Run Flat Tyres

[MikeInWimbledon]

It's not by accident that today's cars mostly handle corners and brake extremely well compared to the thin tyred cars of yesterday with wallowy suspension. In fact, driven briskly at todays speeds, most old cars would have been downright dangerous. It's called progress, we just have to accept it.

That's a fair point about the DS - you'd happily drive it at 100, but not round corners.

But 2019's cars aren't really being driven any faster, in day to day life, than we drove decent (not cooking bitter) cars in the '70's. They're fast on paper, but not on the streets. Especially the clowns who drive 320d M Sport saloons to their Bracknell Busy-ness park every day, and then home again each night. Their 18 inch wheels just jerk them about a bit. The rep's 1.8 Marina would actually have got there just as fast. (Example: in the 1975 I used to do a 40 mile commute from Ealing to Reading town centre in just over 45 minutes - an impossible time for a peak-time commute these days)

But it is always a good chuckle to see the owners of Ferraris and 19 inch wheeled saloons slowing to a crawl to go over 20mph speed bumps, while SAAB convertibles fly over them at 40mph with nary a worry. (Although obviously we all respect domestic speed limits, especially near schools)

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[Ed65]

Intrigued by your comment, which I've vaguely heard before. I stopped driving BMW's for several reasons, but the main reason was dreadful ride quality on E90's and E61's. What are the "latest generation" of these tyres? Is any particular make better - for example Conti Sport 5's or whatever ?

Or have you got a link you can recommend on the subject ?

M

Hi, well one example is the Bridgestone Drivegaurd - this has a significant reduction in SW guage compared to standard rft.
Achieved by improving the tyre SW compound at a molecular level and 'cooling fin' technology on the sidewall effectively allowing greater 'flexation' without the associated excessive heat build up.
No doubt other tyre manufacturers have improved in this area too, though I'm not familiar with the detail.
Bottom line - your rft of 2019 should be significantly more comfortable than that of 2009.
There will always be people who prefer non rft but having been able to get off the motorway (twice) and home safely with kids in the car, I'm a fan.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Many thanks, Ed. I'll have to look into this as some point in the future.

I hear rumours of the newer cars also having more flexible / modifiable suspension set ups, so combining the two, we might be heading to a better place.

 

[Gramps48]

Many thanks for all your comments and as ever it all seems to be a question of compromise whichever route you go.

I’m leaning very much towards changing to conventional tyres as this may provide a better ride plus I can also get a puncture repaired. However, this is subject to receiving written confirmation from my insurers that changing the tyre type does not infringe the terms of my policy.

Having considered the options, my rationale is that in the event of serious damage to the tyre then it would not matter whether I was on run flats or not and I would be dependent on my recovery service. If I get a slow puncture then I have the TPMS to provide an alert and I can try and top up with a 12v compressor in the hope of reaching a safe haven and get a repair. I may carry a can of sealant as back up for anything more serious or simply rely on the fall back my recovery service.


I should add that I am retired and drive around 7000 miles a year so my requirements differ from those who have busy schedules and drive higher mileages. I appreciate there are risks but I’m prepared to accept them until such time as I’m proved to have made the wrong decision !. The exception would be if I were to be driving abroad in which case I would carry a spare.


Talking of spares I did come across this:


Spacesaver Spare Wheels | AlloyWheels.com


I’m now trying to grapple with the pros and cons of MO branded tyres. I gather the differences between MO and unbranded, if any, are marginal but what I do not understand is that the same MO tyre could be fitted to any number of Mercedes models all with varying weights and engine sizes so how can the same tyre deal with all the variations? To my mind a premium quality non-MO tyre will be more than suitable provided the size, speed and load ratings are the same as the originals.

 

[Muckypaps]

Emergency Plug Kit I've just ordered one, easier and faster than farting about with the silly inflatable spare wheel kit.

EMERGENCY MOTORCYCLE CAR VAN TUBELESS TYRE PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT TIRE TOOL PLUG | eBay

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[Gramps48]

Just an update .... my insurers (LV) have just confirmed that changing to conventional tyres will not impact on my policy. They state that there would be an issue were the rims changed or if tyres of a different size wee fitted - as well to know!

 

[Ed65]

Emergency Plug Kit I've just ordered one, easier and faster than farting about with the silly inflatable spare wheel kit.

EMERGENCY MOTORCYCLE CAR VAN TUBELESS TYRE PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT TIRE TOOL PLUG | eBay

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Accept third party cookies

Rather you than me!!!
Also worth noting that such a repair wouldn't comply with British Standards (BS 159F) Which stipulates that a patch also be applied to the inner liner.
What is a British Standard Tyre Puncture Repair? - Dexel Blog

 

[ToeKnee]

So with the plug kit it seems you'll need to carry a jack and brace too. Might look into that.

 

[markjay]

So with the plug kit it seems you'll need to carry a jack and brace too. Might look into that.

And you'll still need the tyre inflator air pump obviously (though not the can of goo).

 

[Muckypaps]

It's not meant to be a permanent repair, just doing it to be able to drive to the tyreman to get repaired properly, as opposed to removing the wheel and fitting the collapsible spare wheel.
I like to keep my jack and spare wheel unused, car already has an inflator as part of the collapsible spare wheel kit.
Or if you totally can't be @rsed with any, ring Tyres on the drive.

 

[kianok]

Emergency Plug Kit I've just ordered one, easier and faster than farting about with the silly inflatable spare wheel kit.

Not really.

All that’s doing is replacing the the tyreweld at the cost of having to carry a wheel brace and jack, you still need the inflator.

The guy in the video would have made his life easier by topping up and taking his car to a tyre shop, or using an inflation kit.

It’s a no from me.....

 

[GeeJayW]

Just an update .... my insurers (LV) have just confirmed that changing to conventional tyres will not impact on my policy. They state that there would be an issue were the rims changed or if tyres of a different size wee fitted - as well to know!

Interesting. When I mentioned my concerns about rims getting flat-spotted from going over potholes, the service technicians at the main dealer said changing to 18" rims would require no mods and would help.

I'm also with LV, so sounds like I'll need to give them a call before getting 18's. I think the main sensitivity from the insurers is if after market rims are being fitted. I would be going for OE rims. The 19's were an option anyway.

One thing I haven't been able to find out is if the suspension parts/settings are actually different for 19" runflats vs 18" conventional.

 

[Gramps48]

I think you are right about after market rims especially if they are bigger ! I think it would be sensible to speak with LV beforehand but I'm sure as you are going smaller on OE rims they will just say go ahead or at worst say they will note it on your policy but at least you know you are covered - never used to do that in the old days though!
As regards suspension set up, I don't know either but I'd hazard a guess there is no difference given that the vehicle was readily available with both 18" and 19" wheels. One might hope that a dealership could ask MB Technical Service the question on your behalf ??

 

[CJD]

Interesting. When I mentioned my concerns about rims getting flat-spotted from going over potholes, the service technicians at the main dealer said changing to 18" rims would require no mods and would help.

I'm also with LV, so sounds like I'll need to give them a call before getting 18's. I think the main sensitivity from the insurers is if after market rims are being fitted. I would be going for OE rims. The 19's were an option anyway.

One thing I haven't been able to find out is if the suspension parts/settings are actually different for 19" runflats vs 18" conventional.

I asked this question to my then insurer Admiral, they were quite happy about me swapping to different size rims (my winter wheels) as long as they were original OE Mercedes wheels, and the same with my Porsche too.
Obviously LV may be different.

 

[GeeJayW]

I asked this question to my then insurer Admiral, they were quite happy about me swapping to different size rims (my winter wheels) as long as they were original OE Mercedes wheels, and the same with my Porsche too.
Obviously LV may be different.

Thanks.

 

[rf065]

And you'll still need the tyre inflator air pump obviously (though not the can of goo).

Usually these kits come with small canisters of compressed air, so no need for a pump either. That's the first one I've seen without the canisters.