87% surveyed want runflats in vehicles

[wormdoggy]

Interesting article. Thought you guys much enjoy some progression and history on runflats.

Patrick


http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/advice/standardart.aspx?contentid=4021439

 

[Midwest Muscle]

I wonder how many of that 87% have actually DRIVEN a car with run flats? I never could get them off a car fast enough ...

They don't call them 'run craps' for nothing.

Mike M

 

[Warfang]

For everyday driving... are they THAT bad?

 

[Midwest Muscle]

Many C5 owners that just commute in their cars don't dislike them all that bad. But any that really DRIVE their cars, or do fun things like nitrous or blowers, get rid of the run flats almost simultaneously.

They are hard as hell, but that one factor probably wouldn't discourage many Viper owners. I don't think people are buying Vipers for the Cadillac ride

Mike M

 

[Camfab]

I had them on my old Vette, and I have to say that while overall grip in the corners was slightly comprimised,I felt the initial turn-in with the run flats was superior to non-runflats. The car felt much more responsive and accurate with them. The negative sides were,

A) Cost, more money
B) Straight line traction, slightly worse
C) Noise, louder
D) Harder to mount, need a good installer
E) Slightly heavier, rotating mass

I actually changed mine in search of every ounce of weight reduction, remember it was a vette not a Viper. I was a little disappointed when I weighed my non run-flats, compared to the old run-flats. The old tires were only 1.25 lbs heavier, of course they were worn, but I thought the run-flats would have been much heavier. I think run-flats are getting a bad rap by people who are comparing them to a tire that is typically compounded completely different. Take the same Pilot tire, run-flat vs. non run-flat and your opinion may change.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Runflats on a sports car, particularly on a Viper seems really, really stupid.

Leave them to the sedans and SUVs.

 

[Viper Specialty]

I am all for low pressure warning, like the SRT has...but those runflats are downright dangerous in some conditions. The only time I would like runflats is during a LONG trip. However, I would just as soon suffice with a low pressure warning, an emergency patch kit, and an inflator.

 

[Early93Viper]

I agree with Chuck. I just don't understand why you would sacrifice performance for convenience on a car like the Viper. Especially since tires play such an important roll in performance.

 

[DodgeViper01]

I am all for low pressure warning, like the SRT has...but those runflats are downright dangerous in some conditions. The only time I would like runflats is during a LONG trip. However, I would just as soon suffice with a low pressure warning, an emergency patch kit, and an inflator.

Long trips are a good point. I drove to FL a month ago and was just praying that I did not get a flat. I did not even drive at night due to this fear. Thank God I did not get one. I would have been a nervous wreck.

 

[Viper X]

Trying to be positive, I find that some of the open road / time trial type races are good venues for run flats too. We run the Nevada Open Road Challenge and it's nice to know that if you get a flat at 160 mph, you have a chance of not going into a canyon.

I guess long trips are good to.

Otherwise, my run flats sit in storage most of the year.

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

Don't the run flats save pounds in the long run by not having a spare and a jack? I still think they are for Corvettes and not Vipers.

 

[RichieSRT10]

Runflats on a sports car, particularly on a Viper seems really, really stupid.

Leave them to the sedans and SUVs.

Cant agree more. I am happy with run flats on my Lexus but on the Viper there useless and I had to change to Kumhos.

 

[GTS Dean]

Runflats are for lazy people or idiots who don't care enough about their personal safety to bother checking inflation pressure. They provide some tort protection to tire and vehicle manufacturers.

 

[DavidSB]

Four track days and 1/2 hour on the Willow Springs skid pad and I'm ready to swap my OEM runflats for PS non-runflats. A concern was what to do about a flat in the middle of the boondocks. My son's RX8 runs regular tires and doesn't have a spare. It comes with a small, cased, tire repair kit in the trunk with a can of goo and a 12V compressor. I was looking around for something similar and came across a recent post from Luke at TireRack about a similar kit from Continental for about $65. That along with a puncture plug kit (practice at least once on an old tire), and I should be good for most tire failures short of a sidewall failure. Better to risk a tire failure that continued crappy handling.
Anyone with experience running both care to comment on the feel of the non-runflats when they let loose? Any warning, progressive release?