To RFT or not RFT...that is the question
 

I need new tires on the 135. It currently has Pirelli PZero RFTs. Tire size is 215/40/R18 front 245/35/R18 rear.

The rears are worn and there is a bubble in one of the fronts. I planned on cross shopping Michelin PSS and Conti Extreme DW and if the PSS were less than $25/tire more go that route. Unfortunately when I started digging, it turns out neither are offered in an RFT version for my size.

So I'm left with the dilemma of sticking with the crappy Pirellis to stay with Run Flats (+ almost $100/tire more). Or go the non-RFT route and risk being stranded. I'd throw a can of slime and a compressor in the trunk, but I've already had one flat and the bubble that easily could have been a flat with this car. It was nice driving home and to the tire store with the RFTs.

A spare kit is also a possibility, but the trunk isn't big and I'm sure I wouldn't be carrying it all the time.

I want to go the non-RFT route, I just need a little positive reinforcement.

I've survived for 11 years with no spare, so yeah that gets my vote. A plug kit, some slime, and a compressor should cover pretty much any issue you may have.

Although, to be fair, I did spring for RFT winter tires on the x3. :eeps:

I would do the non-RFT route + a spare kit to either take on trips or at least keep in the garage so that you aren't immobile if you need to order a tire.

Agreed. Get the PSS

No doubt.

Although, where not a huge premium, I am willing to go RFT on winter tires. Our min has RFT winters.

Interestingly, the summer tires on the X5 are RFT (dunlop) whereas the snows are conventional Hakkas. Fortunately, I have the spare kit option.

Costco has a $70 off discount on a set of Michelin's going on right now. I just ordered a set of Pilot Sport AS3's FWIW.

And FWIW, I run a Miata which never came with a spare tire from the factory, nor any run flat tires. There is just a patch kit from Mazda in the trunk.

Hm, I should open up the kit and see what's in there. Just so I know.

Have 3 cars without spare and without run flat.

Last time we used a spare was about 1990. And even then it didn't help, as two tires went flat.

The only thing that keeps me from swapping out the wagon's lousy RFTs is the long stretch of cell phone dead zone we have on the way to the house in Rappahannock. For about 8 miles and until we get to the house, there's no way to call for help, if needed.

I carried a donut spare in the M3 for that reason (and there was enough of a well in the trunk to mostly handle it--the newer cars don't have the vestigial place for the spare.)

But I would love to put some non-RFT tires on the wagon...And I might just make them Pilot A/S as well, so as not to worry about the random snow flake early/late in the season.

Non-RFT for me.