Quick question for MCS owners who have decided to get rid of the run-flat tires. This may be a silly question, but what are you doing in the event of a flat tire? Are you carrying a spare in the back? Or are you just risking it?

I only ask because I have ready many threads where people are saying that you will get a more comfortable ride if you go with non run-flats.

Thanks!

 

I've kept my runflats... but those who've got rid of them say
that they are OK with just having a cell phone... and I can
see that...

Godspeed.

 

I keep a Can of Fix-a-flat and a small air compressor in one of the side compartments of the boot. I check my pressure quite often too.
Also keep the road-side assistance # programmed into my mobile phone. Finally, I have 4 "spares" waiting in the garage, which I'll probably slap back on when I take a long road trip.

 

i have a full size spare (with a tire bag from Jersey Girl) for road trips
the "2003's" come with a jack
plus i also have a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk
all that with roadside assitance & AAAplus........and cell phone
i'm good to go

 

Personally, when I got rid of my runflats I decided to buy a compact spare to carry with me on longer trips. Compressors/Fix-a-Flat are great but sometimes you get a flat that can't be re-inflated and sometimes that flat can happen in an area where cell phones don't work. At least that's the case with some of the areas I drive through out in PA.

I just feel better knowing there's a "real" tire with me in case I need it. Around town I go with no spare. IF something happens close to home it's not as big a deal.

 

Great question.... That would be my question as well... What happens in the case of a flat tire? I guess there is always MINI Roadside or AAA roadside. Gotta love emergency road service.

How many people without runflats got a flat?

 

JerseyGirl-

Thats awesome. What size is that "spare" tires. So the ride without the runflats is not so rough? So what size are your rims then?

I have the 17" S-lites (not so light) with run flats and the ride is a bit rough. I guess this is just something to think about eh?

 

>>JerseyGirl-
>>
>>Thats awesome. What size is that "spare" tires. So the ride without the runflats is not so rough? So what size are your rims then?
>>
>>I have the 17" S-lites (not so light) with run flats and the ride is a bit rough. I guess this is just something to think about eh?

My spare is the standard compact spare that comes with all Coopers. Got it from Classic MINI. I also had the 17" S-lites originally and noticed a nicer ride when I got rid of them. Of course I went from the 17" wheels to 16" Panasports so that also helps smooth things out a bit.

To each their own I guess, but I'm very happy with my decision. :smile:

 

Local driving I carry fix-a-flat and a 12v compressor. Road trips I throw a spare run flat in the back.

 

You guys have brought up an interesting topic that I never really thought about... getting rid of the run flats. I dont like seeing when I dont think outside the box. this forum is great... lots of perspectives from lots of owners. Its great. Good Job NAM.

Anyone have aftermarket 17" rims without runflats? how is the ride for that? I love the way the 17" looks vs the 16...

 

I replaced my runflats with these:



+



+



+



+

 

Thats a nice looking MCS you have Andy :smile:

 

Risking it here - I live in a small town and am never more than an hour away form home while in the MCS (we take the wife's car on road trips beacsue she can't drive stiick)

 

I just picked up my MINI "S" and yes the run-flats do ride a bit hard however, I plan on keeping them until they wear out (which I hear is not very long) and then buying conventional tires...then I'll carry fix-a-flat

 

If you want to wear your Run Flats down fast, do like I did. Don't rotate the tires, and drive hard, every day. LOL

I've got 15,000 miles and my fronts nearly have no tread left. My rears still have plenty. My DSC is on all the time everytime I take off, and when I hit corners because of the wear. I figure another 5,000 miles and I'll switch to Yoko's and hope to be enamored with a cushier ride as I've been told by many will happen!

 

I think robyn should wash that pretty blue car once in a while......can of fix a flat....period.....will use the run flats for most driving out of town driving.....

 

fix a flat is bad news have you ever tried that stuff it injects foam into the tire and then when you get it fixed they have a hell of a time trying to clean your tire and have trouble reparing it and getting it rebalanced, ive seen people get turned away from having their tires replaced when fix a flat was used,

so i just go the tru and clean way, get a patch that you can install on the tire while its atached to the car, their little strips then an electric air pump yank the nail with plyers add the patch then fill with air then at my conveinence take it in for proper fix takes five minutes tops :smile:

and it would not ruin your tire just my 2 cents

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BOOYA!!!!!

 

When I owned my MCS, after less than 2k miles I replaced the runflats with Yoko AVS ES100 on S heavies. The ride actually seemed to get worse. I originally had the Eagle RS-A all season runflats. I suspect it is because the Yokos have a firmer side wall and also they fact that they weigh less might make the ride a little more jittery. When I put on my 15inch snow tires...wow can I say Cadillac.

As for getting a flat I got a flat 4 times in one of the tires. I believe it was two nails and two screws. Each time it happened the tire didn't go completely flat and it was within a mile of my house or in my driveway. On a long trip I would take one of the snow tires (15 inch 7 holes) and throw it on the folded down back seats. I used fix-a-flat one time and it was hell. It leaked out of the tire and threw it out of balance. I sold the car shortly after. If I had kept it I would have bought a new tire and replaced that one. It was one of my rears with almost full tread too..compared to my fronts which had maybe 30% left lol.

I wouldn't worry about switching to non-runflats. I loved the extra performance. Just make sure to get a single spare wheel and tire to take on long trips. NEVER use fix a flat. It leaks out everywhere and ruins the tire/covers the rim.

 

grfa,

i also have the 17" wheels w/ rs-a tires. i want to wear them down and then replace, but don't know if i have the patience. can you provide any feedback on the performance difference between the rs-a and the es100?

were you able to sell the rs-a's for a reasonable price? they cost $227ea at tirerack.

i'm currently considering bridgestone re750(215/45/17). i had them on my prelude and they handled great, yet also had a 300+ wear rating.

thanks for any feedback.

 

I got rid of the runflats and, knowing that very few tires just blow out, i do not carry a spare. just hope for the best.

Earl

 

I have many sets of tires including one with runflats.
I prefer the non runflats for daily use.
If I have a flat (never happened in 13,000 miles)

I have:
AAA plus (tow for free up to 100 miles)
Cell Phone or two.
I live on an island 40 miles wide and I have a backup car.

 

minihune -- i thought the only other set of wheels/tires you have now are the r90s?


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&gt;&gt;fix a flat is bad news have you ever tried that stuff it injects foam into the tire and then when you get it fixed they have a hell of a time trying to clean your tire and have trouble reparing it and getting it rebalanced, ive seen people get turned away from having their tires replaced when fix a flat was used,

That's what the tire store told me as well. The chemicals from fix-a-flat can soften the inner wall of the tire and even bond with it, making it impossible to clean out while compromising the quality of the tire.

&gt;&gt;so i just go the tru and clean way, get a patch that you can install on the tire while its atached to the car, their little strips then an electric air pump yank the nail with plyers add the patch then fill with air then at my conveinence take it in for proper fix takes five minutes tops

Exactly what I'm doing! :smile:



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How about flats with &quot;runflats&quot;?

After searching my town for a qualified tire shop with the right equipment and technicians to remove my runflats and replace with new tires, it became evident that I only had one out of ~20+. Given this one factor, what happens to those with runflats that go flat away from home? Where do they get the tire fixed?

SMKKVK

 

I carry a motorcycle plug gun kit from &quot;Stop and Go&quot;, but I use self-vulkanizing plugs from NAPA. They are shaped like a mushroom, and will not come out after install cause the larger head is on the inside of tire. Add a 10 dollar compressor from wally world and ur all set, Tim