Hey guys, I have about 5k miles on my GS and live in downtown Chicago so you can imagine what the runflats feel like on the crappy roads around here.

Has anyone just bit the bullet and replaced them with something more forgiving that is "not" a runflat tire? What has your experience been like so far and was it worth the cost?

Thanks!

 

Run Flats are horrible. Get regular tires and keep a jack in your car.

Thanks,
Aron

abeaujuin@tanksim.net

 

im in chicago also, I just put winter tires on the OEM rims (non-runflats) and its not that big of a difference and I am lowered. The major difference is going over driveways and stuff. Of course there is more give in non run flat tires but its not going to be a huge difference. I have been on the winter tires for over a month now. Do you have a spare tire with your GS? I have one but I guess many that have the run flats dont have a spare tire? just make sure just in case.

PS come out to one of our local car meets when it gets warm out again. It will be posted in the chicago region when that time comes again.

g/l with the tire search.

 

Most winter tires are not exactly touring tires, they usually run rougher than normal non run-flat tires. There were a few owners here who replace their runflats with non-runflat tire and gotten good results.

 

^ my winter set up drives just as good as any regular tire. I had winter tires on the 2IS and non run flat tires. on that car the Snow tires drove better but I also had a 17" rim vs the stock 18". here I am on the same size tires and drive on the same terrible roads as the OP. Not going to say there wont be improvement but its not a huge difference IMO on this car. I sounds to me like a 17" rim would be a better deal for the OP with some non run flat tires for a better ride. I like how the ride is so it doesnt bother me. I dont care for soft riding cars.

 

I have a GS350 with the stock 17" wheels.

 

then I do think you will notice the difference. My mistake, I thought only the 18" rims came with the run flat tires. I can say the ride was better with the 17" snow tires rims on the IS so I think it would be the same for you. I am on 18" rims so its a low profile tire to begin with so that is why IMO I dont see too much of a difference.

are you looking for a snow or all season tire? I am a big fan of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. I had them on a RWD car in the past and they did good year round. Those run flats are a summer tire arent they?

 

I just need an all season tire. No reason for a snow tire with AWD. I want a softer ride more than anything. Don't care about the handling characteristics. After all, it is a GS350. I bought this car purely for comfort and cruising that has power in reserve when I need it.

 

pjonkheer, get yourself a nice set of touring tires. I guarantee you will notice the difference.

 

i take back the ride....i just left the dealer and i had a bent rim that I wasnt aware of. now that I have it replaced it rides 100 times better.

a local member put the conti contact sports? i think that is what they are called on his awd and swore buy them. he got them at discount tire.

 

I agree, however, there are a few high performance winter snow tires that can yield a ride close to if not equal to a good all season radial. I replaced my runflats with the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 and the ride is very close to the Pilot Spots that I use in non-winter. Additionally, this past "little snow storm" has given me some insight that these will be awesome in the heavy stuff. But like anything, it all comes down to what you are willing to pay.

I can say that both my winter and non-winter tires are so much superior in every aspect to the runfarts that were on the car previously.

steviej

 

Nice that is the same tire I went with and I am very impressed. I cant wait for that big snow to see how it does. So far I like how aggresive they are in the cold and the traction in the snow. Better then the Blizzak tires I had last season. PS2 for the summer!

 

If you want a softer ride without affecting the handling, changing out the runflats is the only way to go.

 

i've got stock 17" wheels on run-flats. I assume, and believe they are all-season run-flats, just for the simple fact that it's an AWD car. I know they are Dunlop. The ride is completely fine with me, but the roads here are much better kept than the bigger cities. I may decide to replace them with non run-flat tires when the time comes, but to me, the ride is very smooth.