Hi: When I test drove an Audi TT in August, I was thinking it had decent ride qualities. It had regular tires & a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk. I just took delivery, but my new car has run flat tires. Big time difference in ride. This is not the same car I test drove. Very harsh, super stiff sidewalls. I live in New York, land of potholes. They are Dunlop 18" SP Sport 245/40 01 AS. I looked them up; these are the least expensive run flats I've ever seen. The dealer called to ask how I liked the car and I told him I was not happy with the tires. He said since it's been only one week he would change them to regular tires. I never used the goop in a can, but I'm thinking if I picked up a nail, at least with the run flats I won't have to get out on a busy highway. Do I stay with the RFs, or take a chance with regular tires & hope I don't get stuck? It's leased, so I won't be buying a spare. Will the goop in a can be acceptable? I'm undecided, please offer some opinions.
Harsh run-flat tires.
- Thread starter JerryL
- Start date
FUNX650
New member
- Dec 1, 2010
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-Before you switch...I'd first find out for sure what the tires/wheels
set-up was on the test-drive vehicle.
-I like run-flats...
And although I can't run mine during the winter months...
There are 'all-season' run-flats...
BTW:
-Fix-a-Flat is not what I would ever want in the trunk of any of my vehicles.
Bob
set-up was on the test-drive vehicle.
-I like run-flats...
And although I can't run mine during the winter months...
There are 'all-season' run-flats...
BTW:
-Fix-a-Flat is not what I would ever want in the trunk of any of my vehicles.
Bob
Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
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I'm not a fan of run flat tires either. They make your car ride like a mule wagon and wear-out very quick
If you spend most of your time city driving I would switch to a softer tire and take my chances
If you spend most of your time city driving I would switch to a softer tire and take my chances
DaHen
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- Sep 6, 2010
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swanicyouth
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I've dealt with factory run flats with every BMW I've had now for a while, except my current M Roadster. BMW was an early adopter of the run flat tire. I've always gotten rid of them. Get yourself a BMW M Mobility Kit (or Audi equivalent)
It's the pump, goo, and everything you need to pump up a regular flat tire:
This comes built into the trunks if all M cars, as non of them have run flats, jacks, or spares.
It's the pump, goo, and everything you need to pump up a regular flat tire:
This comes built into the trunks if all M cars, as non of them have run flats, jacks, or spares.
Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
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I've dealt with factory run flats with every BMW I've had now for a while, except my current M Roadster. BMW was an early adopter of the run flat tire. I've always gotten rid of them. Get yourself a BMW M Mobility Kit (or Audi equivalent)
It's the pump, goo, and everything you need to pump up a regular flat tire:
This comes built into the trunks if all M cars, as non of them have run flats, jacks, or spares.
Or...
You could have a ready made cardboard sign in your trunk that reads: "$50 for the first person that stops and changes my tire"
Im the MAN
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
- Aug 31, 2010
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You might want to check what the speed rating was on the tires you test drove vs. the ones you have now. That can make a big difference in ride harshness even in the same profile tire...are the run-flats the same profile as the ones you test-drove?
swanicyouth
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The point of it is, cars with run flats don't come with a spare and often don't have space to store one. So, the alternative is to take up your trunk with some spare wheel and tire you bought, a jack, and lug wrench.
Most people with sports/sporty cars don't want the extra weight and don't want to waste the space.
lokerola
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- May 11, 2011
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This is the main reason I didn't buy a 2011 BMW 3 series. It drove great, I loved the straight 6's smoothness, the manual was like butter, and it handled great. But - it only came with run flat tires and there was no room in the trunk to put a spare. Having suffered many flats over the years driving the DC area, that was a deal killer for me.
Maybe the mobility kit someone else mentioned would work if you switched to non run flats? I assume the Audi is also like the BMW and doesn't even have the trunk space any more for a donut tire.
Maybe the mobility kit someone else mentioned would work if you switched to non run flats? I assume the Audi is also like the BMW and doesn't even have the trunk space any more for a donut tire.
vet
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- Jun 6, 2010
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I built run-flats for ATVs. They were a PITA to make. The sidewalls have a piece of tread in them, that's why they ride rough.
On a car, if you use the run flat feature, you probably won't be able to fix the tire, you'll buy a new tire. I don't know your circumstances, but I don't need run flats in mine.
On a car, if you use the run flat feature, you probably won't be able to fix the tire, you'll buy a new tire. I don't know your circumstances, but I don't need run flats in mine.
Mike@DedicatedPerfection
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- Feb 26, 2011
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I've dealt with factory run flats with every BMW I've had now for a while, except my current M Roadster. BMW was an early adopter of the run flat tire. I've always gotten rid of them. Get yourself a BMW M Mobility Kit (or Audi equivalent)
It's the pump, goo, and everything you need to pump up a regular flat tire:
This comes built into the trunks if all M cars, as non of them have run flats, jacks, or spares.
This is exactly what I did. My 07 came with the RFT's on 18's and I replaced them with 19's and regular tires. I even changed my factory sport suspension for H&R Sports/Koni yellow's and even with my lowered suspension and thinner regular tires it rides far better than the OEM RFT's.
Although this was the original setup in 07 my wife's 11 has the RFT's with standard suspension. It rides very well but it is on 17's with the newest generation of RFT's. It all comes down to how you feel about them. My 07 rode really harsh until I upgraded and the 11 rides fine and I will not take them off.
Just wanted to give my opinion.
Klasse Act
Well-known member
- Feb 21, 2012
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When you replace them OP, get the Continental DWS and call it a day! Speed rated, true all-season perf and I mean ALL SEASON! These tires are the best I've ever had and I'm on my 2nd set as are 2 of buddy's, my fiance has em' on her ride, my buddy's wife had em' on her Saab 9-5 wagon ( then sold it) and everyone loves em'. When you look at the tire you just know its good too and has a smooth sidewall, easy to apply tire dressing, LOL!
CHECK EM OUT!
Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
CHECK EM OUT!
Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
DaveT435
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- Jun 23, 2012
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+1 This tire is the best performance tire out there right now...also one of the longest wearing.
My Camaro came without run flats or a spare...has the compressor in the trunk but no goo...
Klasse Act
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- Feb 21, 2012
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Let's see, Quattro and this tread patten..........:dblthumb2:
cardaddy
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- Nov 20, 2012
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Run flats are indeed a matter of what you're willing to accept 'full time' for what *may* happen once in the treadlife of your tires, if at all.
My G35 had them originally, rears lasted 15,000 miles. I replaced them with a set of pull off RE050's which are pretty darned stiff, and were the OEM tires when mine was new (if it hadn't been spec'd with the RFTs'). Now I personally loved the RE050's for their handling and grip but they wore fairly quickly as well.
Long story short; when the fronts got low on the pull-offs, (last March) I pulled them all off and switched to Michelin Pilot Super Sports. They were a huge savings over the PS2's and right in line with the RE050's (but just a tad cheaper).
The Super Sports ride, noise, and comfort on the highway and backroads is excellent. Stopping distance is equal to the RE050's as well. Far better than the Bridgstone RE050's, and my wife LOVES them! Can't compare wet handling because the car never gets driven in the rain (unless I just get caught in a passing shower). Only been in the rain 6 times since new. :dunno:
That is where the love affair ends though!
The Bridgestones are stiff I mean REALLY STIFF. Easily as stiff as RFT's. The sidewalls just do not freaking move. The ride tells you it's there, it's noisy, and it's very crisp (to a fault in fact). The wife hated them from day one, but the car really liked them.
They DO grip! The cornering, overall traction and ability to keep the car planted when going through twisties and ESPECIALLY when hitting bumps or expansion joints in high speed turns or long sweepers with the RE050's is what my car works best with. I can literally feel the Michelins roll over on the sidewalls in sweeping turns, especially if you hit a bump, when it's like they are rolled out, pop back to center, then roll back out again. (That I don't like AT all.)
FWIW, It has; aero package, sport handling package, and all wheel steering.
Also, the Bridgestones being softer, make the VDC (traction control) behave itself (with my driving) 90% of the time. Where the Michelins being just a little harder (albeit with softer sidewalls) make the VDC kick in ALL THE FREAKING TIME. I usually just turn it off as soon as pull outta' the driveway so it's a non-issue. And of course the back end will break loose in a heartbeat with the harder tread compound on there, but who's complaining..... :hotrod2: Actually the service manager at the dealership warned me about going to a different (IE higher mileage tire) when I bought the car new. They get people in there all the time that want to go to a mileage warranty type tire, the VDC kicks in and cuts power, then they think the car is breaking down. Car comes in, change back to soft rubber, presto... like magic, it's fixed!
So yes, one performs better in one area and the other in another. The thing that made me keep the Michelins is the overall ride is smoother, but more importantly, the WIFE like them better. (For that 2 or 3 times a year I let her drive it to work) :laughing: Overall I'd recommend the Super Sports as unless you're into corner carving they ride darned good for a 19" 40 series tire!
My G35 had them originally, rears lasted 15,000 miles. I replaced them with a set of pull off RE050's which are pretty darned stiff, and were the OEM tires when mine was new (if it hadn't been spec'd with the RFTs'). Now I personally loved the RE050's for their handling and grip but they wore fairly quickly as well.
Long story short; when the fronts got low on the pull-offs, (last March) I pulled them all off and switched to Michelin Pilot Super Sports. They were a huge savings over the PS2's and right in line with the RE050's (but just a tad cheaper).
The Super Sports ride, noise, and comfort on the highway and backroads is excellent. Stopping distance is equal to the RE050's as well. Far better than the Bridgstone RE050's, and my wife LOVES them! Can't compare wet handling because the car never gets driven in the rain (unless I just get caught in a passing shower). Only been in the rain 6 times since new. :dunno:
That is where the love affair ends though!
The Bridgestones are stiff I mean REALLY STIFF. Easily as stiff as RFT's. The sidewalls just do not freaking move. The ride tells you it's there, it's noisy, and it's very crisp (to a fault in fact). The wife hated them from day one, but the car really liked them.
They DO grip! The cornering, overall traction and ability to keep the car planted when going through twisties and ESPECIALLY when hitting bumps or expansion joints in high speed turns or long sweepers with the RE050's is what my car works best with. I can literally feel the Michelins roll over on the sidewalls in sweeping turns, especially if you hit a bump, when it's like they are rolled out, pop back to center, then roll back out again. (That I don't like AT all.)
FWIW, It has; aero package, sport handling package, and all wheel steering.
Also, the Bridgestones being softer, make the VDC (traction control) behave itself (with my driving) 90% of the time. Where the Michelins being just a little harder (albeit with softer sidewalls) make the VDC kick in ALL THE FREAKING TIME. I usually just turn it off as soon as pull outta' the driveway so it's a non-issue. And of course the back end will break loose in a heartbeat with the harder tread compound on there, but who's complaining..... :hotrod2: Actually the service manager at the dealership warned me about going to a different (IE higher mileage tire) when I bought the car new. They get people in there all the time that want to go to a mileage warranty type tire, the VDC kicks in and cuts power, then they think the car is breaking down. Car comes in, change back to soft rubber, presto... like magic, it's fixed!
So yes, one performs better in one area and the other in another. The thing that made me keep the Michelins is the overall ride is smoother, but more importantly, the WIFE like them better. (For that 2 or 3 times a year I let her drive it to work) :laughing: Overall I'd recommend the Super Sports as unless you're into corner carving they ride darned good for a 19" 40 series tire!
- Thread starter
- #20
Thanks so much for all the insite on tires. I called the dealer and left a message saying I want to dump the run flats. I don't know if I will have a choice, but I will offer to pay extra for DWS, or Pilots. I don't think it's practical to buy a spare and a jack for a leased car.