Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[MotorenWerkeN52]

So i just bought some new non RFT and got told by some shop that removing the the RFT on the car now requires a special tool. So i called up a bmw tech i know and he told me that is not true... he said any tire shop should be able to do it.

So getting to the point just wanted to know where you guys got your tires installed and if you guys had any issues.

[chromisdesigns]

No special tools required, but you probably don't want Joe's Discount Tire and Battery monkeying with your expensive alloy wheels, either! (Unless you don't care if they scratch 'em!)

Try Tire Rack's list of recommended installeers for someone near you.

[ENINTY]

Yeah, the "special tool" is called a TIRE MOUNTING machine. They are dumb-asses. Go to another place to have the tires mounted.

[xG35c]

RFT sidewalls are so stiff, it takes special skills and care (not tools) to remove and mount them. These are not typical characteristics of the guy working the tire mounting machine. I've tried various shops in my area over the years with results ranging from obvious damage (should have sued them for a new wheel) to minor marks/dents on the lip. Even the dealer has left a mark or two. Some shops have learned to avoid working on them altogether - just another disadvantage of RFT's!

[tunachris]

Never has any problems getting tires changed/mounted. Any "good" tire shop should be able to do it. I would avoid a shop that has any issues dealing with RFT's. Sound like they are giving you fair warning that they may not be up to the task!

[driverman]

Originally Posted by xG35c

RFT sidewalls are so stiff, it takes special skills and care (not tools) to remove and mount them.

+1

I had a guy damage three of my four wheels when removing my RFT's. He was highly rated on tirerack's list of installers.

I recommend taking pictures of your wheels before having tire or wheel work done. It only takes a few minutes and it puts you in a strong position if they damage your wheels.

[CJ421]

You're in Philadelphia?

Go to helix Motorsports ... they will take care of your wheels and not scratch them. I get nearly all the work on my car done there, including wheels/tires. www.helix13.com; PM Alex@Helix here. They're not expensive either.

+1 on the other comments - don't take your wheels to joe blow down the street.

[HighlandPete]

There are tire mounting machines of different grades. Here in the UK many had to upgrade to a machine suitable to remove RFTs. One of my local tire shops wouldn't touch RFTs until they got their new machine, it is much more complex than a basic tire changer, has an extra arm for guide and control roller. Gets an RFT off so much easier than a traditional rig.

Perhaps this is the reason the OP got the comment on needing a special tool.

HighlandPete

[MTibbs]

Originally Posted by tunachris

Never has any problems getting tires changed/mounted. Any "good" tire shop should be able to do it. I would avoid a shop that has any issues dealing with RFT's. Sound like they are giving you fair warning that they may not be up to the task!

What he said^^

I've had mine taken off and put back on when I traded the car in with no issues at Mavis Tire here in NY.

[AddictedToBavarian]

I love how everyone tries to tell us we need "special tools" for everything. They probably never expect us to know better until we make them feel like idiots.

[Ctm309]

Go to a shop that uses the Hunter NO TOUCH machine . Nothing ever touches the rim, the machine even lifts the wheel /tire onto itself.

And of course a good operater!

Shop around, ask others.

[MotorenWerkeN52]

thanks for all the input everyone... Helped me out a lot! Went to a local shop that had a good rating and got the tires changed. No damage to wheels or tires.

And to think i almost went to bmw and paid the 250 that they quoted me for changing all the tires....

[zapingosays]

they might be taking about the nut to unscrew the bolts..that in fact is different from other cars. or different.

[VMRWheels]

No special tools are necessary. We mount run-flat tires all the time here! It's a good thing you went to a shop and got taken care of though. Glad everything worked out.