I have been shopping a 2008 Cadillac STS-V.  This model has the V-Series performance and luxury features I want, and is coming into range of my budget.  I would love to have a 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, but they will be more than I care to spend for a while.

Tires.  I am what could be described kindly as a serial tire abuser.  So today I am bracing for how much Tires for the STS-V will be.

The STS-V has 255/45 tires on 18″ wheels on front, and 275/40 tires on 19″ wheels on the back.  This staggered approach allowed the Cadillac team to put heavier rubber on back and balance the overall handling.

Heading to http://www.discounttire.com, the least expensive all-around set would be a set of Hankook Ventus V12 Evo tires, at  $958 installed.  Next would be the Continental ExtremeContact DWS at $1,075 installed.  Clearly buying tires will be a plan-ahead experience.

Now, the STS-V from the factory used run-flat tires, and does not include a spare or jack.  A run-flat tire can actually be driven for a short distance with no air in the tire (hence can run flat).

The OEM tires were Pirelli Extended Mobility Runflat tires.  The Pirelli Eufori Runflat is available at Discount Tire.  With these tires the total slides up to $2,006 ($389 front each, $490 rear each).  Yes, $2K in tires every year or so.  Ouch.

Here’s what Pirelli says about the tires:

The Eufori@ Run Flat tire has a Limited Road Hazard Protection
According to recent customers surveys (JD Power in North America), seven out of eight consumers say run-flat tyres are No.1 amongst the features they most want from their next vehicles. It shows that consumers prefer safety-related features more than sophisticated entertainment systems or other conveniences in their new vehicles. Whilst consumers seek extended mobility after the tyre has been punctured, car manufacturers look for space gains, both in compact and sports vehicles, by dispensing with the spare wheel. Pirelli’s answer is Eufori@ Run Flat. Produced utilising revolutionary MIRS (Modular Integrated Robotized System) technology, Eufori@ is Pirelli’s first run-flat product, ensuring both Active and Passive safety.
Active safety Secure dry and wet handling, braking efficiency and resistance to aquaplaning.
The vehicle can be driven in total safety even following a sudden loss of pressure. Road holding, handling and steering precision are maintained. Passive safety Extended mobility, even when a puncture occurs: at zero pressure the vehicle is not immobilised and the driver can rely on a run-flat range of up to 80 km (50 miles) at 80 km/h (50 mph).

Tires.  If you want to play, you have to pay I suppose.  But, ouch.