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Question of the week: Can I fit runflat tyres to my car?

David Ross, Editor
Fri, 21 Nov 2025

Dear Honest John,

"I want to fit runflat tyres to my wife's MINI as repair kits are useless. It has 17 inch wheels and I am told by my dealer that the rims would accept runflats.

I have had runflats on my BMWs and found them good and have saved me a couple of times. I have read that they may ruin the ride and handling of MINIs.

Do you have any experience of runflats on MINIs and are they a good option? I note that MINI is no longer offering them as a fitment on new cars. I do not want my wife to get stranded with a flat tyre in the wilds of Cumbria.

- WS

Dear WS,

It would be possible to fit runflat tyres to this car on the basis that the dealer has confirmed the wheels are suitable - depending on the age of you MINI it is quite likely it was fitted with runflats from the factory.

They would reduce the impact of a puncture or deflation compared to conventional tyres, although they are not without drawbacks.

As a general rule, runflat tyres produce a harder ride compared to conventional tyres as their additional strength is partly due to stiffer sidewalls.

This can also affect how the car handles, as the sidewall deflects during hard cornering and this is transmitted through to the steering wheel and gives the driver feedback on how much the front tyres are gripping the road.

It is also worth bearing in mind that conventional tyres can sometimes be repaired following a puncture, whereas a runflat cannot be repaired.

Ultimately the amount of outright grip on offer would be almost identical given the same dimensions and tread pattern between a conventional and a runflat tyre, so it is a matter of how important the feedback and ride comfort is as well as the potential cost, against the reassurance that runflats offer.

Ask HJ

Can I mix runflats with non-runflat tyres?

I returned from holiday to pick up my BMW from one of the Meet and Greet firms at Heathrow T2 to learn that when they went to bring it to the airport from their secure compound, they discovered that one of the rear tyres was cut and deflated on the inside sidewall with a 4-inch gash. They replaced it with a second hand tyre for £60 to "get me home". I had very little choice in the matter, so accepted the tyre change. My BMW 520 runs on Goodyear Eagle F1 runflats, 245/40 R19 98Y specification. The "get me home" tyre fitted on the rear nearside is a Fronway Eurus 08 245/40 ZR19 98WXL. I have no idea if it is a runflat (they said it was) and there's a bit of a chunk out of the outside face of the tyre. The tread seems fine. I felt I had little or no choice when they fitted it, but I needed to get home (a 2.5 hour drive). More importantly, is this tyre okay for the car? Can I mix brands/runflats with non-runflats or should I change it ASAP?
Although it is not illegal to mix runflats and conventional tyres on the same vehicle, we would strongly recommend that you change the odd tyre for a matching runflat or one of a similar specification. Runflats have stiffer sidewalls to provide stability in the event of a puncture, so this could upset the ride and handling of your car, particularly as the odd tyre is on the rear wheels in a rear-wheel-drive car. We would also suggest you check the terms and conditions of your booking with the parking company regarding their policy in the event of a puncture, as mixing tyre types is one issue but providing a tyre with a chunk missing is potentially dangerous.
Answered by David Ross
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