R59 :: Roadster Talk (2012+) MINI Roadster (R59) discussion

R59 Run flat or regular all season tires?

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Old Aug 21, 2025 | 11:17 AM
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Run flat or regular all season tires?

I’m curious what tires you all have. Currently have I run flats that came with my 2013 r59 roadster but they are worn. I would like to have all season run flats. My husband has recommended that we get regular Hankook winter tires then switch to summer tires. It seems unnecessary since I don’t drive that much.
I’m not sure what would be best for me.

Little back story on me: I have fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid arthritis so I don’t drive all that much.
I always wanted a convertible but settled for a suv or all wheel drive. I live in a mountain community so roads can be a bit bumpy. I got my car to use as a “fun car”. The most I drive is to the grocery store or doctor appointments.

 
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Old Aug 21, 2025 | 11:24 AM
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Never runflats for me.
I had RFTs on my 2015 Mercedes. Hard, uncomfortable ride, and wore shockingly quickly. On the wear bars in 16k miles of normal [non-aggressive] driving.

Went to non-RTFs, better ride, more grip, and cheaper for a set of 4.
Had both Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ and Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS, both were great.
They've been superseded by the AS4 & 980AS+, respectively.
 
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Old Aug 25, 2025 | 06:17 PM
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The reason they put run flat on these cars is their way to go around the lack of spare tire. Truce be told, run flat makes the roadster feel every bump. The roadster is already the stiffest chassis. Put Run Flats and it's a bit of an annoyance.
I recently replaced the Michelin Pilot AS 3+ with AS 4. The AS3 were shot. I very much like the AS4. Hard to tell if they are better since going from old to new tires is night and day.
I've had the Michelin Pilote Super Sport before but despite being really fun tires to drive with, they wear unevenly interior to exterior (due to different tire compounds and rear camber on limited tire width) so it was a waste of money and stopped doing that.
We also have a set of wheel and winter tires. It helps longevity on the all season and satisfy our winter safety needs during the coldest month.

For mountain driving if you can't have two sets (winter and summer) the AS4 is a really nice choice.
It's not the top tire for winter but they're still good.

The next in line and less expensive would be the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 plus. Very well rated as well. I don't have experience with those.
Supposedly they're better in snow but not as supple as the Michelin. And again I think for the roadster I like something a little smoother :p


BTW. Nice wheels. Of all wheel style this one remains my favorite. I got the OEM version. They are not as nice as the similar style I have on an other car but still happy with them
My favorite wheels of all time would be HRE P40 but they don't make them for our Minis, Ha ha...
 

Last edited by TG.; Aug 26, 2025 at 03:06 PM.
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Old Aug 25, 2025 | 07:17 PM
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When I got my R59, the seller had put on new Bridgestone runflats. I'm too cheap to change out tires with this much life left, but as the OPs have said, the ride from non-RFs is a world better. You can build a repair kit, but if you're driving short distances, get a AAA card.
 

Last edited by hoonu; Aug 29, 2025 at 09:22 PM.
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Old Aug 25, 2025 | 07:18 PM
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I always kept a plug kit in the car, even cars I've had with a spare.
My new FiST has a nearly full size spare, so that's a plus.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2025 | 07:22 PM
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I meant to add... if you get creative you can always have fun.
A little project I did a few years ago for long trips. It still works though the cover isn't as clean as it use to :p



 
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Old Aug 28, 2025 | 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by TG.
The reason they put run flat on these cars is their way to go around the lack of spare tire. Truce be told, run flat makes the roadster feel every bump. The roadster is already the stiffest chassis. Put Run Flats and it's a bit of an annoyance.
I recently replaced the Michelin Pilot AS 3+ with AS 4. The AS3 were shot. I very much like the AS4. Hard to tell if they are better since going from old to new tires is night and day.
I've had the Michelin Pilote Super Sport before but despite being really fun tires to drive with, they wear unevenly interior to exterior (due to different tire compounds and rear camber on limited tire width) so it was a waste of money and stopped doing that.
We also have a set of wheel and winter tires. It helps longevity on the all season and satisfy our winter safety needs during the coldest month.

For mountain driving if you can't have two sets (winter and summer) the AS4 is a really nice choice.
It's not the top tire for winter but they're still good.

The next in line and less expensive would be the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 plus. Very well rated as well. I don't have experience with those.
Supposedly they're better in snow but not as supple as the Michelin. And again I think for the roadster I like something a little smoother :p


BTW. Nice wheels. Of all wheel style this one remains my favorite. I got the OEM version. They are not as nice as the similar style I have on an other car but still happy with them
My favorite wheels of all time would be HRE P40 but they don't make them for our Minis, Ha ha...
Originally Posted by TG.
I meant to add... if you get creative you can always have fun.
A little project I did a few years ago for long trips. It still works though the cover isn't as clean as it use to :p


Love it!! Very creative!
Thank you for your help
I really appreciate it!
 
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Old Aug 28, 2025 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by JAMADOR
Never runflats for me.
I had RFTs on my 2015 Mercedes. Hard, uncomfortable ride, and wore shockingly quickly. On the wear bars in 16k miles of normal [non-aggressive] driving.

Went to non-RTFs, better ride, more grip, and cheaper for a set of 4.
Had both Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ and Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS, both were great.
They've been superseded by the AS4 & 980AS+, respectively.

Thank you so much for your help!
 
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Old Aug 28, 2025 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by JAMADOR
I always kept a plug kit in the car, even cars I've had with a spare.
My new FiST has a nearly full size spare, so that's a plus.

Good idea! Hadn’t thought about a plug kit.
I appreciate the help.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2025 | 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by hoonu
When I got mh R59, the seller had put on new Bridgestone runflats. I'm too cheap to change out tires with this much life left, but as the OPs have said, the ride from non-RFs is a world better. You can build a repair kit, but if you're driving short distances, get a AAA card.
I have had Geico for years and they have been great with roadside assistance. But will definitely be purchasing a repair kit.
Thank you for your help!
 
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Old Aug 29, 2025 | 09:24 PM
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I have a plug kit, and will probably get another portable inflator, but I'm missing a jack in the Roadster.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2025 | 11:28 PM
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Roadster don't have a spare tires but do have a jack. Unless yours is just missing, it should be under the panel inside the trunk.

Plugs are good to have. I have had a set ready for a long time. But in all honesty a tire is very hard to plug. Rubber get be darn touch to go through. Just a heads up.
In addition to plug something we have with us at all time behind the passenger seat is an inflator with Slime.We never have need it but it's a piece of mind. And it's nice to have an inflator on hand any way.


 
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Old Aug 30, 2025 | 03:34 AM
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I used to go winter / summer too. Two sets of wheels with Blizzaks on one and Falkens on the other.

No more - there isn't enough snowfall around Cape Anne to justify all that.

I now run just one set of all-weather tires - the Continental DWS 06+.

They work very well indeed, so no regrets. Much nicer than run-flats I assure you!

Cheers,

Charlie
 
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Old Aug 30, 2025 | 06:58 AM
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First mod for many on this board is to jettison the run-flats...
 
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Old Aug 30, 2025 | 07:35 AM
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Originally Posted by veggivet
First mod for many on this board is to jettison the run-flats...
Ha ha!
 
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Old Aug 30, 2025 | 07:45 AM
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No joke! I know someone who had the dealership remove the run-flats from his brand new car before he took delivery. He then sold the run-flats as 'new' and came out way ahead, both monetarily and with respect to ride quality.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2025 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by veggivet
No joke! I know someone who had the dealership remove the run-flats from his brand new car before he took delivery. He then sold the run-flats as 'new' and came out way ahead, both monetarily and with respect to ride quality.
Interesting method if you don't mind the complexity, and if you can push the dealership to do it for free
 
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Old Aug 31, 2025 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by TG.
Roadster don't have a spare tires but do have a jack. Unless yours is just missing, it should be under the panel inside the trunk.
Well, ain't I stoopid! There it is. I probably discovered that when I got the car. The chock is missing but the jack and lug wrench are there.

Plugs are good to have. I have had a set ready for a long time. But in all honesty a tire is very hard to plug. Rubber get be darn touch to go through. Just a heads up.
In addition to plug something we have with us at all time behind the passenger seat is an inflator with Slime.We never have need it but it's a piece of mind. And it's nice to have an inflator on hand any way.
You're absolutely right. I've done it on motorcycles, and it's not that tough. Unless you can get the wheel off, accessing whatever made the hole (and removing it) and then trying to "ream" the hole as the plug maker recommends is bad enough, but stuffing the plug through will use up several days' worth of profanity. The plugs are supposed to be lubricated, but when I tried to do it last year on another car, belly down in the driveway at night...I ended up utilizing the runflat to get to the tire shop.
 
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Old Aug 31, 2025 | 11:05 AM
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I've got a relatively cheap plug kit from one of the chain auto parts stores.
Came with the plug tool, some plug snakes & the hole reamer.
I added a small vise grip plier to pull the offending debris & have an Airmoto pump in the glovebox.

Definitely a lot easier if you can take the wheel off.
 
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