Do run falt tires make for a harsher ride?

[2002GreyGT]

Since I don't carry a spare (no room in the trunk) I have been running run flats. They are Firehawks and they are a great tire IMHO, I love them.

However my ride quality is nothing like it used to be. She's got 60K miles on her and I am putting in a new Bullit Suspension in the next few months.

But could the run flats be causing a lot of the harsh ride I have?

Opinions?

I have been thinking of going to a cheaper tire too. $280-$300 a tire is just TOO MUCH. Plus a flat is what AAA is for right?

~K

 

[FORCED2DV8]

I have never ran them on my stang, but on previous cars i found it is harsher. The sidewall are reinforced alot more to handle the vehicle wheight if the tire is ran flat. especially if there of a really low profile.

 

[Jinx]

My brother-in-law had run flats on his Vette. Yeah, I know ((insert derogatory remark about Vettes here)), but he recently bought a set of standard tires for it and told me the ride was less harsh.

 

[timeless2]

Sidewalls are stiffer to support the ride without air pressure, so yes, your ride will be a tad stiffer. It should not be unbearable so that you consider other tires, however.

How many miles on the tires?
When did you last align and balance?
What is the condition of your shocks/struts?
Have you lowered your car and is something there causing issues?

 

[2002GreyGT]

4u2nv:

How many miles on the tires?
They even did this when they were new, just thought it was the ****ty roads in NC.

When did you last align and balance?
-maybe a month ago. Have lifetime allignment and use it all the time.
What is the condition of your shocks/struts?
-Probably SHOT, 60K on stockers. Upgrading soon though.
Have you lowered your car and is something there causing issues?
-No suspension mods. Was in an accidnet, but I trust my body shop and drove great when I got it back. Almost better then new.

Its either the shocks/struts/springs or the tires.

Suspension $400-$500 is cheaper beleive it or not to the tires I have on there $1000+.


~K

 

[timeless2]

4u2nv:

How many miles on the tires?
They even did this when they were new, just thought it was the ****ty roads in NC.

When did you last align and balance?
-maybe a month ago. Have lifetime allignment and use it all the time.
What is the condition of your shocks/struts?
-Probably SHOT, 60K on stockers. Upgrading soon though.
Have you lowered your car and is something there causing issues?
-No suspension mods. Was in an accidnet, but I trust my body shop and drove great when I got it back. Almost better then new.

Its either the shocks/struts/springs or the tires.

Suspension $400-$500 is cheaper beleive it or not to the tires I have on there $1000+.


~K

I agree; the run-flats should not make your ride terrible, but your aged suspension will.

It'd be a good time to lower the ride, if you wished, too, since you will be tearing into the suspension.

 

[Jinx]

I agree; the run-flats should not make your ride terrible, but your aged suspension will.

It'd be a good time to lower the ride, if you wished, too, since you will be tearing into the suspension.

Ditto. My brother-in-law said that he could notice a difference between the standard and the runflats, but the measurability of that difference is based on the driver themselves.

On another note... If you have AAA why not save the money on the price difference of the tires and apply it towards new suspension?

 

[mac1009]

They're a little harsher than stock, but the one thing I noticed about them is they're a lot louder once they're heavily worn.

 

[Jinx]

They're a little harsher than stock, but the one thing I noticed about them is they're a lot louder once they're heavily worn.

Now that you mention it, he said the same thing also.