Transition from runflats to non-runflats

DJMK4

DJMK4

DJMK4

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Joined
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Hi all,

I need to replace the rear tyres on my BMW 3 Series, they currently have runflats.

However I was only plannning on doing a rear change, I didnt realise you had to replace all 4 tyres when making the transition, my front tyres have around 5mm tread on, still loads left.

Is this the only way to make the transition? swap all 4?
 
Just to ensure that everyone has this, im making a transition from runflats to non-runflats

So was going to start by changing the two rear only to non-runflats, then use the rest of the runflats on the front and then change them out to non-run flats.
 
DJMK4 said:
Just to ensure that everyone has this, im making a transition from runflats to non-runflats

So was going to start by changing the two rear only to non-runflats, then use the rest of the runflats on the front and then change them out to non-run flats.
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That's what I'd do too.
 
Minstadave said:
That's what I'd do too.
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It's not what I would do or did. You end up with two pairs of tyres with very different properties which affect the handling and balance of the car. The 3 Series is particularly sensitive to mis matched tyres anyway, mixing rft and non rft amplifies this.

Do all 4 or stick with RFT.

4 tyres in the stock 16" size on a base 3 series are inexpensive anyway so no real reason not to.
 
Iv been told I shouldnt really do it this way, they should all be swapped at the same time.

Hence why I was asking :p


Well its an extra £115 that I was going to spend on servicing bits, but I guess your right. Found some good premium brands online, fitted or just delivered.


I guess I could try and sell these front runflat ones part worn locally for a couple of bucks, they still have a good 5-6mm on
 
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[TW]Fox;27923955 said:
It's not what I would do or did. You end up with two pairs of tyres with very different properties which affect the handling and balance of the car. The 3 Series is particularly sensitive to mis matched tyres anyway, mixing rft and non rft amplifies this.

Do all 4 or stick with RFT.

4 tyres in the stock 16" size on a base 3 series are inexpensive anyway so no real reason not to.
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I can't imagine it would be much more different than having mismatched non-runflats which is common place. Yes the sidewalls are stiffer, but are they so different it's going to throw you in a ditch?
 
Although its not reccomended, there are plenty of people who have done the same as me, rear wheels were low, wanted to transition, fitted NRF's on the back, and worn down the runflats on the front more for 4-5 months with no issues, and then swapped those out for NRF.
 
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Check with your insurers as they may not allow you to run different tyres as they need to be informed if you change. The side walls on non run flats are not as stiff as the RFT's. I changed all 4 at once and never regretted it.
 
Yeh I know the difference, although I wasnt planning on changing all 4 this month, I can only get two fitted really cost wise, I need to pay out a bit this month, and didnt want to waste perfectly good amount of tread on the fronts


If worst comes to worst ill just change them all and try and sell the fronts, they are good branded so shoud be ok, I wouldnt really care about making that much off them, but every little helps as they say. my insurance says nothing about tyre type
 
Minstadave said:
I can't imagine it would be much more different than having mismatched non-runflats which is common place. Yes the sidewalls are stiffer, but are they so different it's going to throw you in a ditch?
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When I used to hang around on BMW forums more often than I do now there used to be frequent posts on handling issues with 3 Series and it often turned out it was because they were running mismatched tyres.

It's probably not ditch finding behavior but frankly if you don't care how the car drives why not save a pile of money and purchase a VW Passat in the first place :p
 
Im buying 4 newbs, no biggy,

anyone want to buy two runflats :p

Ill even throw in a magic tree air scene device
 
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