Arodman

I was in a Firestone store having a battery installed in another car, I asked about run flats vs other tires for my recently perchased 98 vette.. The Mgr stated that while he would sell me any performance tire I requested, he stated that the Supension system on my 98 vette was specifically made for run flats and thats what I should have on my car. Currently I have VREDESTEIN tires which I really like so far, however when I need to replace them they are costly. I would assume that there are about 50-50 mix of those who perfer run flats / other tires.

I like handling as much as the other guy, I have no plans go to a track to race. I have never hear about the suspension system and tires '

any thoughts?

Fcar 98

I like to stay with the run flats that is my preference. A safety issue with my. The goodyears were designed for the c5. But there are better tires out there.

Arodman

My thoughts exactly, probably wouldnt go with the GoodYears but some other tire, looking for feedback on other tires (Runflats)
my perferance is performance of course but wear and noise and ride are more over riding factors

Mr.TT

I suppose you could mold his words around enough for it to be correct. The suspension and the tires were designed to work together, certainly. But to say that you'd get a decrease in performance or experience safety issues if you went to a non run flat is wrong.

FWIW I think all run flats are terrible and I will never run them on my car. Tires are the biggest make or break component on your car (again, my opinion).

Corvette_Ed

Run flat tires and performance do not go well together. I got rid of my GY run flats and replaced them with non-run flat tires. The decrease in noise and the vast improvement in handling and performance was well worth the change. I'll never go back to run flat tires again.

Fcar 98

A non-run-flat can most certainly create a safety issue if it leaves you on the side of the road. Performance wise I do not plan to take my car to the track other wise my michelin pilot sports a/s plus run-flats are one of the best tires you can put on your car. If you base you opinion on G. Y. run flats you should try a different brand. The handling is like day and night.

99 VET

I got rid of the OEM Goodyear run flats at around 20,000 miles & went w/Michelin's run flats & am very happy w/them. I wonder if the tire shop fellow was trying to upgrade a possilbe sale?

hougland

I agree Frank, I run the Pilot Sport A/S and find it to be very quiet and well performing. I work for a Tire and Auto Repair facility and had a wide variety of tires available but chose the Michelin over all the others. Like you, I run the Run Flats for safety sakes.

jrose7004

I just keep buying GY runflats as I take trips in the C5 and trying to plug a tire on the side of the road isn't something that I want to try.

Corvette_Ed

You don't need to plug the tire. All you need is enough air to get you to the nearest shop to get it fixed. I carry a cig-lighter air compressor with me in case I get a flat.

There are two types of flats:

1. The type that can be repaired.

2. They type that can't be repaired.

The first is covered by the air compressor; the second will require a tow truck whether you have run flats or not.

Lt. Dan M.

Always put Michelin runflats on the 99 coupe for the wife. I was amazed at how much better the ride was in my 02Z compared with the 99. I just replaced the rear tires with Michelin PS3. WOW! what a difference in ride. It no longer beats the crap out of you going over small bumps like the runflats do. She was so happy with the ride, still with the runflats on the front, that she doesn't want runflats back on the car again.

C5Txfan

The second isn't completely true with run flats. if you have something in the sidewall of a run flat it can't be fixed .. but ... you still can drive on it unless the whole sidewall is torn off. But a typical nail / screw / whatever in the sidewall will still let you drive on it for 50 - 100 miles until you can get it replaced.
That's why I prefer run flats for 'normal fun / pleasure' driving like I do - safety so not to get stranded even with AAA towing!

CQRT

I ran only Goodyear runflats on my C6 for 5 years and thought they rode hard and were terrible as weather got colder (cold in Arizona being a relative thing . . .) I rode with friends that had non-runflats and thought their cars were quieter and didn't thump quite as much going over expansion strips on the road.

My C5 had Nitto 555's that road much better . . . but when they needed to be replaced, I went with Michelin runflats . . . better than Goodyears IMO, with the added security of a runflat.

There's my .02 - - good luck.

Corvette_Ed

I was thinking more of the blowout type of flat for the second. In over 30 years of driving I have never had anything stuck in the sidewall nor known of anyone who has. I realize it happens, but it is extremely rare in my experience and not worth the horrible ride, noise, and loss of performance I got from run flats.

Sonny71

Michelin A/S ZPs for me, the PS2s are fine for warm weather

Arodman

thanks for your responses I was pretty sure of it but wanted your guys thoughts. the mgr has worked with me before on my Saab, and has done well with the work and price, but when he stated that the C-5 suspension was designed for runflats specifically that sounded odd to me, even though that is OEM. GY are probably a No, the place I take my car to is Firestone, he reccommended I think was Bridgestone Run flats he really talked them up even said that they would store my current tires for a month and if I wanted the originals back they would put them back on or I could buy non run flats from them no problems. I thought that was good.

bighank

Bought the C5 used with new OEM GY runflats. It is a vert so I expected some noise. Was coming back from shopping and it started snowing, Only about 1/4" on the roads. Was on a straight section of a 6 lane divided highway doing about 50 MPH. Car started performing like a snowboard or luge and I almost went into the median or the shoulder.. Drove about 30 MPH the rest of the way home. Didn't go near snow for the rest of the tire life. Put Michelin PS2 AS/ZPs on the car in the spring. WAS A DIFFERENT CAR!!!!! Noise dropped significantly and handling was much better. Although the PS2s are rated ALL SEASON and ZERO PRESSURE found that in snow and ice they aren't perfect but a hell of a sight better than the OEM GY summer tires. For all around use and comfort go with the PS2s. Have seen the reports on the PS3s which are not runflats and find the jury out on their overall performance. BIGHANK

sts57c5

I just put a set of mich run flats on my vette yesterday and my vette rides awesome I was very impressed !

Vetteman Jack

This topic has plenty of supporters on both sides of the issue. If you like the runflats, then by all means keep them on the car. They do provide an extra measure of safety should the hopefully occasional tire puncture occur. I have been running non-runflats on my '03 for over three years now (replaced the OEM GY runflats) and am very happy with the performance and low road noise. I choose to take the chance that I won't have a flat (haven't had one in better than 10 years) and should I have one, I have a plug kit, air compressor, cell phone and emergency road service on my auto insurance policy.

I will say that from what I have read, the Michelin runflats are way better than the Goodyears and if I decided to go back with runflats, those would be my choice.

AngelDeath

Michelin - Pilot Sport A/S 3 On my 01. Replaced the GY R/F's cause they 1) were worn, 2) Felt like I was driving my head out of the window hearing the tires. The change and taking the chance to run Michelin - Pilot Sport A/S 3 Non R/F made a difference in noise and even in handling in wet roads, Cant answer for snow cause neither my 87 or 01 will ever see the white stuff.