Run Flat Tyres.
Discussion
Mate of mine (and the enemy, come to that) has a Mini Cooper with fun flat tyres. A simple puncture etc, results in a new tyre...really expensive. Plus the hard ride etc. So, the question is, can you have them replaced with normal tyres? My mate took his into an independent retailer, and they told him it was against the law to replace a run flat with a normal one...Is this true?
Cheers.
Cheers.
I was wondering the same thing - those on the BMW forum may have more experience of this.
I'd imagine it is bad practice to replace only one tyre as this could affect handling, grip and steering, but I see no reason to not allow the replacement of all 4.
The drawback is that such cars will not be fitted (or maybe have space for) a spare tyre. A can of foam isn't always going to get you home if the tyre is very badly damaged....but then again a run-flat probably won't either.
I'd imagine it is bad practice to replace only one tyre as this could affect handling, grip and steering, but I see no reason to not allow the replacement of all 4.
The drawback is that such cars will not be fitted (or maybe have space for) a spare tyre. A can of foam isn't always going to get you home if the tyre is very badly damaged....but then again a run-flat probably won't either.
it is perfectly legal and I did just that with my Cooper. The ride and handling were improved (run flats are VERY heavy) and the wet weather grip was far superior.
BMW don't like doing it, but a tyre centre will do it. Run flats are b**gers to come off though.
(there is no requirement for a spare tyre in the MoT)
BMW don't like doing it, but a tyre centre will do it. Run flats are b**gers to come off though.
(there is no requirement for a spare tyre in the MoT)
tuscan_thunder said:
it is perfectly legal and I did just that with my Cooper. The ride and handling were improved (run flats are VERY heavy) and the wet weather grip was far superior.
BMW don't like doing it, but a tyre centre will do it. Run flats are b**gers to come off though.
(there is no requirement for a spare tyre in the MoT)
BMW don't like doing it, but a tyre centre will do it. Run flats are b**gers to come off though.
(there is no requirement for a spare tyre in the MoT)
Thanks for that....Didn't know that about the spare tyre...Thought it was a requirement.
Thanks again.
chilli said:
tuscan_thunder said:
it is perfectly legal and I did just that with my Cooper. The ride and handling were improved (run flats are VERY heavy) and the wet weather grip was far superior.
BMW don't like doing it, but a tyre centre will do it. Run flats are b**gers to come off though.
(there is no requirement for a spare tyre in the MoT)
BMW don't like doing it, but a tyre centre will do it. Run flats are b**gers to come off though.
(there is no requirement for a spare tyre in the MoT)
Thanks for that....Didn't know that about the spare tyre...Thought it was a requirement.
Thanks again.
No its not required but it must be legal if it's in the car...
Merritt said:
No its not required but it must be legal if it's in the car...
The spare isn't a testable item, whether there is a spare in the car or not. If it was ever to be, the question would be "What is the difference between a spare tyre and a tyre that somebody happens to have in their boot?".
When it is fitted and used on the road, then obviously it must be legal.
Edited by g_attrill on Wednesday 23 August 17:38
g_attrill said:
Merritt said:
No its not required but it must be legal if it's in the car...
The spare isn't a testable item, whether there is a spare in the car or not. If it was ever to be, the question would be "What is the difference between a spare tyre and a tyre that somebody happens to have in their boot?".
When it is fitted and used on the road, then obviously it must be legal.
Edited by g_attrill on Wednesday 23 August 17:38
And another thing.. when my Ultima left me stranded by the side of the road with an electrical fault, the AA refused to come out to me because my car did not have a spare tire.
Why was this and how does the AA deal with this now when they get service calls to MINI's ?
It's simply amazing, the utter boll
x that garages and BMW spout about run flats.
Factoid #1. You can buy a MINI with normal tyres, and guess what, they have the same wheel options. Tell that to the grease monkey who says "oooh, you can't put normal tyres on 'run flat wheels' "
Factoid #2. The puncture sensor is not on the wheel, but connected to the ABS system in the brakes. Tell that to the grease monkey who says "you can't put normal tyres on, it will mess with the puncture sensors"
Factoid #3. The BMW customer service guy who came out to replace my MINI battery had a 5 series touring filled with tools. He hated run flats and removed them from his company car ASAP.
You'll have to ring around to find a willing garage, but they are out there. Once you get those rubbish tyres off the MINI, just buy the puncture kit from BMW. Compressor + gunk is about £30, the difference in cost of run flats and normal tyres can be as much as £80!!!
p.s. on the "will a recovery company come" thing. I think as long as you have a "puncture solution" (ie spare or tyre gunk) they have to come.
x that garages and BMW spout about run flats. Factoid #1. You can buy a MINI with normal tyres, and guess what, they have the same wheel options. Tell that to the grease monkey who says "oooh, you can't put normal tyres on 'run flat wheels' "
Factoid #2. The puncture sensor is not on the wheel, but connected to the ABS system in the brakes. Tell that to the grease monkey who says "you can't put normal tyres on, it will mess with the puncture sensors"
Factoid #3. The BMW customer service guy who came out to replace my MINI battery had a 5 series touring filled with tools. He hated run flats and removed them from his company car ASAP.
You'll have to ring around to find a willing garage, but they are out there. Once you get those rubbish tyres off the MINI, just buy the puncture kit from BMW. Compressor + gunk is about £30, the difference in cost of run flats and normal tyres can be as much as £80!!!
p.s. on the "will a recovery company come" thing. I think as long as you have a "puncture solution" (ie spare or tyre gunk) they have to come.
Surely they didn't try that as an excuse?Run flats 
Had first MOT on Cooper S last week - set me back just over £150 for a new tyre. I was not a happy girl.
Next time I need a new tyre I'll be going for non-runflats, can of gunk in the boot, job's a good un. At least you can have non-funflats repaired, and even to replace the entire tyre it's half the price of a runflat.
Had first MOT on Cooper S last week - set me back just over £150 for a new tyre. I was not a happy girl.
Next time I need a new tyre I'll be going for non-runflats, can of gunk in the boot, job's a good un. At least you can have non-funflats repaired, and even to replace the entire tyre it's half the price of a runflat.
tuscan_thunder said:
it is perfectly legal and I did just that with my Cooper. The ride and handling were improved (run flats are VERY heavy) and the wet weather grip was far superior.
BMW don't like doing it, but a tyre centre will do it. Run flats are b**gers to come off though.
(there is no requirement for a spare tyre in the MoT)
BMW don't like doing it, but a tyre centre will do it. Run flats are b**gers to come off though.
(there is no requirement for a spare tyre in the MoT)
Wet weather grip on mine is pants
I run a garage in Plymouth and we cater for all the tyre work for the local BMW main dealer.
The BMW Mini, the 1 Series, the E60 5 series and the Z4 were all developed in conjunction with the run flat tyre - this doesn't make them a good option, more likely an option you feel the need to return to the dealer to have your tyre work executed, anyone remember the 5 and 6 series fitted with metric tyres about 20 years ago??
All the above run flat wheels WILL work with conventional tyres most of the time offering a great improvement in driver feel and ride quality, let alone the cost and availabilty gain.
Only the Mini One has conventional tyres fitted at present in a 175/65x15 format (an exclusive size in itself)
Any runflat tyre although it will 'run flat' cannot be repaired due to it's construction therefore a foreign object results in a new tyre every time, these on average cost 25% more and availability is a real pain.
We have presently 9 vehicles currently waiting on new Bridgestone/Continental runflats in exlcusive sizes that the manufacturer cannot provide for to date.
They weigh roughly 50% more and are very tight to fit due to sidewall stiffness (the SST or Self Supporting Tyre) so take it to someone inexperienced and prepare to wait for your new wheel to arrive!
If the runflats are so great why has the new Z4M been the only one in the model range fitted with conventional tyres? Because they couldn't get the balance right!!!
Corin
The BMW Mini, the 1 Series, the E60 5 series and the Z4 were all developed in conjunction with the run flat tyre - this doesn't make them a good option, more likely an option you feel the need to return to the dealer to have your tyre work executed, anyone remember the 5 and 6 series fitted with metric tyres about 20 years ago??
All the above run flat wheels WILL work with conventional tyres most of the time offering a great improvement in driver feel and ride quality, let alone the cost and availabilty gain.
Only the Mini One has conventional tyres fitted at present in a 175/65x15 format (an exclusive size in itself)
Any runflat tyre although it will 'run flat' cannot be repaired due to it's construction therefore a foreign object results in a new tyre every time, these on average cost 25% more and availability is a real pain.
We have presently 9 vehicles currently waiting on new Bridgestone/Continental runflats in exlcusive sizes that the manufacturer cannot provide for to date.
They weigh roughly 50% more and are very tight to fit due to sidewall stiffness (the SST or Self Supporting Tyre) so take it to someone inexperienced and prepare to wait for your new wheel to arrive!
If the runflats are so great why has the new Z4M been the only one in the model range fitted with conventional tyres? Because they couldn't get the balance right!!!
Corin
Raify said:
It's simply amazing, the utter bollx that garages and BMW spout about run flats.
Factoid #1. You can buy a MINI with normal tyres, and guess what, they have the same wheel options. Tell that to the grease monkey who says "oooh, you can't put normal tyres on 'run flat wheels' "
Factoid #2. The puncture sensor is not on the wheel, but connected to the ABS system in the brakes. Tell that to the grease monkey who says "you can't put normal tyres on, it will mess with the puncture sensors"
Factoid #3. The BMW customer service guy who came out to replace my MINI battery had a 5 series touring filled with tools. He hated run flats and removed them from his company car ASAP.
You'll have to ring around to find a willing garage, but they are out there. Once you get those rubbish tyres off the MINI, just buy the puncture kit from BMW. Compressor + gunk is about £30, the difference in cost of run flats and normal tyres can be as much as £80!!!
p.s. on the "will a recovery company come" thing. I think as long as you have a "puncture solution" (ie spare or tyre gunk) they have to come.
x that garages and BMW spout about run flats. Factoid #1. You can buy a MINI with normal tyres, and guess what, they have the same wheel options. Tell that to the grease monkey who says "oooh, you can't put normal tyres on 'run flat wheels' "
Factoid #2. The puncture sensor is not on the wheel, but connected to the ABS system in the brakes. Tell that to the grease monkey who says "you can't put normal tyres on, it will mess with the puncture sensors"
Factoid #3. The BMW customer service guy who came out to replace my MINI battery had a 5 series touring filled with tools. He hated run flats and removed them from his company car ASAP.
You'll have to ring around to find a willing garage, but they are out there. Once you get those rubbish tyres off the MINI, just buy the puncture kit from BMW. Compressor + gunk is about £30, the difference in cost of run flats and normal tyres can be as much as £80!!!
p.s. on the "will a recovery company come" thing. I think as long as you have a "puncture solution" (ie spare or tyre gunk) they have to come.
Good post.....Thanks v much.
Moiraf said:
I'm about to buy a new (to me) 57 plate mini, the seller says they can change the 17 inch run flats for 15 inch normal wheels from another Mini in stock. While I'd prefer normal to run flats, would they work without any problems given the different size?
Yeah, the car will drive about a thousand times better on the 15s.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff