so i have a problem with my runflats. i must say they are great but $$$ to replace. i have been told they can be patched once ( goodyears ) and some places do it and some dont. so heres the problem:
i took delivery in mid feb 07' ive already had two nails inpale my back runflats ( left and right tire ) got them both patched. now one of them keeps losing air about every 3 weeks. i go back to the same guy to get it fixed.

now, should i ditch the runflats and get rims and tires or still stick with runflats.

 

That is a personal choice totally dependent upon what is important to you.

The probability of a flat has nothing to do with RFs or not. Same place, some nail or whatever, same flat.

Some people prefer dumping the RFs because of the harsher ride and better handling from regular tires.

Other people prefer keeping them because of the convenience.

I know I chose to keep them because your going to have buy all four tires and saw no reason to "throw away" the money invested in the OEM tires until the threads wore away. My wife drove the car daily I preferred her to NOT have the hassle to worry about stopping to use goop or whatever. With the RFs, you drive drive home (if local).

Do a search and you will find a thread where someone got a flat in Death Valley and attributes the RFs to saving a lot of grief.

Beware, if you get a blowout, no amount of goop is going to fix it but the same is true for the RFs.

Your choice ... what is important to you?

 

plus, enough people on NAM hate the runflats, you can find some good deals on them used if you keep your eye open. Also, there are more options available these days, which is helping to start bring the prices down. Interesting that the first two responses you get are to keep them, get ready for about 8-10 responses telling you that runflats suck, that seems to be the msot common opinion on these boards, but I'm in the same boat as chows (the mini is my wife's, so runflats it is)

 

The thing is, this is an enthusiasts forum but does not truly represent the "masses", the other 130K or so owners out there. Enthusiasts are going to want the very best tires. If you do autox or track the car, then get some track tires for sure. But if your just using it for normal daily driving, RFs are far safer, IMHO, for the wife.

Further, I seriously doubt that 90% of the people who switch tires, other than for a softer ride, ever come close to driving the car at 10/10s or 9/10s and even know what that means. It's like ... go add more HP but if you can't drive the car at its limit OEM, then what is the point.

Again, it's all personal choice

And yes, be prepared for a dozen posts to tell you to dump the RFs. Thats fine. Everyone's needs are different

 

My solution is a sort of best of both worlds approach:

I replaced my runflats for the reasons many others have: better handling, a better ride and less expense. But, rather than simply having faith in my obstacle-avioiding quotient (call it whatever...but I call it BS) and AAA card, I chose to buy a spare tire and jack. Whenever I do not need all of my Mini's cargo space, I carry the tire, jack and wrench. This way, I can take care of any type of tire failure on the spot.

Bottom Line: This works for me. I have the good ride and handling of non-runflats, as well as the ability to combat any type of flat tire. This last bit is actually one up on runflats, which is important if one gets a flat in a remote area. (no cell phone service, etc.)

 

wow. great reply posts. after reading all these, im gonna stick with my runflats untill the treads are out. that will be the time i decide on getting new runflats or new set of tires+rims.

 

Exactly. And I bought a Spare WITH the runflats!

It all depends upon where you drive as well. I once had a blowout in the Nevada desert outside of Searchlight. NO cell phone service. DO NOT depend upon cell phone service as vast areas of the country do not have it. A real spare is always a good idea