Run Flats..
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Stockton CA
Run Flats..
I've had my C4 for a short period of time but noticed the ride quality was fairly harsh especially on uneven or roads with pot holes.
I was listening to the Corvette Mechanic podcast the other morning and one of the guys mentioned how he did not like run flats due to their harsh ride and other various reasons. I'm familiar with run flats as I have a set on my BMW 330ci but the harsh ride is not as pronounced as my C4.
I checked my tires on my C4 and they are run flats all the way around.
Front = Goodyear Eagle F1 P245/40ZR18
Rear = Goodyear Eagle F1 P285/35/ZR19
Question: Anyone using run flats on their C4? How is the ride quality? I plan on not using run flats once this set wears down.
Cheers and ride safe!
I was listening to the Corvette Mechanic podcast the other morning and one of the guys mentioned how he did not like run flats due to their harsh ride and other various reasons. I'm familiar with run flats as I have a set on my BMW 330ci but the harsh ride is not as pronounced as my C4.
I checked my tires on my C4 and they are run flats all the way around.
Front = Goodyear Eagle F1 P245/40ZR18
Rear = Goodyear Eagle F1 P285/35/ZR19
Question: Anyone using run flats on their C4? How is the ride quality? I plan on not using run flats once this set wears down.
Cheers and ride safe!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Run flats by nature will always ride bad. Common sense there since the sidewalls have to be stiff enough to "run flat".
Bmw's spring rate is very squishy compared to any sports car and especially compared to corvettes.
I own 2 bmw's and both have very weak springs compared to my old corvette and my current corvette. Bmw's are softer ride wise with run flats than a corvette is without run flats.
Run flats have never been put on any vehicle to make it ride better. Only to keep from having to carry a spare tire. Any vehicle will ride better without run flats.
Bmw's spring rate is very squishy compared to any sports car and especially compared to corvettes.
I own 2 bmw's and both have very weak springs compared to my old corvette and my current corvette. Bmw's are softer ride wise with run flats than a corvette is without run flats.
Run flats have never been put on any vehicle to make it ride better. Only to keep from having to carry a spare tire. Any vehicle will ride better without run flats.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I put my C5 wheels with runflats (Goodyear Eagle F1) on my '94. The ride was very harsh. The runflats don't absorb any of the bumps and you feel every one.
I took them off quickly and went back to other tires.
I also have a C5 that came with those runflats. I replaced them with some Hankook V12 non runflats. The ride is much better. It is also much quieter and grips much better.
The runflats offer some security, but at the expense of all aspects of tire performance. I would rather have better handling, acceleration, braking, smoother ride, and less noise (I like to let the exhaust make the noise).
I took them off quickly and went back to other tires.
I also have a C5 that came with those runflats. I replaced them with some Hankook V12 non runflats. The ride is much better. It is also much quieter and grips much better.
The runflats offer some security, but at the expense of all aspects of tire performance. I would rather have better handling, acceleration, braking, smoother ride, and less noise (I like to let the exhaust make the noise).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
My neighbor at my shop has a 2008 C6 with run flats. For the cost of two tires...I put a full set of four on my 95 that lasts 2-3 times longer than his run flats. Then he went to Michelin run flats. They had a much better ride according to him. So now I put on four tires for the cost of one of his.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 451
Likes: 14
From: Okehampton Devon
I've had my C4 for a short period of time but noticed the ride quality was fairly harsh especially on uneven or roads with pot holes.
I was listening to the Corvette Mechanic podcast the other morning and one of the guys mentioned how he did not like run flats due to their harsh ride and other various reasons. I'm familiar with run flats as I have a set on my BMW 330ci but the harsh ride is not as pronounced as my C4.
I checked my tires on my C4 and they are run flats all the way around.
Front = Goodyear Eagle F1 P245/40ZR18
Rear = Goodyear Eagle F1 P285/35/ZR19
Question: Anyone using run flats on their C4? How is the ride quality? I plan on not using run flats once this set wears down.
Cheers and ride safe!
I was listening to the Corvette Mechanic podcast the other morning and one of the guys mentioned how he did not like run flats due to their harsh ride and other various reasons. I'm familiar with run flats as I have a set on my BMW 330ci but the harsh ride is not as pronounced as my C4.
I checked my tires on my C4 and they are run flats all the way around.
Front = Goodyear Eagle F1 P245/40ZR18
Rear = Goodyear Eagle F1 P285/35/ZR19
Question: Anyone using run flats on their C4? How is the ride quality? I plan on not using run flats once this set wears down.
Cheers and ride safe!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Run flats by nature will always ride bad. Common sense there since the sidewalls have to be stiff enough to "run flat".
Bmw's spring rate is very squishy compared to any sports car and especially compared to corvettes.
I own 2 bmw's and both have very weak springs compared to my old corvette and my current corvette. Bmw's are softer ride wise with run flats than a corvette is without run flats.
Run flats have never been put on any vehicle to make it ride better. Only to keep from having to carry a spare tire. Any vehicle will ride better without run flats.
Bmw's spring rate is very squishy compared to any sports car and especially compared to corvettes.
I own 2 bmw's and both have very weak springs compared to my old corvette and my current corvette. Bmw's are softer ride wise with run flats than a corvette is without run flats.
Run flats have never been put on any vehicle to make it ride better. Only to keep from having to carry a spare tire. Any vehicle will ride better without run flats.
I don't use run flats on either my C4 commuter car or my C5 commuter car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Another drawback to run flats that I should of mentioned earlier. Run flats increase the odds of shattering/cracking/deforming a rim if you run over something like a curb or anything else harsh by 50% or more.
Thats not to say that just because you have run flats you will have wheel issues. Just that it is fairly common with certain wheel designs when used with run flats and if you want examples of people having wheel issues with them a simple google will find many people having problems like that.
I have personally seen damage to wheels from run flats. The most common I have seen is spider like cracks in bmw wheels of friends. One person had it happen to them 2 times and then switched to non run flats and never had the issue again. On the first go round all 4 wheels had cracks. The second time 2 wheels had cracks.
Thats not to say that just because you have run flats you will have wheel issues. Just that it is fairly common with certain wheel designs when used with run flats and if you want examples of people having wheel issues with them a simple google will find many people having problems like that.
I have personally seen damage to wheels from run flats. The most common I have seen is spider like cracks in bmw wheels of friends. One person had it happen to them 2 times and then switched to non run flats and never had the issue again. On the first go round all 4 wheels had cracks. The second time 2 wheels had cracks.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
If you take a really nice set of wheels to a typical tire shop and have run flats mounted then you should plan on having scratches and prybar marks around the edges of your previously nice wheels....
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Stockton CA
The previous owner told me he bought them off a C6 owner. I guess the consensus is the same. The disadvantages outweighs the advantages. I'll be switching to a non-runflat tire when the time comes.
Thanks for the input fellas.
Cheers and ride safe!
Thanks for the input fellas.
Cheers and ride safe!