Runflat delete - what do I need

[JGJG]

I'm putting traditional (non-runflat) winter tyres on my mum's car. It's usually equipped with runflats, so has no spare, no jack, no brace, etc.

What's the best course of action? Do I throw a summer wheel/tyre in the boot and find a jack and brace, or is there a reliable get-you-home-in-a-can option?

Many thanks!

[oldoakknives]

The can will work usually for small/slow punctures as a 'get you home' but should be assessed by a tyre specialist as soon as possible. Any large hole or cut won't seal and would be unsafe if it did risking sudden deflation.

Do the dealers list a spare option with a space saver and jack etc? Might be worth considering.

If not your option with the jack, brace and spare wheel wins.

I always take the spare wheel option on our cars and put a can of tyre sealant in the boot as well. Both options covered and would rather fit the spare in the worst case scenario and be on my way in 10 mins than wait for the breakdown service.

[MB2]

It depends if she will be changing the wheel I guess and is there room for a spare ? Defiantly a compressor just for putting some air in to drive to the puncture place.

Cans mean you can’t get the tyre repaired so I would avoid if you can. Well you can get them repaired but no one wants to clean the gunk out.


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[catch21]

If you buy a jack make sure it’s low enough to get under the jacking point when you have a flat, and not just when the tyres are fully inflated. Ask me how I know...

[Dave O'Sullivan]

I'm putting traditional (non-runflat) winter tyres on my mum's car. It's usually equipped with runflats, so has no spare, no jack, no brace, etc.

What's the best course of action? Do I throw a summer wheel/tyre in the boot and find a jack and brace, or is there a reliable get-you-home-in-a-can option?

Many thanks!

What car is it?

[Claret67]

I’ve got Protenza RFTs on my e93.
The ride is awful, just waiting to replace tyres with non RFTs.
Been advised to buy a e46 Space Saver + Jack.


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[JGJG]

What car is it?

E87 1 series

I’ve got Protenza RFTs on my e93.
The ride is awful, just waiting to replace tyres with non RFTs.
Been advised to buy a e46 Space Saver + Jack.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s good thinking about the spacesaver 🤔

[Claret67]

You may be able to source further information by approaching forums for 1 Series. Sorry don’t know any particular ones myself, but I’m on the facebook e93 forums, so u could take a look on facebook for 1 Series forums.


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[JGJG]

Thanks, it’s just a general view I’m after... whether a can of stuff is a good idea, or a full traditional spare setup, or whatever...

[rjwanderer22]

None of my cars, for the last 10 years, have had a spare wheel of any type..... I just carry the manufacturers tyre sealant & air pump...plus an extra bottle of "Slime", as recommended by Honest John..


https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/pa...2011-08/slime/

[FazerBoy]

Technically you should also inform your insurers, just to cover your butt in case they try and wriggle out of a claim citing non-standard tyres had been fitted...

[vagabond]

Ran my E92 on non-runflats for 2.5 years with just a couple of cans of tyre foam and a small 12v compressor in the boot. If your 1 series is anything like that, there will be no (dedicated) space under the boot floor for a jack+spare etc. Unless of course you're willing to sacrifice some boot space to house same.

[mart broad]

MB GLC with run flats and a compressor in the boot i bought a space saver + jack which as there is no space under the boot tray we keep in the back for longer journeys like when herself goes to London the thing weighs a ton but cuts down my BP hate that foam which is useless in a full blowout when the wall gets damaged.

[rjwanderer22]

Technically you should also inform your insurers, just to cover your butt in case they try and wriggle out of a claim citing non-standard tyres had been fitted...

Good point...and maybe check the vehicle handbook, they often indicate alternative tyre spec for winter driving.

[catch21]

I’ve an E91. The jack will fit under the boot base. The space saver can seem a pain, but mine took 4 adults away for Xmas for 3 nights with walking boots, coats, wellies, bags, bottles of wine and presents for our hosts and for each other, no problem and I could still see out of the back - easily.

[vagabond]

Technically you should also inform your insurers, just to cover your butt in case they try and wriggle out of a claim citing non-standard tyres had been fitted...

That's an interesting point (and I don't want to hijack the OP's thread) but they are not non-standard just not OEM? Wouldn't it be like, say, putting fully synth engine oil instead of semi-synth, which may have been the OEM option?

Where does it stop? If the OEM tyres where Michelins - would you have to forever fit them?

[ptcoll]

I bought a space saver tyre plus wrench plus jack for my wife’s Fiesta on eBay.
Loads of sellers doing this.

Pete

[FazerBoy]

That's an interesting point (and I don't want to hijack the OP's thread) but they are not non-standard just not OEM? Wouldn't it be like, say, putting fully synth engine oil instead of semi-synth, which may have been the OEM option?

Where does it stop? If the OEM tyres where Michelins - would you have to forever fit them?

Well, any reasonable person would tend to agree with you, but this is an insurance company we’re talking about, and they will always look for an excuse not to pay out...

Personally, I wouldn’t bother informing them if I simply got a different brand of tyre fitted, which was the same size and rating as the original fitment.

However, if I were swapping from run-flats to normal tyres I would definitely inform them, as run-flat tyres, with their appreciably stiffer sidewalls, have different handling characteristics to normal tyres, and the suspension is set up to work properly with run-flat tyres fitted.

Moreover, the BMW handbook may well state that non-runflats should not be fitted (although this is rubbish and your car will feel and handle better with normal tyres).

Therefore in this situation I would strongly recommend you advise your insurers or rather ask them whether they are happy with the proposed swap before you do it.

[Padders]

One of the biggest pluses (maybe only plus) of RFT tyres is the ability to drive to a safe place to change the tyre ie not on the hard shoulder of the M6 or during a snow storm. I consider the case for RFT to be stronger on a winter tyre than on a summer and the price isn't all that different. Do you really want your mom changing a tyre by the roadside? Personally I would get Winter RFTs, in fact I did.

ps Potenenza RE080 were a shockingly bad summer RFT, the newer S001 and better still Driveguard (available also as a winter tyre) are way, way more compliant.

pps as noted above the 'inflation can' options are often a waste of time and guarantee an unrepairable junked tyre.

[JGJG]

Thanks all. Good point on insurance, but the Association of British Insurers are very good on winter tyres and maintain a list of companies’ positions:

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-.../winter-tyres/

As can be seen, often motor insurers will not charge an additional premium when their insured customers use winter tyres, provided that they meet, and are fitted in accordance with, the vehicle manufacturers’ specifications and are in a roadworthy condition.

[Kingstepper]

Thanks all. Good point on insurance, but the Association of British Insurers are very good on winter tyres and maintain a list of companies’ positions:

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-.../winter-tyres/

Wasn't the point about run-flats vs. normal tyres not Winter tyres?

[JGJG]

Wasn't the point about run-flats vs. normal tyres not Winter tyres?

The key bit is “manufacturer’s specifications”, which will need checking regarding non-runflat, yes....

[doctorj]

If you buy a jack make sure it’s low enough to get under the jacking point when you have a flat, and not just when the tyres are fully inflated. Ask me how I know...

Put a brick in the boot. You should always carry a brick, anyway. Just in case.

[SimonH]

Thanks, it’s just a general view I’m after... whether a can of stuff is a good idea, or a full traditional spare setup, or whatever...

The last two cars I've had that had the gloopy stuff have both ended up going home on a low loader after blow-outs/sidewall damage. Last time I got home at 2am. Not a good day out. Not a cat in hell's chance of the gloopy stiff fixing those. Plus the tyre companies hate it as they have to scrape it out of rim and will often charge extra. Get a spacesaver and jack if you can...

[JGJG]

Put a brick in the boot. You should always carry a brick, anyway. Just in case.

🙈

The last two cars I've had that had the gloopy stuff have both ended up going home on a low loader after blow-outs/sidewall damage. Last time I got home at 2am. Not a good day out. Not a cat in hell's chance of the gloopy stiff fixing those. Plus the tyre companies hate it as they have to scrape it out of rim and will often charge extra. Get a spacesaver and jack if you can...

Good information, thanks. Beyond the ride on, I don’t have much real world info on the efficacy of gloop cans. Sounds like the spare/jack/wrench combo is the best bet...

[K9david]

I've had a number of BMW's (E92's) that came with runflats and swapped asap. The difference on conventional tyres is like night and day. Ride, handling, grip, noise and less likely to buckle the alloy itself. Each time i notified my insurance company (Hastings) and they couldn't care less. As long as i ran either runflats or conventional on both axles, i.e all 4 were the same type.

I had cans of gloop and a compressor for the simple reason that a spacesaver wouldn't fit in the boot well. Not sure about the E87 but i believe a 16" spacesaver will fit in the well.

The problem may be that if you are unfortunate enough to get a puncture then the wheel you take off has to fit in the boot and if you are running 19's, for example it simply wont fit. The gloop will destroy the tyre but very rarely can a runflat be fixed anyway so in some way you are no worse off.

If you car has a TMPS monitored as the E92 (which i think as does the E87) from the ABS sensors on the wheels then the valves wont need to be changed.

There is another solution of joining a breakdown service and get them to get you going again.

[JGJG]

Very helpful thanks. Yes, the TPMS is off the abs rings, so not an issue, and the wheels are 16” so should fit in the boot.

Though, without a wheel well and wheel restraint, I’ll want to strap that down in case of an accident... amazing the number of things that need to be considered!

[Rufalike]

I have always found runflats to have a harsh ride and spoil a chassis.

I understand the compromise that the need to “ run flat” brings is significant.

On Last 2 BMW’s ( e39 m5 and 645 ) I changed to kumhos on the basis on a recommendation of a chap I used to race with. He used them in the bmw jumbo challenge.

The difference in comfort was huge and the car to my mind steered better

Would anyone really drive anywhere or at speed on a run flat with no air in it?

[Chris_in_the_UK]

My reason for loosing faith in run flats is based on a puncture on the M5 which trashed the tyre after driving 15 miles at low speed to the hotel.

Tyre was replaced no problem but at twice the cost of a normal tyre - which would have been equally trashed?

Our X5 was swapped to non run flats for the last 4 years with no issues (Tyre goo in the boot in case) and the new X4 has just had the fronts replaced with non run flats - rears will be the same when they are due.

[W124]

I have an inflatable car jack, I recall that it was around £75.

A doddle to use and avoids having to scramble around looking for jacking points.

Buy a decent breaker bar and a 17mm or 19mm 6 point impact socket.

Loosen and retorque the wheel nuts yourself, rather than trust the tyre chimp and his impact gun.

[catch21]

Put a brick in the boot. You should always carry a brick, anyway. Just in case.

Problem was the bottle jack wouldn’t go low enough, and where it would fit, didn’t have the throw to lift the whole thing up and lift the wheel/tyre clear of the ground once they’d dropped unloaded to the bottom of the suspension. Fortunately I had a pruning saw in the boot and cut myself an appropriately-sized chunk of wood off a tree stump by the roadside (was out in the sticks) and used this to jack up in two stages. Following day I went out to get a scissor jack which does work!

[33JS]

The guy who towed our mini said that the gloop is the reason for many cars being towed rather than just a wheel change. It was of no use to me when our tyre blew. Spacesaver, jack, wheel brace!

Law of unintended consequences has kicked in. The need to lower emissions has led to the deletion of spare wheels and tools...

[Jocke]

Here is some kits in UK.

https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk/space-saver-wheels/bmw

[mart broad]

Here is some kits in UK.

https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk/space-saver-wheels/bmw

We have this kit for the GLC we do not use it locally but it goes into car on long runs ie to London no room under the boot tray so it sits on it.
The “gloop” is of no use if you shred a tyre or cut the wall i personally think we should go back to a proper spare wheel supplied from new.


https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk/merce...cover-bag.html

[Dave O'Sullivan]

I have an inflatable car jack, I recall that it was around £75.

A doddle to use and avoids having to scramble around looking for jacking points.

Buy a decent breaker bar and a 17mm or 19mm 6 point impact socket.

Loosen and retorque the wheel nuts yourself, rather than trust the tyre chimp and his impact gun.

Tyre chimp?

Nice

[Tooks]

On my old 1 series, I changed the existing RE050 rub flats to the newer Bridgestone S001 run flats and, like Padders found, they transformed the ride to something approaching normal. Might be a better route?

I’ve got a Golf GTE now which comes with only a pump and tyre sealant, so after experiencing a puncture that the sealant couldn’t fix I decided to go the space saver/jack/wrench route.

I’ve got a black zip bag that the space saver sits in, and it just goes on the boot floor as there’s no spare wheel well. I put the jack and wrench inside the space saver so it doesn’t take up much room overall.

If you do go the space saver route, check it goes over the front brake callipers before you rely on it for real.

[Dave O'Sullivan]

Or try MOE's (Mercedes runflats). They seem a little softer on the sidewalls.

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Tyre chimp?

Nice

Very unfair TBH - whilst it may be true for some backstreet cowboy outfit, most tyre places are pretty decent and the use of a torque wrench is second nature.

[Steve27752]

I'm putting traditional (non-runflat) winter tyres on my mum's car. It's usually equipped with runflats, so has no spare, no jack, no brace, etc.

What's the best course of action? Do I throw a summer wheel/tyre in the boot and find a jack and brace, or is there a reliable get-you-home-in-a-can option?

Many thanks!

I think that you would be better off leaving the normal tyres on the car. You will just create more aggravation and stress for your mum.

[Richard.]

Do I throw a summer wheel/tyre in the boot and find a jack and brace...

No. It’s not a good idea to mix summer and winter tyres.

[BillN]

just a note - the supplied scissor jack on my Skoda Yeti collapsed on me last year, I was changing to winter tyres last November, it just buckled under the weight of the car

I now carry a trolly jack - (I have a full sized spare in the boot)

OP - I think that you may need jack pads for the 1 series BMW - just check

[JGJG]

Many thanks all; I have decided to go with OEM spec runflat winter tyres in the end, purely to mitigate the hassle factor should my elderly mum get a puncture while giving it Tommi Mäkinen on the snowy mornings 🏁

I appreciate all the input & advice!

[Padders]

Many thanks all; I have decided to go with OEM spec runflat winter tyres in the end, purely to mitigate the hassle factor should my elderly mum get a puncture while giving it Tommi Mäkinen on the snowy mornings 

I appreciate all the input & advice!

Sensible. As I mentioned above, take a look at Bridgestone Driveguard Winters, they are cheaper and more compliant than most other RFT winters. I am on these now after a ditching a set of Pirelli Sottozero 2 and they are excellent, much less crashy and better gripping than the older Pirelli design. They have been designed to also work with non RFT tuned suspension so are a lot easier on the spine than other trad RFTs and are priced like a normal tyre. Another good option would be the RFT version of the Michelin Cross Climate but that is often not available in smaller BMW sizes.

[thegreatdogwood]

No. It’s not a good idea to mix summer and winter tyres.

It's not a good idea for normal extended use but I would have thought that having an odd summer tyre for emergency use in the winter is no worse than using a space saver spare with 3 winter tyres??

In either case just drive slowly to get you to a point that the tyre can be dealt with and in the unlikely event that there is actually snow, I wouldn't try either.