Run Flat tyres

[kinjamin]

Hi All,

Just bought a used Alhambra 2011 140 TDI. Just wanted to know if anybody has replaced any yet. Aremrun flat tyres more expensive? Where are the cheapest places to buy them from. Also wish to purchase a spare wheel as well.

Any advice wil be much appreciative.

Kinjamin

 

[rodneytrotter]

I've not had mine long enough to buy any yet but my local tyre man said they were a waste of time and to replace them with a normal tyre.

Prices change but he said that, at the time I asked (before Xmas), Hankooks were £118 and Pirellis were £120 so he recommended the latter.

 

[G.P]

I've not had mine long enough to buy any yet but my local tyre man said they were a waste of time and to replace them with a normal tyre.

Prices change but he said that, at the time I asked (before Xmas), Hankooks were £118 and Pirellis were £120 so he recommended the latter.

Hope he also mentioned to also advise your insurance company should you change to normal tyre's..

 

[BJM]

My wife's Mini Countryman runs non run flat conti's- it comes with runflats but we spec'd non runflats as a no cost option. I just got 2 of them replaced - £125 each for non runflats. Price for runflats £108 each!! Go figure!

 

[kinjamin]

Hope he also mentioned to also advise your insurance company should you change to normal tyre's..

Never thought about that. Is there any difference in how the suspension is setup as well. I am assuming that the run flats are slightly rigid compared with normal tyres. Therefore I am assuming the suspension is set up for Run Flats not normal tyres!

Will normal tyres affect the handling?

Kinjamin

 

[G.P]

Normal tyre's will affect the handling yes, as you have stated the suspension is designed for runflat's.

Does of course depend on driving style, on normal tires the ride should provide more comfort, but you may notice on sweeping A road curves the back slightly moving around on the wall's of the tyre's, also this can be felt on motorway's.

That said the difference between a Bridgestone normal and runflat is now down to 3% stiffer, so if you do decide to go for a normal tyre, I'd go for one with a nice firm sidewall ie. Bridgestone, Dunlop or Yokohama.

Good luck with whatever you decide upon..

 

[Gerico1000]

Are you sure they are 'Run Flat' and not 'Self Sealing'? There is a huge difference.

 

[rodneytrotter]

Are you sure they are 'Run Flat' and not 'Self Sealing'? There is a huge difference.

Now you've said that, I've realised you're absolutely right and I was talking about self sealers vs normal tyres -- not run flats at all.

Sorry for any confusion.

The factory fitted ones are the Continental Conti Seal self sealers which are meant to self-seal small punctures and it was these ones that my tyre man was telling me were rubbish.

 

[Gerico1000]

It's the only thing that spoils a fantastic car for me. I do have a spare but it is in the garage so far from ideal. There really is nowhere to put it in the car but I chuck it in the boot sometimes.

If I can't have a spare then I suppose 'self sealers' are (just about) better than nothing.

My last car, Skoda Octavia Estate, had a proper spare and in six years it never got used so I kind of understand where they are coming from but a spare gives piece of mind.

Worst case is I'll get recovered home and use the spare out of the garage. Doesn't help with holiday planning!

 

[wheelwright]

also tyre fit centres say they cannot fix a self fix tyre........so its a new tyre up ya every puncture!! (Ive had 1 nail in 2 years)

I have read of repairers who state they can fix a self seal tyre though.

 

[tires]

also tyre fit centres say they cannot fix a self fix tyre........so its a new tyre up ya every puncture!! (Ive had 1 nail in 2 years)

I have read of repairers who state they can fix a self seal tyre though.

Positive, when you get a puncture you need to replace the tire, and if they are half good, you need to replace two! That's crazy. Those run flat tires are good for rich people only.