I looked at one tonight!

[jditom]

How do they feel and handle? How do they feel at 90 mph?

From tire rack.

Self-Supporting

Self-supporting tires feature a stiffer internal construction, which is capable of temporarily carrying the weight of the vehicle, even after the tire has lost all air pressure. To provide "self-supporting" capability, these tires typically attach rubber inserts next to or between layers of heat-resistant cord in their sidewalls to help prevent breaking the reinforcing cords in the event of loss of air pressure. They also feature specialized beads that allow the tire to firmly grip current Original Equipment and aftermarket wheels even in the event of air loss. Because self-supporting tires are so good at masking the traditional loss-of-air symptoms that accompany a flat tire, they require a tire pressure monitoring system to alert the driver that they have lost air pressure. Without such a system, the driver may not notice underinflation and may inadvertently cause additional tire damage by failing to inflate or repair the tire at the first opportunity. Typically, self-supporting tires maintain vehicle mobility for 50 miles at speeds up to 55 mph.

Examples: Bridgestone RFT (Run Flat Tire), Dunlop DSST (Dunlop Self-Supporting Technology), Firestone RFT (Run Flat Tire), Goodyear EMT (Extended Mobility Technology), Kumho XRP, Michelin ZP (Zero Pressure), Pirelli RFT (Run Flat Technology) and Yokohama Run Flat.

[xnsf]

They handle the same as a comparable regular tire, but they will give harsher ride because of the tough sidewalls.

[mazinkaizer]

I don't really mind the run-flat, since most of the auto maker are going to that direction but my concern is what if the tire pressure monitoring system fails you and you aren't aware that your tire is losing air, would that put you in danger when you exceeded the recommended driving limit?

Also, as of now run-flat tire aren't cheap, $200 to $300 + USD each, do you guys think it will come down in price eventually? And if you punctured the tire can it be fixed? I heard some says no and some says yes, so which one is it?

[xnsf]

Originally Posted by mazinkaizer

I don't really mind the run-flat, since most of the auto maker are going to that direction but my concern is what if the tire pressure monitoring system fails you and you aren't aware that your tire is losing air, would that put you in danger when you exceeded the recommended driving limit?

Also, as of now run-flat tire aren't cheap, $200 to $300 + USD each, do you guys think it will come down in price eventually? And if you punctured the tire can it be fixed? I heard some says no and some says yes, so which one is it?

Well, if your TPMS didn't work, I think the car will tell you...maybe, not sure.

And yes, you can get a run-flat patched. Unless the puncture is too close to the sidewall, then the structural integrity of the tire is compromised.

[jditom]

Originally Posted by mazinkaizer

I don't really mind the run-flat, since most of the auto maker are going to that direction but my concern is what if the tire pressure monitoring system fails you and you aren't aware that your tire is losing air, would that put you in danger when you exceeded the recommended driving limit?

Also, as of now run-flat tire aren't cheap, $200 to $300 + USD each, do you guys think it will come down in price eventually? And if you punctured the tire can it be fixed? I heard some says no and some says yes, so which one is it?

Here is the only choice in 20 inch wheels and you better double your estimate. Ouch!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ng=Z&minLoad=S

[mazinkaizer]

xnsf - Thanks!

jditom - Yes, OUCH big time on that one LOL, thanks for the link but it's 20'' should be expected I guess and yes, I'm way under estimated the cost of those run flats, have to make sure to get that flat fixed right away when you got puncture otherwise it's $435 + labor.

Time to get some auto tire repair plug kit and compressor kit ( http://www.bmw-online.com/BMWRA_prod...o=&bphi=&promo= ) but then again, one should NEVER change tire or even thinking about repairing them on the high way or some poor visibility area, should just spend that $435 + labor

[ranvest]

I replaced the Dunlop RFTs on my Sienna with Yokos as the RFTs wore out after 22K miles. Even when new the RFTs were horrible in the snow. As they wore, RFTs got noisy and ride got even harsher. I woud prefer NOT to have RFTs on my new vehicle.

Regarding spare tire, in the Sienna I decided to keep a spare tire as I was not comfortable trusting that a local tire shop would have a replacement RFT tire to sell me should I need one and wherever I might be at that time.

BTW, regarding spare tire, since Sienna is AWD, it needs a full size spare since with a donut, the AWD system will sense a slower/ faster wheel and adjust torque for that wheel.

hope this helps

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ranvest

....BTW, regarding spare tire, since Sienna is AWD, it needs a full size spare since with a donut, the AWD system will sense a slower/ faster wheel and adjust torque for that wheel.

I don't know anything specific about the Sienna, but that doesn't make sense to me. A temporary (donut) spare tire typically has a smaller diameter, but a much higher pressure, resulting in the same effective rolling diameter. It is designed that way. You shouldn't need a full size spare because of the AWD system. It would be a problem if the temporary spare was underinflated, but that applies to any tire on an AWD vehicle, not just one with a temporary spare.

The E70 has a temporary spare with the AWD system.

[ranvest]

thanks ... still undecided whether to go e70 or 2006 e53 but RFTs are a negative imho