I am about to purchase a 2006 Mini Cooper S with Run Flat tires. I called the Milwaukee and Minneapolis MINI dealers to find out if I can ever have anything other than a run flat and I could tell that I wasn't getting a "straight" answer...they said that they don't sell anything but a run flat for that model. Is that my only option? Is there anything else I can use as a replacement should they need to be replaced? Or am I stuck????

 

you can use regular tires but you dont have a spare donut so carry an
aircompressor, some slime/fix a flat, and celphone.

 

I am sure the dealers wouldn't want to sell a car without RF since there is no spare and they could be held liable. Not saying that is what is what's happening but it kinda makes sense on why they are saying they only sell them with RF.

Do like everyone else use them until you have to replace them and buy regular tires and a slime kit or replace them as soon as you get the car and sell the RF.

 

Lots of non-runflats to use. Many forums with many, many suggestions. Try searching the forums. There are many posts with lists of tires and sizes.

The right tire depends on your preferences. The full range of tire classifications are available for your car.

 

You've got an R53, just match the sizes. If you're not going to carry a spare and dont have RFs I'd recommended adding a compressor and some slime and AAA card and cell phone to make sure you can make it to a tire shop, should something happen.

 

You are never stuck with runflats.

You must purchase the MINI with runflats for the Cooper S, choice of 16" or 17" or even 18" tires.

You can elect to replace them now or later with non runflats of your choice but you do not have a spare tire unless you purchase it on your own and carry it in the boot/trunk area- usually in a small bag is good. Fix a flat is also possible.

Some owners buy a MINI then sell the stock rims and runflats to other owners looking for replacements. Then you buy a set of rims of your choice (usually lighter weight and looks custom) and put on tires that suit your driving needs- summer and performance or all season for longer wear and more comfort).

Tires can be less than $100 each for non runflats and rims about $100-150 each depending on your choices. Shop around at tirerack.com or edgeracing.com or with other vendors that have wheels to fit the MINI like outmotoring.com or webbmotorsports.com, see the vendor list on NAM.

 

Tire Rack has a great model-specific search feature. You can tell the search to exclude runflats & it will bring up a nice list of tires you can consider for replacements & they have really good prices too

 

You got the second 1/2 your question answered but not the first half:

As far as I know, no dealer has ever sold a new MINI Cooper S without factory runflats. In that regard, you got a straight/honest answer, just not a complete one.

The opinion you didn't ask for- I know a couple people who don't mind the run flats at all.

 

Here's a vote for run flats. You're never stuck. You always have "limp home" capability. They are as repairable as non RF's (except that some shops refuse to repair RF's). I always carry a tire gauge since the pressure sensor (actually rotational speed) is flaky, but that's not so bad, as it gets me in the habit of regularly checking pressures which should do anyhow.

You'll read mostly negative reviews here of RF's but I like them. Biggest negative to me is that they are expensive. I have a slow leak in one now- a previous patch right at the edge of the sidewall is leaking. It started to lose pressure 6 weeks, and I'm still driving on it. Left my car at the airport for 10 days, and with RF's I didn't have to worry about needing to mess with a flat tire when I got home at midnight after flying for 30 hours from Europe. It was a few pounds low, but keep the speed down and it's fine (and the worst I would have had to do is put some air in it and it would have gotten me home without changing a tire). Knowing that I'll always be able to limp home is worth it to me.

I bought some Continental replacements, much cheaper at $110 a tire than the stock Dunlops, but I haven't mounted any until the slow leak gets worse, or I wear the tire out, whichever comes first.

People complain a lot about the rough ride of the RF's but if you want a cushy ride, buy a Buick. RF's are the way to go in my book. I'm sure MINI could have figured out where to mount a spacer saver spare, but the performance of the car and practicality just makes RF's the logical choice.

 

Run Flats stink in the winter unless they are A/S.
I decided to ditch them and am deciding on non runflats.
I have not had a flat in 10 years, but I willl carry my AAA Card, tire fix and a small compressor. Not a big deal for more comfort, and much lower replacement costs. 1/2 price for equivalent quality.

 

Right...unless you have sidewall damage. Then you're in the same boat as everyone else.

 

The straight answer: The tire companies are playing on your fear to get money from you.

The straight answer: A performance car with runflats is like . . . funny.

The straight answer: Do what you like. I like my GS-D3 performance tires I'll stop if they don't have air . . . I'm an adult . . . I can stop and be okay.

 

I belive the proper expression is "Limp to the bank capability."

 

I traded my runflats for getflats.
A can of goop and a compressor..works for me.

 

SUMMER tires stink in the winter, run-flat or not. All-season tires aren't much better if you regularly see sub-40 F temps.

 

Or how about "A performance car on runflats is like a NFL running back playing in sandals."

 

Straight answer; Run flats feel like bricks.
Straight answer; Run flats cost lots of $$$
Straight answer; A $80 donut will fit behind the passenger seat, so get regular tires.

Mark

 

+1 (at the risk of challenging NAM conventional wisdom).

I don't understand the ride quality complaints. Our 15" non-runflat winter package vs 17" summer runflats is pretty much a wash in this regard. Too many miles in Morgans to split those hairs.

Replacement cost is my chief complaint, though being an hour or so late for work one day would put a good dent into the money I'd save by opting for budget oriented summer non-runflats.

There are certainly a lot more choices available in non-runflat tires, but I have to say that I've been happy with the Eufori@s. Dry performance exceeds my needs for street tires, and they last much better than their 180 TWI suggests.

As for slime/goo/fix-a-flat products, has anyone actually used the stuff? Every tire guy I've spoken to about it has indicated that its use should be avoided.

 

Huh? Now where on the east coast is it 40 degrees below zero.
All seasons are made for all but the really heavy snow fall areas.
They have always been sufficient even when I lived in Colorado.
That is why they are called All Seasons. They work.

 

How in the Heck did you get home from Europe......via Australia???

 

Don't count on just buying a replacement runflat at the drop of the hat. Do you really think they'll be available when needed, rather than having to ship them in?

Unfortunately, that's probably a probem with all of the "exotic" choices...

 

Not all places are certified to repair runflats.
I was at a BMW dealer, where I bought my windscreen, next to the MINI dealer and they don't even recommend repairing runflats.
They said replace.
Ouch at $250-$300 for the tire.

I reallly hated my Pirelli Eufori@ Summer Tires.
Ran hard, Expensive replacements, low treadwear (180)
They handled nicely though. That was about it.

 

LOL! I've heard way too many people tell the "I got a flat and spent $500 on two tires" story. If you want to keep the runflats, buy a set of takeoffs for $4-600, then if you get a flat you can either repair it or throw it away, depending on your whim, and still be cost neutral!

 

Looks like the OP lives around Minneapolis, and it can get to -40F there, and it can snow like this there.

Once the car was cleared, off I went in this, just me and the snow plows
Yes, all-seasons work, sort of, but not like a true set of winter tires.

Mark

 

I could have been more clear: sub-40 F was meant to indicate below 40 F (ambient temp at which all-season tires starts to drop off). It's a hyphen, not a minus.