So my friend Pete Foglia from MyMini (Now MinSpeed) just took delivery this week of a base spec 2007 R56 MCS (SS/SS) so the first thing he did was to swap the factory 16" tires and rims with some aftermarket (very nice I might add) 17" tires and custom rims. His new MINI purchase could not come at a better time since my OEM Dunlop SP5000 runflats were nearing the end of their useful life after 23K+ uneventful miles since taking delivery of my '05 MCS 2 years ago.

I was actively looking for take off runflat replacements, so as soon as Pete learned of search, he offered to sell me just the tires that came with his R56 MCS (he kept the stock rims).

Today I drove up to his shop in Pompano Beach and finally did the tire swap. The R56 MINI now comes fitted with second generation runflat tire technology which is simple a HUGE improvement over the 1st generation runflats that have been offered in new MINIs since 2002.

Well the tires went in, nicely balanced and then took out the car for a spin around the block As soon as I started motoring WOW! these tires are absolutely FANTASTIC First the ride quality in my R53 MCS improved DRAMATICALLY. I am not making this up! It went from buckboard to ...you guess it! a R56 type ride! These new 2nd gen runflats feel as good as any non-runflat radial tire....comfy and QUIET. Absolutely no comparison to the Dunlop SP5000 all season runflats that originally came with my car

The handling is improved too. Very sharp and precise steering response

I am very, very pleased so far. These second gen Goodyear Excellence Run-On-Flat tires are simply amazing We'll see how they wear in comparison to the old Dunlops, but I can tell you that my stock R53 now has the ride quality of the R56 (or very close to) with the steering sharpness of the R53.

Probably I will get some flames for saying this, but I venture to say that the improvements in ride quality in the new R56 are in great part due to the 2nd gen runflats these cars are being fitted at the factory.

So there you go. Probably my '05 R53 is one of the very first "old" MCS in the country riding on R56 MCS 16" runflat take-offs

Highly recommended. Pics to follow

 

But when are these going to be available from vendors? These are the first runflats that might start approaching nonrunflat ride quality and grip, but so far they're unobtainable except on a new car.

I spoke to a Goodyear rep a couple of months ago, and he hadn't even heard of them. Apparently Goodyear China, Goodyear USA, Goodyear Germany, etc (where the Excellence runonflats--they changed the name from fron runflats to runonflats now) share a name, but thats about it--they're pretty much seperate companies.

I'd love to get these in all seasons as my everyday tire...

 

cct1, these tires as I said are absolutely fantastic. The difference between them and 1st generation runflats is like night and day! I was lucky that my friend specced a basic R56 MCS and upon receiving the car, he wanted to swap the tires right away. He even was impressed on how smooth and well controlled these new 2nd gen runflats are.

If you were to take a ride and drive my '05 R53 you would not believe the difference in ride quality and handling. i am still blown away and I suspect these babies will get better as I rack up the miles. Threadwear life should be a huge improvement over 1st gen runflats because these tires have less rolling resistance thus providing better fuel economy.

When I had my OEM Dunlop SP5000 I used to feel EVERY single road imperfection. Not with these new Goodyear Excellence RunOnFlats. Now I am even questionning claims that the R53 suspension is simply unsuited for runflats and harsh riding by default. I think the culprit has been the 1st gen runflats all along!

With these new runflats, there is very little incentive to fit ordinary radials and risk a tire blowout with no spare onboard. I would say that there is almost no difference in terms of ride quality and handling between the 2nd gen runflats and regular radial tires.

Yes, unfortunately, these are not yet available as standalone replacements, but I am confident that Tirerack will carry them soon in stock. In the mean time, keep your eyes peeled in the "Tires and Wheels for sale" forum and look out for R56 tire takeoffs. I do know of one other future R56 MCS that will put up her 16" Goodyear Excellence runflats for sale upon delivery of her new car.

Do it, you will not regret it!

 

These new Goodyear Excellence RunOnFlat tires are made in Germany per the side wall markings. Apparently, these have been on sale in Europe since March 2005 but have yet not been offered in North America, except as OEM factory fit on new '07 R56 MINIs.

 

Goodyear Excellence RunOnFlat main page:

http://eu.goodyear.com/home_en/tires/runonflat/

 

This is great... except if we cannot get them w/o ordering a new car!!!!

 

Very interesting, though I would also bet that the extra inch of suspension trave on the R56 does help quite a bit too.

You do realize by utilizing R56 technology to make your R53 more comfortable, you're watering down your R53 and making it less hardcore. (just kidding around there, I actually think this is good news all the way around).

 

Yes I know Dave

 

Buy an R56, switch the tires, and return it.
There is a return policy, isn't there?
As long as you keep the receipt everthing should be fine.

 

TireRack lists Goodyear Excellence 195/55/R16 available at $212 each. Not all the information and description of the tire is on the website yet. It is listed as a "Grand Touring All-Season" tire: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....ence+RunOnFlat


There is even a Goodyear F1 GS-D3 RunOnFlat available, but only for 19" wheels. $423-$516 each! I guess price isn't an issue for those people:

 

I only paid $450 for the entire set....

 

I just picked up a set of GY Excellence RoF with S Winders. Not to keen on the S Winders so I'm going to mount the GY on my R84s in the next week or so.

Gotta figure out what to do the S Winders. They weigh in at 16lb 10oz each according to MotorMouth. Not to bad for a 16" wheel.

I'll let you know how the GYs feel on my ole '02 R53.

...Les

 

I have to second this opinion. I put S-Winders with Goodyear Run on Flat from an 07 MCS on my 02 MCS a couple of weeks ago. It literally transformed the driving experience of my car. I didn't know my car was capable of feeling this good. While I'm not crazy about the S-Winders, at $450 for new wheels and tires, they're starting to grow on me. Anyone considering changing over to the next generation of runflats will be totally blown away.

Motor On
MB

 

Could someone please direct me to the second generation runlat for 17-inch wheels? I currently have the Pirelli Eufori@ and I'm not too pleased with the ride!

 

Do the Goodyear runonflats come in 17's?

 

I didn't get Goodyear tires on my '07 MCS, that I picked up 3/17. I ordered the all season tires, and have 16" Continental tires on the vehicle. Are the Goodyear tires "performance" tires?

 

TireRack lists the Goodyear Excellence as "Grand Touring All-Season". Over $200 each!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....ence+RunOnFlat

 

Yep, on the Goodyear website, they do offer a 17" tire. But where to get it??

 

I think the Excellence tires will soon be easy to find. They are being heavily advertised and I see them in TireRack ads in sports car mags. I got my R56 on 3-26-07 in New Mexico and it came with the Excellence in the 195/55-16 size. I like them just fine so far, but I haven't pushed them at all yet. I have no other experience of RF tires and haven't driven an R56 with other RF's, so I can't compare them to anything. But, as I said, just in their terms they are OK tires. I'm glad because I was feeling grumpy about having to get RF tires. Perhaps I have landed on my feet more than I thought possible.

cheers,

Joe

 

Got the GY Excellences onto my R84s and onto the MINI. Tire noise went away, but had this weird vibration at all speeds. Almost like a wheel bearing. Discovered the left rear wheel hub assembly almost completely seized. Replaced that and off we went again for a test ride.

Mmmmmmm......nice and quiet......and no more vibration now. I've got about 300 miles on them now and I am sold. Now let's see how long they last and how long before the tire noise returns. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

...Les

 

Just picked up a set of 4 16" Goodyear "Excellence" tires and wheels that were taken off a new S. The whole package ran me only $450.