Hello all,
I am new to the forum and I have a question. Has anyone had experience with non-runflats on thier cars. I have to replace my original Goodyear Eagle runflats and I am torn as to which way to go. Spend the extra cash for runflats or just go with conventional rubber. My biggest concern is the possible difference in handling. The Cooper was engineered for use with runflats and I am afraid that the softer sidewalls of a non-runflat tire will effect the handling. I don't do any autocrossing or anything like that. I am just a spirited driver that like his car to handle well. My previous tires were great and took me 38K miles. Are runflats really worth the cash? Tire Rack has Avons for $100-$150 less per tire and the reviews seem good. So I could buy an inflator and still save $350+. What to do?

SUPR CPR
'03 MCS Chili/White/White

 

Ditch the runflats!!! Non-runflats ride better, handle better, don't lose air randomly and are lighter. Lighter is always better considering that wheels and tires are unsprung weight that effects handling especially during times of "spirited driving". Not to mention that the fillings in my mouth stopped falling out when I ditched my runflats.

 

Yea !!!! CHKMINI is right-on. Read the 1st volume of MC2 magazine. It is one of the first mods many people did. There are also a ton of posts on NAM.

 

Let us know how you like the Avons...

 

I am in the minority around here but I prefer runflats. I ditched them but will probably be going back to RF when my tires wear out. My Mini actually handles as good on non-RF but I don't like the floaty feel of them or the feel of the sidewall flex when going thru the twisties. Plus it's nice to know when riding on RF that I won't have a blowout on the interstate

 

I'm on board with the "NO" run-flat crowd. I opted for them on both our MINIs and now we're replacing them due to tread wear after only 12,000 miles. They do run a little rough, as stated, too.

And what's all this talk I've read on the board about needing a compressor or slime kit if you ditch the runflats ?

I got under my car the other day to clean out the salt from the undercarriage. What did I find under there ? Yep... a spare tire.

 

If you had an MCS, you'd only see a battery box.

 

Reason 1,547 to get a MC instead of an MCS !

 

I like mine, although I have 16" wheels which makes a huge difference. If you have 17" wheels, you might want to ditch them, but I can't tell you for sure because I haven't driven a Mini with 17" wheel and non-run flats. See if you can find a way to test drive both ways.