My 635d BMW requires a couple of big run-flat tyres on the rear (MOT is due next month), sized 275x35x19. I've got Goodyear on at the moment which have lasted 22k miles. Looking on the discount tyre sites, a budget one fitted starts at £160, an intermediate around £195 and a premium one (Michelin) £250 each. I don't like runflats as they're pretty noisy and don't handle like normal tyres - has anyone swapped over and stuck either a spare wheel or puncture repair kit/compressor in the boot? A premium non-run-flat would be around £150.
You could buy a complete car (to my spec) for that kind of dosh Yeah, ditch the run-flats and buy a tin of gunk and compressor
Bought a few years ago with 50k miles when I thought I'd retired (and someone else had to suffer a £45k depreciation loss from new). Get pensioner rate insurance these days, which helps - £340 fully comp which includes business use It's daunting to think the big lump could outlast me........
Wish I could get 22k miles out of a tyre, don’t think I’ve come close on any of my motorised transport ...... ever ! Ditch the run flats, expensive gimmick that don’t run flat if the puncture is anything bigger then a small nail. Space saver if you can’t fit a full size wheel rim in the boot is fine. Andy
Yeah I ditched the RF's on my 1 series, just make sure you go for a tyre with a stiff wall rating otherwise the handling can wallow a bit apparently? And I would be replacing all 4 together if your switching away from RF's. Also Notify your insurance company as you are fitting none manufacturer OE spec tyres to your car, mine didn't care. There is a certain convenience with RF's, had a puncture a while back and no drama's, just a pressure warning on the dash, slowed down (a bit) and carried on. Next day checked it and sure enough a puncture, drove off to the tyre place and as both rears were pretty worn out it was cheaper to replace all 4 with non RF's than it was just to replace 2 rears. chucked a can of tyre gunk in the boot and all good. I would recommend joining a rescue service though. Handling did feel smoother and quieter but didn't keep it long afterwards as chopped it in for a 4 series which has 19" RF's on it, will probable swap them when they are done though, although the mrs might prefer to keep them for the safety and convenience of the carry on ability?
The 6-series is the only acceptable form of BMW so i think you should get whatever tyres make you happy, Ron. Other types of BMW should be fitted with wheel clamps as standard.
I moved from RF Contis to non RF Pirelli P Zeros on my last BMW (an X3). Huge improvement in ride and comfort. Had a tin of blow up in the boot. My current 5 touring came on RFs and I’ll definitely consider a swap away when I can. Although I have to admit, the Goodyear Aysemetric 3 RFs on it (275/30/R19s) are quite acceptable. How much of that is tyre, hoe much is suspension tuning, I can’t say?
I try to use the indicators Loz, but something inside keeps telling me "Fuck it - just change lane you moron"
A mate of mine has a BMW with run flat tires, he had a puncture and couldn't find a spare anywhere on the car so called the AA, three hour wait for a recovery vehicle late at night, next morning with the car at home he rang the dealers to complain there wasn't a spare wheel only to be told it had run flat tires, very embarrassed he was, I've not let him forget it. Steve
Just been looking for a space-saver on Flea-Bay - can't see any listed for a 6 series with 19" rims, so I'll check the Bummer - sorry, Bimmer Forums
Very glad I came across this thread as I was about the post the same question. Just picked up a 535i 3.0 M Sport and it's currently on run-flats. I've never had them before and really don't like them. Think I'll be junking them for normal tyres as soon as I need to replace any of them.
Some of you subscribers I suspect, are Premium subscribers that have the Halfords cards. They still do tyres so its always worth getting an online price to (1) see if they are cheaper or (2) use their price to beat others down with
Good shout. These guys are also pretty good on price and deliver pretty quickly: https://www.blackcircles.com/. Never had car tyres from them to be fair, but great for bikes. I think they can also organise delivery to a fitting shop, then you just rock up.
