After 17K, I finally gave up on the OEM RFs. They were already ~60% gone and when I found out you can't repair them if you actually run on them flat, I threw in the towel. Replaced with Goodyear Eagle GT 215/45 R17 Zs. OH MY, what an immediate difference! Steering is now cast iron solid with excellent feel. Much smoother, quieter ride and big $$$ less than RFs. $608 @ Discount Tire out the door. Curious, I had them weigh the two. The 1/2 gone RF was about 5lbs heavier. No wonder Beelzebub's legs are working better . Why the Goodyears? Because they fit my "driving style" better? Possibly. Nope, because I was/am a Screaming Eagle.

CURRAHEE!!

PS: Thanks for all the tire info guys, helped me a lot.

Just curious ... having identified all the RF problems and moved on

what's your plan if you have a flat tomorrow night .... on the highway ....

I'm sure you have a plan and new MINI owners contemplating the same issue might want to know . . .

Got an emergency repair/inflation kit before I got the tires. Oh, and the road side assistance program from MINIUSA and my insurer (USAA).

another one ditch the RF...

1. MINI Towing- for mechanical problems that may occur.
2. AAA- Too tow home or repair shop
3. Spare GP wheel at home
4. MINI Fix-a-Flat kit in boot.

I also ditched the run flats a while back, in addition to the air pump and fix and flat and tire repair kit I am now also carring a full size spare behind the rear seats, lost the shelf in the back but its worth it to have the extra tire on eht elong trips I take

I feel like I should be doing burnouts. I'm at 30k, and can't seem to wear down the original RFs at all.