[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/run-flat-tyres-are-they-rubbish\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/run-flat-tyres-are-they-rubbish\/","headline":"Run-Flat Tyres: Are They Rubbish?","name":"Run-Flat Tyres: Are They Rubbish?","description":"Are run-flat tyres worth it, or just a waste of time and money? Run-flat tyres may sound like a great luxury product but in reality there are disadvantages. Run-flat tyres are special tyres that can still function short-term even with a puncture. They use special supports built into the tyre that can keep the wheel rolling like it should even when the tyre has no air in it at all.   If you drive a BMW that isn\u2019t an M […]","datePublished":"2019-01-09","dateModified":"2019-01-09","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/RFT1-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/RFT1-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/run-flat-tyres-are-they-rubbish\/","about":["AMERICAN CARS","BMW","Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":746,"keywords":["bmw","RFT","run flat tyres","Tyres"],"articleBody":"Are run-flat tyres worth it, or just a waste of time and money?Run-flat tyres may sound like a great luxury product but in reality there are disadvantages. Run-flat tyres are special tyres that can still function short-term even with a puncture. They use special supports built into the tyre that can keep the wheel rolling like it should even when the tyre has no air in it at all. If you drive a BMW that isn\u2019t an M sports car, your car will have RFTs (run-flat tyres) on by default unless they\u2019ve been changed by an owner. Run-flats can be bought for most cars on the market so don\u2019t feel like they\u2019re just for bimmers. They\u2019re said to be safer and more convenient than regular tyres. However do not be fooled, these magic tyres aren\u2019t without their faults\u2026They feel horrible to drive with and perform poorly Ask anyone that\u2019s driven with RFTs and non-RFTs and 9 out of 10 of them will say how much nicer it felt to drive with \u201cregular\u201d tyres. There is an endless amount of case studies where motorists fall back in love with their car after swapping out their tyres and the recurring pattern is undeniable. It\u2019s a fact that run-flat tyres worsen ride quality. It causes crashy, soul-shaking stiffness that makes traversing potholes and speed bumps feel like an old rickety roller coaster ride. It\u2019s like pushing a shopping trolley over a cobbled street.Not only are the vibrations much more significant when driving on RFTs, but many drivers suggest that performance is worse as well. Thanks to the rock-hard sidewalls, handling is noticeably less sharp and not as \u201ctight\u201d around the corners. Grip is almost always superior when using non-RFTs. Think of it this way; why else would BMW avoid putting run-flat tyres on their M models? It\u2019s because they don\u2019t want their performance to be lessened! If that isn\u2019t BMW admitting that RFTs result in inferior handling, I don\u2019t know what is. They cost more than \u201cnormal\u201d tyresExpect to pay about 30% more for your run-flat tyres. Sure, it may not be much difference for one tyre, but when you need 2 new tyres, or God forbid, 4 new tyres\u2026 you better hope they offer finance plans that are kind to the wallet. But it\u2019s not that bad because you don\u2019t have to replace your tyres that often anyway, right? Well\u2026Run-flat tyres don\u2019t last as long On average, run-flat tyres need to be replaced 6,000 miles sooner than non-RFTs. According to a study by J.D. Power conducted in 2013. It is suggested that this is due to the softer tread compound used in RFTs, making them more susceptible to abrasive wear than harder non-RFT tyres. Could they be using a softer tread compound as an attempt to counter the hardness of the rest of the tyre? Either way, run-flat tyres tend to wear quicker so not only are they pricier, but you\u2019ll also be buying them more often. Yikes.\u00a0A tyre repair kit can solve the same problem for a lot less money If it\u2019s changing a wheel at the side of the road you\u2019re worried about, then why not just buy a tyre repair kit instead? The kits cost a lot less than RFTs and it\u2019ll also mean you won\u2019t have to change a wheel or carry a spare. The kit will allow you to block the puncture and inflate the tyre back up so you can drive to your nearest tyre dealer. It\u2019ll basically achieve the same as run-flat tyres do but without all the negatives that come with them.\u00a0\u00a0They could save your life One thing run-flat tyres do have going for them is that they are potential lifesavers. Sudden loss of tyre pressure whilst driving at high speeds almost never ends well. You could lose control of the car which could lead to crashing into other cars or the side of the road. This is where run-flats will shine because they will stop your tyre from going as flat as a pancake and allow you to drive safely for another 50 miles. This is the case if you don\u2019t drive over 50 mph.Run-flat tyres aren\u2019t for everyone, but they do serve a purpose, we won\u2019t deny that. Let us know how you feel about RFTs!\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Run-Flat Tyres: Are They Rubbish?","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/run-flat-tyres-are-they-rubbish\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]