Run Flats - Are you still using them?

[koimaster]

I had a recent encounter at a local Corvette club with another owner who had replaced his Run Flats with regular tires. I got to thinking about it and wondered how many others have done so.

A recent article on tire noise in a Corvette periodical did a test on Run Flats vs non -Run Flats for noise comparisons. Aside from the near identical noise levels, an interesting notation was that they preferred the non Run Flats due to price.

I still run them on both my cars but maybe I am an exception these days with tire technology being what it is now.

 

[GS Diva]

We just replaced the original runflats on our '02. We bought Michelin Sports (runflats) and are extremely happy with them. Yes, they're a little more expensive than non-runflats, but we like the security.

Elaine

 

[Bonnell]

My '02 vert had non-runflat GSD3s. I loved the handling of the D3s. Last July I traded the vert for a new JSB '08 coupe. I have 12K miles on the car now (my DD) and I cannot say that the runflats are any noisier than the D3s. SO far I am perfectly happy with runflats and I intend to use runflats when the time comes.

 

[XLR8]

I've stayed with runflats on my C5, but I can't give an informed comparison because I've not tried the non-runflats.

My decision to stay with them was reinforced a few years ago when I had a flat on the interstate at 80+ mph. They performed perfectly and turned what could have been a catastrophy into a minor inconvenience.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/c5-general-discussion/82325-flat-tire-80-mph.html

Jane Ann

 

[Tuna]

Both my C5s and now both my C6s have run-flats and will continue to have run-flats - piece of mind, safety, no need to wait on the side of the road for a tow truck for a flat, no need to carry a complete tire inflation kit (which does not work for big holes). Our cars go on long road trips on twisty country roads and highways a long way from cities and AAA support. I'll stay with run-flats.

The early days of run-flats were noted by harsh ride and lots of noise - just ask anyone that got the run-flat option on their C4. The early C5 EMT were better but not great.
The new F1 GS2's on the C6 are very good. The Michelin PS A/S ZP is a great tire for the C5.

As noted earlier, the biggest complaint I have now is the price, but I think it's worth it.

 

[RedShift]

I hate to admit I just replaced my original runflats on my 01 (shows how often I drive it) with F1 All Seasons. Even though the only ride I have on the new tires is from the store to my garage, I must admit the ride seemed better. Not as stiff and choppy. I could not feel every tar line on the road. The only problem I've had for years is a nail-slow leak, so I decided to just buy a repair kit with a pump and toss it in the back. My new MX-5 (daily driver) came without runflats (no spare) and a repair kit and pump. Had a nail in it's tire already but the TPMS let know when she hit 26 psi. A quick stop and patch and ready to go again. I'll hit them there hills soon and give the new rubber a good test, but from the recent postings most seem to agree the non-runflats give a better ride. O, not to start the debate again but the local tire shop filled the new tires with N2 at no cost and will refill at no cost if needed. :cool

 

[jrose7004]

I put brand new GY Runflats on my 04 at all 4 corners! As Tuna said, I like the peace of mind.

 

[PreacherNutshot]

I put brand new GY Runflats on my 04 at all 4 corners! As Tuna said, I like the peace of mind.

Ditto. Plus I have the GY EMT M&S mounted on some old wagon wheels that I run all winter. Runflats FTW.

 

[gmc_kurt@yahoo.com]

gm requires run flats

if you read your owners manual it states that through testing by gm, that runflats are best suitable for the handling and smoother ride for corvettes.the only people who change the runflats are the ones who need a snow tire in the winter.yes most good runflats run in the 3-4 houndred dollar range, they last longer and handle the road better..

 

[koimaster]

if you read your owners manual it states that through testing by gm, that runflats are best suitable for the handling and smoother ride for corvettes.the only people who change the runflats are the ones who need a snow tire in the winter.yes most good runflats run in the 3-4 houndred dollar range, they last longer and handle the road better..

i am running ECSTA MX XRP on both my C5 cars. I love the handling ( after they warm up ) suck in rain and am not going to try them in snow this year :L. Out handle my old GY run flats and less noise also.

 

[Remo]

Choice Depends On Your Needs

I replaced the GY Runflats with a set of
BF Goodrich g-Force KDW-2's. I needed a
tire that would hook up better than the
rock hard OEM runflats. As a bonus I got
tires that were, quieter, provided an improved
ride and the feedback is much better than the
OEM Goodyears.

As far as flat tire issues go, I have an electric
inflation kit, a plug kit, a cell phone and triple A.
Remo:cool

2001 Lingenfelter Convertible. Cam, Heads, Ported Polished, Kooks
Headers High Flow Cats & X-Pipe, Borla Stingers. T-1 Springs & Sways,
Bilstien Sports. 457 RWHP, 404 RWTQ.

 

[leftyvette]

I had a run-flat "flat" soon after buying my Vette. Saw a low pressure warning and kept on going all the way home with no problem. Drove to the local Goodyear dealer the next day and had the screw removed and repaired. I will be staying with run flats!!!!

 

[motor_medic]

I will stay with run flats for piece of mind in case something happens. At this time I am look at the Michelin Pilot A/S Plus Run Flat because Michelin has a aggressive pricing over Goodyear, but I wonder why Michelin is a $100.00 less per tire than Goodyear, I feel like I am missing something about the Michelin Run Flat.

 

[koimaster]

I will stay with run flats for piece of mind in case something happens. At this time I am look at the Michelin Pilot A/S Plus Run Flat because Michelin has a aggressive pricing over Goodyear, but I wonder why Michelin is a $100.00 less per tire than Goodyear, I feel like I am missing something about the Michelin Run Flat.

sent you a link with some user feedback. It is at another forum so it will go via PM

 

[Jistari]

Run flats. dont leave home without em . . .








Guys get nutz if someone "parks" close to their cars, yet they will rely on "Clem" showing up to tow their car? No thanks.




No insult intended to any of our Clem's , just a fictionalization.

 

[Remo]

Run flats. dont leave home without em . . .


Guys get nutz if someone "parks" close to their cars, yet they will rely on "Clem" showing up to tow their car? No thanks.


No insult intended to any of our Clem's , just a fictionalization.

Jistari - I'm sure none of the Z06 owners will take issue with your silly
fictionalization.
Remo:cool

 

[LLC5]

I will stay with run flats for piece of mind in case something happens. At this time I am look at the Michelin Pilot A/S Plus Run Flat because Michelin has a aggressive pricing over Goodyear, but I wonder why Michelin is a $100.00 less per tire than Goodyear, I feel like I am missing something about the Michelin Run Flat.

It might be because the C5 Goodyear tire is rated to run 200 miles at zero pressure, and the Michelin is rated to run 50 miles at zero pressure. GM mandated a tire that would go 200 miles with no air in it for the C5. That changed with the C6, I think the C6 Goodyear runfalt is rated at 100 miles at zero pressure.

If it helps any, I had Goodyear non runfalts on my vehicle when I bought it. They were quiet, rode good, handled great. I installed Michelin ZP's when the Goodyears wore out, no difference in ride or noise, handling on the street is the same. The plus is that I can go 50 miles with no air in the tire, the negative is that they cost more than non runflats.

 

[65-to-00]

Junks real name is Clem? ;squint:

Whooda thunk that.

Clem & his other brother Clem? :guitar:guitar

Oh! Junk ...

Hippo birdie

2 ewes

Hippo birdie

2 ewes

Hippo birdie, hippo birdie, hippo birdie two eweeeeeeeeeeeees!

 

[killain]

Both my C5s and now both my C6s have run-flats and will continue to have run-flats - piece of mind, safety, no need to wait on the side of the road for a tow truck for a flat, no need to carry a complete tire inflation kit (which does not work for big holes). Our cars go on long road trips on twisty country roads and highways a long way from cities and AAA support. I'll stay with run-flats.

The early days of run-flats were noted by harsh ride and lots of noise - just ask anyone that got the run-flat option on their C4. The early C5 EMT were better but not great.
The new F1 GS2's on the C6 are very good. The Michelin PS A/S ZP is a great tire for the C5.

As noted earlier, the biggest complaint I have now is the price, but I think it's worth it.

Ya know this is a really interesting subject. I've read so much about the 'runflat vs Non-runflats' that it surprises me that people will consider using a non runflat over the tire technology the Corvette was designed for. On another webste there was a discussion about having non-runflats and about buying a Mercedes Benz jack, a wrench for the lug nuts and a little electric air compressor and a emergency tire patch kit. I mean WHY would you go through all that jazz when it's 2:30 in the morning and you've got a flat on interstate 80 in pouring rain ?

I'm not knocking folks who decided that non-runflats are their taste, but me I'm not taking a chance of mis-placing a jack, thus cracking a rocker panel or trying to do a tire repair of which I haven't got a clue how to do, when the car came with runflats and I'm going to be smarter than the GM engineers? Just carring around all that repair stuff is crazy, much less trying to fix a tire at my age? I just don't see the wisdom in runing a non-runflat tire. there are a lot of runflats and some are better than others, but to me, if it's not as quiet as a Cadillac inside the car cause the tires are a little noisy, turn up the radio.

 

[XLR8]

I stay with the runflats for pretty much the same reasons you stated killain. In fact, when I owned my C4, I had a flat on Christmas Eve at 20 degrees in the middle of nowhere (just a few miles from the end of the earth where my parents live) - when taking my niece's husband for his first Corvette ride.

He didn't have a jacket because we were just supposed to take a joyride and return home in minutes. Compounding the problem was the fact that I discovered that night I didn't have a spare. Ooops! I neglected to check that when I bought the Vette.

When my dad came (after charging and loading the air compressor in his truck), we discovered the tire had split too badly to allow it to be repaired and re-inflated. I had to call a tow truck anyway.

A situation like that on a C5 can be avoided with runflats.

With that said, it's all a personal preference. DIYourself-ers would think it just as silly to put up with any perceived noise and discomfort when they could carry the tools with them and run regular tires.

When it comes to runflats vs non-runflats, there's no definitive answer, just opinions and preference.

Jane Ann