Sorry about the late reply. Seen as your located in Scotland this probably will not be of much help but my local tyre fitter was able to supply & fit the above named tyres for me. If you want I can put you in contact with them.

Please check your PM for further details.

Kind Regards
ekelly

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).

The problem is not BMW, it is the fact that you have a no standard rim size.
21" is very rear...
If I was you, I would sell the 21" wheel set with current RFT tires and get a set 20" wheels (whatever style you like 128 or 214 etc...).
20" wheels/rims have plenty of non-RFT options and half the price of the 21" size...
A set of 4 Vredstein cost under 900$ USD (Front: 275/40/20 and Rear: 315/35/20)
I think I got my Vred set for $800...

Style 128 is 21" only.

Unfortuantely we don't get US prices in the UK! The Vredstein's I am about to have fitted to my 214's are going to cost me £800. RFT's would be about £1200.

I don't know if that is fully true. I had a cracked rear wheel becase of the OEM runflats on my E70. BMW or my insurance would not cover it. Since I put on the non-runflat tyres I never looked back.

Considder the hassle/bother BMW are in with "faultly rims" at the minute with Watchdog. It's a well discussed topic on e90post.

I think problem lies with the runflat sidewalls being too stiff for the B-Roads in the UK & Ireland. Which pretty much renders them useless for most people.

Star spoke alloys
 

Anybody know where to buy the Star Spoke 128 alloys for the X5 E70. Only place i can find them is in the states or Canada.

Every dealer should be able to deliver them to you ...

Have decided to "bite the bullet" and buy new 20" rims and non runflat Toyo Proxes Tyres. Far better (IMHO) as an overall package for a variety of reasons than sticking with the one choice in 21" tyres at such a high price per tyre!!
New wheels and tyres will be fitted mid week and I will just store the 21's till I sell the car (or maybe sell them sooner).
Did try the Irish company referred to in this thread, but nobody returned my call.

You could call Fairmount tires at 323-750-2840 (ask for Rich) and see if he can get you a deal on the Vred and how much to ship to your location in the UK.
I found that they are the best price around when I was price hunting... I got the refer from an another person (people helping people).

Also it is rated winner over many top performance brand names tires in Powercar mag comparison.
1st place goes to Vredestein Sessanta
2nd place goes to Goodyear Eagle F1
3rd&4th tie goes to Pirelli P Zero and Continental Sport Contact 3
5th goes to Michelin Pilot Sport 2
6th goes to Dunlop SP sportmaxx

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