In praise of the notorious Run Flat radial...

[NJ-Eric]

Say what you'd like about how bad the run flat tires are, BUT having just suffered my first flat in four years, I must comment on how convenient is is to be able to drive around... on a flat tire. Never before have I been able to drive back and forth to work on a flat tire w/o any real concerns. While I wait for the replacements to be delivered from Tire Rack to my local installer, I'm still in the game (if only slightly paranoid about the flat tire I'm riding on... and limited to 50 mph). 50 mph is just fine to get me to the office.

Then again, for the cost of two rear run flats I could have four normal tires...even a couple of spares to keep at the house (for a bit more cost), but when one of those goes flat, I'm stranded. I think that I'll stick with the run flats .

I guess my primary automotive objective of getting from point A to B and back is a wee bit higher than getting there in the most sporting (or even most comfortable) fashion.

-Eric

[inTgr8r]

^ don't forget that they have a MAX range after failure.

Maximum range after total tire loss:

240 kilometers with light load
160 kilometers with medium load
50 kilometers with heavy load.

[NJ-Eric]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

^ don't forget that they have a MAX range after failure.

That's a very important point. I'm out of luck after 150 miles. Since my commute to the office is only 8 miles, I *think* I'm OK for the one or two days delivery time.

I've already been to the tire shop and looked things over. We decided to just order the new tires and limp along for a day or two.

-Eric

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

^ don't forget that they have a MAX range after failure.

Yes, that's an issue with them - user abuse. A woman on a local forum mentioned driving on one for a month before she ordered a replacement.

[M_Six]

They do save you in the event of a flat. But I've had 3 flat tires in 36 years of driving and two of those were in the same year with my runflats. I think they're more prone to damage than normal tires. I had to replace 3 of the 4 on my Z4. They were bald after ~12k miles, too. I was so glad to be rid of them.

[spurto]

run flats came in handy for me recently on a road trip. I was on a road trip to visit some family in CA when the tire warning light came on. luckily I was within 50miles.

[mikeinsf]

I don't get it. You spend twice as much money, and spend 100% of your driving time on tires that ruin the handling of your nice sports car... for that one moment you get a flat tire and can still go 50mph. Doesn't compute. Put some decent tires on the car, and a plug kit and can of fix-a-flat in the trunk. If you need to hobble somewhere that'll do the trick, and then you can spend your driving time actually getting to enjoy the way your car handles.

On my old Mini I could not WAIT until the runflats wore out so I could put actual tires on the car. They. Were. Awwwful. IMHO, the criticisms heaped on RFTs far outweigh whatever little praise they earn.

[Huz-Z]

Whatever floats yer boat!

But whenever I think of my old run flat tires, I am reminded of the line spoken by the Jamaican shrunken head hanging in the front of the triple decker bus at the beginning of one of the Harry Potter movies:

"Take it away, Eric! Its goin' to be a buumpy ride!"

[NJ-Eric]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

"Take it away, Eric! Its goin' to be a buumpy ride!"

LOL

No, I really didn't like the run flats, either... until I got a flat, that is!

With two young kids, my days of driving for the pure enjoyment of it all are just about over anyway.

-Eric

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by NJ-Eric

LOL

No, I really didn't like the run flats, either... until I got a flat, that is!

With two young kids, my days of driving for the pure enjoyment of it all are just about over anyway.

-Eric

Glad you liked my attempt at humor!

In retrospect though, I can see why you may find the run flats to be acceptable. Up here in Canada where I live, the streets are in rough shape due to the many winter freeze thaw cycles that generate a lot of pot holes. The city here does a terrible job of patching them and the streets in town are very rough. The run flats really accentuate that and make a drive across town very unpleasant.

But I see that you are in Texas, so I expect that you don't have the annual crop of spring pot holes to deteriorate the city streets. So, you are probably driving on much smoother streets and as a result, not finding the same harsh ride as I was.

Cheers!!!

[OldArmy]

The Z is my wife's car. I don't want her trying to change a tire or sitting by the side of the road waiting for help. Peace of mind for me and her and frankly, the handling and ride are just fine.

[onelove]

Originally Posted by mikeinsf

I don't get it. You spend twice as much money, and spend 100% of your driving time on tires that ruin the handling of your nice sports car... for that one moment you get a flat tire and can still go 50mph. Doesn't compute. Put some decent tires on the car, and a plug kit and can of fix-a-flat in the trunk. If you need to hobble somewhere that'll do the trick, and then you can spend your driving time actually getting to enjoy the way your car handles.

On my old Mini I could not WAIT until the runflats wore out so I could put actual tires on the car. They. Were. Awwwful. IMHO, the criticisms heaped on RFTs far outweigh whatever little praise they earn.

+1