We have a 2006 S Convertible with run flats. I've heard that the ride will be much improved if we switch to conventional tires, but I'm concerned about the lack of a "safety net" if we have a flat tire. Comments? Suggestions for a replacement tire?

 

Lots of posts and opinions on this subject. My opin is to keep them for at least 20k to see how they wear, and then look into replacing with non-RF tyres. A can of fix-a-flat and a small air compressor is very easy (and cheap) to keep in the boot just in a case of a flat.

As far as replacement goes (another topic of much debate), it will just depand on how you drive. There are a lot of all-seasons with great tread life that handle very well, and there are probably just as many summer tyres that will also work well. I went with a Pirelli PZero Nero M+S (all season) 215-45 R17.

 

Kumho ASX also great all-season and incredible value

 

I have an 06Cabrio with non-run-flats and no regrets - I only drove a few miles on demo cars with runflats so hard to compare - but lots of testimony from folks who have run both and attest to the better ride of the normal tires. I know on my last car I had 2 flats in 100,000 miles - and both were nails/screws and both held enough air to drive on, just noticed they were a little low. With the flat tire sensor, slime/pump kit and plug kit, plus AAA service I'm pretty confident. In 25 years of driving, my wife and I have only had one catastrophic flat where slime or a plug wouldn't have worked... (hit a big chunk of sheetmetal in the road and slashed the sidewall)...

If I spent a lot of time driving across the desert or mountains out west where I was hours from anywhere I would be more concerned. But in eastern civilization, I feel pretty safe.

 

Try a search... here is one of the many threads on the subject.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=84229

 

Use the run flats until they're worn out, get your money's worth from them. When you replace them with normal tires, make a little kit with a tube of "Slime" and a small 12v air compressor. You'll be fine.

 

I put these tires on the track and they did a great job tire rack $80

 

Eastern civilization?? My wife has relatives in Benson, NC, and that's definitely not civilization.

 

Everything's relative.

Benson's right down the road from here, and it's a lot more civilized by any standard than someplace like Amboy, CA in the middle of the Mojave Desert...
and a lot more civilized than some hollers near the Dragon where you can get yersef in a "Deliverance" type scenario if yer not careful...
Some people would say it's a lot more civilized than parts of LA or NYC...
(I would be one of those peeps) -