We have a minicooper with apx 15k miles, stock runflats are getting a bit thin so I have started to think about new tires. Anyone have any thoughts, for or against, staying with runflats? My wife drives the mini most of the time, so I would not want her to end up with a flat somewhere. Who is running non-runflats and have you had any issues,etc. Any info would be great, thanks

 

If it were me, I'd go with non-RFs. Right now, RFs are still expensive and have limited choices. Many shops can't/won't repair them.

 

I hear that, I shredded one of the runflats (long story) on 198 here in CA (amazing road for driving) and I had could only find a runflat to buy 2hrs out of my way a Minidealer, and pricey! Thank you for your 2 cents!

 

If your wife drives the car as her daily driver, I would stay with runflats. It doesn't sound like your doing autox or trackdays so what is the point (other than cost) when the RFs will give her piece of mind?

I left the RFs on the MINI because the car was for my wife.

As to places to buy and install them ... just go to tirerack and look up the list of local installers. There may be far more places than you realize that will install them but you just don't know where they are yet.

Best of luck

 

yes I was thinking that. So runflats are not installed by all tire dealers, why is that? Are they harder to mount up?

 

The sidewalls are super-stiff and require a special machine to safely remove them without damaging your rims. You will need to shop around and ask if their machine can deal with runflats.

 

Thank you! Great to know. When I had my runflat that shredded replace it was a Mini dealer, was unware they had a special machine for the ultra stiff sidewalls, thanks again.

 

I like the r/f's. I have the new GoodYear Excellence RunOnFlat tires on mine. World of difference from the old Dunlops. I think TireRack has them for a couple hundred bucks each. My local NTB has dismounted and mounted my r/f's several times without issues.

You could always check this forum for new car takeoffs. Sometimes you'll find the new GYs available with or without wheels.

....Les