M50D: replace RFT with non RFT?

[Rassi]

Generally I find the ride quality quite good in Comfort but having recently had the opportunity to lift the winter wheels, also in 20”, it struck me that they weigh an absolute ton and that the selection in RFT is also quite limiting when it comes to newer tyres. E.g the Dunlop Sport Max or Michelin 4S that I would prefer to the current Bridgestone.

Anyone did the swap and any improvement in ride (and possibly mpg)?

[MarkG_M3CP]

I could never find the Michelin Super Sports I wanted in the right size of non-RFT was also limited to 'SUV' tyres.

In the end I just replaced the P Zeros with Dunlop GT RFTs and they were better (quieter and more comfortable)

[X5Sport]

And bear in mind the issues occurring on xDrive BMWs fitted with non ‘*’ rated tyres and broken transmissions.  The latest cars are supposed to be much better however should any issues occur with the transmission and you don’t have the ‘approved’ rubber (whether RFT or not - both are available) BMW will walk away.

Non-RFT will give a better ride 

[X5M50d]

I purchased my car with 21" RFT Pirelli P Zero summers.
However I certainly saw a marked improvement when I fitted my 20" Non RFT Hankook winter tyres over the last 4 months. Better and smoother ride and up to 10% better mpg (30mpg on average increased to 33mpg in the winter on average).
However I do prefer the looks of the 21" alloys and tyres which will be going back on at the weekend.

[Rassi]

It is interesting to see the different CO2 values in the type approval, depending on 19” or 20” fitted, so my assumption was also that RFT are much heavier than non-RFT which in turn would lead to better MPG and possibly performance.

Certainly would say that the 20” wheels with RFT rears (315/35) were 40-50 % heavier than the non RFT 20” rears non RFT of my M5 (295/35)

[RichM50d]

After being stuck on the motorway in the middle of the night once, with a puncture and no spare, I wouldn't have a car without RFT's now. I'm probably in the minority.

[Dogzyboy]

[quote="RichM50d"]
After being stuck on the motorway in the middle of the night once, with a puncture and no spare, I wouldn't have a car without RFT's now. I'm probably in the minority.
[/quote]

Or just buy a spare when you switch to non-rft tyres! 

[X5M50d]

Easier said than done especially when you have 3rd row seats :'(

[MarkG_M3CP]

[quote="RichM50d"]
After being stuck on the motorway in the middle of the night once, with a puncture and no spare, I wouldn't have a car without RFT's now. I'm probably in the minority.
[/quote]

Runflats are capable of magical things... this one made it over 150 miles on a Sunday when nowhere had replacements in stock.

[Dogzyboy]

[quote="MarkG_M3CP"]
[quote="RichM50d"]
After being stuck on the motorway in the middle of the night once, with a puncture and no spare, I wouldn't have a car without RFT's now. I'm probably in the minority.
[/quote]

Runflats are capable of magical things... this one made it over 150 miles on a Sunday when nowhere had replacements in stock.

[/quote]

Wow, that’s pretty impressive.

[RichM50d]

[quote="MarkG_M3CP"]
[quote="RichM50d"]
After being stuck on the motorway in the middle of the night once, with a puncture and no spare, I wouldn't have a car without RFT's now. I'm probably in the minority.
[/quote]

Runflats are capable of magical things... this one made it over 150 miles on a Sunday when nowhere had replacements in stock.
[/quote]

That’s why I’m sticking with runflats! )

[X5M50d]

Looks quite new as well>:(

Hope you have tyre insurance?

Does anyone know whether run flats are repairable with a screw a third in from the outside edge?

[silverbeemersurfer]

I have 20" Conti RFT on my 2015 F15 3.0D M Sport. had them fitted in January and they have a self sealing capability up to 6mm. You can remove the object and the tyre will still self seal.
Regarding position of penetration, if it is a third in from the shoulder then it should be repairable, despite what some tyre distributors say. The only caveat is that the tyre MUST be removed and the inside sidewalls and tread areas checked for possible secondary damage due to being run under inflated.
Hope this helps.