Need a new set of tires for wife's R60 S all4. What's a good size and type?

Doing some tire rack research I can get 225/50R17 Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP $207 each
Or stick with the stock Cinturato P7's in 205 for only $146.

 

When I got my used 2014 it has Continental RF which I assumed were stock but perhaps not. Although they still had tread left, I got a screw in one and it didn't like to be repaired with a plug much and lasted a month at a time maybe. So, recently replaced with the Pirelli P7's and they seem fine so far. Was able to get them from Sam's Club for like $136 each and $15 to mount...

 

I recently put Bridgestone driveguard on Mrs R59

after 6 months ... no complaints

 

My limited experience and 2nd hand info is good and run flat tires do not belong in the same sentence.

But when the front run flat tires on my JCW were worn down I replaced them with the same Pirelli run flat tires that the car came with from the factory.

Think this is the tire:

Original Equipment

PIRELLI
CINTURATO P7 RUN FLAT (W- OR Y-SPEED RATED)Ultra High Performance Summer

• Size: 205/40R18 86W XL
• Star RSC MINI, Run Flat
• Eco Focus: EcoImpact
• Load Range: XL
• Serv. Desc: 86W
• UTQG: 260 AA A

I was just not ready to replace all 4 tires with non run flat tires and then have to source a suitable air compressor and flat repair kit to carry in the car. Or perhaps even a full sized spare to carry in the car.

Oh, and I wanted to add when shortly after I had the front tires replaced and managed to hit a pothole that the next day had the right front tire low it was very nice to not have to change the tire but instead just drive the 10 miles -- admittedly at something less than 65mph I normaly drive that stretch of road -- to the MINI dealer and get a new tire fitted. This almost (almost) makes up for run tires other negatives.

The Michelin tires for $207/tire vs. Pirelli tires for $146/tire... Well, I would have to have a high degree of confidence the $207 tires were worth the extra cost.

Oh, I have to mention I was using the tire prices you quoted. The price for the above Pirelli tire is $216.70 which is *higher* than price you quoted for Michelin tires.

My previous experience with Pirelli vs. Michelin tires -- this on my Porsche Boxster which came from the factory with Pirelli tires -- was when I had a chance to try Michelin tires -- which were also sanctioned by the factory for use on my Boxster -- I waited until the cost difference was just a few dollars per tire. Back then the Michelin tires for my car were considerably more money than Pirelli tires but at some point the Michelin tires dropped in price and I made the switch.

The Michelin tires proved to be a bit better -- a bit more tread life (~1K miles) and a bit quieter when close to the wear bars -- but not enough better to justify paying very much over the Pirelli tires. After a few sets of Michelin tires which over time got less expensive than the Pirelli tires -- because Michelin was transitioning to the next generation tire -- and then when it came time for new tires and Michelin tires were back ordered for months I went back to Pirelli tires and received confirmation there was really not any significant difference.

At Tire Rack where I got the info on Pirelli tires to paste there are no Michelin tires listed for my car at least sanctioned by MINI.

There is a Dunlop tire:

Original Equipment

DUNLOP
SPORT MAXX RT RUNONFLATMax Performance Summer

• Size: 205/40R18 86W XL
• Star RSC MINI, Run Flat
• Load Range: XL
• Serv. Desc: 86W
• UTQG: 240 AA A

But the Dunlop tire lists for $225.97. Which is about about $9/more per the Pirelli tire.

 

I too installed Bridgestone Drive-Guards on my Countryman last summer and they were a significant improvement over the original Pirellis.

 

All runflats that we have had ride a bit harsher than comparable non-runflats but the flipside is peace of mind so no issues there. We have had pirellis runflat on our R53 and those lasted about 25K but they were summer tires. We recently replace our Bridgestone OEM runflats on our F60 due to new wider sized wheels we bought so the runflats are up for sale if anyone needs a set. They are 225/50/18s and last I check tirerrack still has them for $200+/each. Let me know and make offer if anyone is interested- good deal for you guys on here of course!