You have my symapthy, I've just been through this process as I have the 214's and wanted to switch to non RFT's, I have a set of the Vredstein waiting at a tyre fitter which will be going on my car next week. I will definitely check before buying another BMW how many options there are for non RFT's as the whole thing strikes me as a money making exercise for BMW, Tyre Manufacturers adnd Tyre Reatilers.

BMW no longer have to supply a spare wheel on new cars (think about how much difference that makes on a million cars a year). The tyre manufacturers and retailers get to sell more tyres as many of them tell you that they cant be repaired (even though they can), quite often you have to buy two tyres if your tyre is later on in it's life. If you read investor reports from the tyre companies you'll see how they call RFT's high margin prouduct, I reckon BMW actually get a subsidy from the tyre co's to fit them as very few people would buy them unless they were already an OEM fit.

BTW if you do go non RFT make sure the brand you use has the correct load indexes on the rear tyres. Otherwise that will probably void your insurance in the UK ( I am with Direct Line and that's what they told me).