Run Flat Tires
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Green Cove Springs Florida
Run Flat Tires
I recently purchased a 2002 Electron Blue C5. It has "Run Flat" tires on it. What are the pro and con to these tires? When I replace my tires, should I spend the extra money for the Run Flats?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
I'm in the same boat as you, there is a TON of posts about this. Search around...
The consensus is: radials ride/handle much better and are much cheaper. AAA is for flat tires. Runflats are only good for one thing, running flat... and they can only do that for about 50-100 miles.
I will be swapping to radials myself soon.
The consensus is: radials ride/handle much better and are much cheaper. AAA is for flat tires. Runflats are only good for one thing, running flat... and they can only do that for about 50-100 miles.
I will be swapping to radials myself soon.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
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From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Tire choice is all about risk vs reward. I switched to an R-Compund tire, because it is the best for my driving needs, but it only lasts ~15,000 miles and not the best for wet traction. You decide what is best for you first, safety vs performance vs durability vs dry or wet handling...then you select accordingly. Everything is a compromise.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: somewhere on tour as jake blues ohio
your car will ride like a dream with different tires,when i got my car,i talked to a lot of people,and told me they couldnt beleive the difference,i have heard the ones on the c6 are even better,but of course u know run flats are about 300 or more so thats extra mod money
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: Dardenne Prairie MO
Great color. 
My 03 only has 8000 miles on it, but as soon as I get to the point of needing new rubber, I am most likely dropping the run flats as they are so loud and hard, making the bumpy corners almost too exciting....
My 03 only has 8000 miles on it, but as soon as I get to the point of needing new rubber, I am most likely dropping the run flats as they are so loud and hard, making the bumpy corners almost too exciting....
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Illinois/Ca
Great year/color choice - My 02 EB came with runflats and I love them. I don't have to worry about towing if I get a flat. Towing horror stories are not fun.
If you going to race your car then I would get a performance tire but I'm not racing and I love my runflats.
Everyone tells me how smooth the car rides which is what I thought the first time I drove it. Go figure..
If you going to race your car then I would get a performance tire but I'm not racing and I love my runflats.
Everyone tells me how smooth the car rides which is what I thought the first time I drove it. Go figure..
Last edited by JCFILM; Jan 31, 2007 at 08:15 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 838
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From: Illinois/Ca
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 297
From: Sarasota Florida
Congratulations and welcome.
You'll find a wealth of vette advice in this forum. The old runflat question is often asked.
My opinion is to get rid of them. Don't know what shape your existing tires are in, but I sold my runflats (5800 miles), here on the forum, for $500.
I switched to Nitto's and have no regrets. You can get a full set installed for approx $650. Do a search.
If you get near Sarasota, give a shout. I'll let you drive mine and see the diff.
You'll find a wealth of vette advice in this forum. The old runflat question is often asked.
My opinion is to get rid of them. Don't know what shape your existing tires are in, but I sold my runflats (5800 miles), here on the forum, for $500.
I switched to Nitto's and have no regrets. You can get a full set installed for approx $650. Do a search.
If you get near Sarasota, give a shout. I'll let you drive mine and see the diff.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Tire choice is all about risk vs reward. I switched to an R-Compund tire, because it is the best for my driving needs, but it only lasts ~15,000 miles and not the best for wet traction. You decide what is best for you first, safety vs performance vs durability vs dry or wet handling...then you select accordingly. Everything is a compromise.
You need to decide what is important to you ... pure performnce ??? Get rid of the runflats ... Pure reliability (daily driver) then DEFINATELY stay with a runflat ....HTH
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay
Tire choice is all about risk vs reward. I switched to an R-Compund tire, because it is the best for my driving needs, but it only lasts ~15,000 miles and not the best for wet traction. You decide what is best for you first, safety vs performance vs durability vs dry or wet handling...then you select accordingly. Everything is a compromise.
Do you also use them as street tires?
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The pros are you can drive on them with zero pressure should you get a flat - and the range you can go should get you to a place where you can get the tire either repaired or replaced. So safety is a big plus.
On the negative side, the tires are noisy, the ride and handling are not as good as with non-runflat tires.
Should you stick with runflats - depends on how much you value being able to not worry about a flat.
On the negative side, the tires are noisy, the ride and handling are not as good as with non-runflat tires.
Should you stick with runflats - depends on how much you value being able to not worry about a flat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Crawling around on the ground with a portable compressor and a plug kit is so undignified... 
I've got run flats, I've had a flat, and I liked how it all worked out. I'm keeping 'em. When I want a softer, quieter ride, I'll drive the wife's Jag. Which isn't very often.
I've got run flats, I've had a flat, and I liked how it all worked out. I'm keeping 'em. When I want a softer, quieter ride, I'll drive the wife's Jag. Which isn't very often.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 5
From: Orange County CA
I just switched out my Goodyear runflats for a set of BFG KDW's.
It drives like a different car......Not as much road noise, much smoother ride, and better handling.
I got them at Costco for about $800 with tax & install.
So far I am happy with them...
It drives like a different car......Not as much road noise, much smoother ride, and better handling.
I got them at Costco for about $800 with tax & install.
So far I am happy with them...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,265
Likes: 15
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
This is a VERY timely thread. I debated on this issue, because I wanted to go with a different tire / wheel package for my C5.
The size selection for run flat or "run on flat" as GY now calls them is very limited. As a reult, I was going to switch to conventional performance tires... but I dread the thought of being out somehwere with a flat, where my cell phone doesn't work, lying in the mud trying to plug a small nail hole - the whole time my wife saying, " see, I TOLD you to get run flats and not THOSE..."
Sooooooo.... I think the new Goodyear F1 Supercars that go on the C6 will work just fine on my new 18/19 wheels.
.
Hey, good luck choosing. Lots of great tires out there - and odds are you will not get a flat.
Just remember that you are going to be the guy driving the car and not us, so take your time and make a decision you can live with --- until the new tires are baldies. Then you can re-evaluate and go through this again
.
Chuck
The size selection for run flat or "run on flat" as GY now calls them is very limited. As a reult, I was going to switch to conventional performance tires... but I dread the thought of being out somehwere with a flat, where my cell phone doesn't work, lying in the mud trying to plug a small nail hole - the whole time my wife saying, " see, I TOLD you to get run flats and not THOSE..."
Sooooooo.... I think the new Goodyear F1 Supercars that go on the C6 will work just fine on my new 18/19 wheels.
.Hey, good luck choosing. Lots of great tires out there - and odds are you will not get a flat.
Just remember that you are going to be the guy driving the car and not us, so take your time and make a decision you can live with --- until the new tires are baldies. Then you can re-evaluate and go through this again
. Chuck
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Green Cove Springs Florida
Run Flat Tires
I just want to say thanks for all of the inputs to my question about the Run Flat tires. I will take my time and consider all options before I make a decision. Thanks again.
