As the title states I'm a new 2012 MCS owner. I test drove one with 16" wheels and then bought a leftover 2012 from out of state with 17" wheels. Didn't know it would have that much of a difference in harshness, that's my fault.

So in searching I've come across 2 main camps
1) switch to non-runflats in 215 45 17
2) go to Koni FSDs
3) or maybe both?

My question is, any discussion of the relative effectiveness of one over the other?

Thanks in advance!

 

I guess that it depends if you are happy with the traction of your tires now. If they seem loud, or you don't like the handling, then replace the tires. You can probably get $50-100 each for the tires, depending on the wear of them (and if people want them). New tires will likely run $600 or so.

Do you have the normal 'S' suspension, or the Sport?

I have read comments about the FSD's and they seem very positive. Maybe read some threads, and see if you can find someone with FSD's and 17" RF and ask them directly.

My gut feel is that you are better off replacing the tires, because you will have them for at least 15k miles, and you will not enjoy the car as much if you are already asking for what to change.

Depending where you live, maybe you can find someone with a MINI with normal 17's.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Normal suspension

 

I too have a '12 MCS with RFT's on 17" wheels. They ride hard, noisey and expensive to replace. I've got 23k on the clock, they have about another 10k left on them. I'll be replacing them with non-RFT's. Do a search on the forum, you'll see a lot of threads about RFT's.

 

I've read many many threads about non runflats and FSDs; looking for opinions as to the relative improvement between the two. It seems that everyone does one or the other, but few have done both.

 

I'd probably start with new tires as it's the cheaper option.

If you're fortunate enough to live in a high volume area (like L.A.), you can get take off wheels at the dealer, step down to 16s and sell the 17s. I once bought a set of 16" wheels/tires at South Bay MINI with 500 miles on them for 600 bucks. Hell of a deal.

I had FSDs on my old R53 and they provided a little more cushion but not much change in sound. Non-runflats on my old R50 helped a lot in the noise department, but I don't remember how much the harshness changed.

 

I just bought a 2012 JCW with 17" tires and regular suspension. I replaced the standard RFTs with Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS RFTs, which are third gen RFTs that are supposed to ride like normal tires. Impact harshness is much reduced and I don't cringe as much hitting manholes and other road bumps.

The main issue, however, is the short suspension travel. Thus, although the tires were a big improvement, I ordered a set of FSDs to hopefully take the edge off of larger impacts. I had FSDs on my old e46 vert and they made a huge difference in reducing cowl shake and impact harshness. I expect the same on the Mini and will report back after install.

 

I put the FSDs on a 2013 JCW and couldn't be happier. I actually didn't mind the sport suspension I had on the original, but after putting on the FSDs and the H-Sport RSB I understand the comments regarding harshness on pavement irregularities.
I feel it's a good solution for a daily driver. If I was tracking the car regularly I would have gone with the Ohlins, but my driveway already complains about the aero kit on the JCW and I didn't want to lower the car more than stock.

 

The sport suspension with 17's runflats has a harsh ride especially over rough roads. At around 500 miles I switched to non runflats since it was the easiest choice in terms of price and installation. As a daily driver overall the car rides better but corner handling isn't as responsive compared to the runflats.

 

These are things I need to consider as well.
More than likely will be switching to non run flats to start

I got stock JCW 18's, so I feel your pain.
Mind you the car was bought used and previous owner did not rotate. So I have 2 bad tires in the rear (use to be up front) and 2 good ones in the front.

Ill sell the fronts to recoup something and grab all 4 of the same tires.

Bit tires in 205/40/18 are quite costly and limited in size

 

I test drove both 16" and 17" and ordered one with 16" even though there were nicer wheel choices in the 17" size. The difference in ride quality was huge!

I have always been hesitant to go with non-RFTs. I did that on my BMW once, and then I got a bubble on the non-RFT sidewalls which was scary - thankfully I was able to get to a tire shop before I got a flat. I then promptly went back to RFTs. You could go non-RFT and carry around of the BMW mobility kits but personally I would just get 16" wheels and tires. They will also cost less in the long run, plus I'm sure you can sell your current tires and wheels as @chrunk above suggested.

 

Try upping the pressure in the run flats. I have 16" continental run flats and the stock pressure is 30's, max on the sidewall is 51. If I run the fronts at 45 and rears at 43 the ride is a lot less harsh. If my head starts slamming into the headrest I know the tires need a little more air (they're back to 30's after dealer visit for example) Go figure.

 

All very helpful, thank you! Going to try the RE960's I think.

 

We just put Michelin pilot sport A/S 3's on our car and it drives like a different vehicle. The road noise is almost gone and the ride is darn near "plush" compared to the run flats with 54k miles on them. We have standard suspension and 16"s.

I'd sell what you have and get a set of OEM 16's and new tires.

 

First, where does the OP live? If he doesn't have to deal with cold winter weather, he has lots more options.

I've got a 2010 MCS and replaced the suspension first thing. TSW springs, Koni sports, and the H-Sport rear bar. The ride, (even with RFT's) was noticeably better. When I wore out the stock RFT's I replaced them with Dunlop star specs. After 8K miles, even the ride was great, the road noise was unbearable. I thought there was something wrong with the transmission. I changed the tires on the advice of the Mini shop foreman... Michelin Pilot super sports... Not the all seasons. Ride didn't change much, but noise is gone. For the winter I have another set of 16" wheels with 195-55-16 snow tires. (Mich Pilot Alpins...)

IMO, the stock suspension pretty much sucks. Not enough spring, the shocks are cheap... The stock RFT's aren't that bad, but they sure do give up grip over good non rft's.


So... Change the suspension. FSD's if you are going to keep the stock springs, or Koni yellow's if you want to slightly lower the car. It really, really needs a rear anti roll bar.

 

I second this tire recommendation. I went with the Potenzas also and the ride is MUCH better. Otherwise, yeah, its a short wheelbase car, and stiff suspension if you have the sport package. Plus, RFT's will give a harsher ride no doubt. I live in Chicago and our roads are for **** and its a teeth chattering ride but the joy of driving the car outweighs that for me.

 

I recently switched to non-runflats on my 2010 MCS after the original tires wore down enough that I didn't feel too guilty. Shortly after that I swapped out the shocks for Koni FSD. Both changes improved the ride comfort, but the tires were a bigger contributor.

I wish I had switched the tires when the car was new. Selling them then would have recovered most of the cost of the replacements and I would have had 3 yrs of improved comfort.

 

I installed ST coils on my car with about 50k miles.. I drive them with run flats for 10k miles and the ride was pretty bad but not completely unbearable. Just last week I replaced the tires with Michelin pilot sport all seasons and the change in ride was very noticeable.
Changing the tires or going with fsd's will both improve your ride, picking which will help more I can't say for sure but I would switch the tires as that will help with ride and sound, and you can get something that handles a little better than our run-flats

 

Both you guys just sealed my decision .
I'll do the tires first and then the Koni

 

I read a bunch of reviews and plenty of people said that once you switch out from runflat it's a drastic difference. I went from the runflats to the suspension setup in my sig. I noticed a better ride quality but the card didn't become a caddy; nor do I want it to be.

 

When my 16" RFT's wore down, they were replaced with non-RFT's - still 16". Major improvement in ride / noise! Next suspension upgrade was a Hotchkis rear anti-sway bar. Big improvement in cornering! Last change was Koni FSD's. Almost no change! This at about 65K miles on the OEM shocks. I've built a "sleeper" --- for as much as a Mini can pass as such, so the springs and tire size are OEM to retain stock height --- no lowering.

As most posts imply, go with tires first, then enjoy!

 

Seriously? I think you've got that backwards: tires are much firmer with high pressure than with low, unless the pressure is so low that you're riding on the rims (which can't happen with run-flats, anyway).

See what TireRack has to say: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=1
I found the ride on my run-flats improved (a little) after I lowered the pressure a few pounds from stock.

Anyway, my MCS with 16" run-flats and sport suspension rides pretty harsh, so I'll be switching to non-run-flats at my next tire change. By most accounts that will make a nice improvement.

/Seabeast

 

You're correct that runflats can not ride on the rims. However, when they ride on the stiff sidewalls due to low pressure they ride more hashly than when inflated. I suspect the optimum pressure for ride depends a lot on the make and model of tire and type of suspension on the car.

 

Interesting, I guess that does make sense.

If sidewalls are harsher than a 40+ psi tire, then that is another strong indicator that non-run-flat tires would have a gentler ride.

/Seabeast

 

For any MCS owner that finds OEM suspension (any) and OEM runflats (any) too harsh for street use-

First look at your roads- are they smooth or poor with potholes and ruts. You cannot change your roads so if you have very poor roads you really need to be more aggresive in softening the ride.

Next look at your weather conditions- are you in a warm, wet, or snowy area?
If only warm and dry or wet, then Summer tires will be OK, if it gets cold or you have some snow then you need All Season tires.

If you are looking at All Season tires then try Ultra High Performance All Season tires first and check sizes that will fit. 215/45-17 and 205/45-17 are common for 17" rims and 205/50-16 and 205/55-16 for non runflats are common for 16" rims.

Summer tires vary in sizes but the better ride comfort will come with taller sidewalls that are less stiff. Tire models may also be a factor to allow for more comfort, Continental ExtremeContact DW/DWS and Michelin Pilot Super Sport are leaders in ride comfort (relative to their classes).

Runflats- some owners need to keep their runflats, if so then look at the Bridgestone RE960AS and others that may offer OEM sizes and more ride comfort.

I'd change tires before suspension, see how you do, reduce air in tires if needed. Then if ride stiffness is still too harsh then look at suspension. Koni FSD are a shock upgrade to be used with OEM springs and can be a costly upgrade. Anti swaybar upgrades will affect handling in corners but not ride comfort.

If you can try asking around for a test ride in another MINI with the tire and suspension you are considering.

OEM sport suspension is a little stiffer than the standard form but close.

18" runflats are about as stiff riding as 17" runflats for most people.

The more people in the MINI the more bumpy the ride can get so if you drive with 2 or more people all the time, do your test drive with that many in the car.

Above all, have fun with your MINI.