Newbie questions

[firebobby]

I have a few questions about my new car.
My car has run flat tyres, the fronts are nearly new, but the rears are getting towards the limit. I read how others have removed the run flats and fitted standard tyres.
Is there that much difference between RF's and Normal tyres in the ride/drive of these cars.
Can I mix them, 2 RF's and 2 normal, I need 2 new tyres, so do I start to change them now, would that be legal?? Do I stay with RF's ?? My car is not a daily driver.

It's an auto, how many gears does the auto box have ??

Cup holders.. do they have 2 as only my drivers side pops out, the passenger side won't.

Cheers for any replies

 

[paulgs1000]

Hi firebobby - I replaced my rear tyres for non runflats and left runflats on the front for some months and it was ok (on my 2.0 litre). Non runflats will make a noticeable difference to the ride and reduce tram-lining and steering pull on bad surfaces. I'm certain others would advise you to change all 4 though. Differences on a single axle is a no no. You could replace your fronts as well and sell the runflats if they are nearly new.

Can't help you with the other questions sorry.

 

[Bing]

Gears on the auto (and manual) depends if it is pre (up to 2005) or post (2006 on) facelift. Pre has 5 gears, post has 6. Unless you have a 2.0 and then I have no idea.

Cup holders fitted when new would come as a pair - perhaps a previous owner only retro-fitted the driver side. If the passenger side has no little cup holder symbol on it then it isn't there. If it does it must be broken.

 

[firebobby]

Hi firebobby - I replaced my rear tyres for non runflats and left runflats on the front for some months and it was ok (on my 2.0 litre). Non runflats will make a noticeable difference to the ride and reduce tram-lining and steering pull on bad surfaces. I'm certain others would advise you to change all 4 though. Differences on a single axle is a no no. You could replace your fronts as well and sell the runflats if they are nearly new.

Can't help you with the other questions sorry.

Thanks, I must say, it does tram line a bit, so I think I will replace the worn rears for non runflats then, I will keep axle sets the same.

 

[firebobby]

Gears on the auto (and manual) depends if it is pre (up to 2005) or post (2006 on) facelift. Pre has 5 gears, post has 6. Unless you have a 2.0 and then I have no idea.

Cup holders fitted when new would come as a pair - perhaps a previous owner only retro-fitted the driver side. If the passenger side has no little cup holder symbol on it then it isn't there. If it does it must be broken.

Thanks, mine is a 3.0 2003 so a 5 speed then, the panel on the passenger side cup holder doesn't have the symbol, so it's not fitted then. Seems a bit stingy of BMW to have fitted 2 really.

 

[csl1973]

I've just changed my rears for non rfts while retaining the fronts rfts. The rears are still bridgestones but I must admit that I need to wear the fronts out quickly. The rears are so much better and it feels more comfortable than the harder ones they replaced. My auto is a 6 speed box and is very good. As for the cup holders, the mechanism that moves them could be jammed shut or something has broken off inside. Hope you have successfully remove it.

 

[firebobby]

I've just changed my rears for non rfts while retaining the fronts rfts. The rears are still bridgestones but I must admit that I need to wear the fronts out quickly. The rears are so much better and it feels more comfortable than the harder ones they replaced. My auto is a 6 speed box and is very good. As for the cup holders, the mechanism that moves them could be jammed shut or something has broken off inside. Hope you have successfully remove it.

Cheers, Defo will be going for non RF's then, what year is your car ?? ref the auto box.
The passenger side holder panel doesn't have a logo on it, so appears that there isn't one behind it, but the panel does move ??

 

[csl1973]

I've just changed my rears for non rfts while retaining the fronts rfts. The rears are still bridgestones but I must admit that I need to wear the fronts out quickly. The rears are so much better and it feels more comfortable than the harder ones they replaced. My auto is a 6 speed box and is very good. As for the cup holders, the mechanism that moves them could be jammed shut or something has broken off inside. Hope you have successfully remove it.

Cheers, Defo will be going for non RF's then, what year is your car ?? ref the auto box.
The passenger side holder panel doesn't have a logo on it, so appears that there isn't one behind it, but the panel does move ??

The panel could be just a trim piece. They will clip out. Mine is a 2006 coupe matey.