It seems the only way to accomplish riding on non run flats is to order the non S with the standard 15" tire. My past experience with run flats on BMWs has left me biased, with a strong aversion to them. I found them distinctly heavy feeling; jarring; noisy. They seemed to have a very strong presence, without anything in the plus column except (debatable) safety. I am wondering if anyone has tested the car non S, with the 15" non run flats and then the 16" run flats? All information appreciated.

 

The F56 suspension is softer than previous generations, and run-flats have been improving over the years. You should take a test drive on 16" run-flats and judge whether the ride quality is acceptable to you.

It seems extreme to restrict your purchase choice to a non-S with 15" wheels solely on the basis of non-runflats from the factory. Runflat tires can be replaced with non-runflats. I suggest choosing the wheel style you like, and swapping out the tires if you don't like the ride.

One consideration is the selection of replacement tires. I now regret getting 15" wheels on my 2006 R52 because over the years tire manufacturers have been dropping 15" size from their better tire models.

 

I ordered my non S with 16" non-runflats. I tried to order all season standard tires, but the all season is paired with runflats. So I specified that I do not want the runflat and will take pot luck on the specific tire. I'm anxious to find out what the car will show up with (currently in EPA jail).

 

I ordered 16" wheels too. I think they are run flat tires. In the future I will replace them with cheaper "flattable" tires but carry a can of Fix-a-Flat and make sure my AAA membership is up to date.

 

My non S came with 16" non run flats

 

I chose 16" wheels and had the all-season run-flats foisted upon me. Turns out, they're not bad, and I am glad I have significant vertical tire height again (18" wheels with low-profile tires are just insanity in the city. I will not ever make that mistake again!). I say this now. Ask me again when it comes time to replace those tires.

 

The only non run flat from Mini is the standard 15" tire on the non S. I've had all season non run flats on a few other Minis I've owned. They're great. Light feeling, agile, quiet, and smooth. In my opinion, run flats are the weakest link. As though I'm running with boots on.

 

On previous MINI, had TWO rim damages (dented) while driving on poorly paved highways.
First time it got repaired.
Second time it had to be replaced and cost me like $400+ for oem MINI rim.

 

Go for a test drive with the 16" run flats. The original BMW run flats were hard an noisy, the new ones are much better. I have an F30 with 18" run flats and they are fine.They have 18,000 miles on them now with no problems.

 

I bet the 16" RFs ride fine on this car. My new 17" RFs ride better than my 2007 similar RFs which I replaced with non RFs. The main disadvantage of RFs is they cost twice as much and last about half as long. Bad combination.

 

Thank you all for sharing your valuable information. Glad that the ride has gotten better.....sorry that the run flats cost double and last 1/2 as long. I imagine it depends upon what the driver is searching after. I recently drove a '14 S with 17" run flats and the option of sport suspension. Two crowns dislodged! I am old! Old Porsche guy here. I always claimed my 911s were "unforgiving." But what a blast! And what is there to say about the non amplified basso sound of those great engines in back? Separately, I love the Mini brand. They bring their own excitement to the road along with advanced technology and very fair pricing. The sport suspension carried on run flats requires tire insurance and bumped up dental insurance. Is there a combo special on that??

 

My new Mini will come with 16" run flats all weather Test drove one before the build order. It should be noted that some really great changes in tire technology especially from Continental are coming soon. .

 

I bought a 13 roadster and my kidneys hurt every time I drove the car on city roads. Sorry, that is just plain dumb. Dumb design, dumb me for buying it. This forum convinced me to change the tires to standard tires and the results were remarkable. I put a spare in the boot. I love the Mini, but I will always feel badly used by them and won't let it happen again. I hear the generation 3 run flats are much better in every way but I have not tried them. I have 16 " Michelin Pilot Sport AS3, they are great!

 

I just hoped to clarify from someone that 16s are ONLY available with run-flats. The configurator has "All-Season Tires" as a selectable option, but the response I got from one dealer was, "Yeah, all-season run-flats." But I know the configurator is not the last word in absolute accuracy....

 

Delete-repost

 

Wheels larger than 15" are only available with runflats in the US. They think we're stupid.

 

From the factory? Brand/model of tire?

Did it come with a jack and/or mobility kit?

 

Just looked at some cars on the dealer lot. F56 base Cooper had 16" non-runflats: 16" Loop spoke wheel, 195/55 R16 Michelin Energy Saver Green X. Speed rated W.

 

This must be new for MINIUSA. They never offered non-runflats for 16" in the past, but this makes sense for the base Cooper because it comes with a spare. They would actually save money because of the cost of runflats. They wouldn't do it for the S (no spare because of the center exhaust).

 

If in fact Mini has started using non run flats, it's about time. It's annoying buying a new car then having to put a decent set of tires on it.

 

It is certainly a welcome change if they can be ordered but still a far cry from the UK where runflats are optional and cost more including on an S.

The MINIUSA configurator says the silver loop wheels come with performance runflats on the base Cooper. The UK configurator says runflats are a £ 140 option on the Cooper S.

 

My car was ordered with 16" run flat all season tires. It's locked up at Port Hueneme so we will see at some point. If I go to the BMW vin decoder it says I have an " emergency spare wheel" . The car is a non S so maybe I have a spare and the accessories. My MA says it will not have a spare . Seems totally messed up.

 

You WILL have a spare.......I have the same as you and have been re-assured that there is a spare.

 

Run-flat or not, the tires Mini (like 95% of every other auto mfr. on the planet..) puts on their cars are typically the cheapest or most "economy-oriented" they can find. This is not a GTR, Porsche, or Ferrari: It's a car which costs <$30K. It's not like they're going to put Pilot Sports on it if you opt for regular tires instead of run-flats. Just go buy some new tires if you can't deal with the ones that are on there.

 

I can't see where "cheap" enters into BMW's decision to fit runflat tires.

TireRack prices for 205/45-17:

Michelin Pilot Super Sport $179
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 $133

factory installed MINI tires:
Continental ContiSportContact 3 SSR $198
Pirelli Cinturato 7 All Season Runflat $225
Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST $225