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[litebulb]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if anyone has gotten into any problems with running non run flats on the 261. I was talking to the tire guy at Costco and he mention that I shouldn't be running regular tires on a rim designed for run-flats due to the degree of the border (7 on a normal rim and 5 on the 261). He said that if I haven't blown the tire I would soon enough. Currently running 225/40/18 michelin pilot alpin pa3 all around. I'm a little worried but I remembered that a few guys on here track their cars, and I'm sure that is more intense then anything I would do.

Cheers

[John Dempsey]

I never had an issue

[Tom K.]

Not an issue on the 17" wheels on my 128i.

Tom

[Dackelone]

Seems like a lot of us are running non RFT tires on our factory alloys with no problems.

I think the only difference about a wheel designed for a RFT is that the rim lip has an extra ridge or bump to to keep the RFT tire bead on the rim. The RFT are much more reinforced than a regular tire. And you need special wheels for run flat tires(RFT) but not the otehr way around.

Take a look at a RFT vs Regular tire cutaway at a German BMW dealer. You can see that a RFT has much more thicker tire beads than a regular tire does.

Run Flat tires vs Normal tires - dealer cut away carcus...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ire+cut+carcus

[gary442]

Remember that Costco folks aren't really experts in anything except merchandising. I even had them tell me that Non-RFT are against the law.

[ptack]

Costco?
the guys at Dunkin Donuts probably know about as much

The only issue with running normal tires on the OEM wheels is that you need to either have a spare or be prepared to wait for road side assistance if you get a flat. You may also get sidewall bubbles or tears if you hit sharp edges with a low profie tire. That's just the nature of the beast and it's a bigger risk on a 1M with 19" OEMs s than on a 135i with 18s.

[Eddie135]

I hit the road kerbs a few times with my RFT and there are no tears or sidewall bubbles.
RFT is good against this.

[KI128]

I was at my local BMW dealer getting an oil change, and asked the parts person about getting a rim to use for a spare. Told her I was going to get away from RFTs and wanted a full size spare. She said I couldn't put non-RFTs on my wheels, and would need a whole new set. I said "nevermind," and walked away.

[ZIPNBYE]

Originally Posted by KI128

I was at my local BMW dealer getting an oil change, and asked the parts person about getting a rim to use for a spare. Told her I was going to get away from RFTs and wanted a full size spare. She said I couldn't put non-RFTs on my wheels, and would need a whole new set. I said "nevermind," and walked away.

Ah, the BMW corporate mindset. I too walk away.

[NYC6]

In the 2 years I've owned my 135 with 261's I've had 2 'blowouts' with the runflats after hitting two NY pot holes in seperate incidents.
I had enough. A month ago I put on DWS all seasons(1 is my DD). The ride is much improved over the original RF's. I havent hit a pot hole like the ones I hit with the other tires yet but confident they will hold up better. Those extra stiff sidewalls of the RF's are easily ruptured by impact.

[jraymond]

Originally Posted by gary442

Remember that Costco folks aren't really experts in anything except merchandising. I even had them tell me that Non-RFT are against the law.

LMAO, that is good stuff

[MaC-N54-E82]

Recently replaced the RFTs on my e82 with Michelin PSS and could not be happier. Without a doubt, best mod to date. Your dealer and Costco are both giving you terrible advice.