Originally Posted By: Pesca
....Do you have something in case she has a flat, except calling a truck?
I am asking because I will have to change my summer tires in a few months, and I am wondering about what way to go, runflat or not?
I agree with you, the ride is way more comfortable without the runflats, more subtle, but in the same time, there is more roll, more leaning in the curves, and that is the part I am worry about: putting too much pressure on the sidewalls using no runflat on a car set to use them.
If you could let me know your way of thinking, that could help me decide, thanks.
Pesca:
My biggest concern with non-RFTs was that the car not only doesn't have a spare, there's no place to put one except strapped to the trunk floor. But alas, BMW actually makes a kit for exactly this purpose! I may purchase one of those. Not sure yet.
If I do purchase a spare tire kit my wife would be up to the task. Even at 59 years old she's still blessed with the naturally athletic body she was born and grew up with. She's still a good athlete and has amazing physical strength and endurance.
In the mean time I bought a Continental "Comfort Kit". It's a nice apparatus with a powerful inflator and a way to inject goop if needed to seal the puncture. But, this has no use in the case of a sidewall puncture, or more serious tire damage.
I agree there is an element of risk in not having a spare but I honestly cannot remember the last flat tire we've had. It's been 10 years or more.
With respect to putting non-RFTs on a car designed for RFTs; that makes no difference what-so-ever with respect to chassis dynamics and tuning. The Continental Extreme Contacts are not even what I consider "hard core rubber". Regardless, the cornering power has improved markedly over the OEM RFTs. Much more grip. Way, way more grip!
I considered putting Bridgestone RE-011s on, like I have on my BMW. The RE-011s are close to being a track tire. But putting those on her car would serve no purpose because her car doesn't get tossed around mountain roads like mine does.
Scott