Run-Flat Tires: Pros & Cons

Can there possibly be anything more annoying than a flat tire? Whether you’re on a road trip, or within a few miles of home, nothing will stop you in your tracks quite like some busted rubber.

Worse, when a tire does go flat, your options are scarce. Most folks call some sort of roadside assistance, or perhaps even a tow truck, but this could leave you stranded on the side of the road for hours before they come to your rescue. You might be able to change the tire yourself, but this involves a lengthy process of rummaging through your trunk to get everything you need, jacking it up, undoing the bolts, and swapping them out—assuming you even have a spare tire.

The alternative? Run flat tires. Most luxury cars come factory-equipped with run flats, and BMW is no exception. In fact, BMW run-flat tires have been around for ages. So, let’s take a look at what they are, how they work, and how they can benefit you.

What Are Run Flat Tires?

Well, the name is pretty self-explanatory. Run flats are tires that are capable of supporting the vehicle on the road after a puncture that would cause a regular tire to lose all internal pressure.

These aren’t intended to be driven indefinitely, though—once a run flat has taken a critical puncture, you have about 50 miles or so to find a tire shop before the tire starts failing. Drivers should also be careful not to exceed 50 miles per hour while driving on a punctured run flat. So, basically, it’s the same rules as driving on a donut, with the obvious advantage that you don’t have to physically change it yourself.

There are two basic types of run flat tire systems:

• Self-Supporting -These work using reinforced sidewalls (the part of the tire facing outward.) The thicker sidewall has the added benefit of making the side of the tire that much harder to puncture, which is more damaging than a puncture in the tread.
• Support Ring – This type works using a ring of thick rubber that encircles the rim, which doesn’t allow the rim to scrape against the ground after the tire loses pressure.

Pros of Run Flat Tires

Now that we know what they are, and how they work, let’s check out the advantages of run flat tires vs. regular tires.

You’ll (Probably) Never Have to Change the Tire Yourself

There’s really no such thing as an “ideal” time to encounter a flat tire, but there are certainly times that are less ideal.

Picture this: you’re cruising down Interstate 70, when all of a sudden you hear a pow and your car lurches, followed by the characteristic flapping sound of a flat tire. Now, have to pull over on the shoulder. If you call for roadside assistance, it’s going to be a lot harder for the tow truck to hook up to you. If you have real guts, you may decide to change it yourself. Now, you get to experience the unique discomfort of trying to jack your car up and get your tire off while traffic whips by at 80 miles per hour. Not fun.

With run flats, this becomes a problem of the past (unless you experience a full blow-out—more on that in a minute.)

Greater Stability

If you have to compare driving on a run flat versus a spare donut, a run flat is more stable in general, even with zero tire pressure. This allows you to locate a service center with confidence. As long as you heed the manufacturer guidelines, you shouldn’t have to worry about catastrophic failure with a run flat tire.

No Need to Carry a Spare

Don’t get us wrong—it’s never a bad idea to keep a spare tire in the trunk. Still, run flat tires are stable enough that you can be reasonably sure that they’ll make it far enough down the road to reach the tire shop. This can free up valuable trunk space for other emergency supplies, which can be especially useful if you drive a sedan or a subcompact, where space is a premium commodity.

Cons of Run Flat Tires

Now that we know the main benefits, we can discus a couple potential drawbacks.

The Potential for a Complete Blowout is Still There

Just because they named them “run flats,” it doesn’t make them totally invincible.

The sidewalls are usually reinforced, so it takes a lot more to pierce them. If they are pierced, though, you may still be out of luck and waiting on a tow.

Also, if you’re driving after the tire has been rendered flat, it’s important to exercise caution. The tire has lost some of its structural integrity, and if you hit a large bump or pothole, it’s more likely to cause a total tire failure.

Slightly Higher Prices

Basically, you’re paying for the convenience and peace of mind that comes with not having to worry as much about a flat tire.

Because of the extra reinforcements, run flats are a little more expensive to produce, and therefore, the price gets passed along to the consumer. Still, don’t worry about the BMW run flat tire cost—it isn’t a jaw-dropping difference in price, and let’s be honest, if you’re driving a Beamer, you probably don’t mind spending a few more bucks.

Potentially Reduced Longevity

This one is actually up for debate. This stems from a decade-old study by J.D. Power that found run flat tire owners end up replacing their tires more often than drivers who use conventional tires. The study found that run flat drivers tend to have to replace theirs around 6,000 miles sooner than the average counterpart.

Still, a more recent survey by the same company found that people who drive with run flats overwhelmingly approve of them, indicating that the tire technology itself is improving greatly. So, the jury is still out.

What Kind of Run Flat Tires Should You Buy?

While run flat tires aren’t nearly as common as conventional ones, most major tire manufacturers make them. Many experts recommend buying the self-supporting variety, as opposed to the support ring style, due to the decreased weight, which allows for better performance, and often results in a lower price.

Due to their nature, repairing run flat tires can be a little more difficult, so if you do experience a puncture, plan to have the tire replaced. This is mostly because, even though you can drive on them for a limited number of miles, driving on a run flat that’s lost its pressure still damages it internally, because the entire weight of the car is placed on the failsafe mechanisms without the aid of proper inflation.

A few of our most recommended all-season BMW brands include:

• Bridgestone DriveGuard – Highest recommended run flat tire
• Pirelli Cinturato P7 A/S – Best value run flat tire
• Continental ContiProContact GX – Best warranty on a run flat tire

Which Run Flats Will Fit My BMW?

As always, we recommend that you confer with you local Miami tire experts to find the best fit for your needs. If you spend most of your time in Southern Florida, you’ll probably be able to get away with a set of summer tires. If not, your needs may differ. At Braman BMW, we like to use genuine OEM replacement parts, so there’s no question you’re getting the best fit for your BMW, and we’re happy to guide you through the process of finding the right tires for you.

While you’re online, make sure you check out our parts and service specials. If you encounter a flat, or you’re just due for scheduled tires service like a rotation, give us a call at (786) 235-9765 to schedule quick and easy help, and make sure you get the best run flat tires for BMW.