First Runflat Flat
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Toledo Ohio
First Runflat Flat
While not going into the boring details, I ran over a piece of metal on the highway that resulted in a flat rear tire. My dilemma is that I've never really been happy with the way the runflats make my 1999 Corvette convertible ride and am debating whether to buy one expensive tire or replace them all with conventional high performance tires.
My best price from Belle Tire Online, that included all installation costs and taxes was $414.20 for:
One Goodyear Eagle F1 GS EMT P275/40ZR18 94Y EMT
After reading many threads here on this subject, I can replace one runflat at the above price or all of them in conventional high performance tires for about twice this amount. What say you wise followers of our great Corvette Forum?
My best price from Belle Tire Online, that included all installation costs and taxes was $414.20 for:
One Goodyear Eagle F1 GS EMT P275/40ZR18 94Y EMT
After reading many threads here on this subject, I can replace one runflat at the above price or all of them in conventional high performance tires for about twice this amount. What say you wise followers of our great Corvette Forum?
Last edited by tomgearhart; Jun 21, 2013 at 09:08 AM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: North Carolina
I relpaced the worn runflats with conventional tires the day I pciked up my C5.Remarkable improvement in ride and road noise. I carry a small 12V. compressor, a plug kit, and a AAA card, just in case.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Boise Idaho
I replaced F 1's as soon as I bought the C5. Went with Nitto 5555's.
I am very happy with them.
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Depending on the size of the puncture, runflats can be plugged and patched. If you still have plenty of tread on all the tires and the puncture is repairable, why not go that route until the tires a worn down more? That of course assumes the tires are not really old in the first place and therefore should be replaced anyway.
However, since you are unhappy with the way the way the runflats make your car ride, I think if I were going to do something other than just fix the flat I would go with new non-runflats. I am running the Hankook Ventus V12 EVOs on mine and you can get all four tires in stock sizes for around $550 shipped to your door after the $80 rebate (ends 6/30/13). Heck of a deal on a very good tire.
However, since you are unhappy with the way the way the runflats make your car ride, I think if I were going to do something other than just fix the flat I would go with new non-runflats. I am running the Hankook Ventus V12 EVOs on mine and you can get all four tires in stock sizes for around $550 shipped to your door after the $80 rebate (ends 6/30/13). Heck of a deal on a very good tire.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Dunedin Florida
What do you do when the puncture is more of a slice or in the sidewall? A plug kit isnt going to help. I still stay with the runflats. I should also add that I dont know how good tires that go for $800 a set could be on a vette. Hell I pay more for pickup truck tires.
Safety Car
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From: The Voice of Reason!
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I would say it depends on what you do with your car. I use mine for road trips a lot and prefer the security of the run flats. If I was always close to home I would probably go with the regular tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Oceanside California
I am another who has enjoyed the change to high performance conventional tires. The car handles much better and has much more traction on corners and launch. The lighter rotational weight means an increase in both performance and fuel economy.
AAA membership also makes it much less of a worry.
AAA membership also makes it much less of a worry.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Rocky Mount Virginia
How much life you have on the others?
Go to Fleabay. I've replaced a Continental on mine using Fleabay. I had 50-60% life on the others and it was stupid to buy a brand new one. I bought one on Fleabay for $100 shipped that matched the wear of the others.
Go to Fleabay. I've replaced a Continental on mine using Fleabay. I had 50-60% life on the others and it was stupid to buy a brand new one. I bought one on Fleabay for $100 shipped that matched the wear of the others.
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From: Del Boca Vista FL
Don't confuse cost with overall quality in a product. Because some manufacturers are very proud of their tires does not mean they are actually producing a superior product. Depending on the actual conditions of use the expenditure for a more expensive tire can be a complete waste of hard earned money.
Sorry, I completely cheaped out and bought Sumitomo HTR Z III tires for my C5. Under $600 for the set. They have significantly less road noise than the Michelin Pilot Sports that were on the car when I bought it. They ride better, they have better wet road traction.
If I were a serious race competitor I would have a mounted set of performance tires ready to swap in at a moment's notice for the track.
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
I just took 12 year old runflats off my car and went with the Hankook EVO that are quite popular right now.
Went from riding like a truck to riding like I thought a Corvette should!!
Went from riding like a truck to riding like I thought a Corvette should!!
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From: South Dakota
....However, since you are unhappy with the way the way the runflats make your car ride, I think if I were going to do something other than just fix the flat I would go with new non-runflats. I am running the Hankook Ventus V12 EVOs on mine and you can get all four tires in stock sizes for around $550 shipped to your door after the $80 rebate (ends 6/30/13). Heck of a deal on a very good tire.
I got an email a couple nights ago from Discount Tire Direct that they are having a rebate sale starting 6-20-13. It said a 4th of July sale, but gave dates from 6-20-13 until 6-24-13.
There is an $80 Hankook rebate and a $75 DTD rebate. Their price is $622 -80 -75 = $467 shipped.
Great price, but only for a few days.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Newark Delaware
My '99 convertible has the Michelin Pilot Sport run-flats, put on about 24K miles ago and they still have a lot of miles left in them. I likely will go with non run-flats when it is time to replace them - I have AAA and carry a plug kit and small compressor. My biggest interest is decreasing road noise, but better performance would be a benefit.
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Red cars are faster. They did a study on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Appleton WI
In the last 300,000 miles of driving, I've had two flat tires. One in the tread on my SUV (1/4" bolt) and one in the sidewall of my Z06 (staple from a pallet)with non run flats. Both times I was able to drive to safety thanks to the warning from the TPMS. I'm averaging 150,000 miles between flats. Not too shabby.
PS. I added TPMS to my Z. It notified me of the pressure loss. I was able to stop, pump up with air, and drive to the tire shop. The SUV I drove to a safe spot and put the spare on. If I had a compressor in the SUV, I would have used it instead.
PS. I added TPMS to my Z. It notified me of the pressure loss. I was able to stop, pump up with air, and drive to the tire shop. The SUV I drove to a safe spot and put the spare on. If I had a compressor in the SUV, I would have used it instead.
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Toledo Ohio
However, since you are unhappy with the way the way the runflats make your car ride, I think if I were going to do something other than just fix the flat I would go with new non-runflats. I am running the Hankook Ventus V12 EVOs on mine and you can get all four tires in stock sizes for around $550 shipped to your door after the $80 rebate (ends 6/30/13). Heck of a deal on a very good tire.
It just got better than that. I got an email a couple nights ago from Discount Tire Direct that they are having a rebate sale starting 6-20-13. It said a 4th of July sale, but gave dates from 6-20-13 until 6-24-13.
There is an $80 Hankook rebate and a $75 DTD rebate. Their price is $622 -80 -75 = $467 shipped.
Great price, but only for a few days.
There is an $80 Hankook rebate and a $75 DTD rebate. Their price is $622 -80 -75 = $467 shipped.
Great price, but only for a few days.
Don't confuse cost with overall quality in a product. Because some manufacturers are very proud of their tires does not mean they are actually producing a superior product. Depending on the actual conditions of use the expenditure for a more expensive tire can be a complete waste of hard earned money.
GOOD ADVICE! Good advice, too!Thanks to all who took the time to reply! I think I'm going to go this route, especially with the extra Discount Tire Discount! I already have Triple-A so I should be back in action next week sometime! Again, thanks!
Last edited by tomgearhart; Jun 21, 2013 at 04:00 PM.
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From: Toledo Ohio
I just found out that Discount Tire Direct and Discount Tire are both owned by the same people. I have a new Discount Tire store about nine miles from my house. I ordered my four Hankook Ventus V-12 EVO's over the phone. Here is what it cost me:
$117 x 2 - 17" front tires = $234
$194 x 2 - 18" back tires = $388
$16 per tire Tire Maintenance Package = $64 (includes lifetime tire rotation, flat repairs, etc.)
Sub Total = $686
Tax here in Toledo, OH = $49.43
Sub Total = $732.30
Hankook Rebate = $80
Discount Tire Rebate = $75
Final Cost Grand Total = $577.30 Divided by 4-tires = $144.33 Each!
Thanks to all especially Vetteman Jack and QCVette! I've read the reviews on this tire and I'm sold on them. I usually only drive the car within 20 miles of my house and never take it to the track. So, I should be good to go! Again, thanks!!
$117 x 2 - 17" front tires = $234
$194 x 2 - 18" back tires = $388
$16 per tire Tire Maintenance Package = $64 (includes lifetime tire rotation, flat repairs, etc.)
Sub Total = $686
Tax here in Toledo, OH = $49.43
Sub Total = $732.30
Hankook Rebate = $80
Discount Tire Rebate = $75
Final Cost Grand Total = $577.30 Divided by 4-tires = $144.33 Each!
Thanks to all especially Vetteman Jack and QCVette! I've read the reviews on this tire and I'm sold on them. I usually only drive the car within 20 miles of my house and never take it to the track. So, I should be good to go! Again, thanks!!
Last edited by tomgearhart; Jun 21, 2013 at 05:19 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Midland TX
Michelin A/S ZP Plus's were about $1,100 at Discount tire. I will make sure to wave at everyone groveling on their backs under their C5 with a plug kit on the side of the road or waiting for AAA to show up (I can't even get a pizza delivered here in less than 2 hours now).
I have had several flats on my run-flats and never missed a meeting or deadline getting somewhere so far. Never going back to the added stress of a non-run-flat - especially when I have this much money tied up in this car!
I have had several flats on my run-flats and never missed a meeting or deadline getting somewhere so far. Never going back to the added stress of a non-run-flat - especially when I have this much money tied up in this car!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Lake Michigan's South Shore IN
Perhaps not the on the wisest possibilty, or one most would agree with, but this could be an econonomical one if you haven't acted already.
Since most folks hate the Goodyear Runflats, and ditch them, hunt for a used rear in decent shape with similar tread depth as your good one.
Used ones can run from $25 to $100 each.
Many will argue that the GY Runflats are noisy, loud, hard, and a used one especially, can be dry rotted, old, unsafe, and not as good as whatever tire they may have.
Just another possible solution, again, perhaps not a wise or safe one, but a cheap one.
Sounds like youv'e decided on a route to go; all the best to you on getting back on the road quickly and safely.
Since most folks hate the Goodyear Runflats, and ditch them, hunt for a used rear in decent shape with similar tread depth as your good one.
Used ones can run from $25 to $100 each.
Many will argue that the GY Runflats are noisy, loud, hard, and a used one especially, can be dry rotted, old, unsafe, and not as good as whatever tire they may have.
Just another possible solution, again, perhaps not a wise or safe one, but a cheap one.
Sounds like youv'e decided on a route to go; all the best to you on getting back on the road quickly and safely.
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Toledo Ohio
I had the Hankook V12's put on yesterday and I love them. They ride real nice. But, I noticed that they spin if I jump on it, but I can live with that.
Again, thanks to all who gave advice....pro and con!
Again, thanks to all who gave advice....pro and con!