Run Flat yes or no?

[TheAbbot]

I have a A238 E350 convertible 4Matic and I need 4 new tyres do I stick with run flats or go with standard tyres ?
I have Michelin Primacy 3 zeros (I believe them to be runflats) fitted all round do I go the same or do you have any better ideas ?

 

[markjay]

It's a No from me for runflats. Other views are also available...

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

What do you think of the ride quality on your existing tyres? (New ones will inevitably be slightly better just because they’re new)

And how risk averse are you to a flat tyre? (Are you often far from home? Have you had lots of flats these last ten years?)

How much more are run flats?

 

[SpikyMikey]

What do you think of the ride quality on your existing tyres? (New ones will inevitably be slightly better just because they’re new)

And how risk averse are you to a flat tyre? (Are you often far from home? Have you had lots of flats these last ten years?)

How much more are run flats?

Go flats rather than run flats.........says the bloke who is too tight to have changed the horrible Bridgestone run flats to a proper tyre because they were pretty much brand new when he bought the car

 

[markjay]

What do you think of the ride quality on your existing tyres? (New ones will inevitably be slightly better just because they’re new)

And how risk averse are you to a flat tyre? (Are you often far from home? Have you had lots of flats these last ten years?)

How much more are run flats?

And don't forget that I'm the event of a puncture you are more likely to need a brand new tyre...

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Go flats rather than run flats.........says the bloke who is too tight to have changed the horrible Bridgestone run flats to a proper tyre because they were pretty much brand new when he bought the car

You and me both, SpikeyMikey, as always....

Socratic MiW is just guiding someone else's decision.

Can't remember if I've had five or six E90/E91's now, and it's always, the big debate that can go either way.

Like you, ride quality is my priority, so I'd go normal, but I won't change tyres "before their time."

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

And don't forget that I'm the event of a puncture you are more likely to need a brand new tyre...

But who da heck ever has a puncture? When was your last one, and how inconvenient was it?

Mrs MiW had a puncture in her (proper tyred) SAAB 12 years ago, but hasn't had one since. (A very very nice man from the AA sorted her out)

I had a flat in an E90 with RFT's in 2009, so drove myself 40 miles home, slowly, but haven't had one since.

We always have AA rescue, but we never use it. (Not everyone is prepared to pay for that peace of mind)

 

[markjay]

This is my logic:

In most cases you can drive on a puncture and get to a tyre shop, as long as you carry a tyre inflator and re-inflate the punctured tyre. However, the benefit of runflats is that you don't have to stop on the hard shoulder of a busy motorway at night in pi$$ing rain to re-inflate the punctured tyre.

Tyre blowouts are almost always the result of an overheating tyre due to low air pressure. Keep checking the air pressure and you won't have blowout. Runflats won't help you here anyway.

A tyre being shred as result of an impact with a pothole or foreign object is indeed a problem, but, again, having runflats wont help.

On balance - runflats are not worth it.

BTW, I believe that the manufacturers' motivation for fitting runflats as standard came from trying to save weight (and improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions for the standard testing), in the olden days when not carrying a spare tyre was unheard of.

 

[SpikyMikey]

This is my logic:

In most cases you can drive on a puncture and get to a tyre shop, as long as you carry a tyre inflator and re-inflate the punctured tyre. However, the benefit of runflats is that you don't have to stop on the hard shoulder of a busy motorway at night in pi$$ing rain to re-inflate the punctured tyre.

Tyre blowouts are almost always the result of an overheating tyre due to low air pressure. Keep checking the air pressure and you won't have blowout. Runflats won't help you here anyway.

A tyre being shred as result of an impact with a pothole or foreign object is indeed a problem, but, again, having runflats wont help.

On balance - runflats are not worth it.

BTW, I believe that the manufacturers' motivation for fitting runflats as standard came from trying to save weight (and improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions for the standard testing), in the olden days when not carrying a spare tyre was unheard of.

At least Mercedes have the decency to put spare wheel wells in the boots of their cars.
BMW.....nah

 

[Mactech]

I have done the swap to sensible normal tyres a number of times now and never regretted a moment of the smother, quieter and more comfortable ride for every mile I drive.
As others have said, look after your pressure and tyres in general and you reduce the risk of a puncture to very, very small level.
It is now over quarter of a century and almost half a million miles since I last had a puncture.

PS Did you know you are more likely to get a puncture in the wet? According to the tyre manufactures it is due to the lubricating properties of water helping a sharp object penetrate the tread. Who knew?

 

[190]

Tyre blowouts are almost always the result of an overheating tyre due to low air pressure. Keep checking the air pressure and you won't have blowout. Runflats won't help you here anyway.

Agreed.

Run flats are a solution to a problem that is almost non existent, at least that's my experience over 53 years of driving.

I can't remember having a flat that needed me to put on the spare out on the road. Maybe I did because 53 years is a long time and I might have forgotten the odd instance 40 or 50 years back but it's certainly not a common event. I've found nails in tyres a couple of times through regularly checking pressures and inspecting them but the tyre didn't deflate to the extent that the spare was needed. That's normal because it's in the nature of tubeless tyres that they don't usually deflate rapidly when punctured.

For me it's a complete no brainer of a decision. Why would anyone put up with a poorer ride for the whole life of the tyre and higher expense for the very rare occurrence of a a puncture that actually deflates the tyre.

I very much agree with the idea that if you look after your tyres, check pressures and inspect them for foreign objects you won't have blow outs and you won't need run flats.

 

[TheAbbot]

I did have a puncture about two months ago but luckily it could be repaired but that was the first one for as long as I can remember.

Next question Michelin or ??? anyone with any preference ?

 

[StMarks]

Next question Michelin or ??? anyone with any preference ?

Everyone has preferences, and we all have different values/perspectives too imho. That is why there are so many options of tyre available in the market place.

For a more constructive response.: Michelin make a number of different tyre styles, for various applications. What they don't make is substandard tyres. Fwiw Michelin are always amongst my first choice, irrespective of application. Hth.

 

[TheAbbot]

Fwiw Michelin are always amongst my first choice, irrespective of application. Hth.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Mactech]

Michelin tyres are expensive. Other than that I can't think of a reason not to buy the best.
The cost can be mitigated by looking for seasonable cash back deals from Michelin, they seem to have them on from most suppliers during most seasons.
£80 to £100 cash back on a set of 4 within the month of purchase is normal. In the last few years I have done just that for a Defender, an X3 and an i3.
The Macan will get the same whenever the current Pirelli's get low on tread.

Other brands are available, but having worked with most of the brands in motorsport, Michelin's position as top brand is mirrored in their road tyres.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Ps. Just in case you don’t know, Primacy 3 can be normal or Run Flat.

Check tyre wall for details

 

[AB65]

I have a A238 E350 convertible 4Matic and I need 4 new tyres do I stick with run flats or go with standard tyres ?
I have Michelin Primacy 3 zeros (I believe them to be runflats) fitted all round do I go the same or do you have any better ideas ?

I am in the same predicament, and intend to go away from runflats to 'conventional' tyres! Did the same on prvious BMW and car handled much better. Just get hold of small air compressor and a couple of cans of tyre weld for the boot!

 

[TheAbbot]

Having looked on the Michelin site it appears that you can only get Primacy 3's 275/35r/19 in run flats. I have 245 on the front and 275 on the rear. So now I need to find another tyre perhapes Michelin Pilot Sport 5's?

 

[TheAbbot]

In the end decided to stick with the Michelin Primacy 3's run flats, will say that the car is a lot quieter due to lower road noise and seems to be handling better. Only time will tell if I made the right choice.

Thanks

 

[rf065]

In the end decided to stick with the Michelin Primacy 3's run flats, will say that the car is a lot quieter due to lower road noise and seems to be handling better. Only time will tell if I made the right choice.

Thanks

I love run flats, cannot understand all the hate for them, maybe airmatic helps?