msm
Well-known member
I did a bit of research on the internet on run-flats and the general consensus is that there is no risk in replacing run-flats with non-flats, EXCEPT for an emergency situation. In some countries the law seems to state that if you remove run-flats (which you are allowed to do), you either need to install a puncture repair kit in your car (or have a spare). However, from a tyre performance perspective there are no issues.
Anyway, with this in mind I spent some time visiting 3 tyre dealerships in Centurion (I won't mention the names, but they are all opposite one another) and I thought I'd share my experience. (BTW, my Mini is specced to take run flats, but I currently have non run flats on)
1) Dealer 1: The sales guy told me that the Mini rims (as with most new BMW rims) cannot take non run flats due to the lip design :bs:. We walked over to my car and showed him non flats on the Mini rim. After a long pause, he said that it is a safety risk and the tyres can slip off the rims during hard cornering :bs:. I mentioned to him that it's strange that this never happens on a track where non runflats are used with standard Mini rims and cars are pushed to their limits. He ended up quoting me on both run flats and non flats and said I should decide, but should at least have a puncture sealer can.
2) Dealer 2: Told me outright that it does not make a difference what tyres you put on the car. Only that if you go non run flats, then you need to consider a puncture sealer can or something in case of emergency. He also saw many cars come in with run flat tyres that had completely come off the wheel. Also, a run flat can be damaged to the point where you cannot drive the car - so you end up in the same situation as having non run flats.
3) Dealer 3: This was interesting. The guy told me that he would not fit non run flats on my Mini, unless I got a letter from my insurance for him. He was insistent on this and would not sell me a tyre otherwise :slap:
Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience on this and highlight some of the B$ floating around .... The problem is that I wonder how much of this B$ gets fed back to insurance companies to the point where they start refuting claims
Also, some of the run flats are becoming quite cheap (relative to non run flats), but my personal opinion is that I would rather have "normal" tyres on the Mini as the ride is soooooo much better. However, bear in mind that I don't use the Mini for long distance driving and I have a puncture sealer can.
Anyway, with this in mind I spent some time visiting 3 tyre dealerships in Centurion (I won't mention the names, but they are all opposite one another) and I thought I'd share my experience. (BTW, my Mini is specced to take run flats, but I currently have non run flats on)
1) Dealer 1: The sales guy told me that the Mini rims (as with most new BMW rims) cannot take non run flats due to the lip design :bs:. We walked over to my car and showed him non flats on the Mini rim. After a long pause, he said that it is a safety risk and the tyres can slip off the rims during hard cornering :bs:. I mentioned to him that it's strange that this never happens on a track where non runflats are used with standard Mini rims and cars are pushed to their limits. He ended up quoting me on both run flats and non flats and said I should decide, but should at least have a puncture sealer can.
2) Dealer 2: Told me outright that it does not make a difference what tyres you put on the car. Only that if you go non run flats, then you need to consider a puncture sealer can or something in case of emergency. He also saw many cars come in with run flat tyres that had completely come off the wheel. Also, a run flat can be damaged to the point where you cannot drive the car - so you end up in the same situation as having non run flats.
3) Dealer 3: This was interesting. The guy told me that he would not fit non run flats on my Mini, unless I got a letter from my insurance for him. He was insistent on this and would not sell me a tyre otherwise :slap:
Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience on this and highlight some of the B$ floating around .... The problem is that I wonder how much of this B$ gets fed back to insurance companies to the point where they start refuting claims
Also, some of the run flats are becoming quite cheap (relative to non run flats), but my personal opinion is that I would rather have "normal" tyres on the Mini as the ride is soooooo much better. However, bear in mind that I don't use the Mini for long distance driving and I have a puncture sealer can.
