do you like them? do they make the ride too harsh? do they perform as well as regular high performance tires? i'm trying to decide whether to in include run flats in my f430 order. thanks
I got them - no regrets. I offset the additional weight with CF Brakes . I have an F430 spider and don't plan to track it often - if at all - and the idea of being either stranded or filling up what little cargo space I have with a spare was off putting - given how I use the car. If I want track time, I just roll out the Carrera GT. BTW, the slip angle is fairly linear and the ride quality is just fine on the run flats. And for what its worth, I find the debate similar to the F1 versus 6 Speed - The F430 may have been designed - and one may achieve the best lap times with the F1, but I love to stir my own. And given it is a spider......
stef thanks for your reply. it was the ride quality that most concerned me. i plan to use the 430 as a touring car rather than a track car so i also am reluctant to give up trunk space for the spare. i also ordered a 6 sp,old fashioned, i guess but it feels more like a sports car to me. btw, which runflats did ferrari supply for your f430?
There is also one other consideration. If you have CCM's, you can't carry a spare anyways. The factory spare is too small for the rotors and the bonnet isn't big enough for a full size spare.
483 i have no interest in ceramic brakes. would you comment on the ride quality of your f430 with your runflat's?
I didn't order run flats. Too much opposing opinion on them when it came time to order. There are a few threads (or portions of threads) discussing this or tire performance (Pirelli vs Michelin vs Bridgestone) a while back.
That is what makes a horse race. My post is a real world opinion on Eagle Runflat F1s on an F430. When I was considering them, I found many opinions posted were based on either: runflats from a few years ago (i.e. earlier generation runflats Eagle or otherwise); experience on non-Ferraris, or a combination of these. Having had runflts on a family car a few years ago, I agree that those tires on that car were harsh and performed poorly. The Eagles on my F430 are decidedly not.
I have the runflats. I havent driven another f430 so cant compare to pirellis or bridgestones. At 2.3-2.5 psi the ride is quiet and smooth on good roads. In wet mode, it still takes bumps a bit hard but not sure if that is just the suspension or the hard tire. At above 2.5 psi ride is noticeably harsher. Wet traction is much better than Bridgestones and Pirellis - have taken the wet at 120 km/h with no sign of hydroplaning even through 1 inch puddles. The tires do drop pressure quite fast - about 0.1 psi per week and flat line at around 2.1-2.2 psi when inflated to the recommended a 2.5 psi. If you push the car make sure you are getting to petrol station frequently to keep the tires at the recommended pressure for optimum performance and safety.
Umm, I would have taken 2.5 psi as a typo if you stated it once, but... Do you mean 2.5 psi deflated!?! A normal car would run between 35 and 55 psi, depending upon the application.
It is my understanding that if the tire has to be replaced the wheel must also replaced. Is that true? BTW, the air bottle does well in reinflating a punctured tire. Supposedly you are able to get 75 miles before the tire needs to be repaired. So the advantage of run flats considering their additional cost and possible wheel replacement is not that great.
The wheels do Not have to be replaced in the event of a flat (unless, of course, you really whack a tire and then any rim is going to have to be fixed). As far as air-in-a-can, my results with these products have been decidedly negative. I would never assume I could get 5 miles, let alone 75 miles on that type of application. To me, the advantages are quite signficant.
i find this to be a very valuable observation. in my experience pirelli p zeros have excellent dry traction but poor wet traction. in the wet northeastern u.s. wet traction is very important. i would like to see additional "real world" testimonials regarding other f430's with runflats. so far, the actual experience sounds pretty good.
