Rich Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 Are the tyres on these when the cars are new runflat or normal? I've never experienced runflat tyres before but how does this car handle on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 Too my knowledge all BMW's are on the RFT apart from the M series. The handling is fair on the X1 although the tyres do tramline and are rather noisy, oh and they cost the earth as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 Could they be changed to normal tyres, would the difference be noticeable? I assume the ride would be softer? Noise I can live with but I hate tramlining! Is it bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 1, 2018 Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 Yes they can have normal tyres despite what BMW says.. The ride will be much softer with much less tramlining, if any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 So the handling isn't affected between the runflat and normal tyres, just the comfort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted March 1, 2018 Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 Next car then Rich? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 1, 2018 Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 Effects both handling and comfort, oh and price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickT Posted March 1, 2018 Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 Consider informing the car insurance company if you were to change from run flats to normal as they'll use any excuse to refuse payout. Some even charge extra to use winter tyres. I hate insurance companies at the best of times.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 1, 2018 Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 Normal tyres have the same load/ speed rating as RFT's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 Is it quite a harsh ride on runflat tyres, similar to a car being on coilovers or not as bad as that? I'll be testing one anyway so will find out myself but with the bigger profile tyres on an SUV that should cushion the ride a little I think compared to low profile runflats? If normal tyres were used that would mean ditch-finders could be fitted as they're likely to be available in that size? But with a runflat there is probably only a couple of tyres available and they'd be premium ones? If you had a choice between the 2 and ignoring the cost what would you go for? Next car then Rich? It's just something we're looking into ATM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 1, 2018 Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 Top of the range normal tyres will still be cheaper than any RFT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 Yes but ignoring the cost, if money was no object what would you go for? Obviously the only benefit of RFT are not having to change it for a spare if it's needed. How available are the RFT too, I've read a couple of posts saying they're not always available off the shelf and there's a wait? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 1, 2018 Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 We have no problems getting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2018 You still haven't answered though, given a choice what would you go for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 2, 2018 Report Share Posted March 2, 2018 RFT or normal and what's the size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 I think they're 225/50/18. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 3, 2018 Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 What make are you looking for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 I'm not looking for any make, they'll come with whatever BMW supplies. I just want your opinion on what tyres you would get, the runflats or normal? I've just driven the car anyway and there is quite a bit of noise from the runflats plus they are a little hard so based on that I would go for normal tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 3, 2018 Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 Best check the makes on the web-site. Only tyres we stock or can get are listed there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 I don't think you understand me Tony. I don't want to know about the makes just which is the better tyre to go for, runflat or normal. After today's test drive though the only advantage I can see for getting runflats is if the tyre blows or gets a puncture. Although I've not driven the car on normal tyres I'm getting the vibe that the comfort and noise is better with them from what I've read online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 4, 2018 Report Share Posted March 4, 2018 Normal tyres without a doubt are better... Most stick with the same make but not RFT's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2018 Although it was only a short test drive as soon as the car started to pick up speed I think the road noise was the most annoying thing. I could probably live with the hard ride if it was just me using the car but on very long journeys I can see it getting tiresome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 4, 2018 Report Share Posted March 4, 2018 On some of the RFT's they are lining the insides with foam in the hope it reduces the harmonics. Downside is they stick to a gel inside the tyre adding yet more weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 Test drove one without the runflats earlier and the difference in road noise is night and day! With the runflats once you hit 30-35mph+ there is a constant droning! On the normal tyres it's more or less disappeared. The tyres were Bridgestone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 7, 2018 Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 Told ya ..... Now you know why some RFT's have foam around the inside? It's a desperate attempt to cut down the harmonics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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