New Shoes
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New Member
Joined: 06-24-2009
Posts: 20
From: Vancouver Island
New Shoes
An experiment with Michelin Pilot Sport AS-3 245/40-R18's to replace to stock run-flats which are no longer useful in the wet (actually they never were). Diameter is almost identical to the stock 225/45 R18's. About 1 inch wider than stock size.
The AS-3's are a little noisier (tread whine) but ride and traction is infinitely better. Less road noise transmitted through the suspension than run-flats. They seem to do well on frosty roads so the rubber must be a softer compound. Car feels like a go cart in turns. Tread pattern almost reminds me of Michelin LTX SUV tires.
Caution: You'll want an experienced tire tech to do the mounting, which would likely defeat the average Bubba.
So far an excellent choice.
The AS-3's are a little noisier (tread whine) but ride and traction is infinitely better. Less road noise transmitted through the suspension than run-flats. They seem to do well on frosty roads so the rubber must be a softer compound. Car feels like a go cart in turns. Tread pattern almost reminds me of Michelin LTX SUV tires.
Caution: You'll want an experienced tire tech to do the mounting, which would likely defeat the average Bubba.
So far an excellent choice.
Last edited by Jacob; Dec 6, 2014 at 12:31 PM.
Well, they were "stock" from the factory on a Mini S. My wife had a 2002 Mini S with the run-flats. Plus, with the run-flats, the Mini S had no spare or jack !
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 06-24-2009
Posts: 20
From: Vancouver Island
The "run-flats" were imaginary...
I had always assumed the stock Michelins were run-flats, what with the TPMS system and no obvious spare tire. I saw "TPC" on the sidewall without bothering to investigate what it meant. And the tires rode like run flats i.e. stiff sidewalls and lots of road noise transmitted through the suspension. So when I stole my Pirelli snow tires (not run flats) from the outgoing 2006 John Cooper Works S car, I purchased a Madza mobile kit (compressor and latex compound) to provide some level of backup in case of a flat.
After I reviewed the comments regarding run-flats my New Shoes post it started me thinking...I could not find anything documenting Michelin run-flats as standard equipment on the SS. And it turns out Michelin run-flats always have a ZP designation (zero pressure) on the sidewall, and this was not to be found on my old tires. So today I finally tore the trunk apart and discovered the compartment containing a spare tire etc. Wonders will never cease.
My apologies for the confusion.
Jacob
I had always assumed the stock Michelins were run-flats, what with the TPMS system and no obvious spare tire. I saw "TPC" on the sidewall without bothering to investigate what it meant. And the tires rode like run flats i.e. stiff sidewalls and lots of road noise transmitted through the suspension. So when I stole my Pirelli snow tires (not run flats) from the outgoing 2006 John Cooper Works S car, I purchased a Madza mobile kit (compressor and latex compound) to provide some level of backup in case of a flat.
After I reviewed the comments regarding run-flats my New Shoes post it started me thinking...I could not find anything documenting Michelin run-flats as standard equipment on the SS. And it turns out Michelin run-flats always have a ZP designation (zero pressure) on the sidewall, and this was not to be found on my old tires. So today I finally tore the trunk apart and discovered the compartment containing a spare tire etc. Wonders will never cease.
My apologies for the confusion.
Jacob
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Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 06-24-2009
Posts: 20
From: Vancouver Island
Need a Owners Manual? https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/gene...s-manual-3074/
