[Dr Dave]

Aslong as it is noted on your policy Carl.

[dxb335d]

Thats alrighty then!

[m@rk]

I suppose the question is where do you draw the line.

In the owners manual it says that BMW "recommends" using run flat tyres under the tyres section.

But it also says that BMW "recommends" that the tyres should be changed only by a BMW main dealer!

So the owners handbook recommends but does not mandate.

But then can you argue (and we know insurance companies don't need much of an excuse) that if your car comes with Dunlop tyres, changing to Bridgestone is a change.

So as it has been explained to me, UK tyre law states that construction and use rules state size, load rating and speed rating. "Features" such as wear rating, aysymetrical tread and even run on flat are just that. Features!

Of course I am not a lawyer and I would not like to have this conversation with an insurance company trying to get out of a payout but just where do you draw the line.

[Animalfreeride]

Originally Posted by m@rk

I suppose the question is where do you draw the line.

In the owners manual it says that BMW "recommends" using run flat tyres under the tyres section.

But it also says that BMW "recommends" that the tyres should be changed only by a BMW main dealer!

So the owners handbook recommends but does not mandate.

But then can you argue (and we know insurance companies don't need much of an excuse) that if your car comes with Dunlop tyres, changing to Bridgestone is a change.

So as it has been explained to me, UK tyre law states that construction and use rules state size, load rating and speed rating. "Features" such as wear rating, aysymetrical tread and even run on flat are just that. Features!

Of course I am not a lawyer and I would not like to have this conversation with an insurance company trying to get out of a payout but just where do you draw the line.

Lol. I have just written a snotagram to Shitcover more or less mirroring the valid points you raise. In particular Shitcover have essentially asked me to clarify with BMW if they find this "acceptable". I am unclear whether they mean "possible" or "recommended". BMW of course are almost certainly going to recommend RFT. That was part of my reason for this thread because as this is a ridiculous situation.

[AlanQS]

It is natural to assume that changing to non RFTs should not be a problem as 95% of the cars on the road do not have run flats. My insurance company had no problem when I asked them and I think none of them will.

But we are so suspicious of everyone nowadays that it wouldn't surprise us if an insurance company claimed that the use of non RFTs is a declarable fact and use it to body swerve out of a claim.

[doughboy]

Correct Mark....

'Runflat' is just a tyre feature like 'radial' or 'XL rated' or 'cold weather' and is of no concern to an insurer. My car has tyres on it which exceed all the required speed, class and load ratings. End of story.

As long as the speed and load rating are correct, that is all that matters. BMW do not mandate RFTs, they recommend them as they 'recommend' castrol oil. Changing to non Runflats is not a modification because tyres are user serviceable parts and we are allowed to change them to suitably specced alternatives.

I can see some comfort to be gained from telling your insurer, but where do you draw the line?? Telling them you are using Halfords oil or Motaparts wipers, what colour pants you have on?

The problem here arises because you are asking monkeys a questions which their computer-drop-down-list cannot answer, because it is not relevant.

When I tried to tell them about my Quaife LSD, not one person could understand what it was, so they all get flustered because they think you are some kind of vin diesel mod freek, spit their dummy out and then refuse the mod.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Correct Mark....

'Runflat' is just a tyre 'feature' like 'radials' or 'XL rated' or 'cold weather' and thats is of no concern to an insurer. My car has tyres on it which exceed all the required speed, class and load ratings. End of story.

As long as the speed and load rating are correct, that is all that matters. BMW do not mandate RFTs, they recommend them as they 'recommend' castrol oil.

Changing to non Runflats is not a modification because tyres are user serviceable parts and we are allowed to change them to suitable specced alternatives.

In fact fitting halfords wipers is just the same as fitting non-rfts.

The problem here arises because you are asking monkeys a questions which their computer-drop-down-list cannot answer.

When I tried to tell them about my Quaife LSD, not one person could understand what it was, so they all get flustered because they think you are some kind of vin diesel mod freek, spit their dummy out and then refuse the mod.

This is sooo true,

they got confused when I told them about the non runflats... they kept saying,

''So you have aftermarket wheels now''

NO I HAVENT.

[djnas123]

Sorry to throw something else in, but from what I understand if I was to change my RFTs to non-RFTs with the same size/rating etc then technically I am still within the manufactures spec so it may not be a problem and should not be a mod.

If however I was to change from RFTs to non- RFTs, and change the tyre size also from 225/35 + 255/30 to 235/35 + 265/30 as many people on here have recommended then would this be a modification? I'm guessing BMW do not have a list or document on accepted sizes that you could provide to an insurer if they needed it so could this also be a grey area

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by E90Yaz

who the fuck declares tyres to insurance?? are u sum kind of numpty???

Are you going to weigh SS out if it all goes wrong come claim time?

[kend]

Originally Posted by djnas123

Sorry to throw something else in, but from what I understand if I was to change my RFTs to non-RFTs with the same size/rating etc then technically I am still within the manufactures spec so it may not be a problem and should not be a mod.

If however I was to change from RFTs to non- RFTs, and change the tyre size also from 225/35 + 255/30 to 235/35 + 265/30 as many people on here have recommended then would this be a modification? I'm guessing BMW do not have a list or document on accepted sizes that you could provide to an insurer if they needed it so could this also be a grey area

There is a tyre plate on the B pillar that states the tyre sizes that the car has been homologated with, using any size outside of this is a modification.

[doughboy]

You should always stay within those sizes and ratings to remain 'standard'.

Thats why I stayed with OE wheels and sizes when getting winter tyres too, so I don't have to declare a 'mod'

[djnas123]

don't want to sound pedantic, but the plate in my car says sizes for 17", 18" and 19" wheels, but if i was to change to official 17" or 18" BMW alloys and the recommended tire sizes then that would still be classed as a mod anyway so staying within those guidelines wont help either when it comes to insurance.

I think the best bet is to speak with your insurance company to see what is and what isn't allowed and ensure it is noted, speak to a different operator a couple days later and ask them to read back your notes to ensure that they have agreed and noted your intentions.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by djnas123

don't want to sound pedantic, but the plate in my car says sizes for 17", 18" and 19" wheels, but if i was to change to official 17" or 18" BMW alloys and the recommended tire sizes then that would still be classed as a mod anyway

Yes of course if you change the wheels its a mod. But the tyre plate plate is for a range of cars and it fixes the sizes and ratings for each OE wheel size. You know your OE wheel size, so the plate confirms the rating and size approved for that wheel size.

What was meant, I think, is if someone fits (for eg) 265/35/18 tyres, even runflats, when the plate size for 18" is 255/35/18

That would be a mod as you are using a non-approved size/rating.

[craig2859]

Originally Posted by pjs

I'm with the OP. I had that much crap from Privilidge when putting a black grill on previous car, I took it back off within a few days rather than pay an extra £135.

Are you telling me they wanted an extra £135, for changing the "colour" of your front grilles, and TBH why do you need to tell them, its a change of colour thats all !!!!!

[dxb335d]

There is not homologation on road cars. No governing body to dicate what sizes. Its the manufacturers own specification.

Yes there is a Standard to adhere to. Not a homologation process.

[kend]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

There is not homologation on road cars. No governing body to dicate what sizes. Its the manufacturers own specification.

Yes there is a Standard to adhere to. Not a homologation process.

Correct I should have said vechile type approval which is both UK and EU approval process and all cars are type approved with certain specified equipment such as tyre sizes and type stated.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by craig2859

Are you telling me they wanted an extra £135, for changing the "colour" of your front grilles, and TBH why do you need to tell them, its a change of colour thats all !!!!!

Another reason to fit BMW accessories.

I fitted the BMW grills, so that's not a mod, I'm simply fitting a manufacturers approved accessory.

Just like floormats or a roof rack, no requirement to inform insurers.

But if you paint your standard grills or buy some 3rd party ones, that could be seen as a mod....

[pjs]

Originally Posted by craig2859

Are you telling me they wanted an extra £135, for changing the "colour" of your front grilles, and TBH why do you need to tell them, its a change of colour thats all !!!!!

Yep thats right. There is a thread on it somewhere.

I did two mods, Blacklines and The Black Grille. They said that with the spec of the car only one mod was permitted without bumping it up in their internal grouping - so to avoid an extra charge, so I had to remove one. The Blacklines won.

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by doughboy

I can see some comfort to be gained from telling your insurer, but where do you draw the line?? Telling them you are using Halfords oil or Motaparts wipers, what colour pants you have on?

The problem here arises because you are asking monkeys a questions which their computer-drop-down-list cannot answer, because it is not relevant.

The issue with RFT's and some insurers, especially when it comes to trying to wriggle out of paying up in the event of a claim, is that RFT's are a relatively new concept on cars and lets be honest, RFT's are not as yet, widely fitted to many different marques. Until the underwriters have collected enough data they are going to be unsure in the main how to deal with this situation.

If it was me and for my own piece of mind I would tell my insurers if I changed from RFT's to non-RFT's detailing the tyre sizes and load rating etc, and pointing out what precautions I had taken to ensure the vehicle was still driveable in the event of a puncture. I would want their 'acceptance' in writing to that effect.

Any reputable insurers would have a legal team knowledgeable and comfortable enough to deal with these points and put it in wriiting to the customer.

BTW, anyone on here insured with BMW insurance and have changed from RFT's to non-RFT's and informed BMW insurance and what did they say?

[NFS]

Two points:

1. As has been said BMW recommend RFT's. However, this is only a recommendation. They don't say that it is essential. On that basis, so long as the tyres are the correct size for the vehicle it should not be an insurance matter.

Except ...

2. Runflats are a safety feature. Because they are specifically designed to prevent 'blow out' accidents, it's possible, but unlikely, that swapping them could be held to be a 'material fact' for insurance purposes.

Since insurance operates under a principle of absolute disclosure telling them would be prudent. I wouldn't want a reply though. I would simply write to them by registered post.

[foxy-367]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Yes of course if you change the wheels its a mod. But the tyre plate plate is for a range of cars and it fixes the sizes and ratings for each OE wheel size. You know your OE wheel size, so the plate confirms the rating and size approved for that wheel size.

What was meant, I think, is if someone fits (for eg) 265/35/18 tyres, even runflats, when the plate size for 18" is 255/35/18

That would be a mod as you are using a non-approved size/rating.

Here's a conundrum for you. Hypothetically speaking, my car was specced from new with 18" wheels not the standard 17" wheels. If I sold it on to someone and forgot to tell them the 18" wheel wasn't standard. What would happen if it wasn't declared and they had an accident. Considering it is an approved BMW option?

[AlanQS]

The wheel size is a red herring. The insurance company doesn't care what size of wheel you have, provided it is a BMW wheel supplied for that model of car.

Whatever wheel you specify when you buy a new BMW, they are "standard" wheels for the car.

You can see why this would be so. When you first insure your new BMW, they ask you what the market value is. They don't care what size wheel is on it. They don't even want to know provided it came with the car and therefore is, de facto, a BMW wheel.

I bought mine with 17" and later bought a set of 230s. I told the insurance company and all they wanted to know was if the new wheels were sold by BMW for my model of car. This meant that they were not after market wheels and therefore not a modification.