Run flat tires suck

Off-Ramp
1

Lease turn in inspection is tomorrow. Car is all cleaned up and ready to go.

I’m driving back from the office for literally the first time in a year and I hear the ol’ thump thump thump thump from outside. Pull over and find a huge bolt in the middle of my tire. It never lost pressure, I guess the bolt is holding the air in. I imagine it fell off one of the trucks at work as they are doing some significant construction at the office.

As its a run flat, no one will repair it. $271 installed for a new tire on a car I’ll own for ~ 1 more week.

Run flat tires suck. <./rant>

3 Likes
2

That they do

4 Likes
3

I’d call around and ask about the repair. As long as it is not on the sidewall, they were able to patch mine and it was as good as a run-flat tire can be. I got mine done at a Discount Tire and it was free.

2 Likes
4

Really? I tried Tire Kingdom and some random place I hadn’t heard of before and both said they wouldn’t patch it.

I was just about to order the tire online. Guess I’ll call around to a few more places. Its right about in the center of the tread, and since it never lost pressure it never actually ran while flat.

Thanks for the heads up.

5

You can find a used one too, ebay

6

They suck hard, indeed.

I guess OEMs like them because they reduce weight of spare, allow more cargo room?

EDIT: This was interesting: Why Do Run-Flat Tires Suck? Science, and Tradeoffs

1 Like
7

I have a 3 series build order in progress that’s got RFTs on it. It’s my first BMW. I ordered the run flats because I wanted 19" wheels but there wasn’t a 19" all season non-RFT in the online build tool.

I learned after the fact that there are configuration options available that aren’t in the online tool… not sure if that tire option is one of them, but nothing to be done about it now.

Despite all of the negative stuff I read, I’m still kind of interested to experience them first hand. It’ll be a new experience :upside_down_face:

8

I could hug you right now. Called 3 other places, sure enough found someone who would patch it.

Thanks a million for the tip. Was having a crappy day overall; this just made it better. Thanks!!

7 Likes
9

Mine are 18’s. I actually don’t mind the drive with them, they feel nearly the same to me a non-run flats, it’s just that when you do get a flat it really does suck since your options are limited to find someone to repair it and the tires are 2 to 3 times more expensive.

1 Like
10

Good to know patching it is an option, both in general and in your specific situation. I’m glad to hear you don’t mind the ride, that’s been my biggest concern.

2 Likes
11

I’ve repaired RFTs as long as it isn’t the sidewall. Some places in will try and tell you they can’t repair it and then try to sell you a tire, but they can be repaired as long as not sidewall.

2 Likes
12

“Discount Tire” is the only store that repairs run flat tires. Check if you have a store near you.

13

Did you skip the entire thread?

4 Likes
14

I saw it later that someone already responded. :grinning:

1 Like
15

That’s great to hear! Glad it worked out and saved you a few $$. Depending on if you have a Sam’s club or Costco tire center, those are good last resort places too!

1 Like