I have a 2006 MCSconv with 18k mile and the inside on all of the tires are worn to the steel belts,WTF ? they are unevenly worn out.. they last only 17K miles is this the norm or is there something wrong? I think the dealer may have just put on the 17 rims and tires without adjusting what-ever needed to be adjusted... anyone know ?

 

I've never gotten more than 12k from a set of runflats on a MINI.

 

"IF" and it's a big IF, it's JUST the inside tread and the rest of the tire tread is good, then I'd get the alignment checked before investing in a new set of tires and oh yea don't buy tires at the dealer, look around or visit www.TireRack.com a great NAM Vendor.

 

Yes, that's normal. We only got about 12K from our last set, which is why we no longer run with runflats.

 

I have 18k on my runflats and plenty of tread left.

 

Unfortunately the run-flats have a average life expediency of about 25k miles on a MINI. On my 2005 MINI Cooper S JCW I went through a full set in 9000 miles. Its s bummer, but its the facts. I went with Non run-flats when I replaced them!

 

I have heard lots of bad things about runflat tires in regards to their ride and wear. I have the 16" Goodyear runflats on my MC and just passed 36k miles on the original tires. I'm predicting that I'll need to change them out next summer, but for now there is plenty of tread left and they are quiet. I'm pretty surprised as I've NEVER had a set of Goodyear tires that were worth anything until now...I actually like these and would gladly buy them again as replacements. I'm sure they cost a fortune, though, and will go with non-runflats next time so I don't go to the poor house.

Maybe the 17" tires that come on the MCS cars are a different story.

 

Like Fastlane I have the 16" Goodyear runflats (Goodyear NCT) on my Cooper Cabrio and I'm at 33,000 miles on them. They were the original tires and I rotated them every 5k miles. The tread is starting to get a little thin and I'm looking to replace them after the first of the year. I wouldn't have any problem replacing them with the same kind of tires except for the $300/tire price.

I've heard from some other MINI owners with different brands of runflats only getting about 15-20k out of their runflats, so I guess it depends on which tires you have. Like AutoXCooper said above, if you have wear only to the inside of the tires you may want to check the alignment.

 

I recently replaced my runflats at just under 18k. Replacements were $300 each. Bought non-runflats and will take my chances. BTW, the non-runflats I bought ride much better and stick better as well, win-win!

 

Replacement Goodyears in the 16" size are only $181 to $185 each at Tire Rack!

 

I bought extra 16in rims and tires from a guy on e-bay and I just put them on where mine were originally 17"in. ,is that going to be a problem ?

 

Sounds like you over-inflated the tires. You also never looked at the tread wear if they got worn down to the belts.

If you want to maximize the life of your tires, get a tread gauge and adjust your air pressure to get even wear. Don't forget to rotate too.

If the tires are under-inflated, the outer treads will show wear.

 

No problem.

 

Not the NCT's. FWIW, I've found some other 16" runflats at Tire Rack for a little less than those Goodyears. I'm not sure which ones I'm going to end up getting.

 

No, not NCTs, but the Mini OE Goodyear Excellence summer tires in 195 55 16. The NCT is available here for $216.00. I'm pretty happy with the 16" Excellence tires (good grip in wet or dry conditions), and I really appreciate the improved ride quality vs. the 17" Dunlops, and the handling trade-off was minimal IMHO. I'm too old for that kind of boneshaking ride in any case! Also, gotta watch the pressure. I had my car serviced and they inflated the tires to 35 psi. Manual calls for 30!

 

The 16" Excellence are one of the tires I'm looking at. I definitely want something that's going to get similar mileage to what I got with the NCTs. Also, I've had to drive in snow on a couple of occasions and (this was big surprise) the NCTs handled snow pretty well (one time was a major snowstorm we got caught in going to Indiana a couple of years ago) so I need to consider how the tires handle in snow.

I've still got a few months to decide, but I appreciate your recommendation of the Excellence tires. It's good to hear from someone who has first hand info on them.

 

Sure thing! I can't vouch for the Excellence in snow, and in fact the comments on Tire Rack's website seem to indicate that they are pretty horrible tires for use in snow! Not that shocking considering it is a summer run-flat.

 

Your mileage is certainly not out of bounds.

I got 25K from my original 17" Pirelli RF's. They could have gone another couple K before hitting the wear bars. I occasionally drive hard, but most of the time, I'm in "drivers license preservation" mode. Wear was pretty even, so if your wear is very pronounced on one side of the tire, this does sound like an alignment or tire pressure problem. If the outsides wear very heavily this is sometimes just a maniac driver problem (aggravated by low tire pressures), but not typically the insides.

Now running Bridgestone RE-01R's, and the improvement in ride and handling is quite remarkable.

- Mark

 

Original RF tires went 60,000 miles before replacement. No complaints from me about run-flats.

 

I switch to run-flat snow tires from late November to early March ... so it will be interesting to see how many miles I get from the combination of them both! 14K so far with no show of wear on either.

 

My 07 MCS Cabrio came with 17" Pirelli Euphoria runflats and I got a whopping 9k before I replaced them with non-runflats Goodyears.
The Goodyears are not as sticky as the Pirelli's but they sure have lasted a lot longer.

The softer the rubber compound the stickier the tire in most cases.

JMTCW

 

Over inflated tires will wear the center of the tread not the edges.

Yep, keeping an eye on inflation really helps tires last longer & always rotate them.

Like AX Cooper said, your alignment is not right. Your tires should not be wearing that way. Best get it checked before you toast the next set of tires.

 

I got 22k out of the same tires and they were far from 'bald'

depends on your driving style I suppose.....

 

Yeah! I guess I should stay away from the Dragon a little more if I want my tires to last longer...
I bet each trip that I make to the Dragon takes off at least 3000 miles of tread wear.
I try not to be too agressive on the Goodyears so that maybe they'll make it to 30k before I have to replace them.

 

I had Dunlop run flats. Lasted a track weekend + 22K miles. I always checked the pressures to make sure they were correct. I think it had something to do with the fact that the compound was like granite