cds62

I know Michelin just released the all season run flat tires for the Z51. I am considering purchasing a set of all season tires and another set of rims to be able switch back to the summer only tires during the warmer months. Other then the significant price difference what are the benefits or disadvantages to a non run flat tire?

rmorin1249

Smoother and quieter ride bet less crispy handling. Less unsprung weight.

egp

Of course, the obvious difference is what happens when you get a flat! Non-run-flat, and you wait for a tow-truck, or your wife to bring a spare from the garage.

Steve_R

Yup. And can strand you somewhere. There are pros and cons to each.

lancekl

I do that every year. Smoother, Quieter ride. Put a tire plug kit, slime and compressor in the car just in case.

Corgidog1

To me the advantage of not being stranded outweighs any disadvantage for run flats.

Foosh

There is one major disadvantage to the PS AS3+ runflats. You can't currently get them.

Rears (285/30-20) are not available and on national back-order. Mid-December at the earliest is the latest estimate, but I was doubtful I'd be able to get them even then. I could see the winter being half-over by the time I received them.

I ordered the non-runflat versions, which I just received and will take my chances. I kept my OEM PSS ZPs mounted on my OEM wheels, and if faced with a flat will just put one of those back on temporarily.

hisvett

When was the last time you had a flat? Myself, it has been years, and damm near all of them have been found in my garage. I carry a really good quality air pump, two bottles of Slime and a tire repair kit. I now have 17K miles on my A/S 3+ non-ZP tires....no worries.

And then there is my Ace in the hole from Michelin;

3-Year Flat Tire Changing Assistance from the Michelin web site;

A qualified service professional will change your flat and install your spare tire or provide towing at no charge. In case of a flat tire, simply call 1-888-553-4327 and a qualified professional will change the tire or provide towing up to 150 miles for free. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in the U.S. and Canada.

owc6

I've had several instances where I would have been stranded far away from any help, but instead was able to drive somewhere to get it fixed.

I had one where the blowout was so severe that I am convinced the tire would have shredded off the wheel in a non RF, but because of the more substantial sidewall, I was able to drive it 30 miles with a 2" piece of the bead missing. Another time, I had a blowout on a Sunday, in the rain, on a road that had no shoulders with a several inch drop off into the mud (imagine the damage to the undercarriage ), and no cell reception. That one I drove it over 50 miles to the nearest town with a tire shop.

Even with RFs, I carry a plug kit and mini-compressor.

robert miller

Non run flat here all year all. But don't drive the car in the snow..

John Micheal Henry

I'll always use run-flats for the safety of not being stranded. Honestly I don't drive my Z51 to the limit so when I do replace the original tires, it will be with the new Michelin AS 3+ run flats.

rmorin1249

Is this provided free from Michelin for all their tires or do you have to purchase it with the tires?

Continental has a similar plan.

http://www.continentaltire.com/warranty

Thanks.

Eff A Ford

I heard runflats are heavier than non RF.

rmorin1249

Yes, this is correct, not always but usually they are when you compare comparable tires; i.e. Michelin to Michelin.

owc6

Also, for the vast majority of us, who don't track our cars, it doesn't make a real difference, other than bragging rights.

Walt White Coupe

Provided Free.

http://www.michelinman.com/US/en/tires/warranty.html

kp

I've seen the damage tow trucks (well tow truck drivers really) can do to a corvette, thats up to you. I have also had flats in places where there is no place to even pull off the road, you will destroy the wheel just trying to get the car somewhere safe.

I agree non-runflats are lighter and quieter - and cheaper. I would rather have then IF I had a spare. If you are in an area where you seldom get flat tires and if you dont mind waiting around for a tow truck or trying to plug a tire (if its pluggable) and air it up then take your chances.

Where I live there is a lot of new construction and lots of flats, plus spotty cell phone coverage so many times you are on your own. Plus a lot of two lane roads with no shoulder.

Most nails and screws will give you plenty of time to get somewhere, I've had a few new cars recently that dont have run flat tires and just give you a can of goo and a little compressor. Thats really no different than putting non-run flats on a Corvette and carrying around a compressor/plugs/goo.

Larry/car

I had the misfortune of having two this year in my daily driver work car. Sucks for sure!

dvilin

I will take the few little disadvantages of the run flats in exchange for the piece of mind when traveling.

BaylorCorvette

In regards to performance, the OEM run flats are really good. I've tracked on non run flat pilot super sports and they were decent but I prefer the stiffer sidewall of the OEM run flats. In fact I just set my personal best lap time with the oem tires at Texas World Speedway this past weekend.