Is this mechanic being truthful?

Justintime

Justintime

Justintime

Soldato
Joined
24 Jul 2006
Posts
8,876
Location
Hoddesdon, London, UK
Had my motor serviced at a local BMW approved garage.. asked him about replacing the runflats i have with standard tyres. His response was basically it would'nt work as the computer and suspension had to be changed.. am i being thick or hasn't a lot of people done this without any major hubhub? My motor is a 2006 320D SE, tyres are 205/55/R16. If this is no issue, any recommendations on tyres?
 
The suspension will have been designed and set up to use run-flat tyres, so it may not work optimally if you swap - I dont think you would notice though!

It will be a net gain in handling/comfort.
 
Justintime said:
Had my motor serviced at a local BMW approved garage.. asked him about replacing the runflats i have with standard tyres. His response was basically it would'nt work as the computer and suspension had to be changed.. am i being thick or hasn't a lot of people done this without any major hubhub? My motor is a 2006 320D SE, tyres are 205/55/R16. If this is no issue, any recommendations on tyres?
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Just change them for four decent normal tyres mate, you wont have any problems.
 
You may need to consider that your insurance company may not pay out in the event of any incident where an undisclosed modification is discovered.

I would do some research if i were you.
 
I replaced the runflats on my old Z4 with standard tyres for a while out of interest. The only noticeable change was a better ride and a worry that I might get a puncture without a spare. ;) He's doing a MikeHiow and talking out of his rear end.
 
Cheers, looking at goodyear eagle F1 Assymetrics to replace the Kumho runflats currently on.. any good? Reviews look ok apart from wear rate which honestly dosen't bother me. Found a tyre fitter locally via the black circles website, gonna call them directly tomorrow and see what they say. Just need a quiet tyre with less of a crashy ride than the runflats. Need asap as the rears are bordering on illegal (1.7mm), my bad, been so busy with other stuff lately it totally slipped me, brake pads need doing too at 80% worn :o
 
Justintime said:
Had my motor serviced at a local BMW approved garage.. asked him about replacing the runflats i have with standard tyres. His response was basically it would'nt work as the computer and suspension had to be changed.. am i being thick or hasn't a lot of people done this without any major hubhub? My motor is a 2006 320D SE, tyres are 205/55/R16. If this is no issue, any recommendations on tyres?
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he's spouting BS mate

dont worry about it and ignore :D
 
Isn't it only if you change size or speed rating? I don't think just changing brands matters. Even in the former cases, I doubt anyone really mentions such things.
 
Actually, he's not. It is true that if the car is spec'd with runflats, then the suspension is a different setup to non runflats. Certainly this is the case with BMW, don't know about other manufacturers.

However, the point remains, non RFTs will result in a netgain in comfort, cost and more than likely, handling.

Also, Tyres are considered a modification when changing from RFTs to non RFTs and *really* you should be telling your insurance. However, I have only ever seen one case of an insurer not paying out because the tyres were not the manufacturers spec. :confused:
 
Lucero said:
Actually, he's not. It is true that if the car is spec'd with runflats, then the suspension is a different setup to non runflats. Certainly this is the case with BMW, don't know about other manufacturers.
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I'm not so sure this is the case. Certainly in the case of suspension dampers the part number for an E60 LCI M Sport is identical irrespective of whether it has 18's (And thus RFT's) or 19's (And thus no RFT's).
 
Regarding the Insurance thing, it is highly doubtful but the sceptic in me believes that it is only a matter of time before insurance companies start messing around when not standard tyres are fitted.

It stands to reason - Ditchfinders are more likely to cause an accident than having a bodykit, drain pipe exhaust or bling bling alloy wheels, yet they'll try and wiggle out of a claim/increase the premium if declared on those mods but ignore the fact that it has tyres fitted which have less engineering put into the rubber than Nike puts into their latest pair of trainers.
 
Joshy said:
Regarding the Insurance thing, it is highly doubtful but the sceptic in me believes that it is only a matter of time before insurance companies start messing around when not standard tyres are fitted.
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Standard? As in the tyre that was fitted when sold by the dealer? Which tyre was that, can you prove it and what happens when that tyre is no longer in production.

There are however standards to which tyres sold in this country must comply - I am fairly sure as it would not be road legal insurance wouldn't pay out (if you even able to find such a tyre).

What you are saying is the standard needs re-thinking or another organisation needs to re-certify every tyre on the market, for every car. Big job.
 
[TW]Fox;17763733 said:
I'm not so sure this is the case. Certainly in the case of suspension dampers the part number for an E60 LCI M Sport is identical irrespective of whether it has 18's (And thus RFT's) or 19's (And thus no RFT's).
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I can't see to find on RealOEM where you can specify the vehicle has RFTs or not to check, but AFAIK, it is only the camber / toe / castor adjustments which are modded
 
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