I know this has been talked about often in here. B-U-T, I am thinking of getting some aftermarket wheels/tires. I keep reading of you all who have ditched the runflats. I have the bridge spoke runflat combo. I am thinking of bumping up to some after market 17's with all season performance tires maybe from tire rack.com.
Anyone have any insight on to do or not to do! Mostly because of looks do I want to do this. But, a softer ride would be nice to!

 

Just my .02 (as he puts on the flame proof suit), I don't like the run-flats. I hated them on my R50 and I don't like them on my R56. Very loud, unyielding, and so-so wet traction.

Having said that, these are going to be your tires on your car. You have to decide what compromises you are willing to make.
If you are looking for good performance and good ride, you may want to check out Falken, and nitto tires.
Good luck...

 

I have some Pirelli run-flats that are great! They're quiet and very smooth, even on 18" wheels! Not sure how much they cost as they came with my JCW wheels; probably expensive, but worth it IMO.

 

Ditch the run flats & get a set of Bridgestone Potenza's. Great tires, great price and a much more yielding but still sporty ride.

 

I'm quite happy with 16" bridgespokes and real tires (Goodyear Eagle F1, GS-D3). The runflats which came with this time seemed better than previous versions, but I'll take the Eagles.

 

I like my OEM RFT's. No problems so far. I know when my tires need to be replaced I don't have to pay full retail. I just have to search for the for sale ads by the owners and save $$$.

 

I am happy with my 17" runflats.

 

This thread may be better suited for the Tire and wheel forum. You will get some good insight there. Minihune is pretty much the tire guru.

I recently switched from the stock 16's with the continental conti all seasons. I went to a 17" inch wheel and am now running Goodyear Eagle F1 Ultra High performance all seasons in 205/45-17. The ride comfort with these tires is actually quite similar to the stock runflats, but they handle/grip much better. If your looking for a more softer, compliant ride, then these may not be your tire of choice. Personally I like to feel connected to the road. There certainly are numerous others to choose from in that same category, but would require you to move to a non-stock size in a 17" try looking at the 215/45-17 sizing.

 

I found a few noticable differences with changing to non run flats. Many of the squeaks my car had are quieter or altogether eliminated now. Much of the torque steer I had is gone, although this could be due to many different factors (including wider tire or different tread pattern or different tire composition). The ride is a bit more floaty and quiet now, I don't feel like I'm hammering down the road.

 

Thanks everyone. I still have not decided. I am gonna think about it for a day or two longer. Anymore shared experience is appreciated.

 

My 2005 MC had run flats--came with the sports package. Tires were not a big issue for me until I went to the dealer for my annual oil change. At 9000 miles I had to get 2 new tires because the tread was low and wouldn't pass inspection! 2 months later I got a screw in a tire and had to replace the tire. I found the cost of replacing the tires cost prohibitive and changed to regular tires this past October. I have been happy with them. I have a spare, MINI roadside service and AAA. I will not get a MINI with run flats again. Good luck

 

I am happy with my 16" run flats.

 

I like the 17" run flats that came with the car.

 

I have the 17" crowners w/RF's and anticipate swapping rubber for real tires soon. Michelins most likely.

RF's are just not my cup of tea. Drive both if you can, then decide.

 

On my previous R53 MINI, I drove straight home and installed the aftermarket wheels/performance tires I had already bought. Saved 7 lbs per corner and rode/handled much better. When they wore out, I put the OEM's back on briefly and ended up selling the car that way. This time around, I really like the web spokes that my car came with off the lot. The RF's seem a lot less harsh than the ones on my old car did, may have been suspension differences between the generations as well. It's just not economically viable to ditch the RF's so for now I will leave them on, but will almost certainly replace them with regular summer performance tires when their time comes.

 

I yanked the run-flats on my R53 after about two months as they rode hard & I wanted to keep 'em decent for the day it'd be put up for sale. 100,000 non-run-flat miles later they went back on for the new owner.

On my R56, I put the very same 16" aftermarket wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S-03's fitted after the first week of ownership & haven't looked back.

Right now the two oldest S-03's are in need of replacement, while 2 I bought 9/06 are fine. Problem is they're no longer available, so I either dump all 4 or see if I can get along with 2 Potenza RE760 Sport in back with the remaining S-03's up front. Are they "close enough" I wont be surprised some rainy day on the interstate?

If anyone would care to suggest a grippy summer tire other than the BS brand I'm game, but I need convincing before $$$ into 4 brand new donuts.

(Have another set of wheels for winter, appropriate tires fitted.)

 

Thanks again everyone!

 

WHERE CAN U GET SOME CHEAP SPARE TIRE FOR R56? 17" ...

 

I found that runflats can be a problem for anyone with a long commute. I drive 40 miles each way and got a nail in a runflat. Good news - I could keep driving on it. Bad news - it needs fixing within 50 miles (according to factory specs). If you have to drive 80+ miles each day, that means you have to find a tire dealer with the right tire in stock. The MINI dealers stock them but I live 120 miles from the nearet one. I couldn't find anyone who had a replacement and no one I spoke to was willing to repair it. I have been on non-runflats since then and carry a spare.

 

Most of us carry a Slime compressor of some sort. There are cheap ones available for around $25. Slime claims that their product is TPMS friendly. Fix-a-Flat is not.

I carry this $80 one from tirerack.com:
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/....jsp?CCK_Qty=1

I also carry a Dynaplug.

 

Run away from run-flats ASAP. The most horrible tires I ever had on my car. Sometimes they felt like they were destroying my car's suspension. I run JCW R105s with Yokohamas S-Rides and very happy with the combination and I carry a pump and tire plugs as well.

 

Run away from run flats and run away from all season tires. No compromise mate. You are driving a MINI. Getting non-runflats is like having your wife return to her college weight. Ditching the all season for summer performance tires is like having your wife return to her high school weight. Getting winter performance tires on your MINI after the temperature drops is like having your wife say she doesn't mind if you visit with your first love for the weekend.

Am I making my opinion clear? Okay. Runflats are like backpacking with a buddy who has put rocks in your pack. Summer performance ties are like having your buddy carry your pack.

Okay.

Booyaaah!

 

Run away from run flats and run away from all season tires. No compromise mate. You are driving a MINI. Getting non-runflats is like having your wife return to her college weight. Ditching the all season for summer performance tires is like having your wife return to her high school weight. Getting winter performance tires on your MINI after the temperature drops is like having your wife say she doesn't mind if you visit with your first love for the weekend.

Am I making my opinion clear? Okay. Runflats are like backpacking with a buddy who has put rocks in your pack. Summer performance ties are like having your buddy carry your pack.

Booyaaah!

Okay. Runflats are like homeland security and taking your shoes off in the airport. Summer performance tires in the summer and winter performance tires in the winter are like Harold and Kumar-Escape from Guantamino Bay.

 

Great!
Now, let the suggestions come in! I do not want to have to lower my car. I also do not want my new rims-tires to make the car look lifted so I have learned can happen with too much of an offset. 16" or 17" is fine with me. Any suggestions! I tend to like the clean look, maybe 5 stars or something. I am searching still.
Thanks everyone! This is a great forum to be in on.

 

I had run flats on my 2003 Mini. It came that way. Sounded like a great idea at the time. Well, what a pain! I live in Sacramento and when I got a nail in one of them (on the side), I had to call around to try to find a replacement. Finally found one place that could 'order' me one. Cost a fortune. Most places won't even touch them. I was only glad that I was in town when it happened and not out 200 miles in the backwoods somewhere. I would have been stuck. Got my new 2008 without run flats by choice and am happy I did.