I like pretty much everything on my new-to-me 2012 except the run flats...

2 Qs: is the suspension designed with runflats in mind and therefore not optimal if I switch to real tires ?
I heard the latest run flats are actually not 1/2 as bad as they used to be, almost tolerable now. Any experience with a specific brand ? Thx !!

 

No problem moving to the non-RFT's. As for a new generation of RFT, haven't read anything on that..

 

The Continental run flats that came on my 2012 were awful: they rode like rocks. I replaced them with the Bridgestone Potenza run flats. They still don't give as good of a ride as regular tires, but they're way better than the Contis.

 

I have no personal experience with runflats and everyone on this forum seems to dislike them however I've spoken to several car enthusiasts who love them.

I'd personally go with non runflats and spend the extra cash on a great set Michelins.

 

Same as Gubi. Mini came with Continentals, I replaced them with Bridgestones when I got 3 screws in one tire and another 2 were bald, those went bald in kess than 2 years. Now I'm running Pirelli P-Zero non RFT's and they're the best tires I've had on the car so far. Just carry a tire plug kit with you.

 

The MINI comes standard in the UK with non-runflat tires. Any base MINI with 15" wheels comes standard with non-runflat tires in the US.

Bridgestone Driveguard runflats are the best yet for improved ride.

Runflats have super stiff sidewalls to support the car's weight in the event of loss of air pressure. This causes them to ride harsh and wear faster. It also gives a MINI the so-called go-kart handling. Non-runflats will respond less quickly to steering input due to having softer (more flexible) sidewalls.

My personal experience with switching from Continental ContiProContact runflats to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires is here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hing-well.html

 

+1 Good explanation.

 

I have to buy tires soon and I have the ContiPro RFTs and they are stupid expensive. I'll check out the Michelin Pilot ones thanks

 

The newer BF Goodrich Comp-2 A/S also looks good at considerably less expense.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e+COMP-2+A%2FS

Kuhmo Ecsta PA31 is an extraordinary value.

Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 is the ride and light snow handling king.

Check out the many tire threads here on NAM.

 

I just got Bridgestone Driveguard runflats to replace whatever the stock Conti non runflats on my 12 Justa. Went from 175/65-15 to 190/60-15 (as the Driveguard doesnt come in the smaller size) and I honestly cant tell the difference in ride or handling after 4000 miles.

 

Ditch the runflats. Period. Better handling, less road noise, better tire life. Rotate the tires like a normal car (many Mini dealers don't include as part of routine maintenance). The only reason for the runflats is the absence of a spare. Carry an inflator and tire repair (plug) kit and you'll have equal or better options to get to shop after a flat.

 

These Driveguards ride softer than the Dunlop Wintersports RF I have on the Mini for winter and I really cant tell the difference from the stock non RF Conti all seasons. Wife wants RF, she had a flat once late night on the tollway when it was zero deg F. Not going through that again.

If I want "fun" I take out my WRX! Which I shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sports for this summer! Much better than the Bridgestone RE050s I had for few years. At least no tramlining when new.

 

Wife wants RF, she had a flat once late night on the tollway when it was zero deg F. Not going through that again.

AMEN!!!!!

sometimes one must consider the 'other half' !!!!!!

how would your other half, or child, be with using slime/plug kit and small pump at night on the turnpike?

If I can give them a tire that let's 'em drive OFF the highway to a gas station or McyD's and CALL ME ..... I'm ALL IN.

RF's offer many advantages in terms of security and safety . . .

(and most folks who think non r/f sports are better .. simply find they are softer and then ask about stronger sway bars or springs .....)

 

Yep, you nailed it. If it were my car, I might go with standard tires for better overall handling. This is the car my wife drives, though, and the runflats have saved her butt at least twice.

Anyway, we're still pretty happy with the runflat Brigestones. They're not as good as non-runflat tires, but they ride much better than the crap Contis that came with the car.

 

If they're coming out with some type of "new generation" RF, that would be nice. I haven't seen anything like that yet.
I like the safety and security of the RF's for my wife's Mini, especially in winter.
She liked the feel of the Non RF summer tires on my Mini, so she wanted the same on hers. She still has the Mini Roadside, AAA, and me, so she says she's good for the summers being Non RF's. I compromised.
Winter tires are still RF's for both vehicles.

 

Here's what happened to a friend way back when in his '03 MCS: hit a rebar that put a hole in the tire and in the rim. No patch kit or fix a flat would have helped. He was still able to drive home on the RFs. Having said that, my summer tires are now non-RFs and I carry patch kit and fixaflat - my own risk. In winter time I use studless winter runflats. Cause I would not want to mess with a flat in snow and ice or at -20.

 

I can tell you that when we had a 2012 MCS the run flat ride was the worst ever. On my new 2016 the ride is way better. Actually the run flats are smoother than my RE71R AX tires.

 

Though that could be the suspension difference between the R (stiffer) and F (softer). Have you compared RFs to non-RFs on the F?

 

I have compared older RF's on a 12 MCS to newer RF's on a 16 JCW as well as non RF's (Bridgestone RE71's) on the 16 JCW. Not that scientific but the RF's on the 16 are the best ride and the non RF's are the worst from ride quality.

 

But then of course non-runflats come in a wide range of sidewall stiffness. RE-71r are disguised competition tires. Ironically, Bridgestone also makes the Driveguard which is the best riding runflat. The F is known to have a more compliant suspension.

 

With RFTs the profile is everything. Of course, they are improving the ride with each new model, but a UHP 45 series RFT is going to be much harsher than a Touring 55 series. I honestly (though they only have 200 miles on them) like the ride and handling of the standard 16" RFTs on our 2016 MCC, but the runflats on the 17" '08 MCCS were unbearable. Went to Mich PS A/S, first gen, which rode much better and handled great, but after only 20k miles, they scalloped bad in the front (with regular rotation, and an alignment check just evened out the faster wear) and I replaced them with Mich Premier A/S, and the ride is phenomenal and after 5k miles, look brand new still. I think suspension improvements related to RFTs also have helped.

 

Some background info on run flats:

http://new.minimania.com/Are_Run_Flat_tires_Running_out

http://new.minimania.com/MINI_Cooper...res__Explained

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.