"Run flats are better on 20” wheels”
05-11-2021, 01:13 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
"Run flats are better on 20” wheels”
Currently have 20” Pirelli P Zero run-flats
Spoke with my long-time trusted tire guru/company today (national chain) to get a quote on non run-flat tires, specifically:
General G-Max AS-05
Michelin A/S 3+
He said the following:
- This wheel was designed for run-flats
- We can install non run-flats, but we do not recommend for this wheel combo; there are smoother/quieter run-flat options than the P Zero's
He went on to say:
- All 20” tires have a narrow sidewall; newer designed 20” run-flats have a thicker/stronger sidewall to provide better tire/wheel protection from pothole damage. This is why there are very limited number of non run-flat options for this wheel combo.
Anyone care to defend this opinion or is he just 100% wrong?
Spoke with my long-time trusted tire guru/company today (national chain) to get a quote on non run-flat tires, specifically:
General G-Max AS-05
Michelin A/S 3+
He said the following:
- This wheel was designed for run-flats
- We can install non run-flats, but we do not recommend for this wheel combo; there are smoother/quieter run-flat options than the P Zero's
He went on to say:
- All 20” tires have a narrow sidewall; newer designed 20” run-flats have a thicker/stronger sidewall to provide better tire/wheel protection from pothole damage. This is why there are very limited number of non run-flat options for this wheel combo.
Anyone care to defend this opinion or is he just 100% wrong?
05-11-2021, 03:23 PM
#2
Super Member
I am not an expert on run flat tire design so I will not comment on their sidewall design. Consider this, MB uses 20” wheels with non run flat tires on the AMG S63 and S65. These cars have wheel/tire combo’s optimized for maximum performance up to 186mph. MB is not using wheels on those cars that are not correct for non run flat tires. I thought, maybe incorrectly, that all the S class 20” wheels were the same design.
it is true run flat tire designs have improved in the last few years, but I will still stay with the AMG/MB spec non run flat 20” tires.
it is true run flat tire designs have improved in the last few years, but I will still stay with the AMG/MB spec non run flat 20” tires.
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jekoda (05-12-2021)
05-11-2021, 03:52 PM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
He doesn't know what he's talking about lol
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jekoda (05-12-2021)
05-11-2021, 09:04 PM
#4
No, the wheel was not designed for Run Flats, the wheel was designed to fit standard tires of both varieties.
There are quieter and softer tires than Pirelli run flats
Amongst these are most of the non-run flats--and a couple of the run flats
A 275/50-20 tires will have tall sidewalls while a 275/20-20 will have very tiny sidewalls.
The height of the sidewall in millimeters is the second number taken as a percentage, and multiplied by the first number.
A 275/50-20 tire will have 275×0.50 = 137.5mm = 5.41"
A 275/20-20 tire will have 275×0.20 = 55mm = 2.16"
He may be a good sales person, he knows essentially nothing about tires.
- We can install non run-flats, but we do not recommend for this wheel combo; there are smoother/quieter run-flat options than the P Zero's
Amongst these are most of the non-run flats--and a couple of the run flats
He went on to say:
- All 20” tires have a narrow sidewall; newer designed 20” run-flats have a thicker/stronger sidewall to provide better tire/wheel protection from pothole damage. This is why there are very limited number of non run-flat options for this wheel combo.
- All 20” tires have a narrow sidewall; newer designed 20” run-flats have a thicker/stronger sidewall to provide better tire/wheel protection from pothole damage. This is why there are very limited number of non run-flat options for this wheel combo.
The height of the sidewall in millimeters is the second number taken as a percentage, and multiplied by the first number.
A 275/50-20 tire will have 275×0.50 = 137.5mm = 5.41"
A 275/20-20 tire will have 275×0.20 = 55mm = 2.16"
He may be a good sales person, he knows essentially nothing about tires.
05-12-2021, 12:43 AM
#5
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2015 S550
The problems with RFT's are:
1. Their stiff sidewalls make them ride more harsh than standard tires.
2. They are super expensive.
3. They generally have a shorter lifespan than non RFT's.
4. They tend to be louder than non RFT's.
5. There are many issues with the tread splitting from the sidewall, causing the tires to be destroyed and unrepairable.
1. Their stiff sidewalls make them ride more harsh than standard tires.
2. They are super expensive.
3. They generally have a shorter lifespan than non RFT's.
4. They tend to be louder than non RFT's.
5. There are many issues with the tread splitting from the sidewall, causing the tires to be destroyed and unrepairable.
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jekoda (05-12-2021)
05-12-2021, 03:14 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
The problems with RFT's are:
1. Their stiff sidewalls make them ride more harsh than standard tires.
2. They are super expensive.
3. They generally have a shorter lifespan than non RFT's.
4. They tend to be louder than non RFT's.
5. There are many issues with the tread splitting from the sidewall, causing the tires to be destroyed and unrepairable.
1. Their stiff sidewalls make them ride more harsh than standard tires.
2. They are super expensive.
3. They generally have a shorter lifespan than non RFT's.
4. They tend to be louder than non RFT's.
5. There are many issues with the tread splitting from the sidewall, causing the tires to be destroyed and unrepairable.
7. Typically when you replace 1, you will need to replace both to keep Thread Depth the same.
8. No all remote tire places will carry them in stock.
A. This goes for both RF and Non RF. If you damage a Rim, you are out of luck with any tire unless you carry a spare or are willing to wait for assistance.
B. RF will at least let you keep going to your destination in most instances if it is a leak of any kind. Non RF you will need to deal with the time / aggravation to get to your destination.
C. Any NEW tire(s) RF or Non RF will always feel better, quieter, softer due to New Full Rubber.
Good valid points either way.
