I've read on other forums for different cars you can, I just want to make sure before I order new tires. I would like to get rid of my run flats.

 

Yes.
The rims are standard rims.
The runflats that come are all mini's equipped are called dsst...and use standard rims.

 

ok good I cant wait to get rid of these

 

I did exactly this just two days ago on my MCS with 152 miles on it. The car drives SO much better now! In my opinoon, this is the best mod you can do to any car. Death to RF's!

 

what did you do with your RFs?

 

I'm storing them. I leased my car and my plan is to put the RF's back on to return it. I just hope I don't have to drive on them very long after the non-RF's wear out. I'm sure you could sell them for a pretty good price if they're virtually brand new - more than enough to pay for the non-RF's which cost about half the price if RF's.

 

I haven't taken delivery yet of my MINI. but I'm thinking of buying the tires I want and arriving at the dealer with them. Have them put on before I drive it out the door. I wonder how many times that has happened.

 

Probably not many. I had mined swapped out at Big O tires and when the guy was filling out the work order and asked me how many miles were on the car, he did a double take when I said 152.

 

You can usually sell runflats at you local club, or here on the market to a local who can pick them up.
Some folks choose to use them, and a nearly new runflats sold to the right buyer can likely pay for you new tires, and maybe even the mounting and balancing....
Just buy a 12v pump, a plug kit (like dynaplug) and maybe some slime....that and a AAA membership, and you are good to go!!

 

thanks Zippy, I think I'll take a set of non RF tires with me to my dealer and before I drive Maude switch em. I have a AAA membership and a sat phone. CYA.

 

You may find the dealer charges you $50+ per tire..
you might do better with a local tire shop...
Unmounting run flats are a pain...but CAN be done on conventional equipment, if done very slowly, with plastic covered "spoons" (the tools used to mount/unmount the rims)...some places do scratch rims removing run-flats...so the extra $$ may be worth it to some.
Some chain shops do have the equipment to do it fairly quickly.."goodyear" branded shops in my area do.
Heck, try the run-flats for a few miles...they are getting better everyday...

 

Many dealers will not mount non RFT on the car due to liability reasons. Check with them first before bringing the tires there. Best choice is a good outside tire shop as zippy mentioned.

 

I'm also thinking of getting rid of RFs but I'm just going to wait until they wear out. I've got an '11 MCS and the 16s I have aren't bad so I'd rather not spend a lot on new wheels. I would like to put the widest tires possible on these stock rims though....any idea on how wide we can go? They are currently 195 RFs :(

 

I have heard of people running 225/50/16 at stock height before. I had 215/50/16 a few years ago.

 

are we talking about 15" stock wheels or bigger?

I just ordered my Mini with 16" and want to do the same thing - change to non-RF, but not sure, do I have to change the rims as well?

 

Conventional tires work with all MINI rims. The 'magic' is in the sidewall of the ire, not the rim. Have never heard of a rim that would only work with runflats.

 

Thank you Eric!

Do 17" rims improve the ride/handling/gas mileage in anyway?(or make it worse?) Or is it just the looks?

also, if I got the $500 sport suspension on my MC and then change the RF to non-RF - would that get me both a better handling and not so rough ride?
is it worth it?

 

17" wheels are for looks and handling. The car will ride worse than with 15 or 16" wheels. The 17" are also heavier which will cause the car to accelerate more slowly.

IMHO the sports suspension is a great option for improving the handling of the MINI. The ride is stiffer but changing to non-RFTs will improve the ride quality. Handling changes will be a function of the replacement tires you get.

 

Thank you, appreciate it. Especially since you HAVE a sport suspension

 

Most of the time I run 16" wheels with all season tires. Quite frankly I don't feel they give up too much to the 17" performance summer tires/wheels that I have and they ride much better with the sport suspension.

 

Awesome, your input really helped me to make the decision. Thank you!