Any suggestions on purchasing run flat tires for my 09 MCS (type/brand) and where to buy them around the Los Angeles/South Bay Area?

 

Ditch the run-flats and enjoy the ride. Carry a set of tire plugs, portable air compressor and maybe a can of fix-a-flat.

 

+1 Like asking 'where can I get a case of swine flu?'. Any good all season tire and one of these: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks

 

Great suggestions! I've been looking into getting non run flat tires. I wonder if the ride or handling will be different and not so bumpy.

 

YES yes yes yes'!!!!!!!!!! It will be another world better DO NOT get Run Craps you'll thanks us plus you can re use your wheels some fool may try to sell you new wheels.

 

That's just too funny lol

 

Will I be able to use the same rims? Do I need to upsize in tires?

 

As far as purchasing tires, Check with Performance Plus in Long Beach, Ca.

You'll be glad you called, Best Selection. Best Pricing, Best Service,,, Period.



www.performanceplustire.com

 

America's Tire is pretty good, and they'll special order them as well as match prices. They also offer 0% financing for 6 months if you need it, which I have for the 21" Pirelli's on my E65 that last about 5k miles before they need replacing.

But switching to non-rft's on my MINI was the best thing I ever did. It really smooths everything out, especially highway driving, and feels more 3 Series than Laura Ingalls on a covered wagon headed out west. A $20 slimy green sealant with a compressor from Walmart and you're good to go

But if you want to stay with rft's, the Continental Conti Sport Contact 3 (oem too I believe) that I've had on my loaners weren't too bad. More squishy gel-like than hard plastic, compared to the awful Turanza's on my old 16" rims anyways lol, but I'll let other people chime in.

 

OK, so now you've avoided the isolation ward, now its time to take care of your new all seasons. Rotate them religiously every 5,000 miles. That will even out the uneven ware caused by the intentional negative camber on the rear suspension.
For directional tires rotate front to back, do not cross them. For non directional cross rear to front and front straight back.
Pay close attention to the air pressure. The amount is not as important as having it equalized on all four corners.

 

To answer your question the cheapest way would be to look in the classified section here on NAM or your local Mini club. If you are looking for a ride that is not so harsh I would suggest replacing the shocks. I replaced mine @60k have 85k now with Koni FSD's and also a 22mm rear swaybar. I think this made more of a difference to the ride than getting rid of the runflats (which I did). If you can do this I believe you will be amazed......................now what kind of shocks or coils

 

Tires, shocks...or both!? I'll check out the tires at performance plus and American tire. Then try shocks next time. Thanks all.

 

I switched to standard tires yesterday. It's a completely different car (in a good way). Don't forget to lower the air pressure to non-MCS/non-JCW specs (33 psi).

 

Thanks. Good to know about lowering the psi.

 

Will lowering the psi cause the TMPS to trigger the dash light?

 

Only if you do not reset your system. You want to reset the system to have the lower psi as your standard reading

 

I had the dash light turn on after finding out that there was a 6 psi difference between my front right and front left tires, my Mini thought I had a flat. Funny thing when finely got a flat front tire no dash light!

I think I don't need any dash light when the car is pulling hard to the left!

 

Ditched my goodyear excellence runflat to dunlop sp sport 01 runflats, much quieter and more stable to bumps on road, but its not everyones taste, but much improved overall.

 

Changed mine out last week. It's great so far but I wish I would've gone up a size or two. Overall, smoother, quieter, softer ride.