I just brought home a 2013 Clubman S. See meet Liana post for pic.

I had a 2007 hardtop S with runflats too (summer performance stock tires). On Liana I opted for all season runflats.

Much less road noise. Is it the tires, or something that has changed since 2007?

 

Tires

 

Answer: They suck.

 

I have owned a Mini for two weeks, and I am already trying to burn them up so I have an excuse to buy new ones :D

 

Just go get some new ones. Then you don't have to abuse your MINI. LOL

 

According to some other threads "driving like I stole it" plus frequent oil changes is the recommended solution to long happy engine life so I figure I am doing my car some good. Assuming it doesn't rattle to pieces from the run flats before then.

Bought used, so I only have like 3/32 left on the front, so I don't think it will take many more miles to get down to 2/32. I did 1k miles in first two weeks of ownership, I figure another 3k will get me to 30k and that'll be about the right time to do it. Plus I like servicing at round numbers :D

 

Assuming Liana is new, then you're probably experiencing the difference between worn tires vs new tires.

 

She's new. I just remember the run flat on my new 2007 Cooper S made for a rough and noise ride. All season run flats seem much better. And handle fine in cornering.

 

The ride varies between brands of run flats. My MINI came with Continental run flats, the ride is just fine, no noise or harshness at all.

Dave

 

Good point. My new car has Continentals too.

 

I agree runflats are harsh and noisy but good when my daughter has the car. She can get home without problems and make repairs in safety.

 

How many miles can you drive on "flat" runflat?

 

The rule of thumb is about 50 miles like a donut.

 

Have to say run flats saved me Thursday left work at 2am outside temp was 9 degrees tire light was on. Drove home 45 miles no problems.
Exactly why I keep them on my car.

 

So did you get a flat?

 

Friday morning was down to less than 20 psi dealer found 2 nails in left front tire. Took a bit but got it replaced through it through tire and wheel protection

 

Glad u found some dealer to do the fix. Some won't. The hand book gives distances/speeds/pressure data for runflats. 50miles is just about max. After that it's a throwaway.

 

It's my understanding that all MINI dealers have to honor the extended warranty, tire wheel proctection ect, or they may lose their dealer status. They are not required to sell it but they must honor it. Looked into it extensively as I knew i would be moving out of state within 2 yrs of buying my car.

 

I had Dunlop runflats and although they handled like the car was on rails I hated the ride quality over bumpy road conditions. I switch them out with just 2k to non runflats Hankook tires and couldn't be happier with the overall softer ride quality. In the event of a flat I purchase tire pressure compressor and some tire goop although some have got a actual donut spare tire.

 

preface - I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS

I had a MINI friend who was not so car savy and he had a GEN1 where the TPM system could be 'told' everything was OK when it was not.

Short version:

While on a LONG driving vacation his warning light came on. He stopped, and looked at the tires and saw no 'flat' so he followed the instructions in the owner's manual, reset the system, and went on his way.

1200 miles later, returning home, he took the car to the dealer for service and they called him asking what he wanted to do about the tire with the big nail in it . . . .

If you missed it .... highly probable he'd driven 1000 miles plus on a "flat" run flat. {one of the BAD things about the early pres' warning systems .. }

 

Runflats have to be replaced not repaired in the event of a flat. They're only good for drivers who don't want to get out and actually change a tire for 50 miles. Replacing runflat tire is more expensive than conventional tire.

 

Have to say mine didn't appear flat at all just the warning light came on. I had figured pressure dropped a bit because of cold. Next morning checked air pressure at gas station and almost fell over. Looked fine put air in and light went off.
Was on again later that's when I called dealer.

 

hamptup, Where do you get your info from? RFs do NOT have to be replaced after a puncture. Some dealers won't do it because they don't know how far the tyre has been driven or at what (reduced) pressure. As previously posted, they are good for getting the significant females in my life home safe so I can make repairs.