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R56 Run-flat tire swap

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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 02:36 PM
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Run-flat tire swap

I'm at 4500 miles and am tired of that hard, run-flat ride. It came with Goodyear 195/55 R16 tires and I'd like to swap them out instead of waiting till they're worn out. SO... what are my options? Is it feasible to sell them on eBay or Craig's List, or trade them in to a tire dealer? Anyone tried selling/trading rf tires that aren't brand new?
======
MCS, LB/B, Prem., Leatherette, Pac. Blue trim, Brushed alloy, Chrome Rings
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 03:06 PM
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I swapped mine out at 1,000 miles, and sold the runflats on e-bay. Ended up not costing any $$, but a little time. I put on Dunlop Sp Sport Maxx non-runflats, and have never looked back. I hated my MCS with runflats, now I love it.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 03:11 PM
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Yup. Just ask this guy.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Coffeeman
I swapped mine out at 1,000 miles, and sold the runflats on e-bay. Ended up not costing any $$, but a little time. I put on Dunlop Sp Sport Maxx non-runflats, and have never looked back. I hated my MCS with runflats, now I love it.

Did you stay at same exact size??? When I did that changeover with my 04 Cooper I went a bit wider/lower profile.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 04:06 PM
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There's a big market for the run flats on eBay. Easy to sell.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by emtrey
Did you stay at same exact size??? When I did that changeover with my 04 Cooper I went a bit wider/lower profile.

Yes, I stayed with the same size: 205/45/17
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Coffeeman
Yes, I stayed with the same size: 205/45/17
I went with 215/40/17. Very nice. Noticeably better acceleration (and decline in fuel economy).
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 04:47 PM
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I swapped out the POS run-flats on my wife's MCS for a set of nice sticky Dunlops. I posted them up on this message board, they sold the next day. I met a guy locally at my tire dealer and made the swap, painless.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by lhoboy
I went with 215/40/17. Very nice. Noticeably better acceleration (and decline in fuel economy).
Fuel economy--WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' FUEL ECONOMY !!

Seriously--which model/brand did you choose. I do long for the "feel" on a non-run flat. The Dunlops are not bad but IMHO not very communicative. I am still on break in so I need more seat time to truly decide if they need to hit e-bay.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 06:09 PM
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Theres a MCS in white in a thread about Badges in the general forum section that has some w-i-d-e tire on that look incredible. I'd love to do that, but Ithink ya need a wider rim as well.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 05:36 AM
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Originally Posted by emtrey
Fuel economy--WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' FUEL ECONOMY !!

Seriously--which model/brand did you choose. I do long for the "feel" on a non-run flat. The Dunlops are not bad but IMHO not very communicative. I am still on break in so I need more seat time to truly decide if they need to hit e-bay.
Yokohama S-Drive.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 09:19 AM
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Here is the white one I was speaking about:

 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 12:28 PM
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that white one is sweet looking
 
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Old Jul 13, 2007 | 01:30 PM
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I know this is a st*^id question but, if you get rid of the run flats don't you have to store the spare in the rear. I mean the boot is to small to hold a rim and tire so aren't you know driving around with 1 rear seat folded down ?
 
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Old Jul 13, 2007 | 01:40 PM
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MiniMoMir,

I'm trying to decide between 15's and 16's on a MC and I would rather get the 16's for aesthetic reasons. I didn't like the ride either, so I would like to know if you get significant improvement when you replace the run-flats.
 
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Old Jul 13, 2007 | 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Duffer
MiniMoMir,

I'm trying to decide between 15's and 16's on a MC and I would rather get the 16's for aesthetic reasons. I didn't like the ride either, so I would like to know if you get significant improvement when you replace the run-flats.
Hey ,I love my 15" oems, more tire less rims, softer ride.
 
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Old Jul 13, 2007 | 05:57 PM
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h20baby, Those of us switching out to non-runflats are either getting an inflator and tire slime or hoping for no flat tires. Very few are getting spares. Besides, most of us didn't get jacks or tire irons anyways!
 
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Old Jul 13, 2007 | 07:34 PM
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Thanks Mgibrace...I've heard of tire slime...guess thats what I need then..Thanks :-)
 
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Old Jul 13, 2007 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by h20baby
Thanks Mgibrace...I've heard of tire slime...guess thats what I need then..Thanks :-)
You also need a pump. There is an inexpensive foot pump available at many auto supplies. Or, there are electric pumps with a built-in slime dispensor. Tire Rack has one.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2007 | 08:26 AM
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Thanks Robin...that was the trick :-)
 
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Old Jul 14, 2007 | 08:51 AM
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Just drove a non run flat equipped MCS courtesy of my MA, David Olenick of Knauz MINI to "help" with decision making.

Big difference. less Jiggly, Better communication through steering wheel.
My suspisions were correct--I am not a runflat guy. Thinking Bridgestone RE960 As 215/45-17. Anyone own/tried these tires? Tire Rack speaks very highly of their capabilities. Had Pirelli P Zero Nero m/s on 04 Cooper but Tire Rack says these are even better .
 
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Old Jul 14, 2007 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by emtrey
Just drove a non run flat equipped MCS courtesy of my MA, David Olenick of Knauz MINI to "help" with decision making.

Big difference. less Jiggly, Better communication through steering wheel.
My suspisions were correct--I am not a runflat guy. Thinking Bridgestone RE960 As 215/45-17. Anyone own/tried these tires? Tire Rack speaks very highly of their capabilities. Had Pirelli P Zero Nero m/s on 04 Cooper but Tire Rack says these are even better .
I went into my local discount tire store this past to purchase these set of tires but was told there was a 14 week back log...

So, I chose the second best set (IMO) and went with the Yokohamas Advan S.4 in 215/45/17, so far it has been a very drastic feeling from the run flats. If you get a chance to feel the side walls in comparison to any non-flats, it appears that these things are made of steel...

I am going to load up on more miles before I post impressions.....so far the ar rides so much smoother...
 
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Old Jul 14, 2007 | 11:44 AM
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I know nothing about tire technology...

I'm guessing that the side walls of "run flats" need to be very stiff to support the weight of the vehicle when the tire has lost its air.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2007 | 11:57 AM
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So, I chose the second best set (IMO) and went with the Yokohamas Advan S.4 in 215/45/17, so far it has been a very drastic feeling from the run flats.



Thanks...I talked to Jim at Tire Rack and he suggested the Bridgestones
were the best handling of these tires..not so sure if he meant on balance wet/dry or what. It appears from their tests the YOKOs are better in the dry. The Bridgestones did much better in wet and cost less.. I e-mailed him for clarification before I decide. Just out of curiousity why did YOU have the 960AS as your first choice before going to the YOKO based on unavailability?
 
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Old Jul 14, 2007 | 12:08 PM
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Hey ,I love my 15" oems, more tire less rims, softer ride.
What about the handling, does it still turn crisply?
 
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