[WA320]

Can you fit non run flat tyres to run flat rims(standard 320 rims).

[envision]

Originally Posted by WA320

Can you fit non run flat tyres to run flat rims(standard 320 rims).

Your rims aren't run flat, your tires are.

Yes, you can fit non run flat tires on your rims.

[John_01]

BMW rims are designed for run flat tyres because of two features.
1) Extra strong and heavy.
2) Additional inside lip to keep the tyre in place after loss of pressure.

There is no problem to change to conventional tyres. I have them on my car using the original BMW rims.

[WA320]

Thanks boys

Mike

[Attila_the_Bum]

Are you guys sure - I have been to a couple of places (1 X the tyre Factory and 1 X Bridgestone Centre) and they ae saying no way can they fit non run flats to run flat rims etc. Looking at some of the other threads this seems to be a real minefield. I guess I just dont want to void my insurance!

[John_01]

I think that Bridgestone sellers will rather sell you a new set of RFT safety tyres for double the cost of some far superior conventional tyres. Talk to an independant tyre shop or someone like Jax quickfit, they should have no problem with your requested fitment on BMW rims.

I recommend you call your insurance company first to tell them to make a note of the change to non-RFT. I did this and it wasn't an issue for my insurance co, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

[suff]

Originally Posted by Attila_the_Bum

Are you guys sure - I have been to a couple of places (1 X the tyre Factory and 1 X Bridgestone Centre) and they ae saying no way can they fit non run flats to run flat rims etc. Looking at some of the other threads this seems to be a real minefield. I guess I just dont want to void my insurance!

FYI I have moved over from RFT's to the same size tyre but Non RFT on my factory BMW 18's.. No issues with fitment what so ever, vastly improved ride and touch wood no issues with my insurer (I have advised them that I have changed from RFT to NON RFT tyres, but identical size and they said that would not be an issue)

[Attila_the_Bum]

Brilliant -I'll go shopping tomorrow! Thanks everyone.

[johnnydad]

I've just rung the Bridgestone Tyre centre that works with my BMW dealer and they will not fit the tyres I have purchased from tire rack.

Seems I will have to try elsewhere. Bugger.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by johnnydad

I've just rung the Bridgestone Tyre centre that works with my BMW dealer and they will not fit the tyres I have purchased from tire rack.

Seems I will have to try elsewhere. Bugger.

Purchased non run flats?

[johnnydad]

Non RFT's. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's. I'm hardly the first from what I've read on here.

[johnnydad]

Fronts are on. Independent tyre place was excellent - $30 a tyre fitted and balanced, as they charge extra to remove the RFT's.

PS2's and a wheel alignment have vastly improved the tracking and steering, harshness is noticeably better, secondary ride is clearly superior (much more than I'd expected, especially given the RE050As are still on the rears). Too early to comment on grip and handling - I'll need to wait until they are properly scrubbed in and I have a matched set.

[cruvon]

Good on you guys going the non runflat way..the only downside I see is having to carry a spare if it went flat at a critical time...the one time I did have a puncture on mine, I was in Canberra on a long weekend Sunday morning, called up BMW road assist and they said no shops/dealerships would be available to fit a run flat till Monday because was a Sunday. Went to a BMW dealership that was open and they said at best I could either buy a puncture kit or make the drive to Sydney if I drove slow if i couldn't wait till Monday..so put my hazards on and drove to Sydney at 60kmph though it felt a bit funny with all the cars zooming past and even slowing down to have a look at why was so slow. The good is I didn't have to stop and change a tyre then and there, the bad is it cost me $500 at the dealership to replace the tyre since runflats can't do with a tube change.

[johnnydad]

Recent trip to Adelaide is one of the reasons I bought a spacesaver spare. Even with RFT's, better to use the spare and repair later than drive it to death.

The spare was $214 from BMW and a $22 black 4WD cover, standard jack, wheelbrace and $9.95 cargo net all from supercheap. The spare takes up 42 litres of boot space but then has a 12 litre well in the centre which is handy for keeping stuff. The jack and brace fit easily in the under-floor bin leaving plenty of space for other stuff around.

I can still fit a mountain bike with rear wheel in situ in the car with the seats folded so minimal impact on convenience also.

[Cadillac]

Two months of the new Non-RFT tyres...best decision ever
Just wished I had done it 3 years ago when I bought it
(I know, I know...some of you said it) I am a convert...as for Bridgestone those guys are a waste of time...they just want to sell you a $900 tyre...I have spent way too much with them.
On Pirelli's now
245 x 30 front and 265 x 35 rear x 19"

[MickyD]

Originally Posted by johnnydad

Fronts are on. Independent tyre place was excellent - $30 a tyre fitted and balanced, as they charge extra to remove the RFT's.

PS2's and a wheel alignment have vastly improved the tracking and steering, harshness is noticeably better, secondary ride is clearly superior (much more than I'd expected, especially given the RE050As are still on the rears). Too early to comment on grip and handling - I'll need to wait until they are properly scrubbed in and I have a matched set.

mixing runflats/non runflats is a REALLY bad idea, I know of at least 3 cars that have been written off within a week of doing this...... (MINI's admittedly, but still a REALLY bad idea)

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by MickyD

mixing runflats/non runflats is a REALLY bad idea, I know of at least 3 cars that have been written off within a week of doing this...... (MINI's admittedly, but still a REALLY bad idea)

How is it a bad idea, as long as the rears match & the fronts match you won't have an issue.
I think it's a bit of a stretch to make such a wide reaching comment & blame the tyres, i dare say there is several other factors at play in this instance.

[johnnydad]

At present, grip is broadly similar - intially the fronts were less sticky, being new, but after 200km they are starting to exceed the rears. What is clearly different is the character - the PS2's will give slightly more on initial loading, then grip, then very gently let go while the RFT RE050A's bite immediately, hang on, then let go more quickly. And of course, over a bumpy corner the fronts hang in and the rear will skip off line. I'm driving conservatively with DSC on until I have four matched tyres.

[John_01]

My experience with 17" Bridgestone RFT tyres is they tend to skip and bounce on irregular road surfaces. It may be a poor combination on wet roads, where I'd expect the Michelin PS2 to offer vastly superior grip. The concern raised above seems valid to me. A BMW having 50/50 weight distribution may be more prone to instability than a front wheel drive mini.

[John_01]

To add to what I wrote above, the instability could show up when the ABS system is activated. In the case of emergency braking, the lower grip of the rear tyres may cause the rear of the car to step out if you try to steer the car while the ABS system is active. Stability control is supposed to prevent that occurring, but I wouldn't be surprised if the difference in physical grip between the front and rear tyres could still come into play.

[johnnydad]

I would think that a MINI would be more prone to lift-off oversteer than a 50/50 RWD if it had non-RFT's on the front (new as FWD wears fronts more) and RFT's out back.

Please note though - I'm not suggesting anyone should mix tyres, and will hopefully spend less than 250km in this situation.

[johnnydad]

Rears have been on for 3 days and around 100km now. Not as dramatic an improvement as when the fronts went on but there is still a further noticable enhancement of stability and tracking, primary and secondary ride and, of course, a decent gain in suppression of harshness. The slight hum I noticed when they were first on has seemingly gone so quietness is further improved.

As I said above, there is an initial softness to turn-in in that if you hurtle into a chicane or small roundabout you are aware you need an extra few degrees of lock, with a moment's delay while change of direction is effected. Apart from that it is all good news. The steering is certainly lighter, more linear and far more restful. Certain very familiar, smoothly surfaced corners can be attacked at the same speeds as with the RE050A RFT's in which case the Michelins will start to run a touch wide just before the RFT's would, but they let go in a much more delicate way so you can tease the tail out so sweetly with the throttle. Add in a far greater consistency of grip on irregular surfaces and the car is really transformed from a slightly nervous, taught and almost twitchy device into an equally effective but considerably more refined and relaxing luxury sports sedan.