Possible Run-Flat Advantage

[yianniem]

Like everyone else I'm not a fan of the harsh ride I get from my run-flats but recently I have had some first hand experience with their advantages.
The first instace was when I came out to a flat tire and was able to drive to a gas station without worrying about anything. I drove like usual, added air and went on my way till I was able to get it plugged, very convenient.
The second instance is more financial and safety oriented, I hit a serious pothole and now have a nice bubble in the sidewall of my front left snowtire. Normally when this happens I get a new tire and inevitably waste lots of the tires treadlife and pay over $200, now I plan or riding it out till the tire needs replacing or it punctures.

[HBWT]

Riding out that bubble on your snow tire is nothing short of a BAD idea...runflat or not! That tire could come apart(without warning)at any time...today, tomorrow, next week, maybe never. If it comes apart at speed it could cause damage to you wheel, fender, or fender liner...or result in an accident. I say don't drive on a tire that you know to be damaged...it's just not worth it.

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[BMW330xi]

what was your tire psi at the time?

[ctuna_97]

Driving on bad tires does not make Economic Sense from any way your look at it. Also its a safety issue for you and everyone else. I pushed my tires beyond were they should have been before and paid the price don't do it.

[yianniem]

I know its not a good idea to joke about it but I think the run flats are designed for this. I remember seeing a video article where they tested two cars with RFT's back to back one flat and one with a one inch hole drilled into the sidewall and the cars/tires performed fine in both tests. I also recall they used a small explosive on the tire to trigger a blowout while driving and the car seemed to barely feel the effects. Its not ideal but I think I'm within the intended use of the tires.

I wish someone from a tire company was here to comment definitively.

I was going 65 mph with the tires inflated per the door jamb 32psi front and 36psi rear if I remember correctly. It was dark so I didn't see the pothole or i would have avoided it.

[floydr]

The "bubble" means that the air bladder built into the inner part of the tire has been compromised and that air pressure is only being held in by the outer rubber. The outer rubber is not designed to do that.

With non-runflat tires, the "bubble" will burst and you'll have a blow-out and possible loss-of-control. With a runflat, the stronger sidewall will prevent a catastrophic blow-out and you will (probably) not lose control.

However, the bubble is a GUAURANTEE that the tire will fail sooner or later. You might as well replace it.

[HBWT]

question here. I'd be very interested in what the experts say. They're a lot more qualified to answer your question than I.

Wheel/Tire forum

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[yianniem]

I just wonder why BMW saw fit to install these on all its cars, if there isn't a real benefit? I don't consider the convenience of driving on a flat a worthwhile benefit. I also think that these RFT are more prone to getting bubbles, this will be my third snow tire replaced for bubbles in two seasons and I have also replaced one or two of my summer tires for the same reason.

[mrglock]

The Service manager at Twin City BMW in Savoy, IL states the proper tire inflation for the RFT's is 40psi all the way around. This is due to cupping of the tread when under inflated.

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[yianniem]

This past weekend I swapped out the winter wheels and got the summer set on. Though the bubble had swelled to gargantuan size it never burst, thank you Bridgestone. I wouldn't do it again but that's what happened.