[newyorkaddict]

Having run my front tyres for the first year, they needed replacing. So, off i trot to the local tyre place. "I want 17" blah blah (sizes) on my new Mini please mate, but i don't want runflats, they are expensive, crap grip, and noisy". "OK, have you told the insurance company you are getting non runflats mate". "No, should i"

Well you tell me, two tyre places refused to put non runflat tyres on my car, because, quote "If you crash and you don't have runflats, the insurance people can hold us to blame, as we put the tyres on the car for you"

NOW, was i being told the truth, or was i being sold bloody expensive tyres, which are loud, have awful grip when you are giving them the beans, and they don't last long enough. The ones that came with my car from new, have just about managed 12000, i had Toyo T1R's on my Civic TypeR and they went to 19000, and they saw 4 track days through aswell.

What are peoples thoughts on this. Does anyone know a deffinite answer, because i'm confused, and out of pocket.

[bob corbishley]

I cant really see the legal argument as long as they are rated to the correct load and speed but in todays environment of constant litigation etc etc I cant blame the poor tyre fitter for being cautious. Perhaps you should consult your insurance company first??

[NeuroBeaker]

I've seen a few posts around here that a few insurance companies (such as Direct Line) can try to invalidate policies when they find something such as a change of tyres. Some unscrupulous companies can view this as an undeclared modification and leave you completely without insurance in the event of an accident (whether its non-fault or not).

It's best to discuss ANY change with them, regardless of whether it's an engine change, a strut brace, or a tyre change. Everything must be approved, as these days, the insurance companies are even more insidious and bloodthirsty than the no-win-no-fee accident lawyers.

Whether it feels like it or not, even though they were also protecting themselves, those garages probably did you a favour. If you want standard rubber, I'd certainly clear it with the insurance company first.

All the best,
Andrew.

[MarkXR]

I had trouble trying to get tyres I supplied fitted to some wheels for very much the same reason as you were given.

AKAIK there is nothing the tyre fitter could be held liable for unless their fitting was substandard. If a tyre had issues for any other reason it would be the manufacturers responisbility. To be honest I'm beginning to think it's just the tyre places way to try and get you to buy from them and at a premium.

Insurance company issues seem to vary with company so check with them first and change insurers if they say no, plenty of places out there who don't think tyres are a modification

[laura f]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkXR (original)

I had trouble trying to get tyres I supplied fitted to some wheels for very much the same reason as you were given.

AKAIK there is nothing the tyre fitter could be held liable for unless their fitting was substandard. If a tyre had issues for any other reason it would be the manufacturers responisbility. To be honest I'm beginning to think it's just the tyre places way to try and get you to buy from them and at a premium.

Insurance company issues seem to vary with company so check with them first and change insurers if they say no, plenty of places out there who don't think tyres are a modification

Sensible advice, it's rare to find a tyre place that will switch your runflats to non with no hassle. There's even a local company to us with more than one branch and it depends on which branch you go into as to how much they'll help you At the end of the day most cars have non-runflats, even MINI's come supplied with non-runflats so I doubt you're insurance company would be interested, if in doubt ask them

[Greenie1]

My run flats are coming up to 16,200 miles. Will need to change them soon.

[valk009]

Well, polcies in the UK might differ than here in Hong Kong. When I phoned up the Mini dealer here and told them how I hated the run flats, they todl me to get them changed as nearly most new Mini buyers do. They even said to get them changed at their place, so I doubt it will have any insurance issue, just the tire shop trying to offload you with some expensive junk!

[DaFlake]

Defo a UK thing. it is unfortunate as well. Persoanlly I think that the Dunlops are noisy and horrible, but I have the Pirelli snow ones on my MINI right now and they are pretty good. That being said, I am switching to a non-runflat in the summer mainly because the runflats that I wanted were out of stock.

[FunFindus]

I had dunlop runflats on my MCS and they were poor. I too asked 3 tyre shops to fit non runflats to my Mini and all refused to do so. They said no because the cars suspension has been setup to take runflats so they would not do it. I ended up putting on Pirellis on all four wheels which offer better grip and a less bumpy ride. However, they are expensive. Kwik fit did them for £400 for four tyres fitted.

[Benny No.1]

Had no problems getting mine changed. From the Dunlop run-flats to Toyo Proxies not an issue. They just made me aware that the tyres were non run flat (I suppled the tyres), so i knew and was aware. When my car was in the garage the dealer informed me that the tyres were non run flats, but were happy when i told them i had the OFFICIAL MINI tyre spunk and inflater kit.

[SeldomSeen]

Quote: Originally Posted by Benny No.1 (original)

........When my car was in the garage the dealer informed me that the tyres were non run flats, but were happy when i told them i had the OFFICIAL MINI tyre spunk and inflater kit.

rofl, so that's ok then!