I recently bought a BMW 2009 320d that is fitted with runflats. The car has very low mileage and still has original tyres that will require replacement in the next 6 to 9 months. The tyres do not suit the car, they demean the quality feel of the car. I had intended to replace the run flats with conventional tyres and have spent some weeks researching if I can install conventional or am stuck with runflats. One of the reasons for the uncertaincy is being told by two tyre shops is that the suspension is set-up for runflats and replacing with conventional tyres would affect the handling. I have discussed this aspect with BMW trying to discover what are the suspension changes between cars with runflat and those cars with conventional tyres. BMW will not disclose what the differences are, this is probably due to their insistance that runflats should be retained. BMW will not be drawn if a new car were to be changed from runflat to conventional before handing the car to the purchaser. I understand BMW gave purchasers of new cars the option of conventional tyres when the car was bought. BMW should be pressed further on this issue.
TYre installers advised that changes to the tyre type could affect the insurance of the car since conventional tyres could be seen as modifications to the car. This would/could prove to be an issue if the car was involved in an accident and the car lost control. If only rear or front wheels were changed from runflat to conventional tyres this could be considered as a dangerous change to the cars suspension.
