R56 Swapping out RunFlats: Learn from my mistake
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Fix a flat... compressor.... AAA card... Wife on the other end of the phone with a spare tire in the garage... smoother ride... softer hit on the wallet... Run Flats are outahere!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: PDX, OR.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Ahhhhh.... I was able to swap the Kumho Solis tires for Fuzion ZRI 91 W. I got my MINI back! It's a find blend of responsive handling and a comfortable ride. A definite improvement over the original runflats. The dealer (Crown City Tires, in Pasadena, CA) swapped them out for me after 200 miles on the Solises and only charged me for the difference between the tires. I'm so glad I didn't settle for a mistake.
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How much for the Fuzions?
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Pickens, SC/ Vermillion, SD
pressure
I would suspect with the non-RF tires you are going to want to adjust tire pressures as well. The RF #'s will be all wrong, and likely way too soft for the new rubber. Probably start with the max load rating tire pressure on the side of the tire, which could be as high as 55 psi, and work your way softer.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Agoura Hills (Los Angeles) CA
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
So far I like these. They're not as loud or rough as the eufori@s. What you lose a bit in cornering you make up for in ride and quiet. The biggest difference may be in getting used to the softer sidewall. Just not cornering like I used to... but I refuse to pay $250 ea. for the Perelli's. I'd be replacing them every year if I did.
Other suggestions?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 0
From: Chico, CA
As for tire pressure, stick to the code. Just read your door jam. Higher isn't better.
My Goodyear GS=D3s (who knows . . . such bullpucky in tire naming) are way better than I am brave. Sticky beyond belief.
As for the flat tire problem: What flat tire problem. Three on road flats in 42 years of driving . . . two due to absolute foolhardiness in running ancient tires . . . one a manufacturers defect just as likely to affect a runflat as a non runflat. Plenty of flats overnight. A few flats at the office. But really, runflats create more problems than they solve. It is another way to play on your fears to take your money.
My Goodyear GS=D3s (who knows . . . such bullpucky in tire naming) are way better than I am brave. Sticky beyond belief.
As for the flat tire problem: What flat tire problem. Three on road flats in 42 years of driving . . . two due to absolute foolhardiness in running ancient tires . . . one a manufacturers defect just as likely to affect a runflat as a non runflat. Plenty of flats overnight. A few flats at the office. But really, runflats create more problems than they solve. It is another way to play on your fears to take your money.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
As for the flat tire problem: What flat tire problem. Three on road flats in 42 years of driving . . . two due to absolute foolhardiness in running ancient tires . . . one a manufacturers defect just as likely to affect a runflat as a non runflat. Plenty of flats overnight. A few flats at the office. But really, runflats create more problems than they solve. It is another way to play on your fears to take your money.
But I'm not sticking to the RFs. When these wear out...
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Corona, CA
I heard the Kumho ECSTA SPT is a good tire too.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
From: USA
The washboard freeways and potholed streets got me to swap out my Goodyear runflats, and I DID get that smoother "softer" ride I was hoping to get. Except for a few things: There is a huge difference in grip around corners, and even in the general feel in taking off from lights, and overall less feeling of control. My mistake? I went with Kumho Solis tires, which are a standard touring all-season tire, instead of something with a bit more bite. A non-runflat performance tire would have been the best solution. I know it's a trade off, and my girlfriend (the passenger) is quite happy with what I got. You can't have it both ways, performance AND comfort, but I want some of my MINI back! We'll see how long this lasts....
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After a bit of research I went with the Khumo Ecsta SPT 205/50-16. Still haven't received them yet, but they appear to be a good balance between cost and performance for me.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 1
From: Palo Alto, CA
225/45/17...on my A4. haven't driven a car with runflats (MINI on order) but yes, a dedicated summer tire will be much better than an all season tire (in a warm climate). Runflats are heavy and designed to run flat, performance summer tires are designed to grip (put simplistically).
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
i just changed my Dunlop runflats for 215/45ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season XL's. They ride a lot rougher but are more surefooted and have all but eliminated my torque steer. I am willing to give up the comfort for the stability and all season attributes.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
I have a set of Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S (all season) 205/55-16 on Rota RB 16x7. Took them out on some well known (to me) twisties this morning. They hold on quite well. The difference between them and a set of Michelin Pilot Exhalto PE2 205/45-17 on CenterLine RPM 17x7 is subtle. Noticeable, but subtle.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
People keep saying good things about Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (summer). I may try them when I wear out the Michelin PE2s, but with two sets of wheels, it may take awhile. According to Tire Rack tests, the F1s out perform the PE2s, but not by a huge amount.