[1916]

Have been visiting a few shops looking at tyres, as my backs will be coming up for 'renewal' soon. I just want to confirm I am comparing apples with apples as there seems a large variation in prices I'm getting. I don't know that much about the technical's of tyres, so I simply asked 'Give me a price for the same tyres I have'

What I have are Bridgestone/Potenza RE050A RFT (as per fitted when car was built):

Front: 225/35 R19
Rear: 255/30 R19

Q1 - Are there different compounds even though they may be all 255/30 R19 (for the rear)? I've an M-Sport, one shop mentioned, 'these are specifically for the M-sport suspension car'

Q2 - What other RFT makes are good?

Q3 - For those that have switched to Non-RFT, with no spare wheel (I'm assuming there is no cubby hole in the boot to store one that I haven't spotted), what do you do if you have a flat, 200 miles from nowhere? The aersol stuff, if you use, does that mean a new replacement tyre is required?

Q4 - Options on Non-RFT (if I like what I hear on Q3 above)

[BGM]

there are many threads about this, so i would say use the search..

with regards to the 'miles away from anywhere' game. bmw support switching to non run flats, and advise you get the patch kit.. my view on this is when / if this fails to work just call bmw breakdown and bitch at them

[dxb335d]

I like BGM idea of bitching.

[djnas123]

Rather than start a new thread, I wondered if anyone can help, yesterday I found a nail in one of rears so had to get a replacment tyre. I really wanted to look at getting the Pirelli Run Flats that are slowly becoming available as I have heard this are 3G and are cheaper, but no one had stock so had to go for a Bridgestone.

My question is, my fronts are due a change soon, should I stay with Bridgestones all round, or would it be fine to have the Pirelli at the front and the Bridgestones on the rear (I plan to possibly swap out both rears when the old one runs down and sell the part used one on ebay if i switch to Pirelli fronts).

Is anyone running the Pirellis after switching from Bridgestone? do you see any benefits etc?

[ed335d]

Q1 - thats bollox - these are not specifically designed for M sport cars. Do not use that shop.

Q2 - other main manufacturers are good - it's just the concept that is (IMO) flawed

Q3 - a deflated RFT will not get you 200 miles. The maximum recommended (I think) is 50 miles at 50 MPH. On non-RFT's, carry a 12V compressor and a can of tyre weld in the cubby hole. This should get you an equalent distance. Driving any mileage on a deflated RFT will require a tyre replacement and most places won't repair, even if you haven't driven on it. It is still possible (I believe) to repair tyres that have been gunked.

Q4 - loads of options, depends on your requirements. Falken or Vredsetein always seem to get good reviews on price vs performance.

Also, two 255/30 R19's are likely to cost in the region of £600. You can get a full set of non-RFT's for not much more than that. Keep any RFT's that are ok for spares, or if you intend to put the car back into the dealer network (thay may insist on receiving it with RFT's)

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ed335d

Q1 - thats bollox - these are not specifically designed for M sport cars. Do not use that shop.

Or more enlightened than many other shops... If the code is YZ then they are the modified tyre, more suited to the aggressive M-sport cambers and are an attempt to reduce the inside wear.

So could be what they are talking about.

HighlandPete

[chris330D]

Q3 - a deflated RFT will not get you 200 miles. The maximum recommended (I think) is 50 miles at 50 MPH. On non-RFT's, carry a 12V compressor and a can of tyre weld in the cubby hole. This should get you an equalent distance. Driving any mileage on a deflated RFT will require a tyre replacement and most places won't repair, even if you haven't driven on it. It is still possible (I believe) to repair tyres that have been gunked.

BMW recommend 150 miles fully deflated with up to 2 passengers. The more load the shorter the distance.

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Or more enlightened than many other shops... If the code is YZ then they are the modified tyre, more suited to the aggressive M-sport cambers and are an attempt to reduce the inside wear.

So could be what they are talking about.

HighlandPete

That's a good point. I was talking from 335 experience, so both the Msport & SE are the same suspension set-up. However, from my experience with tyre outfits, I would doubt that they are that clued-up.

Originally Posted by chris330D

Q3 - a deflated RFT will not get you 200 miles. The maximum recommended (I think) is 50 miles at 50 MPH. On non-RFT's, carry a 12V compressor and a can of tyre weld in the cubby hole. This should get you an equalent distance. Driving any mileage on a deflated RFT will require a tyre replacement and most places won't repair, even if you haven't driven on it. It is still possible (I believe) to repair tyres that have been gunked.

BMW recommend 150 miles fully deflated with up to 2 passengers. The more load the shorter the distance.

Also interesting - Bridgestone state on their website: Bridgestone's mission is to serve society with products of superior quality. Run-flat tires reflect that mission. With run-flat tires, you can drive at least 50 miles at 50 miles per hour, allowing you to get to a convenient stopping place. And, because you don't need a spare tire or wheel, or a jack, run-flat tires allow vehicle manufacturers to reduce materials. Now, Bridgestone can also offer a ride that is comparable in comfort to conventional tires. Bridgestone run-flat tires: a superior product to serve society.

That'll be where I got 50 from.

[mgarvey]

Originally Posted by ed335d

Q4 - loads of options, depends on your requirements. Falken or Vredsetein always seem to get good reviews on price vs performance.

Also, two 255/30 R19's are likely to cost in the region of £600. You can get a full set of non-RFT's for not much more than that. Keep any RFT's that are ok for spares, or if you intend to put the car back into the dealer network (thay may insist on receiving it with RFT's)

I was in a similar conundrum recently, in that I had a Bridgestone RFT rear with not one but two nails in it. The rears were suffering from inner edge wear after onlyn 8k miles, and the fronts were getting worn (well they had done 32k miles so they did very well).

I looked at options and replacing all 4 tyres with new RFTs would be close to £1000 and with all the inherent problems with ride, cracked alloys etc. Therefore I swapped all four tyres for non-RFT. At the time, my preferred Falkens or Vreds were in short supply, so I went for Kumho Ku31's which two reputable dealers suggested were pretty good for the money.

Total cost:

4 x new 19" non-RFT tyres, including mobile fitting £547
1 x BMW space saver spare kit (includes jack, carrybag, mat and glove) £235

If you search around for a thread with 'OMG' in the title you'll find pictures of the above.

[kend]

Originally Posted by mgarvey

1 x BMW space saver spare kit (includes jack, carrybag, mat and glove) £235

Do you have a BMW part number for the space saver kit
TIA

[tmarshall57]

I swapped all 4 RFTs for Falkens as soon as they were worn. I also had a bubble on the outer offside front and bad wear on the outside edge of both fronts. BMW wanted nothing to do with either fault other than sell me a KDS and 4 new tyres. I had a Hunter suspension setup done for around £60 (including adjustments) which showed nothing too untoward with the front toe-in or camber but some mods required to the rear.

I have a 12v compressor pump, 2 tins of puncture seal (Holts tyreweld I think - usually on offer at Tescos) and also a tyre plugger kit from Stop n Go - the second product listed here

http://www.stopngo.com/automotive.asp#tireplugger

I've used this plugger a couple of times and it really does the job as long as you follow the instructions carefully.

I've always checked the tyre pressures regularly and can safely say that the Falkens are wearing far better than the RFTs, the ride is more comfortable and the demand on the wallet is more acceptable.

I purchased the Falkens from Camskill and took them to a local fitter who charged me £10 each for fitting, new valve, balance and disposal.

[penport]

Like many others I too have ditched the RFs - for Conti Sport Contacts - makes a massive and I mean Massive difference to ride quality without degrading handling.
Bought spacesaver off eBay along with jack.
Total cost around £750.
Oh and don't forget to tell your insurance company just to be sure (plenty of posts on this subject too)

[tmarshall57]

Originally Posted by penport

Oh and don't forget to tell your insurance company just to be sure (plenty of posts on this subject too)

Yes - I rang my insurers (Privilege) and told them I planned to change from standard RFTs to non RFTs. The girl said - Oh thats fine. There will be no additional charge - I'll put that down as a tyre upgrade!

[mgarvey]

Originally Posted by kend

Do you have a BMW part number for the space saver kit
TIA

Actually I don't without digging out the receipt, which I think is still in the car somewhere. I'm not sure you'll need it though - I just rang my local dealer and asked for a spare wheel for an E93 and they knew exactly what I meant (and could get it same day).

Clearly this is becoming a popular option!

[MERLIN335i]

Originally Posted by kend

Do you have a BMW part number for the space saver kit
TIA

Hi,

Info you asked for:

36 11 2 159 860 Normal Retail = £235.40 + VAT

[kend]

Originally Posted by MERLIN335i

Hi,

Info you asked for:

36 11 2 159 860 Normal Retail = £235.40 + VAT

Many Thanks