Stuart Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Afternoon all, Memsahib's 30D X3 is getting ready for its 3rd set of tyres and it's gonna cost close to a grand to replace like for like (Michelin run flats). Anyone have personal experience of switching to non run flats on a similar car? I know there's loads on t'internet about it but I put more trust in answers from here (of course) Also, would insurers class it as a modification? Any advice much appreciated. Thanks, Stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 I run non run-flat winter tyres on my wife's car and have done for over 6 years. If she had a blow out in one resulting in damage, I guess the insurers could argue it wouldn't have happened on a run flat. It's a risk I'm willing to take. I'd counter the argument that the car is safer on winter tyres (rear wheel drive). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Years ago now I asked my insurer about fitting none runflats, and that particular insurer wouldn’t cover them. I’m sure things have moved on since. (F11 520d touring from around eight or so years ago). So worth checking, I guess. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevanP Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 From what you are saying you have a BMW X3? If so, word of advice from experience, as I had one a while ago 58 plate. I had it from almost new, great car, loved it. But I did have huge problems with it after moving from BMW star rated tyres (Dunlops at the time) to a set of non star rated tyres (they were actually Michelin Pilots). I kept getting hesitation and rumbling noises coming from the transmission tunnel. It went back to the dealership on a few occasions to try to isolate what the problem was, this went on for a couple of years and had various items checked, transfer box oil replaced etc. Made no difference. I then replaced the tyres for a set of Bridgestone's, this actually made the problem much worse. By this time I'd had enough, as I was reading stories about replacement of the transfer box, drive shafts etc etc... Took it back to my local dealership for what was going to be the last time and low and behold. The master tech. who looked it, confirmed to me it was the tyres. They proved it by swapping out a set of wheels from another BMW X3 without the issue I had and the problem went away. It turned out that its a common problem with x-drive's in that the rolling circumference of some tyres is out of tolerance for the x-drive 4x4 transfer box and electronics and it starts to try to compensate for this, hence the hesitation and rumbling noises. Which is why BMW recommend star rated tyres.... I put on a set of Dunlop's (BMW star rated) and the car drove like new. On a separate note ref run-flats - My last car, BMW 4series (non x-drive) had run-flat Bridgestone's on from new. It was the worse handling BMW I've ever had, it would pull from side to side on uneven roads/road surfaces etc. I swapped these tyres out just prior to trading it in for non-run-flats and it transformed the car. I understand Run-flats have stiffer side walls for obvious reasons, so don't flex as much to compensate for our poor roads. Hence the handling issues. As far as insurance issues, I cant see why any insurance company would refuse to pay out if it didn't have run-flats on, I think a decision to not pay out would be very challengeable. Unless obviously if they were a non-standard tyre size, ie larger or smaller than that fitted at factory. Hopes this helps 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenh Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 I cannot believe that changing from run-flat to non-run-flat tyres could make a difference to insurance. What is the difference if on my car (not run-flat tyres) I change from one make of tyre to another of the same size? That isn't what is intended by the need to notify modifications to an insurer. In fact, if I change my car for a second-hand one how might i know what tyre was originally fitted to it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share Posted January 6, 2023 Thanks all. @KevanP that is very helpful. Since non run flat star rated tyres are almost the same price as star rated run flats it's a different decision. Anyone ever used Hankooks? Are they ditch finders? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhett Turner - Black Country AO Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 37 minutes ago, Stuart said: Anyone ever used Hankooks? Are they ditch finders? swapped to Hankook Ventus (can't remember which model) on my wife's mini and there were no issues what so ever (never came close to finding a ditch). Son also had them on his MX5 said that they had a good following in the MX5 community, he did the odd track day with them and had no issues. The mini was running run flats before and was much better afterwards. I was a little unsure at the time about the swap from run flats to non run flats. I took the following into consideration, run flats were an option on the car so there were not standard, I was running a BMW that did not have run flats fitted, again run flats were an option for that car and the range as a whole. So I decided swapping from run flats would not be an issue as identical cars may or may not be fitted with them anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 The X3 is a ditchfinder. I don't think the tyres will make much odds Sorry, couldn't resist... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share Posted January 6, 2023 11 hours ago, Blatman said: The X3 is a ditchfinder. I don't think the tyres will make much odds Sorry, couldn't resist... That's why I have to keep a 240i as well..... 🙃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve20 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 We have a 2012 X3 3.0SE, high miler with 160k on the clock but brilliant car as we live in the sticks, since having it we have got through 2 sets of Pirelli Cinturatos (as original figment), not impressed with them. Local BMW specialist recommended changing to Hankook Ventus S1 evo 2 (245/50 R18 100Y) better road holding, quieter, and wearing better so will definitely stick with these in the future. Also are run flats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted January 7, 2023 Author Share Posted January 7, 2023 @Steve20 thanks. Think that's where I'm heading. Still over 800 quid on BlackCircles but not sure they're the cheapest on these Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 On 06/01/2023 at 20:38, Stuart said: That's why I have to keep a 240i as well..... 🙃 Recently added a 228i to my stable as my normal car. I really like it, and no run flats 😄 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 Have you looked at the 2nd hand tyre market ? A friend of mine got reolacement run flats from a dealer in liverpool who sells tyres from insurance write off stuff . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted January 11, 2023 Author Share Posted January 11, 2023 3 hours ago, pistonbroke said: Have you looked at the 2nd hand tyre market ? A friend of mine got reolacement run flats from a dealer in liverpool who sells tyres from insurance write off stuff . No I hadn't thought of that Bernie. But I will have a look around. Any contact details for the Liverpool dealer? Ta for the suggestion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Hi Stuart Not sure of which dealer he bought from only that he lives in Aintree but this place rings a bell https://www.topgeartyrecentre.uk/ If you do a search ( To coin a phrase ) on part worn or 2nd hand tyres in ( area of your choice ) you should likely find a dozen or more places . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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