Run-flat tires instead of a spare?  No thanks!

"Widget_Master" (Widget_Master) 01/30/2015 at 23:20 • Filed to: Run-flat tires, expensive, spare tire

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After reading Jason Torchinsky's Jalopnik post about modern cars replacing spares with run-flat tires I began thinking. Who benefits from this? Do the majority of car consumers prefer run-flats over spares? Or do car companies prefer run-flats so that the space where tools and a spare would traditionally be can be used for other things?

I found this list on Edmunds weighing the pros and cons:

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After reading this list, I never want to have run-flat tires. Does this mean I'm just old-fashioned, or are run-flat tires really a bad idea? Please weigh in.

JDIGGS > Widget_Master 01/30/2015 at 23:22

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Caddys suck and you should really buy a better automobile to start with.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Widget_Master 01/30/2015 at 23:22

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Some of us are forced to run with runflats - our R53 Cooper S is fitted with run flats because there is literally no space for a spare. That's taken up by the battery in the boot.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Widget_Master 01/30/2015 at 23:22

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My car has run flats, when they die they'll be replaced with normal tires, but that's all I got to say about that.

Widget_Master > JDIGGS 01/30/2015 at 23:24

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But the thing is, multiple car brands are following this trend...

Widget_Master > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 01/30/2015 at 23:26

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That's too bad. I guess in that case it would make sense to continue using/buying run-flats because there is nowhere to carry a spare without being cumbersome. I guess one of the main thing that gets to me from this Edmunds article is that often the run-flats have to be replaced as a pair. Is this true for your car?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Widget_Master 01/30/2015 at 23:27

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Run-flats don't take up valuable trunk space, or require you to stop on the side of the dangerous road to change a tire, a big thing especially at night.

I think they're a good idea.

And the thing about ride quality has generally been solved, but I remember when BMW first switched to run-flats, they're ride was always criticized as too harsh.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Widget_Master 01/30/2015 at 23:28

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bring on the tweel!!

Widget_Master > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/30/2015 at 23:29

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Those do sound like some convincing "pros" to having run-flats. Get off the road or out of 'hood.

Widget_Master > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 01/30/2015 at 23:30

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haha yeah who even needs air

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/30/2015 at 23:35

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from experience:

Potholes suck a whole lot more with runflats. sidewall is just too stiff. Bubbled up the second he hit, and it eventually ruptured once it warmed up.

DipodomysDeserti > Widget_Master 01/30/2015 at 23:35

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My BMW's cane with run flats and they don't ride as nice. Once they wear out I'll replace them with a better tire and just buy a spare wheel for trips. My Abarth only came with a pump.

Scary__goongala! > Widget_Master 01/30/2015 at 23:37

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there are definitely some pros to having run flats. That being said i dont believe for a second that the majority of consumers know what run flats are, or if they even know they are driving on them. Im sure they benefit producers and car manufacturers because they simplify things and are a source of revenue due to their higher price level.

DrJohannVegas > Widget_Master 01/30/2015 at 23:45

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Buy a first-gen Golf R32. Then you get neither, and like it.

Anon > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 01/30/2015 at 23:48

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Wow! My R50 even had a spare! No idea where the battery on it was though. Didn't really see it under the hood, but never really needed it. Still don't know.

Ferrero1911 > DipodomysDeserti 01/31/2015 at 00:04

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It comes with a scissor jack too! I had mine for months before I reached behind the pump to find it.

Ferrero1911 > Widget_Master 01/31/2015 at 00:07

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I have regular summer tires on my car and no spare. I don't worry about it too much.

DipodomysDeserti > Ferrero1911 01/31/2015 at 00:17

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I had no idea! I'll have to look for it tomorrow.

Manuél Ferrari > Widget_Master 01/31/2015 at 00:21

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#1 reason run flats are used : to keep weight down to make it easier to get good MPGs for Cafe

pip bip - choose Corrour > Widget_Master 01/31/2015 at 00:21

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spare tyre , all the time.

Axial > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 01/31/2015 at 00:25

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Those are gonna look so weird on my car once they start coming out with performance versions...

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Axial 01/31/2015 at 00:29

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I believe there are military and construction type use vehicles that use them already. I think on a passenger or performance vehicle it would be a much tighter and solid looking pattern on the support side with a standard tread patter on the outside

Redbulldidlo > Widget_Master 01/31/2015 at 00:35

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It saves weight, it's less things so it's cheaper, it makes design that bit more simple and clean, and there's also the fact that getting a spare tire after that original is used is extremely hard.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Manuél Ferrari 01/31/2015 at 01:20

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Except that they generally have a higher rolling resistance thus decreasing MPG's, at least compared to available low-rolling-resistance tires.

Manuél Ferrari > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/31/2015 at 01:54

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hmm I hadn't thought of that

I had just read in multiple places that they are an easy way to save weight. Not having a spare is easier than cutting weight using expensive materials

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Manuél Ferrari 01/31/2015 at 01:57

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I would be curious to see how much weight is actually saved. Run flats are ridiculously heavy. I would wager that some cars don't actually save any weight at all by using run flats.

Manuél Ferrari > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/31/2015 at 02:00

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true they are heavier

And they are still a bit more expensive than conventional tires

So the car companies must think people prefer them. Maybe the average buyer does.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Manuél Ferrari 01/31/2015 at 02:03

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I don't know what the deal is. Mercedes hardly uses them and that makes me happy, pretty much just some diesels where they put the DEF tank where the spare would have otherwise gone. They're a pain for us to replace too.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Anon 01/31/2015 at 04:14

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Your R50 should've had the battery under the hood, in a casing. The R53 had the battery in the boot because superchargers are big.

SlickMcRick > Redbulldidlo 01/31/2015 at 04:55

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Run flats are a bit heavier than normal tires. Multiply that to all 4 corners and the weight savings isn't all it's cracked up to at all.

cluelessk > Widget_Master 01/31/2015 at 09:47

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With everyone having cell phones a spare isn't really as important as it used to be.

We're always connected so a flat isn't a huge deal.

Manuél Ferrari > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/31/2015 at 15:27

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The only thing I can think of that makes other luxury brands want to use it is to market to women. It's not s huge deal for a guy to get a flat (unless you are in a dangerous part of town when it happens). But it's more scary for a women if driving at night. There is a higher chance of a women being abducted, assaulted, etc while dealing with the flat than there is a guy in the same situation. Being able to drive X miles on the run flat adds some security.

bhardoin > Widget_Master 01/31/2015 at 18:49

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Run flats are terrible. They go onto cars to save the weight of a fifth tire and wheel - usually about 40lbs - and to increase trunk space. But the ultra stiff sidewalls make them handle and feel shitty.

Also different to conventional tires: they can't be patched by a shop if you run over a nail or something, so punctures guarantee you have to buy a new tire. Very stupid.