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Loather Doom

I own a BMW 320D, just coming up to 4 years old and due for a new set of tyres. I loathe and detest the runflat tyres my car came on. In all the cars I have had I have never experienced such a hard ride, especially with the roads in their current poor state. I asked my tyre supplier, Discount Tyres of Worthing if I could switch to regular tyres. Their opinion was that I could change to conventional tyres but because the suspension is set for run flat tyres (which are much harder) it may have an adverse effect on the driving capabilities and should I be involved in an accident it may invalidate my insurance if proved that my car had tyres not of the prescribed type. I seem to be between a rock and a hard place. My car currently has 14,000 miles and it looks as if I am doomed to more runflats - do you agree?

Asked on 17 July 2010 by JB, via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
You will be on 1st generation runflats. Some manufacturers are now up to 3rd generation that actually ride as well as conventional tyres.
BMW has not yet approved Bridgestone's RFT3s as OEM. But has approved Dunlops. My video test of the BMW 5-Series F10 was carried out on 45 profile 18" Dunlop RFT3s: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/road-tests/bmw/bmw-f10-5...s
You'd be daft to switch to ordinary tyres then get yourself killed on a
hard shoulder trying to change an offside rear. You also need to buy 5 tyres + an extra wheel. Then find somewhere to store it. Because a can of glop cannot fix a shredded tyre.
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