More venting about run flats





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When they do expire, I will replace them with non-Run-Craps; probably with highe performance summer tires (Texas car).
Mercedes-Benz: The best or nothing.
Yeah, right.

You were describing catastrophic failure and I was talking about simple punctures.
Agree, if one runs over a steel ingot or something similar and the tire sustains the damage you describe your not going anywhere.
When I said there is no such thing as a flat run flat, I meant looking at a run flat tire installed on the car with zero pressure, it looks normal. I once viewed a demonstration wherein a technician drilled a two inch hole in the sidewall of a Goodyear F1. Was surprised when the tire profile was unaltered. The car was then driven.
In the 17 years I've been driving on extended mobility tires have experienced two punctures both of which was able to continue on to the tire shop for repair.
Over the years have been in discussions addressing the pros/cons of runflat vs. conventional tires. My observation is no matter how convincing the argument no one on either side is converted.
Last edited by larrypmyers; Sep 14, 2016 at 08:45 PM.




You were describing catastrophic failure and I was talking about simple punctures.
Agree, if one runs over a steel ingot or something similar and the tire sustains the damage you describe your not going anywhere.
When I said there is no such thing as a flat run flat, I meant looking at a run flat tire installed on the car with zero pressure, it looks normal. I once viewed a demonstration wherein a technician drilled a two inch hole in the sidewall of a Goodyear F1. Was surprised when the tire profile was unaltered. The car was then driven.
In the 17 years I've been driving on extended mobility tires have experienced two punctures both of which was able to continue on to the tire shop for repair.
Over the years have been in discussions addressing the pros/cons of runflat vs. conventional tires. My observation is no matter how convincing the argument no one on either side is converted.
In general, 80% of the people dislike run flats and 20% are neutral or like them or think that they are safer (which they aren't).
Of the 80% that dislike them, about 20% actually change them to conventional tires and the discussion is done for them.
The remainder just put up with it, waiting for the tires to run down or the lease to end.
I have yet to find a single person who replaced run flats with a conventional tires on the same car and liked the former.

In general, 80% of the people dislike run flats and 20% are neutral or like them or think that they are safer (which they aren't).
Of the 80% that dislike them, about 20% actually change them to conventional tires and the discussion is done for them.
The remainder just put up with it, waiting for the tires to run down or the lease to end.
I have yet to find a single person who replaced run flats with a conventional tires on the same car and liked the former.
Care to provide your source of information on the 80%/20%.
You confirm my point that folks have unmovable positions concerning conventional vs. run flat tires.
It seems the best we can do is agree to disagree.




Care to provide your source of information on the 80%/20%.
You confirm my point that folks have unmovable positions concerning conventional vs. run flat tires.
It seems the best we can do is agree to disagree.
But you seem to be stuck in the thought that people have unmovable positions on run flats. I simply don't see that. Have you found a lot of diehard run flat supporters on this forum?
Many people try them as their cars come with run flats already installed, not because they chose them. So opinions come from driving, not pre-conceived notions.
I have driven the same cars with and without run flats and have made up my mind about which are better for me.
It just happens to coincide with many others. Years of complaints on BMW forums and now on Mercedes forums will show that. JD Powers has also recorded low customer satisfaction rating.
I think you would find that run flats are a non-issue in the US if Mercedes would offer either choice. They don't. Interestingly enough, Mercedes does just that when ordering one in Germany.
Turanza Serenity Plus" NON-Run Flat Tires, at just under 20K miles, on my 2015 S550. I know, I know, they didn't need to be replaced, I'm just **** and like riding in the FIRST half of a tire's life, not the last half.
The ride is SENSATIONAL, to say the least. Tire noise is ZERO. Smoothness and isolation are wonderful. I don't drive aggressively or overly fast, as I have outgrown those temptations. Run Flat Tires, even as delivered on my "old man" 18" wheels are, without a doubt, the KISS OF DEATH to ride quality and comfort. The difference between the OEM RFT and these Bridgestone's is frigging night and day, especially in the tire noise category. I carry an unused W221 compact spare in my trunk, along with a W222 jack & tool kit. The S550 is the best daily driver available to me, that suits my needs, nothing really comes close. So, I put up with the tire/spare issue.
If someone here, ANYONE here, just loves their run flat tires, all I can say is that I'm happy for you, but your idea of ride quality and mine don't jive. Just sayin.
Last edited by Streamliner; Sep 20, 2016 at 10:40 PM.




One my Pirelli 20" run flats lasted a 1000 miles and died over a small pothole.
When I've used conventional tires I ride them at 4-5psi more than standard. It's common sense for people that live where there are potholes to protect the wheel by keeping them properly inflated. I'm not concerned so much with the tire as I am about the 20 inch wheel/rim. If you've ever ripped a 20 inch rim you'll know it's a lot easier replacing a tire!
A run-crap tire has less tire flex, so the manufacturer has put less spring into the suspension in compensation*, so while you can compensate, it does not compensate as much as with regular tires. (*) They will tell you it is to return the favorable ride characteristics--which if that really were the case, they would not have put run-craps on in the first place.}






