BMW Run Flat Tyres replacement

pyore

Hi,
I have recently purchased an '09 BMW with RFTs. Late week I discovered that there was a crack on the inside of both my alloy wheels which I had to replace at 1600e :-(
The BMW that changed the wheels said there was some damage on the inside of the tyre and said it needed to be replaced. He also said that there was a tear in the front wall of the front tyre and that too needs to be replaced.
Now the back tyre is not losing air and looks fine externally but I do see a tear in the side wall of the front tyre. The tyres new cost 350e and the BMW garage were really trying to sell me them.

My question is....My tyres are run flats so once they are inflated ok why should I change them. They are not like conventional tyres i.e. I wont get a blow out, if the tyres lose air I will get a warning light on my bmw and can then take them to a garage and have them replaced.

What do ye guys think?

Padraig Mor

It's not a 3 series coupe M Sport running on 19" wheels by any chance?.......

pyore

Yes it is.

phill106

Spill the beans padraig, whats the signifigance?

dharn

wow that is a real pain in the ass id say if the sidewall is cut it could deflate very fast and possibly damage your rims further i know it is very annoying to have to replace such costly tyres with some thread on them but it might be safer all round

Big Nasty

You bought this private I take it?

pyore

The think is the RFTs dont deflate the side wall supports the tyre to allow you drive 200Km at 80Kmh. Which is enough of time to get home or drive to garage for tyre replacement

pyore

Yes I bought private. It turned out on the inspection that the wheels had welds in them already on the inside. Didnt spot this before I bought :-(

Big Nasty

pyore wrote: »

Yes I bought private. It turned out on the inspection that the wheels had welds in them already on the inside. Didnt spot this before I bought :-(

Bummer dude!

Padraig Mor

phill106 wrote: »

Spill the beans padraig, whats the signifigance?

Cracked wheels well known issue with these - was publicised on a UK consumer show a couple of years ago. AFAIK BMW (in the UK at least) were replacing them for free - not sure if they're still doing it, or whether they ever did it here. However, I'd say no chance of replacement if someone has been at them with a blowtorch :eek:



edit: and if you have tears in your sidewall, the tyre's gotta go!

pyore

Yeah I was informed (not by BMW but by a very help guy in www.discounttyres.ie ) about this and seen a Watchdog report on it on Youtube. However as you said teh welds fecked me over!

So back to original question do I just wait and replace the run flats when they actually get punctured?

pyore

Is it possible to replace an BMW 3 M Sport '09 run flat tyres with normal tyres?
I think I read somwhere that the suspension was tunes for run flats and replacing with normal tyres will have your dash flashing with warning lights?

Padraig Mor

pyore wrote: »

Is it possible to replace an BMW 3 M Sport '09 run flat tyres with normal tyres?
I think I read somwhere that the suspension was tunes for run flats and replacing with normal tyres will have your dash flashing with warning lights?

No problem replacing AFAIK - indeed probably recommended given the reputation of the E92 on 19"s for a tooth crackingly hard ride!

pyore

Funny enough the ride in the '09 model I have is not bad, maybe its because bmw have done more fine tuning on the sport suspension?

Will changing the typre to normai cause the computer on the bmw to go mad?

pa990

just my 2cents but if run flats are too costly, my suggestion would be to put ordinary tyres on the car, and have a skinny spare strapped down in the boot.

would make financial sense to me anyway.

Blazer

pyore wrote: »

Funny enough the ride in the '09 model I have is not bad, maybe its because bmw have done more fine tuning on the sport suspension?

Will changing the typre to normai cause the computer on the bmw to go mad?

no it won't cause any problems...you can put normal tyres on runflats but not the other way around..your ride will be a bit bumpier though as the suspension is tuned for runflats..

the lads at bmw-driver.net know their stuff as well,,handy site for bmw owners..

Anan1

What model is it? I'd be thinking of staying with RFTs but dropping to 16" or 17" wheels.

Mac 3

Pyore, PM sent

n900guy

Runflats are for avoiding having to have or change a spare tyre if you get a puncture, but are restricted in terms of distance and speed and are meant to get you to a location to get a new tyre on. They don't mean just drive as long as you like.

Wheelnut

This is an 09 car so it could still be under the two year warranty that applied in Ireland. If it was imported second-hand from Britain it will have a three year warranty which is still valid. That would be my first port of call.

Regarding other points raised: there is no wheel well in the boot because it is not designed for a spare wheel. (runflat tyres!). You could fit a spacesaver in the boot but if you had to change a wheel there would not be room for a road-wheel unless you took out all your luggage.

The dashboard warning lights would come on only if the replacement conventional tyre had a different radius. However you can re-set the monitering system and put off the warning lights using the left stalk on the steering column. It's in the driver's handbook.

heate

Wheelnut wrote: »

This is an 09 car so it could still be under the two year warranty that applied in Ireland. If it was imported second-hand from Britain it will have a three year warranty which is still valid. That would be my first port of call.

Regarding other points raised: there is no wheel well in the boot because it is not designed for a spare wheel. (runflat tyres!). You could fit a spacesaver in the boot but if you had to change a wheel there would not be room for a road-wheel unless you took out all your luggage.

The dashboard warning lights would come on only if the replacement conventional tyre had a different radius. However you can re-set the monitering system and put off the warning lights using the left stalk on the steering column. It's in the driver's handbook.

Try some 18"s. 19 inch wheels on a coupe in Ireland is just a disaster. If you have space for a spare (space saver) wheel change to normal tyres they are cheaper and last longer and give a better ride.
How do I know well the first move I made on my BM was to do this!

dharn

ya i have thought about that a few times but tyres for a 320d can be bought for 110 euro not much dearer than ordinary tyres

healysa

Sc@recrow wrote: »

no it won't cause any problems...you can put normal tyres on runflats but not the other way around..your ride will be a bit bumpier though as the suspension is tuned for runflats..

the lads at bmw-driver.net know their stuff as well,,handy site for bmw owners..

I recently took my car to the uk, 3series 08, I found a nail in my back tyre and needed a replacement on a Saturday.. I found only one garage in Birmingham that stocked RFT and 215 sterling for a replacement! The advice was when it's time to change swap the RFT for normal ones and buy the spare? I was quoted 560 sterling on a deal to swap them all over, so that's my plan for next year

Wheelnut

dharn wrote: »

... tyres for a 320d can be bought for 110 euro not much dearer than ordinary tyres

Where can you get them at that price? Around here the price range seems to be €200 - €220.

Benny Cake

pa990 wrote: »

just my 2cents but if run flats are too costly, my suggestion would be to put ordinary tyres on the car, and have a skinny spare strapped down in the boot.

would make financial sense to me anyway.

+1 Get rid of the RFT's

As well as being cheaper to repair/replace the ride quality will significantly improve.

lomb

Should have got a set of reps while your at it, I personally wouldn't drop 1600 on a couple of wheels. Get a spacesaver or alternatively you could get a puncture repair kit and a pump that would get you out of most difficulties.

Wheelnut

I agree that runflats are horrible, in my case the car had Continentals which had no traction either. I was considering changing to conventional tyres but the boot of the 3 series E90 is too small for a space-saver, jack and tools. Almost by accident I bought a set of Kumhos and I was amazed, they transformed the car. They are Ecsta KU31 runflats and they are hard to tell from conventional tyres. So for the first time since I bought the car I am able to enjoy driving it, and I still have the "benefit" of runflats.

DublinDilbert

Wheelnut wrote: »

Where can you get them at that price? Around here the price range seems to be €200 - €220.

If it's a 205/55/R16 you can get them for that money. Was quoted that price from cambells garage in finglas...

Wheelnut

DublinDilbert wrote: »

If it's a 205/55/R16 you can get them for that money. Was quoted that price from cambells garage in finglas...

The size on mine is 225/45/17 (and that's the standard size that came on it), maybe that's the difference.

Golfer2012

Hey folks,

just thought id let some people know, I didn't see it mentioned there.

I got a flat on my BMW today and it has run flat tyres, its my first flat since i bought the car, but I was told that if you put normal tires on a car that comes with custom run flat tyres that it can make your insurance null in void........since you have altered the spec of your car......

anyone else heard of this??? seems a bit nuts?

pa990

Golfer2012 wrote: »

Hey folks,

just thought id let some people know, I didn't see it mentioned there.

I got a flat on my 523 today and it has run flat tyres, its my first flat since i bought the car, but I was told that if you put normal tires on a car that comes with custom run flat tyres that it can make your insurance null in void........since you have altered the spec of your car......

anyone else heard of this??? seems a bit nuts?

who told you that ?

btw. i heard that the moon is made of cheese

bazz26

Golfer2012 wrote: »

Hey folks,

just thought id let some people know, I didn't see it mentioned there.

I got a flat on my 523 today and it has run flat tyres, its my first flat since i bought the car, but I was told that if you put normal tires on a car that comes with custom run flat tyres that it can make your insurance null in void........since you have altered the spec of your car......

anyone else heard of this??? seems a bit nuts?

Ring your insurance company and ask. Most do not see replacing RF tyres to conventional tyres as a modification. As long as the tyres meet NCT guidlines then most insurance companies have no problem with them

heate

There is little difference between tyres - run flat tires are not recommended for non run flat wheels as they used to indicate that a car was by fitted with a pressure monitoring system which is required so you don't unknowingly to 1000 miles on punctured run flat.

In terms of rim design only Michelin PAX system requires a special rim.

So changing your tyres and insurance well what difference does it make? You don't inform your insurance company when you have purchased a new set of tyres that were not OEM supplied

Golfer2012

Hmmmm did I just get screwed by the salesman....???? Lol I think the point of the monitoring system is a good reason to stick to the run flats.......I'll drop an email to my insurance company tho just to be sure...cheers folks,

Wheelnut

Actually Golfer, you may have a point and it's a matter I've often wondered about. BMW claim the runflats are a safety item, so if you remove a safety item it is possible that it might void your insurance. You wouldn't remove your airbags or your seatbelts. Let us know what reply you get from your insurance company.

alexmcred

If the car is under warranty BMW will void it if you replace run-flats with regular tyres

Tiesto

Im needing to replace my back 2 run flats aswell.Im just going to go for normal tires.
I dont want to spend much but of course I dont want to go for a poor quality tire either. Any suggestions of good prices in Dublin city south side?

Its a 06 318i . I believe the size to be 205/55 R 16 (need to check the tyres to confirm)

EDIT : Actual tyre size is 225/50. Doesnt seem to be too many options for this size??
I see alot of 225/45 .. Big difference in the price between the 2

Blazer

try camskill.co.uk
Way cheaper than here and well worth it...
bought 4 x Dunlop runflat winter tyres and saved €107 off the prices here..
delivered in 2 days to me as well

bazz26

Tiesto wrote: »

Im needing to replace my back 2 run flats aswell.Im just going to go for normal tires.
I dont want to spend much but of course I dont want to go for a poor quality tire either. Any suggestions of good prices in Dublin city south side?

Its a 06 318i . I believe the size to be 205/55 R 16 (need to check the tyres to confirm)

EDIT : Actual tyre size is 225/50. Doesnt seem to be too many options for this size??
I see alot of 225/45 .. Big difference in the price between the 2

It is not recommended to mix run flat tyres with normal tyres. Run flats and conventional tyres have different charactoristics which can effect the car's handling. Either replace all 4 tyres with conventional tyres or the existing two with run flats again.

Wheelnut

Tiesto wrote: »

Its a 06 318i . I believe the size to be 205/55 R 16 (need to check the tyres to confirm)

EDIT : Actual tyre size is 225/50. Doesnt seem to be too many options for this size??
I see alot of 225/45 .. Big difference in the price between the 2

If your car is on 17" wheels, the correct size may be 225/45/17. The 225/50 is usually found on the 5 series. You may be able to work out the correct size by reading the list of sizes in the tyre pressure chart in the driver's door frame.

I was thinking of making the change to conventional tyres and selected Kumho runflats from Camskill as a stopgap before making the change. The Kumhos came at a budget price but I was amazed because they transformed the car. They are far better than the original Continentals and I am still using them. The service from Camskill was great too.

There is a company in Athenry doing a good offer on Nokian runflats, 225/45/17 €120, or 225/50/17 €150, delivered by courier. I don't know if we're allowed to post a link here so do a search for "tyreshop"

Tiesto

been busy the last while and only got time now to get the tyres sorted.
So I checked the door frame.. It appears the car can take 205/55/16 or 225/55/16.

At the moment, the car is on 225/55/16 run flats all round.
the back 2 need replacing.

Can I put 205/55/16 on the back and keep the 225/55/16 on the front? the 205's are a good bit cheaper.
THanks

bazz26

Tiesto wrote: »

been busy the last while and only got time now to get the tyres sorted.
So I checked the door frame.. It appears the car can take 205/55/16 or 225/55/16.

At the moment, the car is on 225/55/16 run flats all round.
the back 2 need replacing.

Can I put 205/55/16 on the back and keep the 225/55/16 on the front? the 205's are a good bit cheaper.
THanks

Your car is rear wheel drive. I would imagine putting narrower tyres on the rear and wider ones on the front will compremise the handling of the car.

My advice would be either replace all four run flats with standard tyres or just replace the two worn run flats with 2 new run flats.

Tiesto

bazz26 wrote: »

Your car is rear wheel drive. I would imagine putting narrower tyres on the rear and wider ones on the front will compremise the handling of the car.

My advice would be either replace all four run flats with standard tyres or just replace the two worn run flats with 2 new run flats.

I've been to two popular tyre dealers already and both of them refused to mix regular and run flats..
Anyone know anywhere in Dublin that does this ?

Thanks

bazz26

Tiesto wrote: »

I've been to two popular tyre dealers already and both of them refused to mix regular and run flats..
Anyone know anywhere in Dublin that does this ?

Thanks

Have a read of the earlier posts again, it is not recommended to mix both as both type of tyres have different handling charactorists.

Your options are:

1. Replace the existing 2 bald run flats with two new run flats.

or

2. Replace all 4 run flats with 4 new standard tyres.

Wheelnut

Tiesto wrote: »

So I checked the door frame.. It appears the car can take 205/55/16 or 225/55/16.

Check that you are not misreading that label. It could be 205/55/16 on the front and 225/55/16 on the rear, and not either/or as you have read it.

rebel.ranter

You might want to consider adjusting the rear camber if you're going to fit regular tyres to the rear of your BMW. My investigations into it (considering a switch myself) suggest that using regular tyres on a run-flat designed car means you might suffer excess wear, a quick Google throws up the following results on the subject

Satanta

Question. If you get a puncture on a runflat, can it be repaired or does it mean a new tyre?

Marcusm

Satanta wrote: »

Question. If you get a puncture on a runflat, can it be repaired or does it mean a new tyre?

In theory it can be repaired provided you haven't done too much driving on it while uninflated. In practice, not sure what %age are ever repaired and I've heard of people being told it's not possible (to get them to buy a new tyre, I suspect).

bazz26

Run flats can be repaired as long as the puncture is on the thread and they have not been driven on too far when punctured. The tyre needs to be taken off and patched on the inside, not plugged on the outside like normal tyres.

Some tyre centres will not repair them though.