Non Run Flat Tires may void warranty ?

[Booie]

Here's an interesting tidbit I heard today. I had my car in for it's final factory warranty inspection. I mentioned that the car has a slight vibration when in comfort mode and the cruise control set at 75 mph. SA got back to me later in the day and said after talking to his tech person about the problem he said it's probably due to the fact that I have nrf tires and it could be changing the cars preset parameters and that if I have any future drivetrain or suspension issues it probably would not be covered under warranty. He suggested I go back to the rf. The new tires are the exact same size as factory but not rf. I must say the car now rides and handles much much better since the swap. My question is, is this legal? I have never seen a premium car company try to weasel out of there responsibilities like this. It's a $100K + car. This is my first BMW and I don't like the way they try to nickel and dime you to death. Any info. on this issue would be much appreciated. I'm now paranoid that something will go wrong and I'll be left with a huge repair bill. I am now under a third party ex. warr. plan.

Thanks in advance,
booie

[MelbourneFinn]

That is load of BS! If you tyres have the correct speed rating and they are the manufacturer’s recommended size, they will not have any impact on the car’s technical features... Only if the manufacturer advises RF tyres are mandatory, then they may have a point. Ask them what their “highly technical” analysis is based on... You might as well ask them whether different from OEM branded tyres void the warranty as well - according to their logic... Or, same tyres purchased through another dealer, or installed by a professional tyre shop, not the dealer, would probably also void the warranty...?

Now, I see you are driving a 650 - your question is posted in M6 forum - but I have the same year M6 and have checked my owners manual - nothing mentioned about RF requirement, and the OEM tyres in my M6 are non-RF.

Suggest you don’t accept their position. Also, if you are already outside of manufacturer’s warranty, their opinion would probably have little impact on any future warranty claim. Perhaps if you want to be on the safe side, check with your warranty provider whether they have clauses in the warranty T&Cs about RF vs non-RF tyres?

[mjposner]

First, its not BMW but the warranty company and they look for any angle to deny claims. You need to read the policy to see what it says about tires as that will control. If it requires oem tires for coverage then you agreed to that condition. If not then they have to prove that the tires caused the failure, which in most cases would be unlikely. If they claim that then go to tire manufacturer and tell them.

[Evil Derboy]

M cars don't come with run-flats.

[mjposner]

Derboy, he has a 650i, just posted in the wrong place.

P.S. Hope you are surviving the snow

[Taheemr]

As long as the none run flats are the same size as the factory spec there should be no issue with insurance,

[Dazza993]

Was it a main BMW dealer whom did your final factory warranty inspection? It sounds like the person stating about RF vs. non-RF tyres is talking out their arse (ass).

If BMW sees fit to put non-RF tyres on their highest performing models then why should using them on non-M cars cause any issues so long as the correct size tyre is used?

Given you were asking about vibration issues I'd have thought that a RF tyre would be more likely to cause you an issues in this area because of their stiffer sidewalls.

I believe it's a fairly common occurrence for BMW owners to switch away from run-flats because they can't match the ride or handling characteristics of a decent non-RF tyre.

[Evil Derboy]

Originally Posted by mjposner

Derboy, he has a 650i, just posted in the wrong place.

P.S. Hope you are surviving the snow

Been driving the car in it as normal. No issues.

[spikespiegel]

So what about people that go a few sizes up on tires?? Thats ridiculous.

[mjposner]

"So what about people that go a few sizes up on tires?? Thats ridiculous." The issue is simply did the mod cause the warranty failure. Changing tire size could possibly change the suspension and differential balance slightly, leading to certain attributable failures. Warranty companies love mods as it gives them grounds to deny coverage.