Hate to ask this again, but I'm looking for thoughts on replacement tires. I've heard the gen 2 07 onwards MCS has suspension that is tuned for run-flats, and that the tire pressure monitoring system is sensitive to not having run flats, therefore you should replace with runflats.

I've been really disappointed with the wet/snow weather performance of the original Dunlop SP Sports. So far, I've narrowed the shortlist to:

• Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT
• Continental ContiSportContact 3 SSR
• Pirelli PZero RFT
• Yokohama ADVAN Sport ZPS

Does anyone have any experience running any of these tires? What would you recommend? Thoughts on all-weather performance?

Thanks, Yorkshireman

 

Nothing to report on your tire suggestions but your other info is out of whack. The TPMS sensors could care less if the tire they are monitoring is a runflat or not. As far as the suspension being "tuned for the runflats" that's debatable, but anyone who's replaced them with non-runflats will tell you the car rides smoother and less harsh without giving up one iota of handling prowess.

 

Spot On. If anything non RF's will add to your handling, more "stick"

 

I have the stock 16-inch Continentals. I like the ride and they handle well enough for the rallies I have been on. No problem keeping up with the non-run flat crowd

 

Really?

Take 2 identical MC's and 2 drivers of identical ability.. one with runflats, one with "real" tires. Put them on a road course. The non-runflat car will SMOKE the runflat-equipped car, every time. Don't believe it? Drive a car with runflats, then the same car with "real" tires, back-to-back. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out in about a millisecond which way the car performs better.. MUCH better. Anyone who has only driven their car with the original tires has no benchmark to compare. Ask anyone who's made the switch if they'd do it again, and if they're happy with their decision. You'll get overwhelmingly positive responses.

The "tuned for runflats" baloney is just marketing double-speak. All it means is that the car has softer bushings, springs & shock settings, in an attempt to soften the blow of the concrete-like sidewalls and extra weight that runflats bring.

My car is on the boat and will arrive in early December. The runflats will be ditched the first day of ownership.

 

Tom,

Kevin is spot on. There is a world of difference between runflat and non. No comparison. RF's just suck. Been there and done it. Going into a corner with non RF's is just a joy, no sidewall roll, more 'stick', etc

It's not a question of keeping up, it's being in control

When the RF's wear out. Save yourself a ton of money and get way better performance.

Get a AAA card, donut spare for roadtrips and a roadside kit including jack. You will thank me oh yes you will thank me!

 

Loaded up for a road trip....and just where do you store the donut spare in/on your car and if you do get a flat and have to change the tire what do you do with your wheel/flat tire, throw it away?

Also mine has a jack. Are MINI's with run flats not supposed to come with a jack?

I will likely install regular tires when my run flats need replacing but i don't see a way to cover the lack of spare. On the plus side flat tires are rare and I've only had one (many many years ago) in all my years/cars of driving.

 

I think this would depend on the particular bands and models of tires one is comparing. Some non-runflats have great grip and handling characteristics, some not so much. Same goes for runflats. Depending on what tires you picked, I suspect you could get whatever results you wanted. However, the ultimate in non-runflat tires may beat the ultimate in runflats--depending on what you need it to be ultimate in. Not sure whether there even are any dedicated snow tires in runflat, and a snow tire will beat an all-season tire in the snow by a large margin. In most cases, a good summer tire will beat an all-season tire in the rain as well. The only time an all-season tire is the best choice is below 40F conditions with no snow or ice.

What donut spare fits over the front brakes on an MCS?

In early 2007 MCS were coming without the jack. Many people complained (huge discussion about it here) and MINI began including the jack kit with the MCS. I believe they still are. My MCS was delivered in May 2007 and came with a jack kit.

I switched to non-runflats early on. I carry a Continental Tire ContiComfortKit, a Dynaplug, and needle-nose pliers. Haven't needed to use them, so can't report on their effectiveness.

 

Not being a smarta$$, but does it matter? I thought it was unwise to run a donut-spare on the front anyway. The thing to do if the front is flat is to move the rear tire forward and mount the donut-spare on the rear. Is this wrong?

 

RF MINIs do come with a jack. And we do have to suffer a little on storage if we wanna carry a spare --

I got rid of the RFs, went with Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS PolePositions, and LOVE them, even in the wet weather ... as for stashing the donut on road trips, I bought a stock donut and rigged it into the back with three nylon buckle-straps from REI: two six-footers on the sides between the seatback loop and the netting loop, and one two-footer looped through the seatback hinge in the center -- no rattles, $7 total. A small round jumper-cable-bag fits inside the donut center and holds my tools.

 

So you found a way to squeeze the donut into your car. Lets say you have a flat and use the donut. What do you do with the wheel/tire you removed from the car? Do you leave the wheel/tire, your luggage or your significant other on the side of the road. Just carrying a donut doesn't solve a flat tire problem.

 

I take my chances without a spare and just carry a BMW mobility kit. BMW M cars do not have runflats - none of 'em - while the entire rest of the line does. But none supply a spare, only the mobility kit, which consists of a pump and a container of sealant.

But in this modern day of cellphones and AAA coverage (and BMW/Mini roadside assitance for that matter), there's a very good chance that a flatbed tow will be nearby, so I doubt I'll ever use the kit anyways. And the other good thing about this approach vs runflats - you will have no problem finding a tire shop willing to patch/plug your tire, whereas many (or even most) shops will refuse to repair a runflat, for liability reasons. Some don't even have the proper mounting equipment to mount/dismount runflats. And if your tire is shredded, good luck finding one in stock.

I haven't had a flat that left me stranded in 36 years of driving, so I'll take my chances. I've picked up plenty of debris that caused slow leaks, but never one that didn't allow me to get to a shop and get the leak repaired.

Regarding runflat performance vs non - the Bridgestone RE050A comes in both flavors. The non-runflat is one of the highest rated tires in its category at Tire Rack, out of about 25 different tires, I believe it was rated #2 last time I looked. Now look at that list and see where the exact same tire, but the runflat version, ranks - second from the BOTTOM, with horrendous scores for noise, ride comfort, and "would you buy again", which was THE lowest score in the entire category. Think about it - considering it's the same tire otherwise, that's a pretty strong indictment.

 

Well, if it's my EX-WIFE ...

 

Basil49,

This seems the near perfect solution. Is that a OEM donut and which diameter fits over the MCS brakes?
TIA

TAS

 

I keep forgetting about that. Sounds like a pain. I'll keep hoping that the compressor/sealant works, or I don't get a flat.

See above. Only fits over rear brakes. So, if the front goes flat, you have to remove the rear wheel, move it to the front, and put the spare on the rear.

 

Robin is correct; OEM donut is a T115/70-R15 (36-111-509-164 rim + 36-120-418-847 tire), about $150 total with some agressive shopping.

 

No hijack intended, but what size tire? I have a hard time with the speedo error, so 195/60 or 205/55? Suggestions? Bothwould be in the 16 in. flavor.

 

I did some Yoko 205/55s and my speedo error is down to between 1-2 mph compared to my GPS. It was more like 2-3 with the OEM 195/55s. This is on 16s.

 

Just a couple of points...

So, I haven't heard a good answer to this question yet. Other than the use of a "mobility kit" (BMWspeak for a bottle of tire sealant and a compressor). If you carry that, what's the point of the donut spare if there's nowhere to put the full-size flat?

Not too practical on a road trip.


rocket surgeon?

Is that like a brain scientist or something?


________________________________________________

 

I think you would need a rocket theologian.

 

Think Robin answered most of your questions but let me fill in. I stick the donut spare behind the passenger seat.

Someone asked what about fitting over front brakes. I've heard two theories here. One they just flat out do not fit over the calipers and two that your car will go ape **** with two diff tires on the front. Not sure why it can stand the back's but there ya go

Regardless if you get a flat on the front, take one of the good back ones and move to the front and put the donut on the back tire.

Also instead of paying $200 for a OEM MINI one go to your local junk yard and get one for a Honda Civic. I got one off a 2002 and the bolt pattern and everything is identical. Cost $35

Exactly

 

....but that's not the answer to the question to you. What do you do with the flat tire? You have to do something with it after you remove it from the car and if you don't have a plan to deal with it what's the use in carrying a donut?

 

If your MINI is so full of stuff that your full sized wheel can't be stuffed inside after you take the donut out, then you're screwed.

But I've rarely seen a MINI that was THAT packed - unless it had more than 2 passengers. In which case you need a trailer or roofrack for roadtrips if you're MY family.

I've hauled around a whole set of four full sized wheels/tires inside my CABRIO, along with other stuff, a driver and a passenger. It can be done.

 

Thx Robin and Basil,

Got it. OEM donut, rear to front if needed. (And carry a second jack.)
I don't see carrying a full tire in back as a problem. If you can fit the donut, you can fit the full sized tire I'm thinking. For me this would only be on a road trip. Very doable.

TAS

 

Ding Dong, we have a winner. That's the correct answer. Unfortunately once you remove the run flats there is NO foolproof method to deal with a flat. Packing a donut into a loaded MINI may give you a physiological crutch but in reality your no better off.