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Opinions on run flat vs regular tires (tyres)

blufinz52
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I recently purchased a 2019 MB C43 AMG Cabriolet, which came with Continental run flat tires. This is my 1st experience with run flats and find that the feedback from them is somewhat hard and noisy. Although I prefer strong road feel vs. a soft ride (it is an AMG after all), I'm surprised how hard and noisy it is when going over a crack, manhole cover, etc.

I'm giving serious consideration to putting on some non-run flats, but would like to hear opinions/suggestions/recommendations from those more knowledgeable about this than I am. Thanks.
 
Charlemagne1333
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Run-flats are typically noisier/harsher than standard tyres. My friend’s BMW 3 series coupe was fitted with run-flats from the factory. He never got on with them. I think he was getting about 5000 miles out of them, and they were expensive to replace. No personal experience with them, but I’d be inclined to run a decent standard tyre on your class of motor.
 
size11s
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I have had run flats on BMW F11's for around 9 years, 2 different cars, a 520d Msport and a 520d Luxury. I do 15 - 20k miles/year. Yes, they aren't as quiet and forgiving as a non run flat but I soon got used to them and rate them highly. I fit Michelin Primacy, and get circa 30,000 miles out of a set of 4 rotating them during service. I think if you want to drive quite hard much of the time you are likely to find them a little lacking but for normal every day use I think they are great. I think also the stiffer walls are more protective of the rims.
 
Porteroso
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A lot of vehicles drop a full size spare for run flats. Many people don't to like running the small spares, they can be bad for differentials. If you have a full size spare, I would go with normal tires, myself.
 
redpcar
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Catastrophic failures leave you stranded (blow out, sidewall damage, etc). Run flats cost more, too. If it were me and the car came with them, I would purchase a full size spare, jack, wrench, and throw it in the trunk. Purchase regular tires with the run flats wear out.
 
Bruce235
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Non run flats are better at everything except driving with no air. You can put a fix kit in your trunk to handle a puncture.
 
Archer
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Run flats have come a long way. My first experience with them was on my 2003 Z4 3.0, and they were terrible. They tramlined like crazy and if the road was rough or in poor shape it was difficult to control with one hand as I was trying to shift the gears.

My wife has them on her 335 Xdrive and they are fine…the ride is fine and they handle just fine. They are expensive to replace, and if they do go flat you might not be able to plug them…once the side walls have been stressed they may need to be replaced. The manufacturers may say that they can be repaired but a typical tire place will tell you they won’t for liability reasons. It may depend on how far you have driven on them flat, so if you stop pretty much immediately they might be okay, but that negates the value they have. We have been through this a couple of times and each time they refused to do the repairs.
 
Archer
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Vercingetorix Vercingetorix
Porsche doesn’t use run flats. That’s all you need to know.
They also make you buy an overpriced watch with your GT car…
 
blufinz52
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Porteroso Porteroso
A lot of vehicles drop a full size spare for run flats. Many people don't to like running the small spares, they can be bad for differentials. If you have a full size spare, I would go with normal tires, myself.
Unfortunately, there is no spare tire.
 
blufinz52
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I appreciate all the feedback. I’m going to swap the run flats, probably Michelins. Thanks guys 👍
 
Porteroso
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blufinz52 blufinz52
Unfortunately, there is no spare tire.
I would absolutely not do it then. I live in a place where stuck on the wrong road might mean getting robbed. But if you are comfortable being super stuck when you get a flat, go for it.
 
dsio
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blufinz52 blufinz52
I appreciate all the feedback. I’m going to swap the run flats, probably Michelins. Thanks guys 👍

The PS 4S Michelins have been the gold standard for years and they really live up to the hype. I’ve heard the new PZ5 Pirellis might be even better though we don’t get them in Australia until next year.

I’m just about to replace a set of PS 4S Michelins with Kuhmo P72 Sport S, which are that brands first foray into UUHP tyres after seeing some really good reviews, apparently wet performance is slightly better than the Michelins, while dry is even more slightly worse, keen to see how they feel though as more competition is always a good thing and Kuhmos have served me very well in my old BMWs, even on track.
 
gatorcpa
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Vercingetorix Vercingetorix
Porsche doesn’t use run flats. That’s all you need to know.
Neither does Audi. They don’t give you a spare either.

They do give you a custom air pump which plugs into your 12V takeoff. This has a port for a can of fix-a-flat, that is also provided.

I would rather just call roadside assistance and let them handle it.
gatorcpa
 
The Father
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blufinz52 blufinz52
I appreciate all the feedback. I’m going to swap the run flats, probably Michelins. Thanks guys 👍
Smart move
 
Archer
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
They do give you a custom air pump which plugs into your 12V takeoff. This has a port for a can of fix-a-flat, that is also provided.
Yep, same as my Z4M had…
 
pdxleaf
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I've got Bridgestone run flats on my 2004 mini S.
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I was going to replace them with PS 4S because the ride felt hard, but the run flats were almost new so I am living with them. The ride does seem hard but the car has zero lean in corners so I've gotten used to them. I haven't driven this car with air tires so can't say how much is related to the tires. Many mini owners say they are harder and noisier and many have switched.

As far as not having a spare, I figured it didn't matter. I've had 2 flats in my almost 7 decades. It just doesn't happen that often, and if it did, call a tow truck. If you're not driving in the Yukon on the way to Alaska, you can get by without a spare. The cars that come with run flats aren't off road bajas anyway. Get the best tires for your preferred ride.
 
Evitzee
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Motorcyclists face this issue everytime we roll out of the garage. I carry a repair kit with plugs and CO2 cartridges, repair the puncture on the road and move on if it happens. There are flat repair kits available that can do the same for a car or SUV. If a vehicle has no spare tire or jack, get something that can get you to a place for service.
 
Fallout Boy
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Porsche strongly recommends using only tires with its own "N" identification. IMHO AUDI (A.O.) and Mercedes (M.O.) have similar recommendations.
 
padders
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Fallout Boy Fallout Boy
Porsche strongly recommends using only tires with its own "N" identification. IMHO AUDI (A.O.) and Mercedes (M.O.) have similar recommendations.
Yeah but manufacturer tyre standards are a little bit smoke and mirrors designed to promote dealer tyre sales. BMW do it too with their star rated standard. So that’s all the Germans pretty much. The difference between run flat and go flat is fundamental, that between N rated and not is a lot more subtle and often a new tyre without N rating is just too new to have been so rated. To be fair there can be optimisations with a manufacturer spec tyre vs the non rated one but it’s not black and white at all. I’d rather fit a recent well reviewed UHP tyre to a 911 rather than a N rated 10 year old design.

One comment about the get-you-home kits many manufacturers now fit instead of a spare: if you actually use the sealant gunk the tyre is effectively junk since tyre places won’t then attempt a repair in my experience. They don't want the hassle of clearing out the sealing compound.
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