I was just curious if anyone has changed out the stock run-flats. The ride on them is HARSH, so I wanted to know what anyone who has changed them out has felt about the switch.

 

I absolutely recommend it for a more comfortable ride but still quite good for performance. I prefer Toyo Proxes 4 non run-flats. They are really inexpensive too.

 

I don't have a GT, but an MCS. I recently replaced my run flats with General Exclaim UHP tires. The ride is much smoother, much less road noise, and still handles just as good as it did with the run flats. The Exclaim does not come in the 205/45 size tire, so I went with a 215/45. To be honest, I can't tell any difference in sidewall height between the two tire sizes. I have driven the new tires about 1500 miles over some very bumpy roads and have yet to notice any rubbing.

If you go with non run flat tires, you need to purchase either a can of fix-a-flat, ContiComfort kit, or a Tire Slime Kit. I carry the ContiComfort Kit and a tire plug kit just incase.

 

prepare to carry a can of fixaflat, just in case.
i dont have a gp but i have an r53 on performance suspension.
if im not mistaken the gp is on the jcw suspension... a harsh ride to begin with in comparison to non jcw susp. you'll find that your ride will be much more forgiving. since this is a gp i'd suggest running higher performance tires, the proxes 4's "break"(lose traction) a little earlier than the stock RF's unless you run a higher speed rating. kuhmo spt's are a fairly inexpensive performance tire. be forewarned, better performance = softer compound = higher wear

good luck with your decision

 

But, you can buy 2 sets of non run flats, a ContiComfort Kit, and have some money left over by going the non run flat method. In the long run you'll save some $$$ and more than likely be happier with your ride.

 

i was speaking in regards to high performance non runflats...

 

Changed mine out for the Michelin PS2. The car is an entirely different beast. The PS2's are a rediculously sticky tire. They're factory on the Porsche GT3 RS andd the Carrera GT.

 

I also moved to michelin PS2. -Much- more comfortable. -Much- stickier. For my use, I'm way more concerned with stick than lifetime.

I have a bmw mobility kit from a different car, but over my lifetime, my cars have been towed for non-flat-tire reasons than I've had flat tires. Obviously getting stuck twice as often is bad, but the frequency of flat tires seems overrated to me, or maybe I just don't drive around in construction sites enough.

 

A quick question regarding the Michelin PS2 tyres---are they directional tread? I am planning on switching over to them in the near future and am looking into how many spare GP wheels to purchase... TIA

 

Do you mean unidirectional? No, they're not unidirectional. They can rotate in either direction, so they can be mounted on either side of the car. They are, however, asymmetric- they need to be properly mounted on the tire with the large shoulder blocks on the outside.

So one spare would do it.....

 

oh yeah, and they do stick like glue!

 

BTW: PS2s are not meant to be used in near-freezing temperatures. If you live in a place that gets cold, even if there isn't a lot of snow, you want something else in the winter. My experience has been blizzaks for max snow & ice traction (unbelievable, pass stuck 4wd pickups with mud&snows on icy hills) or Pilot Sport Alpins for really good snow&ice performance and better dry pavement performance than your runflats. I'll probably go with the alpins this winter. The blizzaks were only fun in the snow and especially ice storms, and we haven't had enough of either to justify the poor dry pavement performance. Your mileage may vary. I'm a track junky and tires just seem to spin and slide when I'm driving. If you just want to get to work in the snow, and you don't normally have problems with tires spinning&sliding on dry pavement, the blizzaks will be wonderful.

 

I replaced the run flats with Toyo Proxes 4 tires which made a nice improvement in ride quality. I couldn't tolerate the run flat ride on the Southern California freeways. I am thinking about going to a 16" or maybe even 15" wheel at some point as I'd like the ride to be even more compliant.

Lee

 

I went from Dunlop R/Fs to BFGoodrich g Force non- R/Fs. The ride,noise level and handling are sooo much better. I lived with those Dunlops for 24K
and should have switched long ago.

 

my dunlop run flats are nail magnets. thank god for tire plug kit and the wheel/tire 50000 mile replacement warranty. 1 tire is around 350 to replace by dealer

 

I just switched out from 16" Dunlop 5000 DSST runflats, to Kumho ASX 205-50-16" so I could get to MME and the Dragon last weekend. Boy, what a difference! As has been said before...dunno why I didn't switch sooner. I have a Cooper that's still wearing its OEM runflats, so I am using its spare in my MCS now. I also carry a Slime kit and a compressor.

 

I am very happy with the Pilot Exalto 2's

 

you guys riding on ps2, what size did you selected? it seems like you can only get them in 205/40/18 or 225/35/18. I'd like the 225 but i'm not sure they would fit...

 

When changing from run-flats to regular tires, I assume that you also must change the wheels.....correct? If so, what are good wheel sources? Thanks.
Joe

 

no need for wheel change.

 

I just replaced mine today with some 215/35-18 Continental ContiExtremeContacts. I tried Yoko ES100's and Falken 512's in the past on my '02 to replace the stock Pirelli Euphoria RF's and the ES100's were by far the best performing. The Falken 512's did not perform nearly as well but lasted the longest. We'll see how these Conti's work out

 

Same here thinking of going 215 or 225 for the spring, my winter tires at Michelin Apin PA2 love them

 

Went with Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season. Handle very well in both dry and wet conditions. Seem to also be working well in light snow. Haven't driven them in any deep snow yet, but it's still early.