Hi all,
I just bought a 2010 clubman S which need new tires. It currently has run flats which I have no experience with.

Other than the fact run flats ride a bit harsh, is there anything stopping me from putting on non-run flats..is there space for a spare, jack etc..anything basic I should know about them?

any info on the differences/ issues would be great

thanks
Derek

 

Welcome to the MINI world,

S stands for Cooper S which only comes with runflats usually 16" or 17". There is no jack or spare tire. The Base Cooper has a spare.

Most tire shops and big box stores will not sell you non runflat tires for your Clubman S since it came with runflats. But some will sell you non runflats if you can show you have a spare wheel and tire in the car at the time you bring it in that demonstrates (to them) that you have a usable spare. You can borrow a wheel/tire and put it into a garbage bag and put it in the car (my Costco requires this).

Even if you had a Clubman S with non runflats on it already, some shops won't replace it with anything but runflats.

Runflat tires are much improved over the years since the first MINIs arrived, but they are stiff riding and somewhat costly. If you really need the safety of not having to change or fix a flat tire in bad weather or on busy roads then something like Bridgestone Driveguard (Grand Touring All Season runflat) is not bad. Rough cost $130 per tire.

If good handling is important then in Ultra High Perf All Season tires there is the Bridgestone RE960AS runflat from $127 up.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=164

Otherwise using non runflats is fine for the Clubman S and you just have to know what to do if you get a flat tire.

 

I understand that Costco will not replace run flats with anything but run flats, but most other tire places don't mind.

There is room for a space saver spare in a Clubman, in a well between the mufflers. My 2010 came with a jack but no spare, it was in that subbasement, under the storage space in the back. You can get a space saver spare cheap at a wrecking yard.

 

thanks guys,

(its actually my wife's car that we just bought)

totally forgot that fact that there is NO spare, and hence would need to buy a 5th tire + wheel, doh!..I was only thinking about the space to put it, and the non-presence of a jack!

So in general, have most drives ditched the run flats? and if so do you carry and spare?..is it even possible to jack up the car to replace a wheel

Her driving is mostly freeway, mix of wet and dry, and drives mostly conservatively..although that may now change in her new MINI !

Its seems the Michelin pilot sport AS3 and premier AS are popular suggestions among the non flats for a balance of performance and tread wear.

 

I still have my run flats, but they are due to be replaced. I will get Continental DWS tires as replacements.

 

Yes, Pilot Sport AS3 is better for handling while Premier AS is better for ride quality, both are premium priced.

You can carry a compact spare tire and wheel in a bag, read your manual to check for a scissors jack and lug tool but women aren't likely to do a wheel change for a flat in traffic, at night, or in bad weather.

If the primary driver needs to be kept safe then:
Use runflats
get a AAA membership with towing
Carry a compact spare and have a AAA membership to do the wheel change
Carry fix a flat and know how to use it.

Each tire shop has it's own policy on handling (mount and balance) of runflats and whether to require them if they came OEM or not.

 

thanks guys
well I just checked the car and it has 205/45/17 run flats, dunlop SP Sport.

and I see that there is a rounded space to hold a spare tire, (that looks like thats what its intended for) under the trunk base along with a jack and tire iron. While thats great for a spare, it seems odd that its there if the car was built with run flats as standard.

so other than having to buy a spare wheel and 5th tire, I could go either way then?..run flats or or non run flats

and yes, she's not going to be changing it by herself, (AAA would be called)

 

that would be for a compact doughnut spare.

think this through. With no spare AAA will tow you to a shop where it may take a day or two to order a proper replacement tire. This may be ok for a strictly local use commuter car, but if you are traveling it could be a real problem.

 

This is for your wife where AAA would get the call so I agree with the runflat route.

With non-runflats I have found that all shops except for the dealer will install them, even Costco. So it might depend on where you live. Lately all my tires have come from TireRack.com and they just require you to acknowledge the risk when purchasing.

I run non-runflats and carry a flat tire kit that consists of slime (doesn't damage the sensors), plugs, and a high volume air pump.

Griots garage sells a good all inclusive kit in a nice bag that can hold other emergency supplies as well.
Griots GarageTire Repair Kit

Slime sells a more compact kit as well.
Slime Power Spare 48 Piece Repair Kit

 

Runflats wore at around 25k miles and replaced them with non runflats with no questions asked. Purchased a plug/ aircompressor kit to augment the lack of a spare. Did soon realize that finding a leak and plugging it at night in a rain storm was not a viable alternative. So I added a latex tire sealant called tyreshield for additonal security only to discover if a valve stem fails, which it did, the sealant barely allowed us to limp for an hour to render a repair since roadside assistance was three hour wait on a 103 degree Sunday in the Bible Belt. To preclude a deja vu, I then immediately purchased a new donut spare and scissors jack which is now permanent onboard equipment. Yes I will gladly trade the expense and space of the donut spare for the peace of mind of never repeating that "adventure".

 

so what size wheel/tire can this be?
its generally for commuting.

if its running non run flats and she gets a puncture and is towed to a shop, surely they can simply plug the puncture? ...and i could have a spare tire at home to be installed the next day,

stupid question possibly, but what happens to a run flat if its punctured, new tire?

 

what happens to a run flat if its punctured, new tire?


Well, just like the "you can't replace runflats with non rf's" issue, you'll get different answers on this from what people have experienced.

TECHNICALLY a runflat is just as repairable as a non. I've plugged 'em and run many many miles with no problems

BUT many places WON"T patch/plug 'em BECAUSE

Like any tire, if you run it "flat" you put a bunch of stress on the sidewall. A regular tire is crapped out after less than a mile ... the tire can not be repaired cuz the sidewall is compromised - and it usually shows so there's no arguement. The rf's we use are nothing more than tires with VERY STRONG sidewalls and so the tire can "run flat" but there is a problem: running flat STILL damages the sidewall and there is virtually no way to know how many miles the tire was driven "flat". The "book" says they are good for 50 miles . . SOOOOOO most places won't touch a repair for liability issues.

When I find a nail in my runflat and I KNOW it has never "run flat" cuz the pressure is good, I feel very safe plugging the tire .... I do it myself. (I use DYNAPLUG)

btw I know person who drove a runflat nearly 1000 miles 'flat' ..... they can be quite resilient! (I do not recommend this ... his TPMS activated on his GEN1 ... he looked at the tires and none looked flat so he reset the old style TPS and continued his vacation. When he got home he took the car in for service and mentioned it to the dealer ... SURPRISE)

I'm actually a fan of runflats for some situations .... wife and daughter's cars in particular. If I can avoid their needing to change a tire on the side of the highway at night I'm ALL for it. Are they gonna use SLIME and a pump in this situation? What if AAA says, be there in an hour ? I pick r/f's. Do they ride harder than non's ... YEP. But so do any low profile tire vs a taller one ... and a stiffer sway bar or shocks or coilovers . . . a performance set up is gonna 'transmit every bump' IMO & E

 

Thanks guys,
so I'll go with the run flats for her.

For suggestions, I have so far from you guys
1. Bridgestone Driveguard (Grand Touring All Season), toward the comfort side

2. Bridgestone RE960AS (Ultra High Perf All Season) , toward the better hand
ling side

Any other suggestions.....checking with costco now.

 

Online costco does not show any runflats in your size but they may be able to order runflats if you ask for them.

Two other Grand Touring All Season runflats in 205/45-17

Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season RFT $233.87 each 500 treadwear
Continental ContiProContact SSR $234.75 each 400 treadwear.

Driveguards are on special at tirerack now for $536.80 a set of four tires.

 

From my point of view, the average motorist isn't going to perceive the supposed negatives of run flats. I have the Pirelli Cinturato All seasons and the Studless winter version as well. Both sets of tires serve me well. The ALL4 is pretty noisy on the highway with either tire, then again our Golf with non run flats is just as noisy.

When I need new tires I'll probably stick with the run flats as I'm not driving at the maximum limits of the roads.

 

thanks guys,
yes, costco will order them for me, as they actually don't keep them in stock.

Also the bridgestones are on sale next week in costco as well.

 

My wife got 52K out of the original conti runflats.

At that point I went to a couple of local tire store for prices on non rf's.
Long story short I just bought the Bridgestone Driveguards from Americas Tire.