Changing to Non Runflats

[ex540d]

Hello,

I know this topic has been covered so many times and i understand you will all be sick and tired of it.

However, My X5 40d is running on Bridgestone Dueler RFT and the rear tyres are due for replacement soon. The front ones have plenty of tread however are wearing on both outside edges. I tried putting higher pressure but the car seemed to bonce all over the road with higher pressure. It has M Sport suspension deletion which improves things i believe.

I am thinking of changing the whole lot for Michelin Latitude Sport 3. They are the same load rating as the originals but the speed rating is W on the rear and Y on the front. Will this matter ?
Also when changing to normal tyres, will the tyre pressure system work where i will be alerted if air is lost.

The non run flat Michelins are £100 cheaper than the run flat bridgestones and my car has 5 seats so i can get a spacesaver for the underfloor storage which is £260 from Bmw. Would it be worth swapping to non run flats? Is there any possible way to get rid of the outside wear on the front tyres ?

And finally do normal tyres last longer than run flats ?

Thank you in advance

[ex540d]

Just to add I am talking about the 20" 333m corrosion design wheels.

[Don Coffey]

I ran non run flats on my X6 and found a big difference in ride quality so would do the same again.  As for tyre wear, this will happen on any type unless you are on top of the tracking.  The big tyres will always suffer with the way the wheels are offset to improve handling.

As for tyre life, look for Tread Wear on the side of the tyre wall (not printed on all tyres).  This is a three figure number that's a percentage of 7200 miles.  It's an American test.  So if you see 100 after Tread Wear then you can expect 7200 miles at optimum wear.  If you see 400 then, you've got it, 28800 miles.  That said it's only an indication so like mpg figures, take it with a pinch of salt.

Don

[ex540d]

Ahh right, that is interesting. Thanks for the info.
All info is appreciated

[X5Sport]

[quote="Don Coffey"]
It's an American test.  So if you see 100 after Tread Wear then you can expect 7200 miles at optimum wear.  If you see 400 then, you've got it, 28800 miles.  That said it's only an indication so like mpg figures, take it with a pinch of salt.

Don
[/quote]

Especially as US roads don't do corners......

[Sustanon250]

If you do swap to non RF , I have an unused oe spacesaver wheel and jack kit for sale

[ex540d]

I was expecting more of a response on this topic  :blink:
How much would you be asking for it Substanon ? I will get in contact with you if i do change over, however it may be a couple of months.
Cheers

[Sustanon250]

£235 -pic in this thread :

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... 308.0.html

Ps - my X5 40d had a much better ride quality on non run-flats !!!

[ex540d]

Looks brilliant! Cheers for that.
Do you know if the system still works for the tyre pressure alert with non run flat tyres ?
Cheers

[The Mechanic]

Yes it does.  The system uses the ABS wheel sensors and monitors the rotational speed of the wheels.  If one is running significantly different from the rest, it assumes it has an inflation problem.

[ex540d]

Thanks that's great.
Has anybody else changed over to non run flats ?

[X5Sport]

Loads of people on here have

[Nine468]

Yes I have.
Did it around 10 months ago...
Never looked back, much smoother... 333 20" wheels...
Its a no brainer in my book....
Oh and I fitted the Toyo T1 sport tyres....With a space saver in the car...

[The Mechanic]

My summer tyres are still the original run flats but my winters are non runflat Wintrac 4 Extreme.  The ride quality is much better with the winters on.  I have a BMW kit with compressor and bottle of gunge to put in the tyre if I get a puncture.  No space saver.  My wife's Audi TT came with a similar kit as standard.  I know it might be a faff to reinflate the tyre but it can't be any worse that trying to change a wheel on a beast like the X5. 

BTW, when my wife bought the Audi, the sales person told her not to bother with trying to use the inflation kit, just phone the breakdown service, they will sort it for you.  Furthermore, I am aware of rumours that BMW will not come out to a puncture if you don't have runflats but I had my X5 in for some minor warantee work the other week.  The garage said that the general inspection had revealed a nail in one of the tyres, do you want us to fix it. (non run flat winter tyre).  They fixed it and made no comment on it being non runflat.

[ex540d]

Thank you very much for the input, it really helps

It looks like when the rears are down to the limit i will change the whole set for the non run flat Michelin Latitude Sport 3 and buy a spacesaver kit for the under floor storage.

Thanks again.