Changing from runflat to standard tyres

Johnny Utah

Hi,

I have an E90 coupe, and I need to get a new set of tyres for my car.

The wheels are 19-inch and were originally fitted with run-flat tyres. I find the ride quite harsh, so I’m thinking of changing to standard, non-runflat tyres.

Has anyone else done this and, if so, would you recommend?

Also, the car doesn’t have a spare wheel, so thinking of just carrying a can of Holts Tyre Weld for emergencies. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using this type of tyre sealant? Is the Holts stuff messy to use?

Thanks.

Bunkernumber1

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Hi,

I have an E90 coupe, and I need to get a new set of tyres for my car.

The wheels are 19-inch and were originally fitted with run-flat tyres. I find the ride quite harsh, so I’m thinking of changing to standard, non-runflat tyres.

Has anyone else done this and, if so, would you recommend?

Also, the car doesn’t have a spare wheel, so thinking of just carrying a can of Holts Tyre Weld for emergencies. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using this type of tyre sealant? Is the Holts stuff messy to use?

Thanks.

Did it on my 1 series coupe and was grand alot more comfortable. Carried the usual air compressor and sealant.i also will do it when my 5 series needs tyres
1 because of the price
2 because it's a nicer drive

Sexual Chocolate

I got a spare from what would of being off an e60 I believe for mine. 135/65/17 (I think) space saver.

WacoKid

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Hi,

I have an E90 coupe, and I need to get a new set of tyres for my car.

The wheels are 19-inch and were originally fitted with run-flat tyres. I find the ride quite harsh, so I’m thinking of changing to standard, non-runflat tyres.

Has anyone else done this and, if so, would you recommend?

Also, the car doesn’t have a spare wheel, so thinking of just carrying a can of Holts Tyre Weld for emergencies. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using this type of tyre sealant? Is the Holts stuff messy to use?

Thanks.

Dumped the run flats on my E60 a few years back and would not go back.

Carry a compressor and sealant in the boot but as I'm mostly city driving will never be more than a few km for the nearest garage in an 'emergency'.

IIRC run flats were devised for scenarios where a car got a flat tyre on a motorway but could keep driving to the nearest exit etc. The are re-enforced sidewalls so comfort is compromised, or at least was. Guessing latest cars have compensated somewhat for the stiffness of the tyre.

Class MayDresser

WacoKid wrote: »

Guessing latest cars have compensated somewhat for the stiffness of the tyre.

Nope, SIL has them on a G30( 17s I think, bog spec) and the ride is not uncomfortable but bordering on it. Brother would love to put standards on it but she won't let him.

tphase

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Hi,

I have an E90 coupe, and I need to get a new set of tyres for my car.

The wheels are 19-inch and were originally fitted with run-flat tyres. I find the ride quite harsh, so I’m thinking of changing to standard, non-runflat tyres.

Has anyone else done this and, if so, would you recommend?

Also, the car doesn’t have a spare wheel, so thinking of just carrying a can of Holts Tyre Weld for emergencies. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using this type of tyre sealant? Is the Holts stuff messy to use?

Thanks.

get yourself a plug repair kit if you can, better than using tyre sealant IMHO

Leonard Hofstadter

Class MayDresser wrote: »

Nope, SIL has them on a G30( 17s I think, bog spec) and the ride is not uncomfortable but bordering on it. Brother would love to put standards on it but she won't let him.

If that G30 is on the standard 17 inch wheels, then it doesn't have run-flats anyway, they did a u-turn compared to the E60 and F10 and no longer fit them as standard. M Sports on 18 inch wheels also don't have run-flats.

The bigger wheels for SE and M Sport still come with them as standard, though.

Kramer

Leonard Hofstadter wrote: »

G30 ............M Sport...............bigger wheels........... still come with them as standard, though.

I've a G30 on 19s with runflats & the ride is excellent.

Stallingrad

tphase wrote: »

get yourself a plug repair kit if you can, better than using tyre sealant IMHO

Plug repair is great if can find the puncture, but that will be near impossible on the hard shoulder without washing up fluid and a compressor.

Tyre sealant can get at least get you home.

tphase

Stallingrad wrote: »

Plug repair is great if can find the puncture, but that will be near impossible on the hard shoulder without washing up fluid and a compressor.

Tyre sealant can get at least get you home.

of course, a plug repair requires a compressor - I think eveyone should have one in the boot, they're not that expensive


Not all punctures are hard to find (eg screws or nails), happen in awkward places or are bad enough that they need immediate repair or the spare put on.



Screenwash and water can make bubbles if needed but if the puncture is that hard to find you can probably pump it up enough to get home or at least to a safe place.



For me, tyre sealant is the last resort when I have no other options and it will only get you out of trouble if it actually seals the leak

WacoKid

tphase wrote: »

For me, tyre sealant is the last resort when I have no other options and it will only get you out of trouble if it actually seals the leak

A con of tyre sealant:

Cons of Tire Puncture Sealant

Improperly applied, tire puncture sealant can ruin your tire. If the tire with the sealant does not move and warm up quickly, the sealant will pool in a lump at the lowest point of the tire, causing the wheel to be off balance. This can lead to an accident and possible injuries. Many service centers will not repair a tire treated with a spray sealant, meaning you will have to replace the tire anyway.

Stallingrad

WacoKid wrote: »

This can lead to an accident and possible injuries. Many service centers will not repair a tire treated with a spray sealant, meaning you will have to replace the tire anyway.

Where did you hear that? Link?

If the sealant is water soluble (and the most popular ones are) is just washes out. Also TPMS safe. I asked my local tyre centre and they have no issue working on cars with sealant repairs.

WacoKid

Stallingrad wrote: »

Where did you hear that? Link?

If the sealant is water soluble (and the most popular ones are) is just washes out. Also TPMS safe. I asked my local tyre centre and they have no issue working on cars with sealant repairs.

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/tire-puncture-sealant-pros--cons

marcos_94

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Hi,

I have an E90 coupe, and I need to get a new set of tyres for my car.

The wheels are 19-inch and were originally fitted with run-flat tyres. I find the ride quite harsh, so I’m thinking of changing to standard, non-runflat tyres.

Has anyone else done this and, if so, would you recommend?

Also, the car doesn’t have a spare wheel, so thinking of just carrying a can of Holts Tyre Weld for emergencies. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using this type of tyre sealant? Is the Holts stuff messy to use?

Thanks.

I got rid of the runflats on my old e92 320d and got a spare wheel from a 5 series and strapped it against the back of the rear seats in the boot. I changed to a 325i and now the 16" spare wont fit over the brakes so running spareless now with a pump, sealant, and plug kit.

Del2005

Stallingrad wrote: »

Where did you hear that? Link?

If the sealant is water soluble (and the most popular ones are) is just washes out. Also TPMS safe. I asked my local tyre centre and they have no issue working on cars with sealant repairs.

I got a puncture recently and asked the tyre place about the foam, they won't repair any tyre that had foam and they are an authorised distributor. Didn't matter as I knew the tyre was fecked anyway as the damage was on the sidewall. Got stupid and clipped a kerb again and tryed the foam as I knew the tyre was gone anyway and it wouldn't fix the puncture. A spare wheel or run flat should be mandatory, foam isn't a solution.

JorgeL

I had to replace on elf my run flats recently, costing me a hefty €380. Made me really think and now reading about the harshness of the drive and the potential cracks, even more so.

What's the consensus now on run flats?

And roughly how much are we looking to get a good non run flat? I have a BMW 530e

wandererz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122635175#Comment_122635175

Have non-runflats on an E90 320D. Had to change because the runflats were cracking my wheels. Went with Pirelli PZero

Have non-runflats on the Z4 as well - Goodyear Asymmetric 5.

No problems. Good smooth ride.

I normally order from Tyreleader.ie and get them delivered to one of the closer tyre places to me with charge about €15 or €20 per tyre to balance and fit.

I can choose from a good selection and it usually works out cheaper than locally.

wandererz

Lidl have a cheap compressor (€15) and cans of tyre sealant available this week. It would be worthwhile to pick them up.

I use a compressor every so often because I use one car in summer and other in winter. If they are just sitting for a while they can lose pressure. Have cans of sealant as well.

Have only had one slow puncture in 25 years, which I took to a tyre shop and they fixed for €10.

I did get a spare wheel for the 3 series, but that's sitting at home. Takes up too much space.

Wife did have a blowout a few years ago on the M50. But even though there was a spare in the car, I wasn't going to change it at the side of the M50. Called a mobile tyre company instead.

Anyway, your 530e will have TPMS on each wheel, so if it's a puncture you will get a warning. Then inflate it or decide if you want to use the sealant or both.

If you buy tyres from Tyreleader you have the option to add in a 1 year warranty for a small charge. So if you have a puncture, get it temporarily repaired and then get them to ship you a new tyre.

wandererz

These are two front tyres I bought for the wife's car in July.

I do like Vredestein. They are good wet weather tyres and I used them before. You typically wouldn't find them here either. The tyre stores will only give you about 3 or 4 options if lucky and that's that.

These two 17" cost me €216 with fitting and balancing.

JorgeL

Thanks for all the info.

The other problem with the 530e is that all are runflats and no room for a spare, so if I was to go with non- runflats id only have the 4 non-run flats.

If I could get around that id switch.

I've heard about the cracking as well which doesn't sound too good.

wandererz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122654826#Comment_122654826

Just keep one of these in your car.

https://amzn.eu/d/ewjhwDF

JorgeL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122655089#Comment_122655089

but isn't there an issue with this that if you use this and you get a puncture, the garage refuses to fix the tyre as sealant has been used?

And you then have to fully replace the tyre?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122680776#Comment_122680776

Much better to carry a compressor and a plug kit. Only takes a couple of minutes to plug a tyre. Or even just a compressor will usually do the job if you inflate the tyre and drive straight to a tyre shop.