I got my 2006 MINI S with sport package about two months ago, and it had Pirelli Euphoria Run Flats with 17" rims on it. One had a slow leak and the others tires were almost bald, so I did some research here and settled on Continental ProContact run flats on the stock 17" wheels.

I don't really know exactly how the Pirelli's felt because after picking up the car the only real driving I did was taking it home from NJ to PA on the NJ TurnPike, and then didn't drive it due to snow and the one flat it had.

But now that I'm finally driving it with the new Continentals they are so hard riding that I feel like I'm destroying the car with every bump I go over! Today the CD player actually stopped playing for a second when I hit a bump!

I'm no stranger to harsh rides/suspensions: I had two 300ZX Twin Turbo in the past which were not cushy and my last car was a '93 Civic Si with over a 100K miles. But I'd like the MINI to ride a little softer. So I took air out of the Continentals TWICE to try to get the ride softer. I'm running around 33 psi at this time.

I worry that I'm going to break the windshield or dent a rim every time I drive to work. And this is the same drive I took in the Honda every morning and never noticed it to be so bone jarring.

I'm thinking about selling the 17" rims and Continentals, (they are only three weeks old) and switching to smaller rims with non-run flats.

The constant crashing over every pavement imperfection is ruining my enjoyment of the MINI.

Any suggestions are appreciated, (other than enjoying it as part of the ownership experience),

If anybody is interested in stock 17" eight spoke with almost new Continenta lContiProContact SSR (Grand Touring All-Season) 205/45R17 on them let me know!

 

You can switch the rims to 16 Inch , or just buy a set of non runflats, 215 45 17 works real well and will smooth out the ride, get a Tire plug kit, and bottle of Slime, and AAA and you are good to go. Most people on here have ditched the runflats in favor of Non runflats, check the posts there are plenty about this topic

 

NightFlyR,
Is that what you did - did you make the change from run-flats to non? Does the 215 45 17 mean that they will be slightly wider?

I'm thinking about calling the tire place that did the install and asking if they will take these in trade on a different tire, or get my money back or some credit.

Also, did you change your dash gauge LEDs from orange to blue?

 

I have changed my Orange to Blue dash LEDs , as for the tires that is a different story
I have more then a few sets of wheels for this car, currently I have non runflats on the car, but I am putting my Rota RB wheels on today that have the runflats, the pothole situation here is real bad, and i would rather ruin the run flats so I can be rid of them then some of my other tires, Also my run flats are 195 55 16, were my others are all 215 45 17, so i have a higher sidewall on the 16s, ( less chance of damage to the wheels) the 215 is wider, but i have no fitmit problems,
Tireracks webside will give you plenty of options, and you can also call or email alex@tireack if you have questions, I have been using them for over 20 years and they are great.

 

I live in NYC and had the same probs with my Eagle runflats on 17" rims. Felt like every bump was going to bring the world to an end until I switched to Michelin Pilot A/S Plus ultra high performance all seasons (non runflats). So much smoother ride. I just added Craven strut defenders, too, to be on the safe side. Get the Conti Comfort Kit from Tire Rack just in case you get a flat and you're good to go.

 

+ 1,
so what is worse the holes on the cross bronx expressway, or the belt? my vote would be the Cross bronx

 

I just traded my 2005 Cooper with 16's and non runflats for a 2005 Cooper s Convertible with new conti 17 runflats. It's like going from a pillowtop matress to a futon. I still think the 17's look that much better to handle a bit rougher of a ride but those tires stink. I'm going to have a summer setup and keep this for a winter setup. I've got r90's with pole positions that I did have briefly on my Cooper. You could feel they were heavier than the 16s but nothing like these conti's.

 

mini44,
What tires were you using on the 2005 with 16" rims that felt like pillowtops?

And are you saying the convertible has the exact same ContiProContact on 17" that I have now?

 

Step one...get non runflats....16's are a good option....17's are ok...if the roads in your area are fine, but blowouts can get pricy quick!! Then add a new rim or two......
Step two...want a better ride still, get new struts....the oem ones suck....for a better ride get Koni FSD's...or yellows for better handling....
Eitherway....it will seem like a different car...and you fillings and kidneys will thank you!!

 

uugh yeah, can't wait to get 16" wheels and some decent rubber on my 06 MCS. The eagle rft's suck. Bone jarring is the expression that comes to mind. I've driven an e30 on ground control coilovers with 450/650 spring rates on a daily commute in NJ and even that was better!!

 

ZippyNH,
I didn't want to have to get into replacing the struts, I've blown my budget twice, once on buying the car, the second time on buying the set of Conti Run Flats.

Approximately how much will getting the struts installed run me?

 

kishg,
I'm thinking that I need to put away the 17" with run flats that I got, and buy a set of 16" with non run flats. What tires were you considering that are known to be decent and not bone jarring?

 

The Avon M550 is excellant as is the General UHP, if you are going with the 16 you can use 205 50 16, or for a little more cushin 205 55 16

 

I was looking at direzza star specs in 205/50/16, they are $105/tire with $50 rebate on a set of 4 at tire rack.

 

I don't know that much, but if you're concerned about costs, take the tires back and see if they'll give you a trade in on some non-runflat 215/45/17s. If you want to spend more, buy new 16s with tires. If you want to spend even more, get new rims/tires AND struts.

If you're concerned about costs, also look at treadwear. I notice people here recommending UHP (Ultra High Performance) tires. Depending on your driving and expectations, you probably don't need a UHP tire. I got High Perf. all-season tires and they're great for throwing my MINI around a hig-speed corner to beat a yellow light. I don't race or auto-x so I don't care about super-performance.

And I don't know about mounting/balancing costs where you are but TireRack.com has great prices on tires.

 

yeah, you don't need UHPs for regular street driving but I like having the flexibility to be able to take my cars to auto-x or to the track when my race car is under repair.

 

The FSD's were about $650+ 2 hrs labor for the install....if you can work out a deal with someone, you can likely swapp you 17's for someones 16's tires included...and maybe get $100 back...
But depending on your cars struts....just doing the rim/tire swap might be enough to make you happy.

Edit....I have 16's on General UHP's....the side walls are soft enough to give a good ride...so soft it is IMO a non-trackable UHP daily driver tire...very nice in even HEAVY RAIN...pretty quiet too. I thought about the Avon...more of a 4 season tire, (I run snows during the winter, the uhp's are all pretty bad in the snow...)but the fact Avon tires are a Cooper tire with Avon branding in the US market, marketed under liscence from the English company...it is a very diffent tire from the euro market avons.....the general uhp's are made in Europe (mine in France) by contiental tire...they own general tire now.

 

if luggage space isnt important to you just do what I did. DITCH the run flats and buy a spare mini wheel/tire. I got the base model "S" rim. Its sitting in my rear hatch and JUST fits.

no run flats, with a FULL size spare.

 

how well does the mobility kit work?

 

I just called the place where I bought the Continentals and asked if he could take them in trade or give me some credit toward some other set of tires and of course he said "no". He gave me Conti's 800 line and told me I could call them, which I'll try, but I'm sure that won't get me anywhere.

I'd like to switch to a non-run flat. I have AAA towing, so I could go without a full size spare since I need all the storage space I can get. I can also add one of those Slime combo kits with the tire pump and can of Slime.

So, I guess I'll start looking around the Marketplace and eBay and see if anybody has been successful at selling/trading a set of 17" with Conti's.

Anybody know anybody who might want them?

 

In response to your PM...

The problem you are having with the Contis is that they are run flats. Run flats run stiff.

Having lived in the NYC area, I've driven the PA and NJ highways. They can be pretty choppy - especially on a car with small sidewalls, sporty suspension and run flats just make it worse.

16s are a good option to improve ride quality by increasing tire sidewall.

I recently replaced the Kumho SPT tires that were on my 06 MCS with Bridgestone RE760 from Tire Rack. I really liked the SPT. The only complaint I had was that the sidewalls were a little soft so you lost some steering feel but gained some ride quality. The B 760s have stiffer sidewalls so they give better steering feel. They drive surprisingly very smoothly. Very quiet as well. They seem to be pretty good in the rain as well. We have only had them a few hundred miles.

The other options I was considering were the Yokohama S Drives and I briefly considered the Generals and some other more all season type Bridgestones but the weather here in SF Bay Area allows us to use a more performance oriented tire year round. I expect to get 20-30k out of these tires.

If it were me, I'd maybe buy some used 16s to get a feel for what they would be like or get a ride in someone local's car with 16s. Tires and sidewall make a big difference on this car but the short wheel base does make the car feel a bit choppy on crappy roads.

 

Most Conti's have a test drive satifaction period that your retailer should be responcible for handling it for you. Nice attitude he had post sale, I am sorry for it - though not involved.

Which model Conti - and what was your purchase date?

Alex

 

Alex,
They are Continental ContiProContact SSR (Grand Touring All-Season) 205/45R17

They were purchased last month on March 2nd. How long is that "test drive satisfaction period?

Is there any influence you have?
Thanks!

 

Its 30 days on this tire. I'd contact continental and see if they will consider an extension for you. I have influence over Tirerack transactions only. Sorry I can't do more.

Conti consumer afairs 800 847 3349

 

As many have said here already, you will feel a big difference if you switch to non-run-flats. I did on my 17" wheels and it was like night and day. For a car as stiff and go kart-like as the MINI, run-flats are no bueno, in my opinion, if you want even a semblance of comfort.

I also second the Koni FSD struts. They make a big difference in ride and handle fantastically. Still tight and stiff like a sports car should be, but they won't knock your teeth out over bumps.