Non-RFT damages rims...?

[Aviator_JPN]

Today, I went to a local Firestone and asked about the price of 19" RFT(255/50 R19) and non-RFT tires for X5 I've been looking at to purchase.

The guy at Firestone only quoted me for RFT as he told me that they can not install non-RFT to X5 as non-RFT will damage the rims. This store was told by BMW not to install. He further mentioned that X5 owners end up with paying a lot more money to repair/replace the rims because they used non-RFT.

Does anybody know if this is true? If yes, could you explain how the non-RFT damages the rims? (I should've asked the guy... but your input appreciated!)

FYI. Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport RFT BL 255/50/R19 x 4 tires = $1,357.

Thanks!

[opasha]

Complete lie. BMW does it to save themselves money and charge you more money. Just read all the complaints on forums and sites like these in the comments section: http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/03/12/re...s-on-your-bmw/. Run-flats have a harsher ride as well. Some shops also won't patch a run flat because of how they are designed....we had this discussion a few threads back. The only thing damaging your rims are the ground (potholes, etc.), your own driving, and your choice of tread depth/thickness.

Here's another source from a BMW forum: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366177. There are literally thousands of threads on this topic. Don't listen to franchises. Consult a real tire guy/read actual forum discussions with veteran car guys that aren't paid to feed you false info .

If I hurt any run-flat lover's feelings, I apologize . I have nothing against them, but they are not required by any means.

[r33_RGSport]

9 out of 10 people I know including myself, don't like and hate RFT.
These are the reasons:
1. Expensive
2. Stiffer ride
3. Sidewall bubbling issues

That statement is a BS. No such thing non-RFT will damage the wheel. The RFT are engineered based on the existing wheels on the market, not the other way around.
Remember, wheel was invented before tire does.
Tire shop will tell you BS to sell their existing inventory or to make more money.

[BXdriver]

Sounds very strange to me.
No,no. Thinking reasonably clear - how can non-RFT destroy your rims/car during normal use?

I have just ordered some non-BMW 255/50 19" winter wheels, non-RFT.
Actually looking forward to get them and - later when ice/snow coming - compare them with the RFTs delivered with the car. I expect them to be a bit more quiet, even I am perfectly OK with the summer RFTs too.

When you buy non-RFT, you may want to get a cheap tire-repair set (like a kit with 12V small compressor) to keep in the car for your own safety -if you didn't opt for a spare wheel - but that's about it.

Best
Bent

[r33_RGSport]

One thing that I forgot to mentioned. Most of RFT are noisy.

FYI, never use quick patch spray with TPMS equipped wheel. That chemical will damage or clogged the sensor and you will have to get a replacement.

[MysticBlue]

Uh, yeah, no. As everyone has already said, complete BS. I would take my business elsewhere. I have no patience for businesses who feed you wrong information, out of ignorance or to purposefully deceive you to whatever agenda they have, either way, I will take my business elsewhere.

[Fatboy85]

One thing to remember is why the speed limits are different on some models are the tires. Car manufactures will limit the max speed to 130 mph for all season tires and increase the limit with summer higher speed rated tires. For instance if you order your X5 with the summer 20 wheels and tires and later switch them to another tire the does not have the higher speed rating or quality and have an accident that is where the problem starts. BMW know what your vehicle was ordered with, once your insurance company investigates and determine you changed your specification, you could be held liable. So just my opinion on why the tire company stated that, because they will be held responsible for putting other types of tires on your vehicle.

[kip1]

BMW sold studded winter tires are non RFT

[Dataready]

A very big retail chain, refused to put non RF tires for my X5 stating " it is against the law to put different tires from the ones the vehicle came with from the manufacturer" and the guy mentioned size, speed rating and also RF or none. Above has nothing to do with rim damage or the rim at all.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Fatboy85

One thing to remember is why the speed limits are different on some models are the tires. Car manufactures will limit the max speed to 130 mph for all season tires and increase the limit with summer higher speed rated tires. For instance if you order your X5 with the summer 20 wheels and tires and later switch them to another tire the does not have the higher speed rating or quality and have an accident that is where the problem starts. BMW know what your vehicle was ordered with, once your insurance company investigates and determine you changed your specification, you could be held liable. So just my opinion on why the tire company stated that, because they will be held responsible for putting other types of tires on your vehicle.

Of course it would be yours and tire shops fault to change or recommend tires with lower speed rating and load capacity rating to the original car specs.
There are similar or better spec'd Non RFT in the market.
For example; Michellin Pilot Super Sport or Continental Sport Contact 3. Both has superb traction, speed rating, load capability, and quiet. But, with that, the price is up there.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Dataready

A very big retail chain, refused to put non RF tires for my X5 stating " it is against the law to put different tires from the ones the vehicle came with from the manufacturer" and the guy mentioned size, speed rating and also RF or none. Above has nothing to do with rim damage or the rim at all.

Not sure if Firestone consider big chain store.
I personally would go to America's Tire or go to any tire shops recommended by tirerack.com.

[Barbja]

Originally Posted by Dataready

A very big retail chain, refused to put non RF tires for my X5 stating " it is against the law to put different tires from the ones the vehicle came with from the manufacturer" and the guy mentioned size, speed rating and also RF or none. Above has nothing to do with rim damage or the rim at all.

If it were me, I'd ask him to show it to me. Them: well, we don't keep a copy here. Me: you have a computer right there, look it up. Them: we can't do that on this computer. Me: here, use my ipad.

If they can show me, fine. Otherwise, sell me the darned tires! You want my money or not?

These kind of shenanigans make me pissy.

[Aviator_JPN]

Thanks guys for the great input! I will take my car to other locations when I switch to Non-RFT on X5.
The slight concern I have now is the insurance claim which was mentioned by Fatboy85. Hope insurance companies just don't reject any accident claims/coverage because Non-RFT was used...

[NPickles]

Originally Posted by Aviator_JPN

Thanks guys for the great input! I will take my car to other locations when I switch to Non-RFT on X5.
The slight concern I have now is the insurance claim which was mentioned by Fatboy85. Hope insurance companies just don't reject any accident claims/coverage because Non-RFT was used...

So long as you have an adequately specced tyre in terms of speed and load ratings then I can't see how the insurance company could refuse a claim. If it were me I would make sure any replacement tyre at least matched the load & speed rating of the tyres that came out of the factory on the vehicle and they were obviously the right size/width for the rim being used.

[skalberti]

Originally Posted by Aviator_JPN

Today, I went to a local Firestone and asked about the price of 19" RFT(255/50 R19) and non-RFT tires for X5 I've been looking at to purchase.

The guy at Firestone only quoted me for RFT as he told me that they can not install non-RFT to X5 as non-RFT will damage the rims. This store was told by BMW not to install. He further mentioned that X5 owners end up with paying a lot more money to repair/replace the rims because they used non-RFT.

Does anybody know if this is true? If yes, could you explain how the non-RFT damages the rims? (I should've asked the guy... but your input appreciated!)

FYI. Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport RFT BL 255/50/R19 x 4 tires = $1,357.

Thanks!

Firestone is FOS

If this was true, why would BMW offer a spare tire kit?

Also I'd order tires from Tire Rack and save a lot of money and then just get them installed at your BMW dealer. My 2015 X5D and in Saturday and they're already pulling off the RFT and installing my conti DWS's.

[Socal2025]

Originally Posted by r33

9 out of 10 people I know including myself, don't like and hate RFT.
These are the reasons:
1. Expensive
2. Stiffer ride
3. Sidewall bubbling issues

That statement is a BS. No such thing non-RFT will damage the wheel. The RFT are engineered based on the existing wheels on the market, not the other way around.
Remember, wheel was invented before tire does.
Tire shop will tell you BS to sell their existing inventory or to make more money.

Maybe what they meant by damage to the wheel is in the event of a flat tire. If you have RFT, the side walls will support the car without having the wheels touching the ground. With conventional tires, the wheel will certainly touch the pavement in case of zero pressure and damage to the wheel will occur.

I am 1 out of the 10 people that much prefer the run-flats. I have Pirelli 20" RFT and I absolutely love them. They run quiet and comfortably. RFT exist not just for the convenience of not having to replace a flat tire on the road, they actually serve a much greater purpose of lowering the chances of loss of control when a tire blow up at highway speeds. If you are driving a 5T vehicle with a higher center of gravity, I would strongly consider keeping on originally equipped RFT.

[ChipB]

Here is what Tire Rack has to say about mounting non-run-flat tires on cars that came from the factory with run flats:

"Q: Can I mount non-run-flat tires on my stock wheels even if my vehicle came with run-flat tires as Original Equipment?

A. Yes. But keep in mind that many times when a vehicle is equipped with run-flat tires from the factory, a spare tire is not included. Some drivers opt to carry a full-size spare or a space saver spare tire. Another option is to carry a product like the Continental ContiComfortKit for temporary mobility in the event a tire is punctured.

Also note that when you first change from a run-flat to a non-run-flat tire, the installer will need run-flat capable equipment to remove the original tire. Many of our Recommended Installers have this equipment."

[Mathme]

You can definitely mount non RFTs on your car. Just be aware that if you don't have a spare and you get a flat, then you'll likely be stuck on the side of the road waiting for AAA.

I will likely remove the RFTs once they wear out on my car. That's one of the reasons I specced the spare tire.

[Aviator_JPN]

I think I either get spare or the product like the Continental ContiComfortKit.

[kip1]

Originally Posted by NPickles

So long as you have an adequately specced tyre in terms of speed and load ratings then I can't see how the insurance company could refuse a claim. If it were me I would make sure any replacement tyre at least matched the load & speed rating of the tyres that came out of the factory on the vehicle and they were obviously the right size/width for the rim being used.

There was a loud Lamborghini guy online years ago who had a horrible accident in his car on a straight autobahn. Officially (all according to his website and pics) the official statement was that an aftermarket wheel cracked causing the accident and he had problems with the insurance company and manufacturer as they blamed the aftermarket parts. I only use original parts and rims myself few. All Porsche approved tyres have n0 marking. I think one will never find out how companies react, until somethiing horrible happens. I'm not taking that risk in a car under warranty, later maybe.

[r33_RGSport]

@kip1, that's funny how in EU all aftermarket products has to be TUV approved. IMO, that Lambo guy should blame TUV for approving that wheel manufacturer.
Unlike in the US, DOT never cares about wheel manufacturing process. That's why wheel industry is the most flooded. Anyone can make a wheel and sell it without any worries.

[Socal2025]

Originally Posted by kip1

There was a loud Lamborghini guy online years ago who had a horrible accident in his car on a straight autobahn. Officially (all according to his website and pics) the official statement was that an aftermarket wheel cracked causing the accident and he had problems with the insurance company and manufacturer as they blamed the aftermarket parts. I only use original parts and rims myself few. All Porsche approved tyres have n0 marking. I think one will never find out how companies react, until somethiing horrible happens. I'm not taking that risk in a car under warranty, later maybe.

My father used to be amused by how manufacturers spend hundreds of millions of dollars of research and development of a particular product or safety feature and then we, car owners, come in and in 10 min. override all of that with our own "expertise." Not saying I agree with him, but he certainly had a good point.