Is it OK to run non-runflats front and runflats back?

[Darren S]

My Pirelli Runflats are practically bald at the front so I think it's time for some new tyres. I definitely want to get normal tyres instead of the runflats but is it ok to keep the rear runflats on for as long as they last, with normal tyres at the front?

[obehave]

I really wouldn't recommend it. But then again you wouldn't be the ony person doing it, others have.

[Dreamin]

Mixing RF's and non-RF's isn't much differenent from mixed different brands of (non-RF) tires... People do it, but it's not recommended.

Your ride will feel strange, as one set of tire will be stiffer than the other.
Your handling will be somewhat unpredictable, as the break-away characteristic of the front end will be different from the rear; they'll heat up at different rates; etc.

Can you rotate the tires and get some more life out of the them?

[Darren S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreamin

Can you rotate the tires and get some more life out of the them?

No chance, the nearside front is pretty much a slick, and the offside is getting close(if not already) illegal.

I might just bite the bullet and change all four.

[DJC]

Hi Darren, i have fitted 2 new Pirelli PZero Assim on the front, and still got r/flats on the rear. In my opinion it feels fine, but maybe if you push them you might get different traction from eash set, but at least they are the same manufacturer. Will also replace rears in the next 3 months, but the ride and feel are much nicer than the runflats. Hope this helps, Damian.

[Darren S]

Thanks Damian, I think I'll keep the rear run-flats on to start with and make up my mind after driving it for a bit. If you don't mind me asking - how much did the Pzero's cost you, and where from?

Darren

[Darren S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

Darren

BMW don't recommend running on a mixture as you suggest.

If you have an accident that involves a skid or a failure to stop, your tyre combo will be blamed, you will also have invalidated your Warranty and possibly your Insurance.

Unless you notify your insurance company that you have modified your car in this way (against the manufacturer's recommendation) you may invalidate your insurance.

That's the formal. official position.

I would personally not have a mixture of RF and non-RF on my car; I would always have that niggling doubt about the safety/insurance issue.

regards

max

Hello Max,
So are you saying it may invalidate my insurance and warranty by having a mix, or just not having run-flats?

[Darren S]

Cheers for the info Max.

[obehave]

You have to bear in mind also that that if you get too many miles on then rotating the tires becomes a bit odd.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

Yo, obe, how ya doin?

Surely not a problem? Say you have normal fronts with 10,000 miles on. You ditch the RF off the back, put the 10,000 mile worn normals on the back and 2 (same brand) normals on the front.

Job done, no?

regards

max

Not bad and you.

Yea that would work if you plan on never rotating them again. But the whole point to rotating frequently is to keep tire wear even. Thus keeping tire adhesion and handling balanced.
Uneven tire wear might be OK on some underpowered beater that handles like a bag of water but I wouldn't want a MINI (even my Minivan) compromised like that.

[DJC]

Hello Darren, my PZero`s cost £100 each, all in. They were fitted at a friends tyre place.

[SSCRacer]

Positively a "no-no". Although it may feel fine at normal speeds, first time you decide (or an incident on the highway decides) to corner hard, you are in a very dangerous situation. The sidewall stiffness on a run-flat makes it a much different responding tire than a non-run-flat. Just changing tread types is a dangerous move on a car that handles as well as the MINI. When pushed to the limit you want all the tires to react the same way at the same time. Replace them in sets.

[DJC]

Hello again. I think that someone posted on here that one of the Cooper S tuning companies uses non runflat on the front, and runflat on the rear. Also if you are trying that hard on the road, maybe you should be on a Trackday, not the road. Just my opinion. All the best Damian.

[robmcleod]

there is not a problem with bmw mini with a mix of tyres front and rear; but best to stick to the same brand.

[tcbw]

I wouldn't do it; just need to go the whole hog and get the full set