I was going to get a set of Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus tires to replace the low rolling resistance tires on my car now, and found out they make them in a runflat ("Zero Pressure") variant. However, I can't find anyone who wants to sell me them (and of course they probably don't exist in the size I need anyway).

Does anyone have suggestions for finding hard-to-find tires?

Have you tried www.tirerack.com? They can be a little thickheaded over fitting non-standard tires to your car but I've used them before with good results.

Ditto on TireRack. My local tire shop was happy to receive my TireRack shipment. They called me when the tires arrived; I dropped in and had my tires replaced while eating lunch across the street at a fine Turkish kebab joint. Couldn't have been any easier!

TireRack doesn't seem to offer the Zero Pressure variant, but their review mentions it, and says they're original equipment on the Lincoln Continental.

User reviews and ratings are so-so on the non-ZP variety.

More than anything, I think TireRack's reviews are extraordinarily helpful. You might want to change your mind on the tire, Derrick.

They even have a tire selection wizard now which you might want to check out, plus it seems that they have a suggested list of installers. (I've always had qualms with that, since the good installers might be mad you didn't buy the tires from them and the ones that don't sell them are more likely to be bad installers.)

More than anything, I think TireRack's reviews are extraordinarily helpful. You might want to change your mind on the tire, Derrick.

None of the low rolling resistance tires seem to be popular, that's the scope I mean to choose from.

As far as installers, there's a small garage 2 blocks from me whose main business is towing; They'd install them with no qualms (and previously they've installed tires for me after calling me and getting approval to go buy them elsewhere).

Or I could take the car to the dealer and they wouldn't give me flak either. Well, no more flak than my father's going to give me anyway

TireRack was the first place I tried. I can't find the Zero Pressure variant in stock there in *any size*, despite their summary of the non-runflat version mentioning it.

Tiresavings has a few MXV4 varieties. I am not sure which model is runflat. I came close to buying Champiro tires from them since they are one of the few stores that carry them. Eventually I just bought some Kumhos from TireRack, so I can't comment on Tiresavings' performance as a vendor.

Those michelins are rediculously overpriced because they are what came on the car new. Look in to a Michelin pilot.

Does anyone have suggestions for finding hard-to-find tires?


Before you invest a lot of money in run-flats, investigate the repairability of the tires you choose.

There are differing opinions (perhaps different brands have different requirements) about whether a run flat tire that has actually been run flat can be repaired. Some manufacturers state that running them without air causes irreparable sidewall damage.

Also, give some consideration to why you want run-flat tires? They are considerably more expensive, and may have inherent performance disadvantages compared to a conventional tire. If your only reason for wanting them is to be able to change a flat tire at a place of your choosing rather than where you are at the moment, then ask yourself how often that situation actually arises. Is it worth it?

The only time in the last 40 years that I really would have liked run flat tires was two winters ago when I had to change a flat tire on my station wagon at 45 degrees below zero.

tanstaafl.

The "ZP" (Zero Pressure) is a runflat.

But I solved my problem. I asked Michelin, and they don't make ZPs at all anymore.

Well, they were the only ones who even seemed to make what I wanted, even if they don't now.

I want a run-flat so I can avoid having a spare where the large pile of batteries is. I'm not getting rid of the pile of batteries, because I'd like the car to move.

give some consideration to why you want run-flat tires

Well, the Bristol comes with run-flats as standard mainly because of what would happen if a normal one would blow at 100 mph...

The size and build of the bristol it probably to stop bristol shaped holes appearing all over the place.

well how about one of those cans of get you home tyre repair stuff that name completely escapes me at the moment. it goes in and reapirs the hole and then said gunk inflates the tyre. Some cars now come with a can of that instead of a spare wheel.

well how about one of those cans of get you home tyre repair stuff that name completely escapes me at the moment. it goes in and reapirs the hole and then said gunk inflates the tyre. Some cars now come with a can of that instead of a spare wheel.

Always carry the stuff on my motorbike on any longer trips. But it doesn't always help. If the puncture is a big enough cut, the spray stuff won't seal/fill enough.

The size and build of the bristol it probably to stop bristol shaped holes appearing all over the place.

Hmm... You might have a point
Always amazed at how heavy it is despite all the aluminum.

Some cars now come with a can of that instead of a spare wheel.

Yeah, I've got a can of that stuff. It's in the car at the moment (obviously) so I can't remember what it's called. I've also got a space-saver tyre* in the boot** as
well.

* tire
** trunk

In the US, "Fix-A-Flat".

Doesn't work as well as the stuff that comes from the tire makers.