RUN FLATS to KUHMOS? HELP
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4
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RUN FLATS to KUHMOS? HELP
Im on the fence but heavily leanin towards switching my run flats which aare now near bald to Non run flats...I know pretty much most will say go for it as many have switched up. I am probly goin to get the Kuhmos....yes? no?
Is there ANY reason to stay with runflats??? (other then maybe peace f mind)...any and all advice is much appreciated.thanks!
Is there ANY reason to stay with runflats??? (other then maybe peace f mind)...any and all advice is much appreciated.thanks!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Gelina,
There are many people who have gone to non-run flats and can't believe how much better the car handles. Others appreciate the quieter ride from the non-run flats.
On the other hand, there are many of us who don't mind the run flats and really enjoy the peace of mind knowing we won't be stuck on the side of the road. It is really a personal decision on how much risk, or bother, you are willing to accept if you get a flat tire.
Good luck with your choice.
There are many people who have gone to non-run flats and can't believe how much better the car handles. Others appreciate the quieter ride from the non-run flats.
On the other hand, there are many of us who don't mind the run flats and really enjoy the peace of mind knowing we won't be stuck on the side of the road. It is really a personal decision on how much risk, or bother, you are willing to accept if you get a flat tire.
Good luck with your choice.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Quick response. I just changed from my second set of EMT's to Michelin non run flat Pilots. I was not impressed with the noise reduction, and I lost what I consider a more important issue and that is "run flat capability"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 858
Likes: 3
From: Livonia Michigan
I've switched to KUHMO Run Flats about a month ago and love 'em.
Much better than the stock run flats...a lot quieter, and lot more traction. I keep 'em at about 32 lbs in the rears, 29 lbs in the fronts.
The tire place told me to keep about 33 lbs all the way around, but
I think it was a bit too harsh on the expressways....
Much better than the stock run flats...a lot quieter, and lot more traction. I keep 'em at about 32 lbs in the rears, 29 lbs in the fronts.
The tire place told me to keep about 33 lbs all the way around, but
I think it was a bit too harsh on the expressways....
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,121
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From: Southeast Va.
Is there really that much of a difference in the performance aspects of a non RF vs. a RF? I really don't think so. Perhaps if you took a very experienced pro autoX'er and let him run an identical road course in the same C5, once w/RF's and once w/non RF's, you may see a "slight" difference in ET. With that said, unless you are a highly experienced road racer and extremely involved in autoX events, it is my humble opinion that the benefits of the RF's highly outweigh the "infinitesimal" performance benefits of the non RF's. 
Ya know wut I'm sayin?
Ya know wut I'm sayin?
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by DAVS Y2K
Is there really that much of a difference in the performance aspects of a non RF vs. a RF? I really don't think so. Perhaps if you took a very experienced pro autoX'er and let him run an identical road course in the same C5, once w/RF's and once w/non RF's, you may see a "slight" difference in ET. With that said, unless you are a highly experienced road racer and extremely involved in autoX events, it is my humble opinion that the benefits of the RF's highly outweigh the "infinitesimal" performance benefits of the non RF's.
Ya know wut I'm sayin?
Ya know wut I'm sayin?
Far superior ride, vastly reduced bump steer, signifigant reduction in noise, big increase in wet and dry traction. All for 1/2 the price of Goodyear RFs. Not sure what part of that is "infinitesimal"
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 290
Likes: 8
From: 60 miles from BGKY
Originally Posted by BrightRed C5 SWFL
I went from the the stock GY runflats to the Kuhmos and I love them. Couldnt be happier with them.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
This is a tough question and there is probably no one right answer. Everyone's needs and desires will be different.
In my opinion, there is a "big" difference in performance, but my perception is obviously biased as that is almost exclusively what I use my Z06 for... performance driving. There was recently an article in one of the major car mags that did a head to head comparison of the vette suspensions. The vast difference between the Z06 and a stock C5 coupe was greatly minimized when they put Z06 tires on the C5 coupe. Do you really need or want that? Up to you.
Me personally, I don't mind the additional risk for the performance gain, and I did drive my Z06 across country and back with non run-flat Kumho Ecsta MXs on it before my T1 conversion. If I had a coupe, I'd sell the run-flats and buy an inflator kit and a set of non run-flat tires. But that is me.
Another thing to think about is how much cross country driving do you do? If it is a lot, maybe the run-flats are a better option for you.
As a note, I have the Kumho Ecsta MX on my stock wheels and think they are a very good tire, especially for the cost.
In my opinion, there is a "big" difference in performance, but my perception is obviously biased as that is almost exclusively what I use my Z06 for... performance driving. There was recently an article in one of the major car mags that did a head to head comparison of the vette suspensions. The vast difference between the Z06 and a stock C5 coupe was greatly minimized when they put Z06 tires on the C5 coupe. Do you really need or want that? Up to you.
Me personally, I don't mind the additional risk for the performance gain, and I did drive my Z06 across country and back with non run-flat Kumho Ecsta MXs on it before my T1 conversion. If I had a coupe, I'd sell the run-flats and buy an inflator kit and a set of non run-flat tires. But that is me.
Another thing to think about is how much cross country driving do you do? If it is a lot, maybe the run-flats are a better option for you.
As a note, I have the Kumho Ecsta MX on my stock wheels and think they are a very good tire, especially for the cost.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 1
From: West Grove Pa
I replaced my worn out F1's with Michelin Pilot Sport non run flats last week. Big reduction in road noise and the car handles better. I carry a can of compressed air, fix a flat, tire repair plugs and rubber cement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
I chose Michelin PS runflats because mine is a daily driver. If I was driving it a couple of times a month I might have gone with non-runflats. IMO the person you want to talk to is the person that has gone to non GY runflats and not liked them so switched to non-runflats. I think the majority of people have switched right from the original GY's to non-runflats and don't know how a Michelin or Kumho runflat reacts. My Michelins were like night and day to the GY's.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Grace Valley: A small, peaceful & beautiful valley in the Volunteer State
Originally Posted by eddie44
I chose Michelin PS runflats because mine is a daily driver. If I was driving it a couple of times a month I might have gone with non-runflats. IMO the person you want to talk to is the person that has gone to non GY runflats and not liked them so switched to non-runflats. I think the majority of people have switched right from the original GY's to non-runflats and don't know how a Michelin or Kumho runflat reacts. My Michelins were like night and day to the GY's.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
Quick response. I just changed from my second set of EMT's to Michelin non run flat Pilots. I was not impressed with the noise reduction, and I lost what I consider a more important issue and that is "run flat capability"
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
What happens to the air pressure indicators on my instrument panel if I switch to non-stock tires?? Do the other tires have the guages in them? I'm a sissy and kinda like those readouts, but I also find my hand held tire guage gives a one or two psi different read. Which is more accurate?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by Spoot
What happens to the air pressure indicators on my instrument panel if I switch to non-stock tires?? Do the other tires have the guages in them? I'm a sissy and kinda like those readouts, but I also find my hand held tire guage gives a one or two psi different read. Which is more accurate?
The air pressure sensor is on the valve stem and works fine with other tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
I'm glad someone brought up the tire sensors issue. If I switch to non-run flats, Can I remove the sensors easily so that I can use "fix a flat" if need be? What would the computer do and can that be disabled?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Scottsville KY
I have the Michelin All Season run flats and love them. But mine is a daily driver that has made several cross country trips (on an extened one now thanks to Francis), so I want the run flats. From what I have been told by friends who have switched, the fix a flat type products will mess up the sensors, and should not be used.
Gary
Gary
Gary
Gary