Run Flat Tires? | FerrariChat

Run Flat Tires?

Discussion in '360/430' started by drapp54, Aug 6, 2014.

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  1. drapp54

    drapp54 Rookie

    May 4, 2004
    26
    Does anyone know of run flat tires in spec for my '04 360 spyder with modular wheels? I don't put the car on the track or exceed 85-90mph on highways. I live in the land of potholes (Upper Westchester NY) and would be happy to trade off some tire performance for the run flat capability. Dealer service (Miller, Greenwich) says they don't stock run flats.
    Thanks.
     
  2. anconbrat

    anconbrat Karting

    Jul 9, 2011
    96
    East central Florida
    Full Name:
    Don Morton
    You might try Tire Rack and get their input and opinion on run flat tires.
     
  3. Gofast430

    Gofast430 Karting

    Jun 2, 2013
    205
    Overland Park, KS
    Full Name:
    Don Dearmore
    IMHO, worst tires you can buy. Just took a set off my 2013 Cali.
     
  4. drapp54

    drapp54 Rookie

    May 4, 2004
    26
    Gofast - meaning that they handle poorly?
     
  5. intrepidcva11

    intrepidcva11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2009
    3,232
    Saratoga Springs NY
    Full Name:
    Seth
    Why, Don? My Cadillac STS-V came with Pirelli run-flats. They handle and grip very well indeed, perform well in the wet and I've had the car with them on track at Watkins Glen, tho' really only for 'parade' laps. But they've been fine and the ease of mind is worth the trade off.

    I wouldn't put a set on my 575M but I wouldn't hesitate to put them on my 412.
     
  6. MufflerMan

    MufflerMan Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2005
    1,564
    Sacramento Ca
    Full Name:
    Colby Sandman
    Weight is the biggest problem. Run flat tire have to have a lot more reinforcement than its traditional counterpart. One of the worst areas of a car to have extra weight, you have the unsprung weight which affects the suspension, and the rotational mass which affects the acceleration and braking.

    When new cars come with them they are designed for the added weight, it's a bad idea IMO to add them to a car that wasn't born with them.

    If you think your new car handles well with RFTs, switch to a traditional performance tire, it makes a world of difference.
     
  7. jpk

    jpk Formula Junior

    Run flats were the hot new thing a few years ago, but I have seen them used less and less because of the poorer handling and ride quality. Nowadays it seems like the tire pressure monitoring systems have proven to be more popular.
     
  8. stevecomp

    stevecomp Formula Junior

    Mar 1, 2013
    743
    South Australia
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Until you get a flat, I don’t have a spare tyre, run flats sounds great....
     
  9. spourreza

    spourreza Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    596
    Mount Olive Twp, NJ
    Full Name:
    S.Pourreza

    My car, 08 spider, came with them from factory. Goodyear f1. They are discontinued. I had them on all four wheels. I had to replace the front and got Pirelli. Back still has run flats. Will replace them soon. Ferrari doesn't suggest using run flats anymore. They are too hard....
     
  10. intrepidcva11

    intrepidcva11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2009
    3,232
    Saratoga Springs NY
    Full Name:
    Seth
    Correct; my STS-V was factory-equipped with the Pirelli run-flats and as beautifully engineered as the car is, one should assume that it was designed with run-flats in mind. As spourezza comments, they do run quite hard. With no spare in the trunk, it feels a good deal more secure.
     
  11. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2013
    2,158
    Piedmont Area of NC
    Full Name:
    Alan
    I had a Mini Cooper S that came with run flats. A lot of owners replaced them with regular tires and put a spare in a bag (available on the internet) behind the passenger seat. Much better handling.
    Alan
     
  12. intrepidcva11

    intrepidcva11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2009
    3,232
    Saratoga Springs NY
    Full Name:
    Seth
    There is no question that lowering unspring weight improves a car's handling. I've been trying to discover just how much weight is added to each rim by use of a run-flat. Can't find.

    But as a practical matter, in everyday driving I doubt very much that any of us, myself included - and I've raced sports cars in the US and in Europe - would notice the difference unless we were tracking our cars with those lighter rims ;-)

    'Much better handling'? With great respect, I doubt it.
     
  13. MufflerMan

    MufflerMan Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2005
    1,564
    Sacramento Ca
    Full Name:
    Colby Sandman
    I respectfully disagree. Your right about them making a bigger difference in a race type environment, everything on a track is amplified because your driving so much harder, however, I have immeidiatly noticed a difference in cars that I've changed from RFT's to traditional tires.
     

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