I need new rears and I was wondering, does anyone have run flats on their cars?
Since Astons seem to be sensitive to tires, was wondering how they behaved on an Aston, also there is a lot of construction around where I live and also where I work and I do not want to have to have my car towed when I get a nail or screw in it.

thinking about getting the Goodyear F1 or Michelin Sport A/S

 

I have run flat tires on my Infinity FX. Last year they needed replacing so I purchased 4 brand new Bridgestones. On the way home I ran over a nail left in the road by a construction crew. As the air pissed out I thought, thank goodness I have run flats. I drove the SUV slowly to a well known tire repair company.
As the tech removed the tire and rim from the car he said, you have run flats. I replies yes. He then said, run flats cannot be repaired, sorry. I said what am I supposed to do? He replied casually, Buy another tire.

Don't buy them.

 

Runflats = rocks

 

Run-flats are designed to get you to a place to replace the tire once punctured, and no further. They aren't meant to be repaired or anything like that. Just to last longer when punctured so you can get somewhere that will replace it with a new tire.

Alternatively, I've got a plug/patch on one of my rear tires. Since that repair, I've done a couple track days and hit 120-140 mph speeds (uh... on a closed course in Mexico, professional driver, do not try at home). No issues whatsoever. The plug/patch repair will last longer than the remaining tread on the tire.

 

Well, it is either that or carry plugs and air pump.

Telum, you have more ***** than me, I do not think I would put a car on a track with a plug. Though you are on a closed course in Mexico, thank that makes all the difference.

 

I did a LOT of research and verification to ensure I'd be okay using the repaired tire like that. My ***** are just well-researched, nothing more

 

Another issue to consider. Because a softer compound is used on the tread to counter the stiff sidewall on run flat tires, tread wear is always worse than conventional tires.

 

Agree with all of the above. Avoid them like the plague! Heavy, harsh riding, noisy and ridiculously short lifespan. Wife's last few BMWs have come with RF tires as delivered. She is not an aggressive driver and they have lasted barely 20,000 km before developing horrible droning noises, despite only partial tread wear. Off they've come, and been replaced with proper summer tires, every time.

 

I DO NOT replace with run flats on my cars that have them. I maintain AAA and will use it in the event of a flat with a traditional tire. I honestly do not understand RF tires. They are more substantially more expensive and the ride is severely compromised. All of that so that on the off chance that you get a flat you don't have to pull over. I honestly do not understand. I will just get towed to a tire place instead.

Oh and plugs and patches are not the same thing. You don't want plugs. You do want patches. Patches will oftentimes restore the tire to close to its original speed ratings. Patches require that the tire be unmounted to address the hole from the inside of the tire. Plugs do not allow for the original speed rating of high performance tires and are more for fleet vehicles and people looking for a cheap fix.

 

Run flats were designed to eliminate the spare tire. When you get a flat tire, you pull over and put on your spare (either a donut or full size). Spares take up a LOT of space. Eliminating them frees up a lot of area for engineers and designers. By using run flats, there's no need for a spare tire. Plus, many people don't know how to properly (and safely) put on a spare. The average driver is, quite frankly, getting dumber and dumber. They're relying more and more on a car's nannies (run flats included). Run flats make is so anyone with a flat can safely drive to a place where the tire can be replaced.

The best way to repair a puncture is a patch-plug. It's a combination of a patch on the inside of the tire and a plug inside the hole.

 

The patch plug seems like a really interesting option. I didn't realize that it existed until just now.

 

Patch-plugs have existed for many years. I have a box in my garage for the last 15 years or so. I cant used them due to health reasons, (cannot break the tire down) but I look at them every month or so, just cant bring myself to throw them away.

 

No kidding. Makes perfect sense to use a hybrid of both solutions. One of these days you will be able to get rid of them! Not too sure how good 15 year old rubber/adhesive would be

 

I agree with the no run flat crowd. Had them on my BMW. They rode terrible, had lots of noise, and terrible tread wear. Replaced them with some all seasons and never looked back. I got one of those foam ooze puncture kits and AAA if I get a flat.

 

Let me share a story.


My 370Z came with Bridgestone REO50A's from the factory. These do not say RFT on them like the same tires they put on BMW's, and come with a space saver spare. One day driving the alarm goes off. Pull over and check the pressures with my glove box gauge [miss the 350 that had a readout for all 4 tires], driver front, zero pounds. Funny, driving fine and barely looks low. I drove it home, 30 miles, handled like there was nothing wrong, although I did not drive aggressively. It may not say RFT on the tire, but they ACT like RFT's. IMO they're the same tire built the same way and they only charge more for them when they add the RFT mold.


Had it plugged, drove it hard as usual, tracked it to 140 same as Telum [yes, that same track in Mehico!] never a problem with the plug, in a tire that acted exactly like a run flat with zero pressure in it.


The AM9's on the Vantage are also REO50's. Has anyone had one go down to zero pressure, and did it act like an RFT?