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[eleven11]

My 335i that will be arriving soon will be under a 36000 mile lease. I realize that I have to replace the RFTs at lease end, unless the tread isn't too bad. I'm assuming that after 36000 miles, they're going to want new ones. So given the rather high probability of replacement, I was curious if anyone else agrees that it would be a wise move on my part to change to a new set of non-RFTs (i.e. less expensive, and better performance) early on. Then when it's closer to the time of lease end, I can just swap back to the fresh RFTs. I'm not in the position right now to just drop money on tires and rims left and right, but given that replacement is inevitable, I think doing it early is smarter.

Has an anyone else done this? Any problems with this idea? Thanks!

[rpiopio]

Interesting idea. You will certainly wear out the tires within 36,000 miles so your idea has its merits. I say go for it but make sure the savings on the new set covers the additional cost of remounting and reinstalling the original runflats. Good luck and let us know how it goes at your lease end.

[Zeroday]

hmm...this is a really good idea actually..may consider doing this myself since i have a 45k mile lease.

[NPDAN]

I put new wheels on the after I got my car for all the reason's you mentioned above.... Better handling, cheaper to replace along with not having to worry at the end of the lease. If you can afford to get new tires now, than do it... It's in no way a mistake or bad thinking. IMO

[ejazbmw]

thats actually pretty clever but i dont lease....but if i did i would look into this....

[ukthunderace]

I think it is a good idea. Not just for the benefit of the lease, but also for the benefit of the better tires. I am changing my RFTs right away.

[Disco Stew]

Even better idea... go to a dealer and buy a set of used Bridgestone Turanzas for $100 that are being replaced for the TSB on road noise. Put em in the garage and put em back on when you go to return the car. Tread depth is all they care about.

I'm not sure if this would work but... find the right maintenance guy with keys to the dumpster or the recycling company where they dump the tires... could be super cheap way to go.

Am I evil for thinking this up?

[Rubber Ducky]

And when you get a flat in the boonies, you will be - how shall we say it - screwed.

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by eleven11

My 335i that will be arriving soon will be under a 36000 mile lease. I realize that I have to replace the RFTs at lease end, unless the tread isn't too bad. I'm assuming that after 36000 miles, they're going to want new ones. So given the rather high probability of replacement, I was curious if anyone else agrees that it would be a wise move on my part to change to a new set of non-RFTs (i.e. less expensive, and better performance) early on. Then when it's closer to the time of lease end, I can just swap back to the fresh RFTs. I'm not in the position right now to just drop money on tires and rims left and right, but given that replacement is inevitable, I think doing it early is smarter.

Has an anyone else done this? Any problems with this idea? Thanks!

Good plan. Just get an M Mobility or similar kit in case of flats.

[bartman32]

You could also look on here for people selling their runflats. People are always changing out their tires for non-RFT. You can pick up a second set stock rims and tires for probably around $1000 rather than buying another set of new everything that might cost a lot more.
Just an idea.

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by Rubber Ducky

And when you get a flat in the boonies, you will be - how shall we say it - screwed.

But what if it was caused by a nail?

[rwalker]

Originally Posted by eleven11

My 335i that will be arriving soon will be under a 36000 mile lease. I realize that I have to replace the RFTs at lease end, unless the tread isn't too bad. I'm assuming that after 36000 miles, they're going to want new ones. So given the rather high probability of replacement, I was curious if anyone else agrees that it would be a wise move on my part to change to a new set of non-RFTs (i.e. less expensive, and better performance) early on. Then when it's closer to the time of lease end, I can just swap back to the fresh RFTs. I'm not in the position right now to just drop money on tires and rims left and right, but given that replacement is inevitable, I think doing it early is smarter.

Has an anyone else done this? Any problems with this idea? Thanks!

What I did was buy an extra "lease return" insurance policy from the finance department on the way out the door. I paid $500 or so, I think. The policy covers some incidental body damage, extra mileage (up to a point) and TIRES. I counted it as pre-buying the RFTs for a fraction of their real price.

My plan: run the stock RFTs down to the wear-bars, set them (and the stock wheels) aside and buy a set of 19" 225Ms with Michelin PS2s. When (if) I lease return, I'll just slap the old stock wheels and tires on and sell the 225Ms on.

YMMV.

-Rob

P.S. - Don't settle for the pre-packaged set of coverages. It's a chinese menu, treat it as such.

[Revlis]

Pretty good idea. I'm thinking that swapping out the runflats and running some premium NON runflat tires is great idea.

The Mazda RX-8 makes do with a roadside repair kit that included a couple cans of tire slime, and small compressor. No RFTs needed. Picking up one of these kits or just putting together your own would all but eliminate the need for the numb, overly harsh RFT Bridgestones.

Surprised more folks haven't thought of this. Especially lease folks, could be a win-win.

[eleven11]

Rob,

I'm not 100% sure I'm following. What's the purpose of the lease return policy (for tire sake alone) if you're switching them out before they're too worn, anyway?




Also, thanks for the feedback everyone.

[Rubber Ducky]

Originally Posted by SoYank

But what if it was caused by a nail?

After you've driven to a dealer or a tire shop, you buy a new one...

[rwalker]

Originally Posted by eleven11

Rob,

I'm not 100% sure I'm following. What's the purpose of the lease return policy (for tire sake alone) if you're switching them out before they're too worn, anyway?

Also, thanks for the feedback everyone.

I'm planning to wear the RFTs all the way out, past acceptability for lease return. Basically, I'm wearing out a $500 set of tires instead of a $1500 set.

-Rob

[Picklito]

I am doing the same thing. I don't like the ride of the RFT so I'm gonna keep them in good enough shape for the lease return. A spare/tools in the trunk is no big deal to me.

[eleven11]

Okay, I see. I guess my thought would be to use the RFTs to the brink of acceptable return, then switch to the non-RFTs - that way, you don't have to pay the $500. But I suppose you have to consider total tire tread needed over a 36 month period. I suppose a search would yield my answer, but since we're here, what's the typical treadlife on both the stock RFTs and a higher performance non-RFT. I realize alot of it depends on how aggressive your driving is.

[rwalker]

Originally Posted by eleven11

Okay, I see. I guess my thought would be to use the RFTs to the brink of acceptable return, then switch to the non-RFTs - that way, you don't have to pay the $500. But I suppose you have to consider total tire tread needed over a 36 month period. I suppose a search would yield my answer, but since we're here, what's the typical treadlife on both the stock RFTs and a higher performance non-RFT. I realize alot of it depends on how aggressive your driving is.

Well, I only got 13,500 miles out of my last set of Michelin Pilot Sports .

I put ~7500 miles on my car per year (I have a 30k lease, by the way). I figured that I'd be returning the car with ~24000 miles on it after 3 years, so I'd most likely be due for new tires.

So: I'd either be paying a lease return fee, buying a new set of tires on my own, or getting the insurance policy. Since the insurance policy is cheapest and has some extra benefits besides, it seemed a no brainer.

-Rob