[dkan]

Hi All,

Just been phoning around for new tires and want to move away from runflats because of cost mainly, but also because of what i've read about improved ride. I phone a few tyre dealers in my area, and a few have said i need to sign a disclaimer about not fitting original equiptment and asked me to call BMW about doing this. Any one had this ? Anyone know what the official stance is from BMW ?

I'm planning to get the Kumho KU31 at £70 quid a corner. Been reading some good writeups on the M3 forums. Anyone here had expereince of them ? Or maybe the Falkens...wear is important to me because of the mileage I do...and I am generally quite a old man when driving..but do have my moments

Also, I plan to complement them to 2 cans of tyre weld...is this sufficient ?

Cheers,

[R80TER]

I am buying a new pair of rears today.. i have been running goodyear eagle asymetrics for the last 6 months, rears have lasted very well!! i reckon i got about 25,000 miles from them!! £167 a corner for 255/35/18 is the best price i have got, fully fitted Inc VAT.

you get what you pay for in this world.

[dkan]

Another question is, can a tyre be repaired after using tyreweld ?? Seens to be hit and miss, some say u can, some say you can't. hmm...

[R80TER]

Originally Posted by dkan

Another question is, can a tyre be repaired after using tyreweld ?? Seens to be hit and miss, some say u can, some say you can't. hmm...

repair no... offer a short term fix to get you out of situation.. yes.

[chris_s1]

I have the Falkens and have been really impressed. Done about 12k miles on them so far, including around 15 laps of the 'ring and there's still a good amount of tread left. I got 18k out of the rears on the standard Bridgestone RFTs.

Will definately get the Falkens again, on cost alone they are a winner for me.

[Jeff123]

Originally Posted by R80TER

repair no... offer a short term fix to get you out of situation.. yes.

I think that you can repair a tyre after using tyreweld - not Holt's though. I got this link from another forum:

http://www.sospuncturerepair.co.uk/i...?info_id=68042

If that's as good as it sounds then you are OK.

[dkan]

hmm..decisions decisions, been doing more googling on this and seems like tyreweld can be repaired..http://www.holtsauto.com/products/gr...ce/tyre-repair

Also read somewhere that they have an agreement with national tyre centres to repair tyres that have been used with tyreweld for a little surcharge due to additional cleaning required. Looks like tyreweld is gonna be the cheapest option.

[Jeff123]

Originally Posted by dkan

hmm..decisions decisions, been doing more googling on this and seems like tyreweld can be repaired..http://www.holtsauto.com/products/gr...ce/tyre-repair

Also read somewhere that they have an agreement with national tyre centres to repair tyres that have been used with tyreweld for a little surcharge due to additional cleaning required. Looks like tyreweld is gonna be the cheapest option.

Looks like it can be repaired.

[dkan]

Well decided to go with Tyreweld, popped into the local Asda in Cribbs Bristol and they had some on offer. 400ml can, torch and pair of gloves for a bargain £2.50. There's 4 left if anyone want to drive up to get them. A can on it's owe was up for £6.50.

And u definately can repair tyres after using it, says so on the back of the packaging or get 10% discount on replacement tyre.

[Jeff123]

You may need a compresser as well to inflate the tyres.

[dkan]

Thanks, I got one of those already from my previous car...so looks like I am set for non-run flat...now the tyres ??? Think i will go for the Kumhos as M3 forum members seem to really rate them.

[scooba0010]

Originally Posted by dkan

Thanks, I got one of those already from my previous car...so looks like I am set for non-run flat...now the tyres ??? Think i will go for the Kumhos as M3 forum members seem to really rate them.

Local indy was really pushing me to have some a few months ago he said Mercedes fit them now on certain models etc

The tyres can be repaired after using tyre weld but apparently its a shit job so maybe thats why word goes round you cant fix them,shit as in the mess it leaves in the tyre ,the fitter gets even dirtier than usual

[SteveC]

At least from an insurance company point of view, fitting non-standard non-RFT tyres constitutes a downgrade and at least in my policy, they must be notified. As soon as you notify them that you have compromised a safety aspect of the car they'll uplift your policy premium, due to increased risk.
Fail to notify and have an accident that could in any way be related to tyres (blowout, skidding etc) and you could well find yourself in contravention of the terms of your policy and therefore uninsured.

[dkan]

No way...who do you insure with ?

I really hate it when there are so many inconsistencies...just insurance companies trying to rob you. Why is it a downgrade ? In that case, I would say if you change the tyre to any make or pattern that is different to the originals you also "downgrade" the safety of the car..especially those who drive on retreads or low end budget tyres.

I hate insurance companies.

Any other forum members with this problem ????

[Jeff123]

Originally Posted by SteveC

At least from an insurance company point of view, fitting non-standard non-RFT tyres constitutes a downgrade and at least in my policy, they must be notified. As soon as you notify them that you have compromised a safety aspect of the car they'll uplift your policy premium, due to increased risk.
Fail to notify and have an accident that could in any way be related to tyres (blowout, skidding etc) and you could well find yourself in contravention of the terms of your policy and therefore uninsured.

Steve

That's the complete opposite of mine (Esure) and all the research that I did before going non-RFT. They class tyres as tyres, whatever they are. The safety aspect is so that you are not stranded miles from a garage - not in the event of a blow-out.

I personally consider RFT's as a less safe type of tyre than a non-RFT - handling/wheel spin/undetectable deflation/etc..........

[dkan]

I just looked though my insurance policy and there is absolutely nothing which mentions tyres. On the modification section it does say if there are changes to "standard", but not specific, so I guess need clarification on that. I've emailed them so hopefully they get back to me in writing.

However, a quick google and I see some Mini owners have no problem with the insurance company i use (Admiral).

Fingers crossed.

Any one use Admiral and moved to non-run flats ???

[survivalist]

I'm with Admiral and switched from runflats to normal tyres years ago. They told me it wasn't a problem as long as they were the correct fit and met the speed rating.

They wouldn't put anything in writing as they said there was no need. I'd still suggest making a note of the date, time and person you speak to though, just in case.

Also, another vote for Falkens here. I've tried Eagle F1s and Conti Sport Contacts and I'd say the Falkens were as good as the F1s and better than the Contis for normal and spirited road driving (also did 8 laps of the ring on the Falkens). Had the 452 and the 912 and preferred the 912. They seemed to be a bit quieter and grip was just as good on the road. Never used the 912s on the ring though.

S

ETA - Admiral did regard some of the factory options on my car as modifications/non standard items though. There didn't seem to be much logic behind it. Bluetooth wasn't counted but leather interior was. I just listed every option (not that I have many ;-) and let them decide which ones counted, ended up putting the policy up by £5 but that was before signing rather than an "alteration". The one to watch out for apparently are bigger factory alloys, unless declared they can just use a "standard" one if not informed about larger wheels/tyres.

[dxb335d]

I can't believe the amount of M3 owners
on Kumho's.

[parapaul]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I can't believe the amount of M3 owners
on Kumho's.

I was just thinking the same - I know they're cheap, but they're cheap for a reason.

[dkan]

Surely if they were that bad, the M3 owners would be slating them...but every comment I've read have nothing but praise for the Kumho KU31...I mean if it's good enough on a M3 (which is one mean beast), then my pretty lame 325 should be fine with them. But it was between the KU31 and the Falken 912. What's the wear like on the 912 ??

[survivalist]

From memory I got about 22k out of my 912s, although at that stage parts of the tyre we're borderline legal, fronts were at 3mm. As no one seemed to have the 912s in stock in time for my imminent MOT I swapped all 4 to 452s. They've done 12k now, no idea what the wear is (visually they have plenty of tread).

Can check tomorrow if you're interested.

ETA - That's on a 2006 325i MSport Auto. Not driven gently by any stretch, but probably 65% motorway. Had a manual 320d before that and it went through rear tyres much quicker - quite possibly because of the way the turbo/torque "thumps" in under acceleration.

S

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by dkan

want to move away from runflats because of cost mainly, but also because of what i've read about improved ride.

I phone a few tyre dealers in my area, and a few have said i need to sign a disclaimer about not fitting original equiptment and asked me to call BMW about doing this.

WGAF.

It's your car, not BMW's.

Go elsewhere. Tyre shops are as common as 'Poundland' shops.