About to ditch runflats - couple of questions

C

Caroline

Member
Hello

I've just got myself Falken 452's for my Z4C and am hoping to get them fitted very soon. I have a few questions though and wondered if those people who have already ditched their RFT's can help me out (I'm UK based);

Do I need to inform my insurance company? If so, can anyone tell my by how much their premiums changed?
Will BMW Assist still cover me if I should have some kind of tyre failure? (The car is an 07 plate - so still covered for over a year)
I don't want to carry a spare wheel - so what's the best kind of tyre gunk I can use to limp me home / to the nearest garage?

Thanks :)

Caroline
 
No need to inform insurance

As the tyres are not standard fitment they wouldn't cover it, its like asking them to cover a non genuine BMW part

I have some tyre foam stuff but never needed to use it therefore have no idea if it's 'good', if i could get away without using it i would as it wrecks the tyre and coats the rim

Disclaimer: to the best of my knowledge! :D
 
Thanks Rob - might have to get myself some additional recovery then! I assume that Assist will still come to my rescue if it's something other than tyres?

I'm just hoping that the improvement in the drive is worth all the hassle :driving:
 
Yes as long as the problem wasn’t the fault of the tyre you should be fine

Also yes it is most definitely worth it!
 
Welcome :)

I've informed my insurance company, as have many folk on here - insurance companies will use ANYTHING to avoid paying out in the event of a claim. Don't risk giving them ammunition by not telling them about the tyres. Mine couldn't care less about it but still put a note on my file, no charge.

I carry 2 cans of "Holt Tyre Weld" - never used it, could be crap for all I know, but I got 2 cans on ebay for £8 posted. Was the cheapest branded stuff I could find. But I've also got a jack and spce-saver wheel for longer trips away.

Ally
 
Picking up a BMW motability kit off Ebay is one route. Contains compressor and tyre weld all in one unit.
 
My VX220 came standard with a can of that TyreWeld, On the way back from the V Festival last year i got a nail in the tyre. I had to pull it out as it was bent 90 degrees. Luckily i was able to drive it home before it was flat as a pancake! The next day I attempted to use the Tyreweld so I could get into town to get it repaired or replaced. An hour later i was still there with the tyre still flat :x

I ended up calling RAC who arrived within 20 mins, stuck a tiny bung in it and off I went. The tyre was only a month old so I took it back to the same place that fitted it and they fixed it for free. The guy took the tyre off and showed me the inside of it, it looked like a bottle of tippex had been poured into it. He was able to wash it out and repair the tyre but said if it had been in there much longer the tyre would have been a write off.

The can was about 2 years old (i replaced the existing can with a new one when i first got the car) so maybe renewing it every year would give better results. But in my experience, not worth the hassle of even trying!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_560095_langId_-1_categoryId_165664 Tyreweld £10 + potentially a new tyre :thumbsdown:

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/breakdowncover/ £33 RAC Breakdown Cover :thumbsup:
 
Anyone used any of those 'in tyre' liquids that are immediately activated on contact with air - it would seem they'd also solve the problem with leaky valves and porous wheels?

Or how about a foam that is injected into a flat tyre from new fitting that expands and sets with the same flexibility as the tyre. Then even if you have a big gash or blowout, you'd still have the same structure to get you safely on your way - the tyre would be ruined anyway so who cares if it's covered in foam?
 
Nik - I'm paranoid enough to go for some type of tyre weld and breakdown cover :oops: I sometimes have to do a lot of miles for work, so want to make sure life is going to be as easy as possible should I have any problems.

mmm-five - I've been looking at Ultraseal as a potential option. I've read the manufacturer's blurb and now intend to find out more about it from people who actually use it.
 
Indeed, CJ - you're right. I've still got my Assist cover, but like Rob say's - they might tell me to take a hike (quite literally) if I call them out for a tyre related problem having removed the RFT's.
 
Caroline said:
Indeed, CJ - you're right. I've still got my Assist cover, but like Rob say's - they might tell me to take a hike (quite literally) if I call them out for a tyre related problem having removed the RFT's.
Click to expand...

I really would not worry too much about that. I run competition and off road Jeeps and rip half of the wheel off. So long as I can get it to the road and tell them I've not been off road, they happily recover me from Wales, or once Sweden... God bless the RAC...
 
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