Had a set of Kumho 215/45R17 Ectsa ASTs installed this morning. What a terrific difference in ride comfort over the RFs!

 

Had the same tires on my last MINI. You give up a little in cornering due to the softer sidewalls, but OH! what a difference in ride quality! Tramlining is a thing of the past! Congrats on the upgrade.

 

would they really give up a bit in the corners? I would think a less stiff sidewall would be better in the corners?

 

Excuse my ignorance, first timer.

These sound great, and I have been thinking seriously about running different tires, but I am faily remote and with no spare my concern is being able to fix a flat on my own.

Any comments or ideas on this?

 

Many people use the Continental Tire ContiComfortKit when running on non-runflat tires.

 

I don't like the idea of no spare tire when I go on long trips... so I always bring a full-size 15" holie with me...it fits fine in the boot behind the seats, and I put any suitcases/travel items in the back seats. Granted with the tire in the boot you can barely fit anything else in there but....peace of mind is a good thing.


Speaking of tires, I had the WORST experience driving with the stock 16" dunlop runflats this past weekend. There was a violent lightning storm with torrential downpours... was on the interstate going 75 MPH and slowed down to about 50 because the rain was so intense could hardly see. But then the MINI began to hydroplane and I totally lost control of any steering. Freaked me out but good! I pulled over and waited under an overpass until the rain calmed down... rather be safe than in a wreck. But the runflats SUCK in heavy rain at highway speeds....hydroplane way to easily.


-boognish

 

What timing, I just installed a set of the exact same tires on my MCS today as well. I haven't driven very far yet, but I can defintely feel a difference in the harshness, and since I have them on two other cars I own, I know they are extremely quiet on the road as well. I was running Yoko Parada Spec 2 which grip like mad, but are very sharp and noisey. I'll save them for track days.

 

45 series sidewalls are same as stock and usually fairly stiff and good for cornering but Kumho AST is not overly stiff construction compared to Runflats so not quite as good for handling. AST do wear better and offer more comfort for street use.

It's ok to have non runflats but you need a plan for flats- fix a flat or cell phone to call AAA for assistance or tow. Another choice is to carry a simple and basic compact spare tire covered in a bag in your boot.

I drive around with no spare but I don't have far to go and can always call home. Generally if you do commute far distances you can be more prepared and ready for anything.