Hi, I need HELP figuring out what tires to get for my '05 MCS. Last year I had replaced my original factory tires due to hitting a pot hole. I bought 2 Goodyear Eagle RSA-A and put them in the front. Now the same 2 tires have developed massive bubbles (I guess from pot holes again) and they are in dire need of replacement. I'll need to replace all 4 tires since the back 2 tires are almost at the end of their life. Any suggestions on what tires to get? Reading a lot of the threads on this forum it seems that the common recommendation is to get rid of the RUN-FLATS and go for the non-run-flats. My concern is that I do a lot of driving and I don't have the luxury to keep a spare in my trunk since I need the trunk space. So I'm not sure what to do. The Goodyear's are crazy expansive. I did get recommendation on the Continenta, which seems to be less pricey but still expansive. Any other tires I should look at besides the Goodyear or the Continenta? I checked Tiretrack.com and they only have the above 2 listed. Any other place I can purchase tires from? My tire profile is: 205/45R17 Any help you guys can provide will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance for your support. ;-)

 

1. No run-flats
2. Get AAA membership
3. Stop worring

I have a MCS with non-runflats and carry a plug kit and compressor. I can probably plug a tire before most people could change a spare.

If you don't want to do that yourself AAA is a good option for anyone not handy with cars.

However, I have been driving over 30 years (yes I am one of the old farts ) and have only had one flat while I was away from home. All of my other flats were coming out and finding a puncture had lost air over night. Maybe I am just lucky but most people will never need a spare.
Just my $.02

 

Get the Kumho ASX!!! You will never hate yourself for switching to non-runflat tires that not only perform better, but wear well!

 

thulchatt, Thanks for your advice...I was gonna go with the run flat but after thinking about this whole situation again and the amount of money I spent last time due to pot holes, I've changed my mind and purchased NON-RUN-FLATS. I also picked up the "ContiComfortKit" from Continental, I think this has be compressor as well as the plug. So again thanks for your help. rjtrout2000, Thanks for your recommendation. By the time I read your message, I had already placed the order for the tires. So now it's too late to change it. Here's what I ended up getting: Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid High Performance All-Season 205/45/VR17 That's what Alex from tire rack had recommended. Hopefully these are good tires. Do you know if they are any good? Again thanks for all your help. Regards....

 

Well I guess at this time it is pointless to tell you that I recently switched from the Pirelli Eufori Run-flats to
Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season tires and they ride like a dream.


They are quieter than the my original tires, handle the bumps extremely well and handle the curves like a coaster.
As for wear, I guess I'll have to update you in about 10,000 miles (thats the average mileage I was getting from the Pirelli's).

 

Okay, I just want to know why everyone is ditching run-flats? Is it money? I've also read weight is an issue I've seen a ton of threads asking for advice on which tires to replace the stock RFs.

I recently replaced my Bridgestone RFs with Kuhmo RFs and honestly did not even think of not buying RFs.

 

These are issues, along with waiting for the UPS guy in the middle of Montana if one lets go there, and finding a shop that will deal with them and not ding your wheels. But it's mostly ride quality from what I've gathered over a few years of reading here.

 

To add to what TooTall said, it is very difficult finding a tire dealer that is not going to destroy your rims
while changing the difficult to remove and replace Run Flats.
They cost almost double of regular high performance tires and wear out twice as fast.
As I have previously stated in this thread the run flats are louder and they don't provide as smooth a ride.

If I was in the middle of nowhere and had a flat on Run Flats I doubt I could drive a couple of hundred miles
back to where I could purchase another run flat let alone have it replaced properly.
With my current Goodyear tires I could get them replace by any grease monkey at any BFE gas station
and my AAA towing will get me there.
(Yes I do also have the MINI Roadside).

Did I forget to mention that its much cheaper and easier to have a spare rim and tire at home?

 

Gotcha! Good points and will consider those again when purchasing new next time.

I agree on the cost issue, but mine were $149 each and when I spend the equivalent on my SUV I guess it just seemed about right.

Regarding the ride quality, I guess since I bought a performance car, (and because I have the Benz for ride quality), I expected the ride to be rougher. However, I have read threads where people state their non RFs are better performers. I jsut don't know that much about tires to make a real judgement.

Regarding flats, I drive onto construction sites regularly, have run over unmentionable things, and drive on less that stellar roads here in California and have not, (knock on wood) had a flat yet so I guess my ignorance is bliss.

Thanks for the feedback.