I will be purchasing a 2014 countryman in August and have read many of the posts regarding tire size. I am a senior citizen and more interested in a smoother ride than I am in taking corners at 90 MPH. If I can purchase 16 inch tires rather than the stock 17's, would I be a happier camper?

Also, the dealer says I have to purchase the run flats on the New Countryman. I believe I would be happier with non run flats. Is it true that all factory new orders must be purchased with run flats?

 

We just ordered a Cooper S roadster and I didn't feel the mini dealer was giving me a lot of choice/working out a deal on wheels and tires. It was a tad frustrating to be honest but not a deal breaker by any means . . .

It's the first time I'll have run flat tires and I believe it's all they offered . . . I have no clue what to expect of run flat and what are the pros and cons about them outside of the obvious...
my guess is that being under bmw type warranty cost structure, they want to limit our unhappiness for the time of the warranty as much as possible. Run flat would be part of that intent. I could be wrong . . .

 

No doubt, non run flats will ride better than run flats. Also, a 16 inch wheel will give you more rubber between the rim and tire and provide a smoother ride. I have a Clubman not a Countryman and went to 16 inch rims vs 17 inch rims for the ride. Also, a lighter tire and rim combination will improve the accleration on the car. Especially is yours in an NON -S model.

I think all minis come with run flats, thats the way BMW is , except for maybe the standard clubman which comes with 15 inch wheels and has a spare tire. Clubmans with 16 inch wheels and larger have run flats.

 

So what you are saying is run flat vs. non run flat is as simple as comfort vs. piece of mind?

 

I know I'll probably get pounded by all the smarter MINI guys waiting in the bushes, but I'm not as sensitive to the run-flat, non-run-flat issues as most. Run flats have thick sidewalls, allowing them to be used until you can reach a safe spot to have your tire repaired or changed.

Some people object to the stiffness of ride of their run-flat tires. I've used non-run-flat tires and my posterior can't feel the difference. For safety's sake, I'm going back to run-flats as I travel on roads less traveled and while I've got a spare mounted on a rim, I don't like the smell of rubber tires or the amount of real estate the spare occupies in the interior of my MCS.

I have bent a very expensive alloy rim by hitting something I wished I had seen to steer around but didn't and the run-flat tire didn't lose pressure. I was able to drive it another 30 miles until I was able to get it fixed. If I had a wider/deeper sidewall, I probably wouldn't have bent the rim. If I had been using non-run flats, though, I could easily have blown the tire.

Consider the roads you travel on, the inconvenience of not having a spare, and your comfort requirements. The new MINIs you test drive are probably all equipped with run flats. If you can't stand them on a test drive, better plan on buying different tires...

Good luck.

 

Tnx guys for the info. It looks like I have no choice but to get the run flats and then switch over to non run flats at a later point. Among other things I just don't like the idea of not riding around with a spare.