I understand that the new Octavia vRS uses run flat tyres and I wondered if someone could briefly explain the pros and cons of using these tyres as opposed to the standard inflatable variety.

Will it cost me more to replace them if I do get a puncture and are there any tips on how best to maintain or use them?

Does it?

The run on flat will allow you to do 50 miles at 50mph I think with the tyre deflated.

It's the same principle as the space saver spare, in that it's enought to get you to a tyre repair place or home. Neither are a substitute for a real spare tyre.

My bosses BMW has them and he said they were a little more to replace, but nothing major, however I think you are restricted to a small number of brands depending on wether they are using special wheels with retaining structure or wether the tyre itself has it. I'd suggest tey will be a bit more.

Use them as a normal tyre, and if you get a flat drive slowly to a tyre fitter and get the tyre repaired or replaced.

mine doesnt have runflats........

if you are considering runflats, i believe you must get tyre pressure monitors fitted, seeing as you may not notice you have a flat. then crash.

the michelin PAX tyres have a secondary "tyre" bonded to the hub which the car runs on in the event of a flat. (special rims required for this i believe)

the runflats with extra stiff sidewalls work on ordinary rims. however, they will screw up the ride as there is less flex in the sidewall, which the cars suspension was set up on.

BMW are now getting away with it, as they have been fitting the runflats to the new 1 and 5 series, and some MINI's from launch (now the new 3 series).

I understand that BMW have constantly revised suspension settings since the runflats were first fitted, so BMW are understanding the technology better than most.

It is also interesting (if you find this kind of thing interesting), that BMW's M Power division have elected not to fit runflats to the M cars......

incidentally, just had a wee look on mytyres.co.uk and the normal RE 050's fitted to my vRS are 94.30 a tyre, and the runflat version is 139.40.....

Run flats are a complete pain in the ****. I had them on my cooper S, they give a very firm ride as there's little give in them. They're expensive to replace, last time I got new ones the guys at the tyre center had a complete nightmare removing them from the rims.

In theory the run flats I used could to >200 miles at 50mph but I never got a puncture so never tested this aspect. Unless you have a small boot with no space for a spare (like the Cooper S) I see no reason to use run flats.

Run flats are a complete pain in the ****. I had them on my cooper S' date=' they give a very firm ride as there's little give in them. They're expensive to replace, last time I got new ones the guys at the tyre center had a complete nightmare removing them from the rims.

In theory the run flats I used could to >200 miles at 50mph but I never got a puncture so never tested this aspect. Unless you have a small boot with no space for a spare (like the Cooper S) I see no reason to use run flats.[/quote']

Yes a mate had them on his Mini Cooper. The dash light warned he had a punchure but the run flat tyre kept going. The trouble was that the garage couldn't repair it so he had to buy a complete new tyre. The 2nd time it happened he got a mate in a commercial tyre depot to re-fill the tyre with gel (they use a similar system on lorries) It worked fine but the tyre never performed as before and no amount of balancing could sort out the vibration it caused at certain speeds.

The trouble was that the garage couldn't repair it so he had to buy a complete new tyre.

I think it is common practice not to repair a runflat, as the tyre relies on the strength of the sidewall, which could become damaged.

(if you get a nail through the sidewall on a regular tyre, would they repair it? im not sure they do, as it would increase the chances of a blowout.......)

I think it is common practice not to repair a runflat' date=' as the tyre relies on the strength of the sidewall, which could become damaged.

(if you get a nail through the sidewall on a regular tyre, would they repair it? im not sure they do, as it would increase the chances of a blowout.......)[/quote']

I got a nail through the shoulder of a tyre and the tyre depot repaired it but I had to leave tyre for a full 24 hrs - so presume it was some d=sort of vucanising or bonding job.

At the moment the majority of tyre manufacturers DO NOT recommend a Run-flat tyre be repaired following operation at reduced pressure. When a standard tyre is punctured and runs at reduced or zero pressure it will suffer damage to the sidewall that will render it unfit for repair and re-use. This damage is easily spotted once the tyre is removed and is usually seen as a creasing to the inner liner of the tyre in the sidewall area. This creasing indicates that damage has occured to the internal construction of the tyre and further use could result in casing failure.Due to its heavily reinforced sidewall construction a Run-flat tyre will not exhibit these signs and there may be internal damage that cannot be seen. A Run-flat tyre will undergo a great deal of stress while operating in a zero pressure situation and will therefore be subject to greater stresses than a standard tyre. The actual tyre does not carry the weight of the vehicle - it is the pneumatic effect of the air inside the tyre that carries the weight.

Just thought i would enlighten you all.

Under no circumstances should a run flat be repaired..... you wont know if any damage has been done.

Phil

My wife's Metro was fitted with them years ago. IIRC they were a non-standard size and only Michelin and Dunlop made them. The cost was around double that of a standard tyre.