To Run Flat or to Non Run Flat, that is the question
11-30-2015, 12:47 PM
#22
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Down south in Dixie
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I have run both and prefer the non rf.
In the end is is about your level of comfort regarding ride and the possibility of flats.
If you are going to worry about it get the best riding rf.
RF's are more $.
The handling and ride of my non rf Bridgestone S0-4's, along with the $860 out the door cost has me smiling.
Mine is not a DD and I am rarely out at night, also I do not stray too bad parts of town.
If a everyday driver and out at night often and drive all over maybe a good riding rf is your answer.
In the end is is about your level of comfort regarding ride and the possibility of flats.
If you are going to worry about it get the best riding rf.
RF's are more $.
The handling and ride of my non rf Bridgestone S0-4's, along with the $860 out the door cost has me smiling.
Mine is not a DD and I am rarely out at night, also I do not stray too bad parts of town.
If a everyday driver and out at night often and drive all over maybe a good riding rf is your answer.
Could not have said it better Boomer. I too use mine more for a weekend warrior with a road trip thrown in there from time to time. After much consideration I went with the Firestone Fire Hawk non-rf's. The car has been on two road trips, one 5000 miles, and one 3500 miles. I will say that with the non-rf's the 3500 mile road trip was much more comfortable than the one with the GY runcraps. Without the bumty bumps, and road noise it was a very relaxing road trip.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; 11-30-2015 at 12:48 PM.
11-30-2015, 01:05 PM
#23
Race Director
I'm ready to replace the OEM Goodyears on my Grand Sport and am going with the Bridgestone RE050A Potenza runflat.
I drive my Vette about 20k miles a year and am not going to risk a catastrophic tire failure while in the middle of nowhere. I've had two of those in the not-too-distant past that were not repairable by plugs and/or Slime and a compressor.
I drive my Vette about 20k miles a year and am not going to risk a catastrophic tire failure while in the middle of nowhere. I've had two of those in the not-too-distant past that were not repairable by plugs and/or Slime and a compressor.
11-30-2015, 03:58 PM
#24
Le Mans Master
That's just what I used to say,...until I got a flat last August on a 97* day, wearing good clothes.
I was very glad I had the RF tires. Drove to a tire shop about 20 miles away and had it repaired, nice!
Common sense!
I was very glad I had the RF tires. Drove to a tire shop about 20 miles away and had it repaired, nice!
Common sense!
11-30-2015, 05:21 PM
#25
Melting Slicks
I'm 53, and have never had a blowout. I guess I've been lucky. And since I don't take my Vette on long trips very often, I decided to switch to non-run-flats.
And, FWIW, we just bought a new Jeep Cherokee for my wife. It did't come with a spare tire, only an emergency fix-a-flat / pump kit. Many cars are going that route, unfortunately.
And, FWIW, we just bought a new Jeep Cherokee for my wife. It did't come with a spare tire, only an emergency fix-a-flat / pump kit. Many cars are going that route, unfortunately.
11-30-2015, 05:37 PM
#26
Melting Slicks
Run Craps are just that...crap. I daily my GS, and I've had a blow out on the toll way doing 70mph, but I still wouldn't put a run flat on my car..
You can see the blow out happen at 0:07 in. How did I deal with the situation? I pulled over into a busy/safe parking lot, and got the tire fixed in the morning.
I don't much see the point in buying a performance car to simply nerf the performance by playing it safe with crappy tires. I'd sooner buy the replacement warranty from Discount and a gold membership from AAA. Both are cheaper in the long run.
You can see the blow out happen at 0:07 in. How did I deal with the situation? I pulled over into a busy/safe parking lot, and got the tire fixed in the morning.
I don't much see the point in buying a performance car to simply nerf the performance by playing it safe with crappy tires. I'd sooner buy the replacement warranty from Discount and a gold membership from AAA. Both are cheaper in the long run.
Last edited by MBB; 11-30-2015 at 05:40 PM.
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Mikez40 (12-01-2015)
11-30-2015, 05:52 PM
#27
Race Car Tech
Why is it that RF's have more blowouts than non RF's???
http://www.autonews.com/article/2013...-for-run-flats
http://jalopnik.com/everyone-hates-r...ires-464884753
http://www.autonews.com/article/2013...-for-run-flats
http://jalopnik.com/everyone-hates-r...ires-464884753
Last edited by 4SUMERZ; 11-30-2015 at 06:02 PM.
11-30-2015, 07:29 PM
#29
I was going back and forth between super sports and super sport zp
Went with the zp ( on order ) after others telling me Horror stories abut
Tow trucks .
About $350 differance .
And they are Standard on the new c7
Hope I made the right choice .
Went with the zp ( on order ) after others telling me Horror stories abut
Tow trucks .
About $350 differance .
And they are Standard on the new c7
Hope I made the right choice .
12-01-2015, 04:10 AM
#31
Drifting
No spare, no jack and no lug wrench = Run flats only for me.
I don't get any joy out of having to plug a tire in the dark, raining and on the side of the road.
I don't get any joy out of having to plug a tire in the dark, raining and on the side of the road.
12-01-2015, 06:28 AM
#32
Instructor
Just about to replace the original Goodyears and I am leaning towards the Michelin RF. I have AAA and a cell, but I think getting the car on the flatbed without damaging the splitter would be nearly impossible. I also just like the peace of mind of having the RF's...
Seems that it's a personal choice for everyone.
Seems that it's a personal choice for everyone.
12-01-2015, 11:07 AM
#33
Melting Slicks
Just about to replace the original Goodyears and I am leaning towards the Michelin RF. I have AAA and a cell, but I think getting the car on the flatbed without damaging the splitter would be nearly impossible. I also just like the peace of mind of having the RF's...
Seems that it's a personal choice for everyone.
Seems that it's a personal choice for everyone.
12-01-2015, 11:49 AM
#34
Intermediate
Why would you buy a 50k plus sports car and limit its performance and comfort every single second you drive it because your concerned about a flat that will probably never even happen? I went from OEM Goodyear RF's to Bridgestone Potenza S0-4 Pole Position non run flats and the difference was unexpectedly shocking. I'll go with non RF's and a AAA membership.
12-01-2015, 12:27 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
Because old men. I mean... they want that peace of mind for their weekend trip to the supermarket with the wife, the monthly trip to cars and coffee, or their yearly retirement tour of the USA. The cars probably live under a cover for the rest of the time anyway. Gotta keep that plastic car safe and all that. :p
Last edited by MBB; 12-01-2015 at 12:28 PM.
12-01-2015, 12:47 PM
#36
Burning Brakes
Why would you buy a 50k plus sports car and limit its performance and comfort every single second you drive it because your concerned about a flat that will probably never even happen? I went from OEM Goodyear RF's to Bridgestone Potenza S0-4 Pole Position non run flats and the difference was unexpectedly shocking. I'll go with non RF's and a AAA membership.
The stock tires are used to track the cars for testing and by car magazines, and they post respectable lap times on the stock tires. In fact the test wouldn't be fair otherwise.
I doubt the people who argue about loss of performance could even match the lap times posted on stock tires by professionals, even with their non run flats! So I think it is a moot point unless you track your car in competition and you can exceed the limitations of the stock tires to the point it is hurting your lap times. You having that problem? I didn't think so!
12-01-2015, 01:23 PM
#37
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Down south in Dixie
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Because old men. I mean... they want that peace of mind for their weekend trip to the supermarket with the wife, the monthly trip to cars and coffee, or their yearly retirement tour of the USA. The cars probably live under a cover for the rest of the time anyway. Gotta keep that plastic car safe and all that. :p
I'm an old guy with non-run flats.
Be careful, God willing you'll be an old guy some day. 
12-01-2015, 02:40 PM
#38
Melting Slicks
I'm not sure why you think the stock tires limit the performance of the car?
The stock tires are used to track the cars for testing and by car magazines, and they post respectable lap times on the stock tires. In fact the test wouldn't be fair otherwise.
I doubt the people who argue about loss of performance could even match the lap times posted on stock tires by professionals, even with their non run flats! So I think it is a moot point unless you track your car in competition and you can exceed the limitations of the stock tires to the point it is hurting your lap times. You having that problem? I didn't think so!
The stock tires are used to track the cars for testing and by car magazines, and they post respectable lap times on the stock tires. In fact the test wouldn't be fair otherwise.
I doubt the people who argue about loss of performance could even match the lap times posted on stock tires by professionals, even with their non run flats! So I think it is a moot point unless you track your car in competition and you can exceed the limitations of the stock tires to the point it is hurting your lap times. You having that problem? I didn't think so!
The point is moot because you're trying to justify your choices... I've noticed the difference because I actually push my car on the street and on the track. The difference is night and day. For you to say otherwise shows your lack of experience on the matter.
Amen brother. I was just teasing of course.
Last edited by MBB; 12-01-2015 at 02:40 PM.
12-01-2015, 03:37 PM
#40
Drifting
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Boca Raton Florida
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Originally Posted by car2fast4you
I'm 53, and have never had a blowout. I guess I've been lucky. And since I don't take my Vette on long trips very often, I decided to switch to non-run-flats.
And, FWIW, we just bought a new Jeep Cherokee for my wife. It did't come with a spare tire, only an emergency fix-a-flat / pump kit. Many cars are going that route, unfortunately.
And, FWIW, we just bought a new Jeep Cherokee for my wife. It did't come with a spare tire, only an emergency fix-a-flat / pump kit. Many cars are going that route, unfortunately.
And i am 63 and never had a blowout. Side wall blowouts are specialty of run flats. Catastrophic tire failures are less than rare in non run flats. Also my new dd comes with non run flats and no spare. My spare tire in my last dd, another volvo that was 14 years old with 180K miles was brand new, never used once. Did i not have punctures or screws? Sure! But all was slow leaks repairable at my convenience. So i also put my bet on non run flats and enjoy its price, comfort, stop and go and long life. If chit happens it happens and she will be fixed on the side of the road like we old timers had to do 45 years ago dealing with tubed tires. No big deal. I do not live my life in fear. However whatever makes you happy.