hello guys!

A friend of mine is telling me that 30 PSI all rounder is the best thing for handling, just wanna hear from you guys, what is the amount of air your cars got?

thanx ...

 

I'm on the standard MINI recommendations for the tyres I have (17" rim runflats).

 

I found it depends a bit on the tires. The runflats ran best for me at approx. 36-38 psi - my non-runflat BF Goodrich KDW2's are better at 33-34 psi. Not a big difference but noticeable.

 

I vote for 34 psi.

 

Is that all around; any difference for front tires vs. rear tires?

Also, what about autocross pressures?

 

some minis i drove felt spongy , they felt like there is no road holding and too much torque steer.... any idea why?

 

Non-sports suspension? Lack of LSD? 16" wheels? Did they just feel spongier than other Minis that you drove or spongy in general?

 

spongy than others, others felt great , but I think it might be from what you just mentioned, Dunlop run flats stupid tires , I guess....

Michelins are top notch

 

I checked mine today, cold, and they were @35 psi. I thought about going up to 40 psi, but the car is actually VERY responsive the way it is right now so I think I'll keep it that way...for now

 

All tires the same. Can't tell you about autocross - I don't do it.

I don't know if it is any different pre-2007 or 2007+, but, many things could have influenced the feel more than the Dunlops. They have very stiff sidewalls but are not real gummy. However, they do perform well and have a high speed rating, but not a long life.

Early 2001 through mid-2003 had a stiffer suspension (mostly shock and spring combination) than late-2003 through 2006. I understand the suspension is different in 2007+ vehicles and, from reports, provides an even softer ride than the late 2003 through 2006 vehicles. This may also contribute to what you observed. Tire size also makes a difference - the greater the size of the sidewall the more give there is in the tire and it may feel spongy. MINIs come in a variety of different tire sizes. It may also not be the tires at all. It could be as easy a the push button for sport mode on a 2007+, or one or more beefed up sway bars.

 

Yea, runflat tires generally detract from overall handling feel (much more so than raw skidpad/slalom/track/etc. numbers suggest). Swapping out runflats for regular low profile tires is definitely the first mod on my agenda, as it results in a better ride and more predictable at-the-limit handling.