Can I replace front 2 runflats with nonrunflats?

[AmRov]

With under 15K miles, my 17" Dunlop runflats are toast. No, I have not been autocrossing or driving wildly. I drive mainly to and from work, generally at speeds under 50 mph.

My rear tires are in fine shape -- one in fact has only about 4K miles, since I had to replace it in March.

My question is this: Will my car be adversely affected if I replace only the front 2 tires with nonrunflats? And if I can do that, need I go with the same manufacturer (Dunlop) to have a similar tread pattern as the rear tires?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

[ALD0]

I never had a problem putting 2 non run flats on the front of my previous MINI with 2 runflats on the back

[MINIAC]

Your two new tires should go on the back:

Where to install new pairs of tires? Intuition isn't always right.

[AmRov]

Thanks, MINIAC. That is definitely counterintuitive... but sounds like they know what they're talking about!

[AmRov]

Thanks... I've decided to replace all 4; not worth worrying about to save a couple hundred bucks. But I certainly appreciate the advice, and I've passed it along.

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by AmRov

I've decided to replace all 4; not worth worrying about to save a couple hundred bucks.

decision ...

People post about mixing two different sets of tires with no problems ... but it's not really a good idea

[FOREST]

Can anyone say why it's not a good idea?
I replaced my 17in runflats on the front with 225 F1 Eagles. Can't say I've noticed anything but good. They grip better so the car is tail end happy ( :-) The ride is far better and the tyres were cheaper.
Perhaps they should have gone on the back!! Why?

[Paul]

Mostly because of the unbalanced handling you will get as a result. The runflats have very stiff sidewalls. It would (almost) be like running fronts and backs at very different pressures.

[AmRov]

BTW -- I'm enjoying my ride with 4 brand new non-runflats very much. I've also bought a "fix-a-flat" kit with air compressor (from MINIMania), just in case...

The ride is a LOT less harsh, which is very helpful in Austin (Land O' Road Construction).

[Andy @ The Pit Stop]

There still seems to be lots of confusion on this issue.
I know lots of people try all sorts of mixes, and thankfully nobody has had a major problem yet !.
There is good reason why manufacturers specify fitments, this is because of extensive testing, and thus prove what is safe.
Vehicles are built with safe "under-steer" characteristic's in the suspension, which is driver friendly and safe, especially in an emergency or adverse conditions. As tyres wear this becomes more pronounced, but as a gradual process the driver is not usually aware of this.
putting new tyres on the front, the vehicle handling changes, but may not be realized until it is to late. Putting new tyres on the rear and moving the part worns to the front means the vehicle handling will be the same as what it was before, so no surprises.
New tyres also have a lower slip angle thus on the rear help keep safe under-steer as opposed to new on the front which then induces unsafe over-steer.
That is why when radial tyres and crossply tyres are mixed, the high gripping radials must be fitted to the rear and the lower grip crossply tyres on the front ! Thats legal !
Run flat tyres and std tyres have vastly differing ride and handling qualities as well, as specified by lots of people who have done the conversion, so for the same reasons do not mix them. You may also find that your insurance are not happy about this either for this reason. The manufacturers specify they must not be mixed ! If it goes wrong on you, ask your self who is going to pay for the damage ????????.
As far as repairing run-flats, Bridgestone and Pirelli specify no repairs are permitted at all, Dunlop/Goodyear say their tyres can be repaired under the normal procedures, except on any BMW product, which is the over riding issue. Any body that goes out side these terms does so at their own risk (try getting an insurance claim on that one !)
I have actually done repairs myself,on the understanding it is at the customers specific request having fully understood these facts and still wants to carry on. I have done lots of conversions to std non run-flat tyres, but only in sets of 4.
Think safe, be safe, don't take chances. Tyres are safety critical parts, the only contact between you,the car and the road is 4 patches of rubber the size of the palm of your hand.
Is it worth it ?
Andy.H. The Pit Stop ( Huddersfield 01484-455665)

[AmRov]

Thanks, Andy -- very informative!