Runflat Tyres: Are they more prone to punctures?
Discussion
My E60 BMWs have had three punctures in 15,000m, none of my other cars have had a single puncture in this time despite covering more milage over the same roads.
It seems strange to me that I have had more punctures in 18 months on RFT than in the previous 10 years,does anyone else have anything to add?
It seems strange to me that I have had more punctures in 18 months on RFT than in the previous 10 years,does anyone else have anything to add?
My Dad bought a 320d new in 2007 with runflats fitted as standard, and sold it on to me in November. It's now done 57,000 miles without a single puncture. My car before that was a 2007 Z4 Coupé, again with runflats, and no punctures on that either. To tell you the truth, I've actually never had a puncture on a car 
I can't offer an explanation for the OP's repeated punctures, but I've not yet heard that runflats are any more subject to punctures than normal tyres. I've also not had any problems with ride comfort; if you take into account the tyre profile they seem ok to me.
I can't offer an explanation for the OP's repeated punctures, but I've not yet heard that runflats are any more subject to punctures than normal tyres. I've also not had any problems with ride comfort; if you take into account the tyre profile they seem ok to me.I have not run these tyres whilst flat as they did not start to leak until the nails were removed, however nobody will repair a puncture in a RFT so they must be scrapped. This is far from amusing at £250 each!
I will think twice before buying another new BMW fitted with these tyres especialy as you don't get a spare or even a jack and wheel spanner.
In my neck of the woods it takes a couple of days to obtain a tyre, meaning your vehicle is unusable for 48 hrs or more,how can this be a good idea?
What happens if you get a puncture on a Sunday morning with a 300 mile journey in front of you, will BMW Assistance be able to find and fit a tyre or do they put the car on a flatbed and get you home that way? What if you miss your flight or a business meeting,why have customers accepted this flawed concept?
I was all for replacing my worn out set of RFT with normal (cheaper ,better riding) tyres but was warned that I would have to refit RFT to trade the car in,is this true?
I will think twice before buying another new BMW fitted with these tyres especialy as you don't get a spare or even a jack and wheel spanner.
In my neck of the woods it takes a couple of days to obtain a tyre, meaning your vehicle is unusable for 48 hrs or more,how can this be a good idea?
What happens if you get a puncture on a Sunday morning with a 300 mile journey in front of you, will BMW Assistance be able to find and fit a tyre or do they put the car on a flatbed and get you home that way? What if you miss your flight or a business meeting,why have customers accepted this flawed concept?
I was all for replacing my worn out set of RFT with normal (cheaper ,better riding) tyres but was warned that I would have to refit RFT to trade the car in,is this true?
kev b said:
I have not run these tyres whilst flat as they did not start to leak until the nails were removed, however nobody will repair a puncture in a RFT so they must be scrapped. This is far from amusing at £250 each!
Did you try ATS Euromaster? They did have a statement on their website about RFT repairs, they will consider a repair as long as you haven't driven too far or too fast at zero pressure. I did find another place that repairs run flats, but both of the punctures I've had on run flats were too near the edge to repair.For me, punctures always occur when one of the neighbours is having work done on their house. Some tradesmen must leak nails and screws out of the back of their vans
between 2 cars I've had 4 punctures and 1 soft tyre in the last 4 months - no runflats in sight, just winter tyres. However I think you (and I) have simply been unlucky - nails and screws will go through most tyres, although I've managed repairs 3 out of 5 times because I'm not on runflats and I don't have to use the aerosol gunk they supply with some cars. Prior to that about 1 puncture per year at most, often zero.
Runflats aren't a flawed concept. BMW have good reasons for them. They are great from a safety point of view mainly.
Most bmw's are used for commuting and family cars so the risk of having a blowout are greatly reduced therefore much safer. Also if my wife is driving home at midnight and get a flat I dont want her parked on the side of the road, with runflats she drives home safe and I'll worry about it tomorrow.
Having no spare also cuts weight and helps BMW with better fuel economy and emission figure which are hugely important to the company. Also saves costs by not having tools or a jack.
I know they can be harder in the ride but 2nd gen runflats are much better. Anyway if the ride quality was such an issue why do people still fit 19's? The ride isn't that bad. Most people wouldn't even know the car had runflats if they didn't read about it online or something.
I do believe runflats should be optional including a spare though if ordering from the factory new.
Most bmw's are used for commuting and family cars so the risk of having a blowout are greatly reduced therefore much safer. Also if my wife is driving home at midnight and get a flat I dont want her parked on the side of the road, with runflats she drives home safe and I'll worry about it tomorrow.
Having no spare also cuts weight and helps BMW with better fuel economy and emission figure which are hugely important to the company. Also saves costs by not having tools or a jack.
I know they can be harder in the ride but 2nd gen runflats are much better. Anyway if the ride quality was such an issue why do people still fit 19's? The ride isn't that bad. Most people wouldn't even know the car had runflats if they didn't read about it online or something.
I do believe runflats should be optional including a spare though if ordering from the factory new.
I am not sure about the weight saving,have you ever picked up arunflat tyre? They weigh far more than a normal tyre thus significantly increasing unsprung weight.
I am sure the weight saving of no spare or jack is negated by the extra tyre weight.You can still purchase a jack and spare from BMW c.£175,surely they could supply them as standard on a £35K vehicle.
I am sure the weight saving of no spare or jack is negated by the extra tyre weight.You can still purchase a jack and spare from BMW c.£175,surely they could supply them as standard on a £35K vehicle.
CooperD said:
I've had run flats on all my three MINI's since 2003 and covered over 120,000 miles without one puncture so far.
You really need to try driving a mini with non run flats fitted the ride is transformed, you also have wider choice of tyres with even good branded ones considerably cheaper than the run flats.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff