I'm wondering how well they hold up opposed to regular tires as well as how much extra it will cost to replace them? How do the run-flats actually work by the way?

 

I havent had any runflat problems, but there are many people that have. They are a lot more expensive then just regular tires, but they are supposed to let you go for either 50 miles at 40 MPH, or 40 Miles at 50MPH, I can't remember.

 

40 miles at 50mph. I like the runflats, no problems yet. Haven't heard of any either.

 

How much do they cost to replace if anyone had to do that yet?

 

I haven't had to replace a run-flat, but I did pick up a screw in one the other day and I was able to get it plugged for $12.50! No more leaks yet, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

:smile:

 

my advice is to pick up a spare run flat from tirerack for cheap and keep it at home. a much better alternative IMO to having to fork out about 300 for a new one at some tire shop when you don't have a choice!

 

>>How much do they cost to replace if anyone had to do that yet?

They are cheap if you buy them from me.
PM me for info. ~400 miles on them...excellent.
Pirelli 17s BTW.

Go lí do chuid naimhde do chuid fo-éadaigh.

 

I left a Coke in my car and it went flat.

 

Personally, I love mine. Especially after yesterday when I hit the mother of all potholes on 495. It am positive it would have flattened my tire if I didn't have run flats. I would have been alone on the side of the highway in the rain and that would have SUCKED. So yeah....I am a fan of them at this point. No damage was done.

 

Runflats can be patched if the damage is not in the side wall.
Imagine that the tire has a certain runflat life. This is 90 miles at 50 mph if totaly flat. However you have a tire presure warning that will let you know if you have lost just a few psi. So keeping a $12 compresser in the trunk to reinflate a tire with a slow leek is not a bad idea. Then if you drive 10 miles at 29psi instead of 35psi to find a tire place that will repair your tire it's no biggie on the life of that tire. (this is exactly what happend to me).
Don't be surprissed if the first tire place will not patch a runflat. My local "action gator tire" service manager was convinced that runflats were filled with self sealing gunk and would not touch them, no mater how much I tried to persuade him he was wrong! Big 10 tires across the road fixed it in 10 minutes no problem, and of course no gunk!
If your finding it hard to get replacements check out http://www.tirerack.com. but make sure you have a tire shop that will fit them for you and ask how much tat costs.
Don't use fix a flat if you have runflats, there is no need. This really is gunk that will mess up your rims and may prevent your tire being patched.

Hope this helps.

 

I had my first flat tire yesterday. I got it patched today at a Les Schwab tire center (100's of locations in the NW and I think they rock) and they didn't charge a dime. Run flat tires and Les Schwab kick ***!

 

i hate em :evil:

 

i hate em :evil:

 

 

Do the runflats come with a spare as well?

 

No spare.... but there IS a jack....

 

I know it doesn't come on the S but what about a regular Cooper with run-flats? I heard they did.

 

My run flat Cooper comes has a spare. The important thing to remember with this type of tire (standard on cars like the Corvette) is that the tires will not appear to be flat when punctured. You must rely on the cockpit sensor. Also, contrary to some folks, they really not any better than regular tires at preventing flats. They will, though, they will remain on the wheel when they lose pressure whereas a regular tire would come off the rim. Also, when you add air you must reinitialize the system. They are good tires and will save you from ruining your clothes doing a tire change, although if you have to go further then listed in the manual or some other misfortune you can use the spare. I'm not sure why people are changing them out before their tread life is gone.

If you go through the Owner's manual (online or book) you'll notice too many pages of information because the flat tire equipment varies according to model and tire fitment. Also, the warning triangle and first aid kit are only provided where law requires them and the USofA does not require them.

 

I just wanted to add to ScooterMan's post that the cockpit flat tire sensor does seem to work very well. I picked up a screw in one of my runflats last week, and my flat tire warning came on weh the tire was down only by 6 psi. (Three tires at 36 psi, faulty one at 30 psi.) I filled it and reset the warning light and the next day it again went off when the faulty tire hit 30 psi. That's when I took it in to be checked. Now the screw is in my glovebox and the tire is successfully plugged. :smile:

 

it drove me nuts i had to keep pulling over putting air in it and it kept going flat....... :evil: