Looking to replace 2 tires soon, and I was woundering what some of you had to say about tire type. My ultimate question is Run-Flat vrs. non RF tires. Price is one concern, and the fact that the mini has no spare. In my life I have had 1 flat tire (thats about 20 years of driving) and Im not sure RF tires, while ofering alot of peace of mind, are really needed. I would like to know if RF tires really stiffen up the ride alot and how much noise they actually add compaired to non RF tires. My MINI's tires add alot of noise right now, mostly because the previous owner didnt rotate them often enough and they didnt wear well, or is it because there RF tires? Any insight would be of much interest. I am a fairly aggressive driver.

Thanks

 

Non rfs do ride smoother. I don't know about the noise, I didn't nitice. I always have the cd or radio going, and no sunroof.

 

Just took off my runflats and noticed a BIG difference in noise (using Kumhos now). Of course, the rear two RF were near bald, so that totally contributed to loudness...

Good idea to invest in an air compressor just in case a flat happens... but, I've got AAA for anything that happens local and don't have that on hand

 

Becareful with making statements like "non-runflats are quieter than runflats". That is not always the case. Some maximum performance summer tires are pretty noisy and they are not runflats.

If you're concerned about noise, check out www.tirerack.com. They have noise specs (including many other specs) listed for all the tires they sell.

Also, personally I would recommend replacing all 4 tires and trying to be better about rotating them so they wear evenly front/rear.

 

Nicely said. Yeah, my RF Pirellis weren't as quiet as the non-rf's I have now(Supra Ecstas). It's all subjective

Although, now that the sidewall is taller, I do get a cool noise of scraping the wheel well when I hit big bumps at high speed because of diminished clearance

 

I had a friend recomend tirerack and the site is very nice and usefull.. I orderd 4 new non runflats that were rated extreamly well there... should have them installed by the weeks end.

 

If you do decide to run a performance summer tire, nothing beats the grip of the Falken Azenis RT-615. This is a tire which is lost between R-compound and street tire.

If you want a little longer life, try the Goodyear Eagle F1s. They are expensive, but amazing in the rain.

And for the budget minded performance tire, try the Yokohama ES100s. Also a good rain tire, but will last upwards of 20k.

-Brian

 

Does anybody have advice about good winter tires? I got my car last winter and the dealer recommended Bridgestone Blizzaks. Althought I loved their performance in the snow, I completely trashed the front tires in 5,000 miles! The guys at the Schomp service department told me that's a farily common situation on MINIs, particularly with those soft tires. I'm thinking maybe I should get something different this year. Or maybe I need to drive a little less...aggressively?!?

 

Just buy the cheapest, skinniest winter tire you can find. Unless you are driving off road, on ice, and through deep snow a lot, most any winter tire will be fine. Keep the DSC on for more help.

I don't run a "winter tire" at all. I use Michelin Traction T/As and they work great.

-Brian