I would be curious too.

Nora in Florida
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My experience with run-flats (not on Volvos) has been a nightmare. Expensive, poor ride, poor wear, difficult to source on the road, not repairable, often don't even get you the promised 50 miles (or whatever). The one time I needed to depend on one (on I-40 in Texas), it got me maybe 25 miles toward a repair place and then shredded entirely. Ended up with a tow anyway.

Stay away.

 

There are no run-flats that I know of that will fit the 275/45 R21 tires that came on my T8. If they do exist, I am sure they are noisy, bumpy, less fuel efficient, and even more ridiculously expensive than the Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires that I have now.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about "less fuel efficient". :thumbdown:

 

As everyone says, run flats are terrible. Super happy Volvo went with a proper spare, and not a kit. (Last time run flats failed me, I had to spend the night on the couch of a tow truck driver, but that's a long different story)

 

Well, yea, that's the rub. The T8 has an electric motor where the spare should be. Instead they give you some sticky goop and an air compressor. I've supplemented with a plug kit, which I've had to use once. But I was able to fix the puncture with the plug kit, and re-inflate with the compressor.

 

Ugh...worst tires ever. I can't recommend going that route. I mean honestly how often have you had a puncture on the side of the road? I've probably had two in 27 years of driving. Maybe a couple more that were noticed after getting home and slow leaking out overnight (not the stranded by the side of the road type).

To me putting up with run flats to prevent something that might happen once, if at all, during the time you own this car is a big compromise.

The run flats I had were noisy, had balance problems, and were worn out well before they should have been. Never again.

 

Well yes, but the thing is that we had run flats on the BMW i3 and they were fine. Never had a flat but really never had a problem. I'd love to know about folks who have actually had them on an XC90 T8 which, as Shelbo points out, has no provision for either a 'real' spare or a doughnut.

 

Run flats on the XC90 would give a harsh ride. Its already firm and the suspension setup is for normal tyres. BMW has put a lot of effort into getting the ride comfy with runflats.

 

I test drove a USA 1st year X1 (based on the wagon) with run flats that was pretty smooth and handled decently. Lots of negative opinions on run flats otherwise, so I'm steering clear...YMMV...