Getting rid of runflats

[Tonymeister]

Hi all, as with most E89s mine came with runflats on. General consensus in these knowledgeable parts is that the ride is significantly improved by moving over to standard tyres so that's my plan once these die.

My question is, since there's no spare, what are you lot on standard tyres doing to safeguard against punctures? Any tricks/things to know, or will you simply rely on your breakdown service?

 

[brillomaster]

12v tyre inflator in the boot. In the very rare occasion i have had a puncture, its usually not so bad that it can't be fixed temporarily by simply reinflating the tyre, and checking the pressure every half an hour or so.

if that fails, then i have breakdown cover.

 

[Chippie]

Same here 12v inflator, I also have a couple of cans of “tyre weld”, used the inflator a couple of times but that it.

 

[Zforbes]

General consensus in these knowledgeable parts is that the ride is significantly improved

I wouldn't expect ride quality to be massively different especially if you're running 19” rims, it’s the amount of grip that I noticed most.

I bought one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Slime-CRK0305-Smart-Tyre-Repair/dp/B003QHY000/ref=pd_sbs_4/260-8079190-5752732?pd_rd_w=Bbend&pf_rd_p=a3a7088f-4aec-4dbd-97cc-9a059581fe7b&pf_rd_r=8YGJS447873T5WD5CXC4&pd_rd_r=a5b814ac-a4e5-4a1b-9a03-025c43808e00&pd_rd_wg=9W4YH&pd_rd_i=B003QHY000&psc=1

its hidden behind the passenger seat, careful not to squash it though.

Don't really know how good it is but I have AA membership anyway

 

[Tonymeister]

Thanks all. I think I am running the 19" wheels (same as your profile pic by the looks of it). So you think a negligible difference in ride quality? I was quite shocked to discover how 'crashy' mine was when I picked it up.

 

[enuff_zed]

Admittedly I have 18" wheels, but for me the ride quality was a huge improvement, from standard runflats onto GY Assy 5s.
Definitely NOT a negligible change.

 

[Vornwend]

Worth checking that your breakdown provider will cover you for a tyre failure if you don't carry a spare - many don't

 

[Zforbes]

Thanks all. I think I am running the 19" wheels (same as your profile pic by the looks of it). So you think a negligible difference in ride quality? I was quite shocked to discover how 'crashy' mine was when I picked it up.

The difference over the bumps on 19" rims is minimal, the handling and just how the car drives is the benefit IMO.

Depends what you mean by crashy, I'd say firm but positive on mine, maybe a suspension related issue?

 

[biZ4rreMids]

Tread depth makes a big difference too. When I took my Z for a test drive at the Dealers it was very crashy, running over cats eyes caused the car to lurch and the bang was quite an alarming experience, the tread depth on the rear runflats was approximately 3mm. When I picked the car up the Dealer had fitted brand new runflats and the ride was much improved although I’d booked the car into kwikfit the same day for a set of Goodyear non runflats which has made further improvements to the ride. I also increased the profile on the rears from 30 to 35. My wife finds sitting in the passenger seat a much more comfortable experience now compared to that earlier test drive.

 

[wiseguy]

Runflats saved my bacon last month. I hit a highway pothole and damaged both left tires in the middle of nowhere.I managed to limp into a tire store 35 Miles away with both left tires deflated. Even having 1 spare would have left me stranded. I think I’ll keep buying run flats. I tried regular tires last time and the ride quality was only marginally better. Check out Firestone runflats. They don’t ride as rough as other brands I’ve used.

 

[Southwestz4]

I ditched the run flats ( 18") and fitted Michelin pilot 4s and bought a Airman compressor/slime kit ...if that doesn't work I would be on the phone to the AA !

 

[Zforbes]

it was very crashy, running over cats eyes

Now you mentioned cats eyes you've got me thinking, probably is less severe on non RFT's. I've learned to avoid them so hadn't picked up on that over the last 6 weeks or so since I've had them changed

 

[flybobbie]

7 years ago i bought a spacer saver and been in the boot since.
Never needed it once in that time, car used daily for work.
Should i leave it out.

Or is that tempting fate.

 

[304frp]

I changed to conti sport 6 after nearly convincing myself it was ridiculous on anything but a moth surface. They transformed the ride massively, quite comfortable now on the standard 19s

 

[304frp]

Should read ‘smooth’ not bloody moth !!!!

 

[ronk]

It's worth noting that once the gloop is used - the tyre cannot be repaired.
My local tyre bod told me this - he is old school and happily repairs run -flats if asked so its not a money grabbing scam.

 

[Mr Tidy]

No personal experience to be fair, but I'm sure I read somewhere that Holts Tyre-Weld could be cleaned out without any issues.

Interesting point about the cats-eyes though. Both of my 3.0Sis were on 18" Bridgestone Potenza run-flats and were way more crashy than my MC on 19" MPSS. But it's even better now on 18s.

I went on a driving trip to Wales in May with a mate and did full belt and braces because we wanted to avoid a show-stopper! So full size 18" spare with jack and torque wrench, Tyre-weld and compressor - plus RAC card as a last resort!

Boot space was a bit limted though. :roll:

A space-saver is an option but if you need to use it you'll need to find space for a full size wheel, and still be limited to 50mph for a limited distance the same as on a punctured run-flat.

 

[Zforbes]

It's worth noting that once the gloop is used - the tyre cannot be repaired.
My local tyre bod told me this - he is old school and happily repairs run -flats if asked so its not a money grabbing scam.

The only issue with repairing runflats AFAIK is when the run with no pressure, the side wall shread rubber in the inside, other than that they should be repairable

 

[warmasice]

Tread depth makes a big difference too. When I took my Z for a test drive at the Dealers it was very crashy, running over cats eyes caused the car to lurch and the bang was quite an alarming experience, the tread depth on the rear runflats was approximately 3mm. When I picked the car up the Dealer had fitted brand new runflats and the ride was much improved although I’d booked the car into kwikfit the same day for a set of Goodyear non runflats which has made further improvements to the ride. I also increased the profile on the rears from 30 to 35. My wife finds sitting in the passenger seat a much more comfortable experience now compared to that earlier test drive.

I agree with this too.. tread depth makes a hugee difference on RFTs.

 

[Zed Baron]

Just out of interest what tyres are on the G29? I've read (but correct me if I'm wrong) that the the M40i doesn't have runflats... are BMW finally listening?