I have 2012 Mini cooper S, Recently I bought Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport tire (size:195/55R16) from tire rack. it's regular non-run-flat tire. and have Pep boys installed and did alignment. tire pressure is still standard 33psi that was marked on the door. However now the car's handling is completely different. I don't get sharp turn feeling and stiff handling anymore. when I turn, I can feel the car body rolling around. Is that because of the non-run-flat tire or did they mass up the alignment?

 

Did you replace all 4 tires? If not, it won't handle correctly..

 

When I replaced my run flats with non run flats I could tell I was feeling the side wall of the tire flexing more than the run flats. That may be what you are experiencing.

 

+1. Run flats have stiffer sidewalls, but trust me you made the right decision. You'll get use to it, unless you want to get a bigger rear sway bar. I'm told that will help your handling, that's on my list as well

 

Thank you, the softer side wall make sense, do you think it would be make it better by increasing air pressure? default is 33psi.

 

Put a few hundred miles on the new tires to scrub them in. The increased traction will bring back some of that "snapiness". Then, if you still remember the way it used to be, try 35 psi for a while and see how that goes. The new tires have a lot more traction for turns because they will flex with the road surface more to keep in contact, but that first instant of turning is different - more like a "normal" sports car now is how I like to describe it, rather than a go-kart.

 

Thanks, make me feel relieved, initially I thought the alignment was massed up.

 

New tires take a bit to break in....
After a few days, you will notice you actually have MORE GRIP and a better ride with a comparable tire to your old runflats.. ..a stiff ride does not mean better handling or better grip (if this was true wagons would be great!!). Lol.
Remember...you are going from a worn tire...basicly a racing slick (if worn to 2/32) and going to a new tire with 6 -10/32th of rubber or more....so even if you replaced the tires with the SAME EXACT type you removed, the feel would still be different....akin to putting on thicker gloves....
But most every person who has made the switch likes it...let's face it..at $229 or so per runflats...you can spend $100 less each, and still get s pretty decent tire as you found firsthand!!

 

yeah, cost and reliability are the main reason for me switching to non-run-flat. the replaced run flat tire only last 20k miles.

what do you guys do for flat tire since there's no spare tire? call tow truck?

 

Yup I have the MINI Roadside assistance for a couple years. My insurance also has roadside assistance, so I'm not too concerned.

About the tires, don't worry, you made the right decision. Keep it at 33psi, no need to mess with it. The ultra stiff sidewall of the run-flats made turn in 'feel' a little crisper. You'll notice it at low speeds, like when you're parking. You'll get used to it quickly. Enjoy the increased comfort and overall handling!

 

Massive improvement! The first thing I did, was to ditch the run flats…. I sold them for 500 bucks, and started rebuilding the suspension. When I have a problem- which I haven't- I just call AAA!

 

In case of a flat I have a plug kit, slime ( I don't have sensors ) and a very very small compressor, on long trips or short trips out of town I carry a space saver spare tire that I got for 15.00 bucks on CL put in the boot or behind my seat, if non of that works then roadside assist will do.

 

Most folks carry a 12v pump, a plug kit like the "dynaplug" and USUSLLY slime....between those, everything but a sidewall failure is covered.....
Then AAA membership (or your insurance companies plan) as a backup....
Let's face it....
With a quality tire, flats are rare....
Heck the last 2 rental cars I used had a repair kit...but no spare....becoming very common.

 

I bought my Mini used and a few days later was amazed to find that I have a spare tire hidden underneath! Yes, it had runflats on it when new, and when I got it so I am totally happy the original owner added that pricey option when ordering. The cover over it has a piping system so that you can air up the spare quite easily without having to drag yourself under the car or removing it.

 

It wasn't an option. The non-S MINIs have always had spares hidden underneath, they way pickup trucks do. I had one on my 2006 (that came with runflats) and again on my 2010 (without runflats). The S models do not have spares due to the location of the center exhaust (and the battery in the first gen cars). Not sure about the inflation system on yours. Sounds like something custom that was added later.

 

Do you have to change the rims when you get rid of the run-flats? I bought my Mini with 18in Rims with run flats. I would like to keep these rims.

 

Nope, you can keep your rims they have nothing to do with it

 

+1
The runflats type mini uses mounts on a standard rim!!
All coopers have a spare....the standard size for those cars is a 15 conventional tire...
The optional rims are 16, 17, and even 18 inches that are runflats because they are also options on the S (so only one set needs to be stocked at the factory...you would instantly double the number of tire/rim combo's if the s and just-a had different tires on the same rims).

 

I did not know all the non-S models had spares, I guess a few that I have seen in parking lots have had theirs removed. Anyway, I found a picture of that inflating tube,... looks standard to me? The bottom right picture shows that tube routed around the spare to the inflation valve. Oh, glad you mentioned it, while researching it I found it is supposed to be at 60psi, and I know it only has 36psi right now! As far as I can tell, this type of spare does not have the TPMS monitor in it.


http://new.minimania.com/images_temp...01nmk7200b.jpg

 

I'm not sure how they determine the correct PSI printed in the door jamb, but mine is a 2012 like the OP, and my car states 38 PSI as confirmed with dealer. I replaced my runflats with Michelin PSS a year ago and the improvement was immediate in every measureable way at the same PSI.

OP, I'm not suggesting you are wrong but the 33 PSI you quoted seems pretty low and would seem to cause the symptoms you mentioned. Just a thought, good luck!

Side note, the Michelin PSS are amazing tires but will only last less than 10k miles.

 

That is good news for me. I was told run flats had to be used with special rims. This will be a saving for me since I do not have to replace the rims. The next question is...will the TPMS work?

 

Side note, the Michelin PSS are amazing tires but will only last less than 10k miles.[/QUOTE]

Wait a minute. I read in earlier post by OP that run flats last 20K miles but these Michelin PSS last only 10K miles. Wouldn't that mean you will spend about the same amount of money? Then the only gain would be ride comfort, correct?

I just got the Mini 4 month ago so still new to these stuff. Please excuse my newbieness.

 

Installers don't like run flats, they are a pain to work on ( take them off the rims etc..) due to their stiff sidewall, at least that's what they told me when I was getting rid of them. TPMS will work still they have nothing to do with the tire. But keep in mind that using fix a flat could damage the sensors. So I'm told lol

 

My 2008 states 33 psi for 16" wheels on the door sticker, interesting. The OP has 16" wheels, is/was yours 17" originally?

 

@matt12mcs: My runflats lasted about 15k, my current PSS will be gone in under 10k. The saving grace is that the PSS have a 30k treadlife warranty, meaning since I only got 1/3 of the rated wear, my next set will be prorated 2/3 off. So not really too bad... Note that I mainly commute in my car and do zero track or autocrossing.

@rockaz: you are probably right, didn't take a size difference into account. I have the 17" challenge spokes on my 2012.

Cheers
j