On my 2003 I just got, the tires need replacing. With 47k miles on it I was told the original run flats were still on the car. I was told by the local Corvette shop owner that I should replace them with regular high performance tires. Scrap the run flats is his advice. Cost wise 1k out the door mounted for reg tires, closer to 2k for the run flats. This isn't my daily driver but I do see a road trip in the near future. I also plan to take it to the local 1/8th mile track to play every month or so. Any advise on if I should stick with the run flats or switch and buy a small donut for long trips and use AAA to flatbed tow it back to the house if I get a flat. I hear fix-a-flat will kill a sensor. Thanks for any help.

 

nevermind, I figured out the forum search function. sorry.

 

I would skip the idea of the donut. Where will you put the full sized tire when you take it off? If you're carrying any luggage, then it may not fit. I'm not even sure if the Corvette would do well with a donut, given it's low ground clearance.

 

If you did a search you will find a zillion threads on this subject. I agree with the shop that told you to ditch the runflats. There are better choices for runflats out there than the stock Goodyears, but your car will ride better, ride quieter, and handle better, with conventional tires as opposed to runflats. Not to mention the fact runflats cost almost twice as much and if you plan on ever taking your car to the drag strip you won't get the traction with the runflats. In general people get .2 to .4 of a second better times once they ditch the runflats.
I went with BF Goodrich KDW's when I had about 5000 miles on the car and I think it's one of the best things I've done to the car (and I've made thousands of dollars of mods). I carry a tire repair kit, a 12v compressor with tire sealant, a cell phone and a AAA card. A lot of CF members also carry a small jack (I think it's a Mercedee's jack and yes the tire sealant will most likely ruin your tire pressure sensor, but you've got a 2003 and your car takes the less expensive sensors (about $44 brand new at forum vendor GM partshouse) and rather than be stranded somewhere where you've got no cell phone reception if you can't repair the tire just shoot in the sealant pump up the tire with the compressor and be on your way. If you go with the non runflats you'll be sooo happy with your decision. I have not heard of a single member of this forum that switched and was unhappy about it.

 

If you want to stick with the security of runflats, go with something like the new Michelins or Firestone Firehawks. Better ride and performance than the Goodyears. However, going with a non-runflat will yield much better results.

 

My car is a daily driver so I was concerned about ditching the runflats. I tried the Pilot Sport A/S ZPs and HATED them because the car felt disconnected from the road. (hard to explain) I didn't want to put the EMTs back on so I went ahead and purchased a set of Goodyear F1 GSD3's and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THESE TIRES.

Here is an interesting fact for you, I have had more nail/screws in this set of tires than ANY OTHER SET IN MY LIFE. (that number being 4 so far) That being said, I was able to make it to the Goodyear store every time and was never stranded. One of the nails went thru the sidewall of the right rear and the tire had to be replaced, so would have a runflat. With the other three incidents I was able to get a patch which is less expensive to do on a normal tire. (about 40% less expensive)

I also purchased an air compressor from Continental called the ContiComfortKit that also has a liquid sealant that won't hurt tire pressure sensors. I haven't needed the sealant but did need the compressor several times.

I absolutely love how the car drives with the non runflat GSD3's, honestly I can't say enough about it.

Good luck with your decision!

 

using AAA you are putting your coupe in the hands of a total stranger. does bubba have the experience and equipment to load your car without damage? will you have to wait 15 minutes? two hours? will there be a facility available to repair your tire problem? some businesses will hide when they see a Vette coming.

if you go the space saver spare route you'll have to haul the thing around which can become a projectile in the event of a wreck unless you anchor it somehow.

the compressor/plug route has other challenges. finding the puncture can sometimes be close to impossible especially when the tire is still on the car and a big shiney screw is not visible. be prepared to become filty while laying in the parking lot or along the side of the road trying to get leverage to remove the offending material and insert the plug.

take it from someone that has driven the same 85 Chevy 4X4 with gas magnum shocks and 31-10.50 6 ply tires since new, the Corvettes do not ride rough with runflats. it's a sports car........ want a cushy ride? buy a Caddy

 

I was lead to believe this also when I purchased this kit from Tire Rack, but it is not true. This sealant will damage your sensors just like any other sealant. Here is part of the text taken from the Tire Rack page where this item is sold.

"This product's sealant may interfere with the tire pressure monitoring sensors on vehicles with direct TPMS, possibly leading to error prompts and incorrect pressure readings. Use of this product on direct TPMS vehicles could also result in damage to the tire pressure sensor inside the wheel."

Here's the link to the page http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/...tkit/index.jsp

 

I've owned my car for 4.5 years. When I bought it, the previous owner had already replaced the Run Flats with a set of Khumo Ecsta MX, non run flat. Since then, I replaced them with a set of General Tire UHP's. I haven't had a problem with a flat tire since I owned the car, although my mechanic did find a screw embedded in my front left tire. He sealed it and sent me on my way.

The only time I've ever needed a tow was the first time my steering column locked up on me. And forget about a "soft, comfy ride." The fact that you get more traction, much less road noise, and at a much lower cost, you can rest easy knowing that you made a good choice.

 

Hmm.. this one is a more heated topic then "does this car make my butt look big"!

To me, it depends on how you use the car. Daily driver? Weekend cruises? Weekend Warrior? car shows only, pleasure drives only, etc..

I have non- runflats on my car - came that way when I purchased it last year. So far, only one flat, and I was able to drive it to get it fixed.

Do what fits your piece of mind.. regardless of what any of us say.