Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Comments on Run-Flat Winter / Snow Tires: Don't Get Left Out in the Cold

Friday, January 21, 2011 by Run-flat flat:

Your points are valid, but there are still good reasons to avoid run flats. I was persuaded to install run flats on my MINI Cooper. Thank goodness it was not an S model and so, came equipped with a spare. The first winter that I owned it, my wife drove the car to work. I got a call at about 9 am from her telling me that she'd had a flat. I couldn't believe it. What ensued was a sort of argument in which her feelings were hurt that I didn't believer her that her run-flat was flat. I drove out to where she was and, indeed, it was flat. She'd run over something that was still embedded in the tire. It was a large piece of metal that looked as though it had dragged off of another vehicle and sharpened on the street before it finally fell off. It was about six inches long and an inch wide and very, very sharp and jagged on one end. This end went through the run-flats. Thank goodness I was able to put the spare on, but yes, I had to do so in the driving snow with almost nowhere to pull the vehicle off to the side of the road. It sucked. Once the run-flats had to be replaced, I installed conventional tires. I really don't see the advantage of run-flats and, even if I have them on a car, I still will always want a spare. But I don't even like donut spares. I'd much prefer to have a full-size spare and have always kept them in every car I've owned and I've never been disappointed at that decision. A great set of run-flats can never make even a so-so full size spare tire obsolete.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 by john Roach:

I tend to agree with the previous comment. A full size spare is the ideal way to go but that option is not always practical. I drive a mini cooper S to work and back everyday and I do not use run flats for all the reasons you've read about, price ride/comfort, weight, and tire options. I really like the Continental extreme DSW tires. I've invested into a spare tire and wheel in my garage and AAA. This way if I have a flat or any other debilitating problem on any of my vehicles I just call AAA and they are there within 30 to 45 minutes. I probably wouldn't drive cross country in a car with no spare but if you are always within 40 miles of the house this is the only logical way to go. I mean really, who wants to change a tire on the side of a busy highway anyway.

Saturday, October 22, 2011 by Adrienne Nemura:

I am ditching my runflats for my Mini Clubman S and opting with AAA, which I belong to for other reasons. Yes, you may have to wait a little while but AAA towers are generally very responsive even in rural areas. I am disappointed with having to replace my tires in 1.5 years and was even more annoyed that I got stuck in the snow in Michigan, when I usually can get anywhere with all season tires on a different car. Turns out it was not my driving but the runflats. Too bad the Mini salesman didn't warn me about the runflats.

Thursday, November 3, 2011 by Thea:

I just had a frustrating conversation with the people who usually change over my tires.I tried to buy a new set of regular winter tires for my mini cooper S and this lagre tire-selling company won't sell me regular tires anymore unless I have a dedicated area for a spare in the car (which the mini obviously doesn't have). Evidently someone got sued. Meanwhile, they don't sell runflat winter tires for the 15" rims that I have. Go figure!!

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