peter Posted March 19, 2006 Report Share Posted March 19, 2006 Hi Got run flat tyres on 2004 audi A8, i figured that these would be an advantage but not so. When car indicates a tyre problem you are supposed to be able to run the car at 50mph until you can get the problem sorted, How long can you run for? as anyone tried to find a garage that will remove or repair these tyres? i have tried all round my area, charlie browns, quick fit etc and nobody touches them. This makes it very inconvienient getting the repair done even some audi garages can't repair them. These tyres are supposed to make things easier not harder. any help appreciated. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 What do the manufacturers say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 You can drive on at 50MPH, I think only for a 100 miles or so, I am having the "pax system" run flats on my new 4.2TDI A8 I hope the RAC cver plan will be enough to get me sorted, if your in the AA or RAC whatever they will sort you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retepnikrap Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 Can't see the AA / RAC will be happy about repairing my tyres, they will recover or offer roadside assistance but i'm pretty sure they are not going to repair my tyre. The point here is that on the positive side you are not going to get stuck with a flat, however when you try and get the problem solved it's not easy as only very special places touch these tyres. If i had the chance again i wouldn't touch these pax tyres with a 10 foot stick (and you pay extra for them) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikw Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 On the basis of repeated poor reviews of new BMWs in the motoring press (all of which, with the notable exception of the 'M' cars, now run PAX tyres) I'd avoid run-flats because of their effect on ride quality. The last time I suffered a puncture I was driving an Audi 100/A6 avant four-up and fully laden on the way back from Le Mans. After removing the offending nail a can of tyre foam reinflated the tyre, sealed the puncture and got us home without further incident. I should point out that the puncture was spotted with the car stationary, thereby avoiding any damage to the sidewall. If it had gone flat whilst on the move I would still have used the foam, but then carried on at much reduced speed in the direction of the nearest tyre fitter. In other words, much the same as running on a flat PAX tyre. On a car fitted with tyre pressure monitors there really isn't an excuse for letting a tyre get so flat it damages its sidewall. If I was speccing a new car, I'd therefore rather have tyre pressure monitors and a can of tyre foam than PAX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronmcl Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 I know I'm new to this forum and I may be missing something here, but what's wrong with just fitting the spare wheel? It only takes a few minutes and unless you've got a full boot and it's p*ssing down then it's really no big deal. These clever tyres sound to me like a very complicated and expensive solution to a problem that really doesn't exist - keep it simple! Then maybe I just don't get it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnss8 Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 You don't get a spare wheel with run flats. My MD's got them on his 5 series he ended up sitting at a Kwik Fit for 5 hrs while they got a new tyre to him, he was not a happy bunny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronmcl Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 Sorry - not wot I'm meaning. I meant what's wrong with five old-fashioned, boring, simple, standard wheels instead of the having the hassle of the 'run flats' at all? It's not like the A8's short of boot space! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronmcl Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 Just found this link that might be of interest. These guys provide a mobile service for repairing 'run flats'. They're based in Cambridge, but suggest that they cover most of the country. Don't know anything about them, but might be worth a call? etyres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Sorry - not wot I'm meaning. I meant what's wrong with five old-fashioned, boring, simple, standard wheels instead of the having the hassle of the 'run flats' at all? It's not like the A8's short of boot space! [/ QUOTE ] less Weight and less cost(to audi) so you pay the same cost for your Audi minus spare wheel, and their profit margin shoots up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikw Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 In my case the incentive not to use the (full size) spare wheel was that it was buried under a week's worth of tightly packed camping gear! Speaking more generally, the last time we discussed flat tyres in the office I was amazed by how many people would refuse to attempt a wheel change themselves. Any car manufacturer who conducts market research is, on the basis of my sample, likely to conclude that run-flat tyres have broad appeal. Then of course there are all the cost and efficiency issues associated with fitting five wheels to every four-wheeled car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencerbruntlett Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Would be an advantage for those of us with LPG too, where the tank replaces the spare. Although saying that I was so impressed with the can of Holts tyre repair stuff I had to use a few months back that I dont this the extra cost of run flat tyres would be worth it. Think I have only had 2 or 3 flats in 15 years driving....saying this I am bound to get one on the way home now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnArtist1 Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 A touch 'Over kill' I think, but these babies should work (a bit)!!! Run flats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philbes Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Five alloys with the same tyres on all is the only system that I will accept. I had a pucture (tyre destroyed by debris in the road) at 11pm on a Sunday night 20 miles south of Glasgow when I was travelling home to Gloucestershire. Smaller spare was marked 80kph/150km - so 50mph for a maximum of less than 100 miles. I had 300 miles of motorway to travel. Useless - I want a spare wheel of exactly the same spec. as the other 4 wheels. If not avalaibale for the car, then I'll buy a different car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronmcl Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Five alloys with the same tyres on all is the only system that I will accept. [/ QUOTE ]Glad it's not just me then! [ QUOTE ] Think I have only had 2 or 3 flats in 15 years driving. [/ QUOTE ]Really?!? You lucky *@+#%*@! I've had two on my 8 so far and not had it 2 years. Run-rate is probably about one a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philbes Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 My wife's 2000 Megane had 15" alloys with 185/55-15 tyres but the spare was 175/65-14 on a steel wheel and marked "80kph max". It cost me £120 incl VAT for a new fifth alloy from Renault and I fitted a part worn tyre. A week later my wife had a puncture when 90 miles from home. A kind paser-by changed the wheel for her and she was on her way at normal speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronmcl Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] 15" alloys with 185/55-15 tyres but the spare was 175/65-14 on a steel wheel [/ QUOTE ]That's just penny-pinching gone too far. The spare must only have been about half an inch smaller in diameter and 10mm thinner - not excatly space saving! Peter - have you found anyone to fix it yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now