fast1

I believe it's standard equipment on 987s.

Niels Jørgensen

FWIW, After 12 years of trouble free driving, I suddenly had 3 flats in a matter of months on our BMW a couple of years ago. Freak accidents, I guess...

Murat

I think I do in the front trunk. Never tried using it though. I should...

Murat

Can you elaborate? Did you have run-flat's ? Was it nails, screws, etc? How far did you go, etc?

Niels Jørgensen

I had screws/nails in the rears twice, once a tire was "torn" on something (normal tires).

My point was that statistically speaking, flats may occur once every 2 years, but in reality it could be 3 times in a month, then nothing for six years.

Alternatively, look for construction work along your normal route - maybe someone's be transporting scrap, dropping nails all over the road.

fast1

I've been driving for over 40 years and I've never had a flat, so according to your stats I'm way overdue. My wife on the other hand gets a flat about about every 3 - 4 years. The big differance is where we drive, and the attention I give to my tires. Although I've never had a flat, I've had tires repaired to remove nails that I observed because of lowered tire pressure. I check my tire pressure at least monthly.

It always amazes me what people are willing to drive over without taking evasive action. About a week ago I came across a recent accident scene , and there was still glass strewn across the intersection. I saw car after car drive over the glass without trying to avoid it. As a matter of fact I was the only driver who took the effort to avoid the glass by driving in another lane. So I'm not certain if it's inattention or indifferance, but lots of drivers seem to think that their tires are indestructable.

Moreover with the ever improving quality of tires and TPMS becoming standard on most cars, I would expect that tires will be repaired long before they go flat.

Molly

It would obviously cost you some money to get both 17" wheels and tires at this point. However, your 18s are probably worth about as much on the used market anyway. Sell them on ebay, then get you some 17s. Better yet, get you some used 17s from ebay from someone who upgraded to 18s. More better yet, find someone with 17s to swap whole wheels and tires with you plus give you some cash.

Niels Jørgensen

My statistics were grabbed out of thin air, it was just an example - Before I had the three flats in a month, two years ago, I had driven 15 years without a single flat tire.

Again, a flat tire is an accident; Whatever you do to avoid it, your luck can and probably will run out eventually, and even when it does, there's no guarantee it won't happen again the next day.

People have won the lottery twice, sh*t happens.

mborkow

murat, if you really want 17s, i am sure there is someone who will swap wheels with you...they'd prob through in some $ as well to sweeten the offer...

Murat

I have not decided yet. I bought two new tires last time and I was able to buy the protection plan this time. So i'm covered at least cost-wise. I won't be buying another car or tires for a while. Maybe i'll think about the A5 this winter.
Don't get me wrong. I love driving my car. It's my first and only Porsche, and can't even compare it to any other car I drove so far in my life. The steering, handling, brakes...I'm not a professional driver or not even an enthusiast, but my observation is after i had my car, every other car's brakes seem very loose...as if nothing happens until you brake half way, and then right after that point the brakes kick in, and cause a jerky stop (even on brand new cars with brand new brakes). On my car however, the brake reaction is very evenly distributed among the travel of the pedal. I love my brakes.
I know I'm changing the subject, but is that a normal feeling?

fast1

Brake feel varies significantly between cars, but there's no question that Porsche builds superb brakes for the highway and the track.

The only problem with a Porsche is that it spoils you, and when you buy some other car, you'll find yourself longing for the driving feel of a Porsche. I learned this lesson from the school of hard knocks.

Thank God that Porsche builds a Boxster so that it's not necessary to spend a $100K to enjoy what Porsche has to offer.

NYSpeedRacer84

I'll trade my 17s for your 18s...brand new rear tires were mounted and fronts are still very good...

mborkow

i knew there'd be a least one generous RLer who would help you solve the problem of how to get rid of 18s for 17s ;-)

Triblack987S

I've never had a flat in my '05 987S.....7800 mis. I did briefly own a new '05 Mini Cooper S with run flats and had 3 flats in 6 mos. They can be repaired despite BMW's protestations to the contrary, but they are very expensive replacements. And the 335i may have 300 hp but it is not a Porsche. I also owned a new '01 Z3 M roadster with 315 hp. It had a wee bit more straight line go but it did not reward the way the 987S does in the twisties. Good Luck!

Seeeu911

Some great comments and input from everyone.
Are there construction zones or new housing development in your area ?
is your commute along the same roads as those new developments where work trucks, contractors travel ? nails, screws and metallic debris fly out of those pickup and contractor vehicles all the time. A lot of those guys use their truck beds as trash cans. On my Motorcycle I am a lot closer to the ground and the stuff you see is amazing. From a self preservation point I also never ever stay or drive for long behind those types of vehicles.
Also watch the outside of corners as well. loose parts and bits fly out of those work trucks and get pushed to the outer edges of the road.