indirectly. All cars are assessed based on claims history, which is in part a function of that cars safety systems. Disabling one of those systems alters the risk.

So by extension those who notify their insurance company of the change can expect to pay higher premiums? Should those that bought used cars with RFTs already replaced with standard tyres also be on the phone to their companies to increase their premiums?

Anan1

veetwin wrote: »

So by extension those who notify their insurance company of the change can expect to pay higher premiums? Should those that bought used cars with RFTs already replaced with standard tyres also be on the phone to their companies to increase their premiums?

If you want to be covered then you need to answer all questions honestly.

ShanE90

My car (330d) came standard fitted with 225/40 R18 on front and 255/35R18 on the rear, they were Bridgestone Potenza Run Flats.

The tyres were very hard due to the side wall being so thick and coupled with sports suspension made the ride a bit too much on the hard side! Dry grip was ok! In the wet it was a different story...the grip was poor and when accelerating you'd get a good few flashes of the orange triangle!

Run flats are also prone to tramlining, fairly dangerous when breaking heavily as the car will follow the grooves in the road!

The bridgestones on the rear both wore on the inside first (partially due to sports susp. set up) this required the tyres to be changed before they were worn out fully!

I changed to standard Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres a few months ago and I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner, it changed the car and the way it drove. Excellent grip in wet and dry conditions! Very little road noise and tramlining and a great improvement in comfort!

RFTs are a good idea and probably more suited to 16" wheels rather than 18" low profile tyres....but they're not for me, I've now a compressor and a few cans of tyre weld!! Not ideal but it's worth it for grip!

Cost to change to Michelins €800
Cost to replace bridgestones €1000+

I called my insurance company and they said no issues once they're within the legal thread dept limit!

All in all RFTs great on German roads but not so on Irish!