Hi folks,

Alright, so we have a 2009 Clubman (not an S).

It's getting to be about that time - time to replace the factory tires that came on the car when it was purchased. Naturally, they're run-flats, and our thinking, at least until otherwise swayed, is that we'll replace them with standard (i.e. non run-flat) tires. The ride on the run-flats is pretty harsh, and we just can't justify the additional cost for run-flats when it seems there's some really decent standard tires out there at much better prices.

So, we have a few questions. (These are asked all under the assumption that it is totally kosher, in a technical sense, to replace run-flats with standard tires of same size - if it's not, please do let us know!):

1) Is there a popular consensus on what is currently the best all-season tire for a 2009 Clubman? We live in the Pacific Northwest so a good all-season tire with good rain manners would be nice. We'd love to hear your recommendations!

2) Are there any other websites we should be checking out for tires besides Tirerack? We've checked Costco and Les Schwab, but nothing really stood out.

3) Anything special we need to consider or take note of when replacing the run-flats and installing the conventional tires? (We're aware of the lack of spare issue; We're more wondering about tire pressure monitoring system issues and the like...)

Currently we're eyeballing these General Altimax HP Grand touring all-season tires on Tirerack. They seem to have good ratings/reviews and the price ($90/each) seems reasonable, but it's all a bit of a crapshoot it seems.

We'd greatly appreciate any and all insight, info, and recommendations you might have about this! Thank you!

 

I'm waiting for my MIMI to arrive (and I will immediately replace the run flats when it does), but I replaced run flats with regular ties on my BMW 335i and it was the best thing I ever did. The ride was MUCH smoother and MUCH quieter. I'm telling you you will wonder why you didn't do it a long time ago which is why I'm replacing them on my MINI right away. There is no problem doing this and your TPMS will still work fine. I can't help you with specific tires, but I'm going to be buying Hankook Ventus V12 Evo's.These are the tires I had on the 335i.

 

Check your rear storage space... Your Clubman might have
a spacesaver spare tire under the divider. If not you can put
one in with the right foam spacer for about 200 bucks. Then
slap on regular tires.

 

I put General G-MAX AS-03 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=G-Max+AS-03) and am VERY happy with them. Much nicer ride, quieter, smoother, etc.

 

With living in the Pacific Northwest All Season tires would be fine if you are not in a snow laden area. but if there is snow on the ground for months on end then get REAL Snow Tires, they make a world of difference. And then get some good summer performance tires that have very good wet traction and you will be much better off.

 

I've read a lot of good stuff about the Continental DWS all season tire.

There is a tire shaped place under the back floor in my Clubman. There are a few threads here about getting a donut spare from wrecking yards for cheap, The 100mm by 4 bolt pattern is what you want. Or go with a Slime kit.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is compatible with non-runflats, so that isn't an issue.

Discount Tire is a good place to shop also.

I like my runflats, but like you said, price is a big factor for when it comes time to replace them.

Dave

 

Just swapped my rf s out for the Conti DWS and am very happy so far. Am told they do very well in snow. My whole experience with tirerack was amazing from ordering to having installed locally. Did it by phone so I could get questions answered. The DWS are their best seller, gotta be a good reason. Tires delivered in two days to my installer, mounted the next day in 30 mts...Presto! Spoke with Preston at tirerack. Also heard Alex is great, too. Very knowledgable and awesome customer service.

 

Thanks, folks, for the input so far.

The Continental DWS's look promising but I'm afraid they don't appear to offer them in my tire size. Bummer.

Please keep the tire suggestions coming if you have them! I appreciate the help. Thank you.

 

205/50-16 is within 1/2 inch on width and diameter. A lot of us use them.

 

I recently changed out the OEM 17" wheels for 16" and had mounted Michelin Pilot Exalto 205/50CR16 AS tires...much, much softer ride.

 

Swapped out the Conti RF's with Michelin Pilot Sport AS after 12,000 miles. I have the 17's with 215 45r17s. I was already getting alot of rattles from the harsh ride of the Rf's. Although a better ride, i was expecting a little more. Still noisy, just smoothed out the jarring some.

 

When replacing runflat tires with non runflats you can adjust the tire size and make it still work for your Cooper.

If you have 195/55-16 runflats then your replacement tires can be 205/50-16 or 205/55-16 as both with fit for stock suspension base Coooper or Cooper S MINIs.

 

I'm going with the Continential DWS and just carry a portable air compressor with some tire plugs in case of a flat tire. You can get the kits at Walmart for under $20. I wouldn't use Slime or Fix a Flat because it may damage the TPS in the valve stem.
Other websites are Treadepot.com, Tirebuyer.com or Discounttire.com. Sometimes you can get free shipping and it can really save money over the tirerack.com

 

Im in the same situation as Karizma with the need to replace runflats in the near future mainly because of the harsh ride. My top 2 picks so far are the General Altimax HP and the General G-Max, I had not considered the Conti DWS but checked them out and similar ratings. My last Mini I put on Bridgestone G019's and they started out to be great but after about 10K they got very noisy and kept getting worse the more miles I clocked. I dont want to fall into that situation again so can anyone here speak to the General's or Conti as far as noise levels as you put on more miles?

 

I'm still very happy with my General G-Max tires. quiet and smooth. I had a loaner a few weeks ago with RFs and had forgotten just had harsh and awful they are.

 

I replaced my RF's with Conti DWS as soon as I picked my MINI up and they have 6,500 miles on them now. Don't judge the ride on your new Michelin's just yet. It will soften up as the tire break in. Mine took about 750 miles to settle in to a nice comfortable ride with very little trade off in terms of performance. I love the DWS's, but all tires have a break in period.

 

I went to 205/55 -17's with no issues at all.

 

I only have about 6,500 on my Conti DWS tires, so it's too early to tell about noise, but no matter how noisy they get, they can't be any noisier than the stock RF's and the ride is about 1000 times better. I also don't have any of the squeaks and rattles we hear a lot about on here and I'm convinced it's because of the smoother ride on the non-RF's. I replaced them the day after I picked up the car and have never had a single squeak or rattle.

 

We have the Conti DWS tires on 2 BMW X3's and our Clubman S - 17" on the MINI. They have been great tires on both the BMW and MINI. Tire noise is low and lifetime seems good - we have 25K on one X3 with more than half the tread remaining. I have however read that if the DWS is driven hard (read track days or autoX - tires get hot) then the tread life is not very good. In my case my wife and two of my daughters do not push the limits of their cars handling so the tires are holding up very well.

 

I have the Nitto Motivo in 215/45/17 on my car for about two months, love them. Quiet and very good handling in the clubman

 

LOVE my Conti DWS ! They handle beautifully in all situations. Nice ride, too!

 

I agree with this, I use a air compressor and have tire plugs in the boot.
I choose the Kumho 4X tires for their overall all around ratings.
I think they are $92.00 each from tire rack, they also have a $50.00 rebate on them right now. I had mine installed at Discount tire they have FREE lifetime balance and rotation.
You should do a tire comparison on both tires, Kumho 4X and the General tires and see which one come out on top according to your driving style.
My Kumho's 4X have been a GREAT tire.

 

Chad at Detroit Tuned (Detroittuned.com) has a spare tire kit. I was lucky enough to have had one in the back already. I do want to replace my summer tires eventually But I am going to burn up these run flats first.

 

I got the spare tire kit and tray from Detroit tuned and glad to have a piece of mind having real spare when I changed out to the Kumho Ecsta 4x non-run flat.

Very happy with those tires... Comfortable ride, confidence performance in both dry and wet conditions.