I always thought run flat tires where overated. I guess I'm not alone.

[89911]

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/RunFlatTiresAdvantagesInflated.aspx

I specifically requested not to order the Honda Odyssey Touring minivan because it came only with run flats as an option. I knew I would be going through tires sooner then usual and didn't want the added expense. I guess I'm not alone.

[on2wheels52]

'it came only with run flats as an option'
If it only comes with run flats then they're not an option, or is there more to the story?
JIm

[89911]

The "touring" option on the Odyssey includes run flats as the only tire choice. I just never bought into them.

[on2wheels52]

Got it (I think). You wanted the 'touring' package until you found out it only came with rf's.
Jim

[David]

They're on our new BMW. I think they ride like crap. I've read several threads that lead me to believe you're more likely to have a flat with run-flats due to the stiff sidewall. It seems that rather than deforming when they hit a large pothole, their side wall blows out .

[unimog406]

they were going to come stock on our toyota sienna awd van, but we finally managed to convince the dealer to swap them out. otherwise, no deal, I've heard they're seriously bad

[Don Plumley]

They came stock on my Cooper S. No spare tire. I waited until they wore out, them replaced them with standard tires.

[FastCarFan]

I personally hate this trend toward no spare tires in new cars. Even the doughnut spares allow you to get back on the road.

When I bought my VW R32 it did not have a spare, or run-flats. Just a can of gunk & an air compressor. Reading a VW forum I discovered that an Audi TT doughnut spare will fit in the well below the cargo area in the back. However, it will only fit on the rear because the brakes are too large in the front. So, if I get a front flat, I will have to change 2 tires. Still, I can get back on the road.

Will run-flats work if the wheel is bent? The trend toward larger diameter tires increases the chance of a bent wheel. So, we have an increased chance of flats & a decreased likelihood of having a spare.

I realize another issue with larger tires/wheels is where to put the flat tire after you take it off the car -- it likely will not fit where the space-saver tire was stored. Run-flats address that problem.

I am afraid this "no spare" trend will continue & grow -- it reduces weight, eliminates some of the packaging issues when designing a car & reduces cost. Unless consumers complain about it.

It wasn't too long ago that VW was bragging that their cars still had full-size spares (as my 2001 GTI did).

[KNS]

I was at a Porsche dealer not long ago and was standing near a salesman who was showing an elderly gentleman a 997. I couldn't help but overhear him extol the virtues of having no spare: "no need to get your hands dirty, just fill up the flat with the Goo included in the trunk". With the newer 911s there is the issue of storing the flat somewhere in the car.

As for the new BMWs I'd still prefer non RFTs and a regular spare.