The washboard freeways and potholed streets got me to swap out my Goodyear runflats, and I DID get that smoother "softer" ride I was hoping to get. Except for a few things: There is a huge difference in grip around corners, and even in the general feel in taking off from lights, and overall less feeling of control. My mistake? I went with Kumho Solis tires, which are a standard touring all-season tire, instead of something with a bit more bite. A non-runflat performance tire would have been the best solution. I know it's a trade off, and my girlfriend (the passenger) is quite happy with what I got. You can't have it both ways, performance AND comfort, but I want some of my MINI back! We'll see how long this lasts....
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I switched to Michelin Pilot Exhalto PE2 205/45 17 XL and the grip is better than the Dunlap 205/45 17 runflats. The ride and feel (turn in, etc.) is also better.

 

How about Goodrich G Force? Any experience with them?

 

did you get the same speed rating? if it's an HR then you bought a tire that's less sticky than the V rated runflats.

 

I beg to differ. You just chose the wrong tire. I don't know much about that tire, but it can't be too much of a tire if it doesn't grip as well as a run-flat. Just drive hard and wear them out so you can get some other tires.

 

There have been a lot of positive comments on the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 but they are 215/45-17. So, you would be mounting a somewhat wider tire.

Are you looking at the g-Force T/A KDW2, or Sport?

According to the Tire Rack survey data, the g-Force T/A has better dry handling, but is not as quiet or comfortable as the Michelin PE2. The Michelin is a little better in the wet. The Sport is between the two in both handling and ride, but bad in the wet. I'm not sure how reliable this data is, as it is based on a user survey.

 

Guess it was really bugging me! I went back to the tire dealer and he was quite sympathetic. We ordered up some Bridgestone Potenzas in the 205/55/16 to exchange for the Kumho Solices. I'm hoping it will be that performance/comfort balance I'm looking for. They'll get swapped tomorrow. Stay tuned...
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did you get V rated tires or higher? if not you're still gonna be unhappy. you won't be matching the run flats in stickiness without a V or greater

 

Which Potenzas? There are quite a few different models in that size.

 

I went with the Potenza RE 906 AS 215/45-17 and am quite pleased.
They ride alot better, quieter and seem to have at least as much dry bite as the Dunlop RFs. In the wet there is no comparison. Non RFs may feel squishier at first due to the significantly more flexible sidewalls but the rubber should stay on the road even w/ sidewall flexion. The RE960 AS is a W rated tire.


Which Bridgestone did you choose?

 

The speed rating has nothing to do with grip. It only shows what max speed the tire is capable of running w/o failure. The wear/traction rating is more indicative of grip.

 

sorry, that's what i meant... brainfart:impatient

edit: wait a sec... confused. a tire that can handle faster speeds are always stickier. the compound is what actually makes it stickier but isnt it safe to assume that the higher the speedrating the stickier it will be?

nevermind im having trouble thinking. wear rating.. lower the better

 

My understanding is that faster speed rating does not necessarily mean stickier... high speed rating does NOT mean that you'll have fantastic traction at high speeds, just that the tire won't disintegrate from the heat that high speeds create... I think...

 

Just installed a set of 205/45 - 17 Goodyear Eagle F1-AS. The ride has definitely smoothed out and grip and turn-in seem as good if not better than before. I haven't driven them in the wet yet, but the aggressive looking tread looks like rain or light snow won't pose too much of a problem.

 

I don't think tire wear is always an accurate way to judge grip. Tire design plays a role, and some newer tires can have equal or better grip with less wear. Best to read the road tests, I think.

 

Tread wear/traction rating's will give you an indication of the grip possible with the tire.
See this link for the particulars.

 

Interesting. I think I'll depend more on road tests.

"When looking at UTQG ratings it is important to realize that the Department of Transportation does not conduct the tests. The grades are assigned by the tire manufacturers based on their test results or those conducted by an independent testing company they have hired."

"The problem with UTQG Treadwear Grades is that they are open to some interpretation on the part of the tire manufacturer because they are assigned after the tire has only experienced a little treadwear as it runs the 7,200 miles. This means that the tire manufacturers need to extrapolate their raw wear data when they are assigning Treadwear Grades, and that their grades can to some extent reflect how conservative or optimistic their marketing department is. Typically, comparing the Treadwear Grades of tire lines within a single brand is somewhat helpful, while attempting to compare the grades between different brands is not as helpful."

 

Ahhhhh.... I was able to swap the Kumho Solis tires for Fuzion ZRI 91 W. I got my MINI back! It's a find blend of responsive handling and a comfortable ride. A definite improvement over the original runflats. The dealer (Crown City Tires, in Pasadena, CA) swapped them out for me after 200 miles on the Solises and only charged me for the difference between the tires. I'm so glad I didn't settle for a mistake.
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What caused you to go with Fuzion ZRI instead of the Potenzas?

 

I'd LOVE to dump the 17" runflats which seem to be rock hard. But, what are you guys doing with "the flat tire" problem?

Carrying one of those blowup and seal kits? There was a link to one somewhere....?

 

The dealer couldn't get the Potenzas the next day, and I felt I was already stretching it by getting him to take back the Solises. Not sure how different the Potenzas would be, but the Fuzions are really good for that balance I was looking for.
Birdman: I was planning on getting the ContiComfortKit (plug in pump/sealent all in one) that Tirerack sells, but they're on backorder, with no word from the factory when they'll be getting them. I'm going to try to get a tiny donut spare and jack out of MINI, and take it from there.

 

I ordered the Continental Tire ContiComfortKit from Tire Rack on May 21st. It was backordered at that time as well. Seems like they can't keep them in stock. It was shipped on June 22nd.

You can get a foot pump at most auto supply stores. I've used one for years. They work fine. With that, get a can of latex-based tire repair liquid and a Dynaplug.

 

if you're talking about G-force sports, they are excellent. I run them on my mazda3, on my second set now. An excellent grippy tire with stiff sidewalls (so you won't lose the "on rails" steering response of the runflats) that actually wears pretty well. I've not run them on the MINI, but I get ~20k miles+40 autocross runs out of a set.

 

Thanks for the info, ruby...

 

I just bought a set of these this weekend after my stock Perelli's were bald at 22K.

So far I like these. They're not as loud or rough as the eufori@s. What you lose a bit in cornering you make up for in ride and quiet. The biggest difference may be in getting used to the softer sidewall. Just not cornering like I used to... but I refuse to pay $250 ea. for the Perelli's. I'd be replacing them every year if I did.

I was going to buy Kumho Ecsta SPTs, but Discount Tire was closed on Sunday and I wanted to get it done then. So I went down the street to NTB and they were running the G-Force on sale for $125 ea. plus installation. Total was $602, I think.