Geez, I checked my front's yesterday and I'm very nearly down to the wear bars after only about 6 months of driving. (OK, I lit the tires up a couple times and I drive fairly agressively, but geez, that's not much tire life.) The tires are the Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST Run Flat in the 205/40-18 size. They're on a fully loaded '06 JCW Cab. What I'd like to know is what y'all think are the following:

1. Is there a better choice of run flat that might get better mileage? (I don't want to sacrifice performance for mileage.)

2. What non-run flat would make an excellent choice? I'd obviously like to get more miles out of them. And I also like to drive very briskly from time to time in the mountains. (I live and work in the Silicon Valley out here in California, so aside from some rain in the winter, most of the driving will be done in the dry.)

3. Are any of the non-run flat tires more or less prone to picking up nails and such?

4. What tire patch kit works the best? (I have a Stop n Go tire plugger kit. The one with the gun. And I also have an electric pump.)

5. After switching to non-run flats, how lucky have you been at not getting flats?

Thanks much for the help. I'm torn between run flats and conventional rubber. I really like the idea of a run flat should I get a flat. But I hate to spend so much replacing them so often. But at the same time, I don't want to regret not having the run flats should I pick up some debris on the road and get a flat.

 

Falken ZIEX ZE-912 and Nitto NeoGen in 215/40-17 or Hankook V12 Evo K110 in 205/45-17

 

Yes, absolutley, but the better your tires handle, the shorter their treadwear. It's a trade off.

I'd look at UHPAS tires for Milage and handleing. Expect 40k well rotated from the 2 best handeling all seasons I offer in Mini's 17" available sizing :

Bridgestone Re960 As Pole Postition
Michelin Pilot Sport AS+

Not ususally.

I sugest only using DYI plug kits breifly. You should have the tire dismounted and professionally repairied as soon as possible. I personally have old wax plug kits, the cheap ones.

On the 12V pumps, we offer the Continental Comfort kit. I have had one for 4 + years, it works well. I have never used the sealant system, I didn't need to.


Alex

 

I'm in a similar boat. I got the Slime kit in the back of the car now. For the snows on now.
http://www.slime.com/product/281/Pow...%2370004).html

And when my runflats die for good...hopefully after this season I'm going with one of the two alex suggested. I (family) have the re960as' on a 530, carrera S, c320 & c280. everyone really likes them a lot. the carrera and 530 had always had full on summers but the 960's are very good so made a change when rubber was due

 

Alex: Thanks for that. Neither of those two tires is seems to be available in the 205/40-18 size which is what I'm running. Also, what is a DYI plug? A type? Brand? I was thinking of getting some gummy worms so that I have two different kinds of patching options while on the road. But certainly, I would never consider anything installed from the outside of the tire as permanent. I always get a proper repair done from the inside. (I'm a motorcyclist as well and know what constitutes a proper repair.) I might even consider a can of Slime or similar stuff as a backup in case the patches didn't work. Makes a yukky mess, though.

Howsoonisnow1985: Are those tires available in the 205/40-18? And which would you prefer and why? How many miles do you get out of them?

Thanks much all!

 

I guess I should also be asking what is the best type, kit, brand, etc. patch kit for on the road use?

Thanks again.

 

that slime kit comes with a bunch of plugs and the tools.... here's a pic of the contents... http://www.slime.com/docs/view_image....5714285714285
i just like it cause if i need to plug i can and reinflate and if i need the slime it's there too...has me covered (no i don't work or sale for slime)

also selfless plug for motorcycle stuff (and auto racing) Racer Parts Wholesale
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/c...torcycle_Stuff

all kinds of stuff for bikes and cars
...wife's company

 

for the Nitto NeoGens in 215/40-17 and the Slime kit. As you can see the Slime kit doesn't take up too much room in the boot.

 

I learned the hard way. After ~20K miles, I replaced my Dunlop RFs w/more, just a different brand (Falken). They were great for another 15K, and I gave up, and went non-RF with Goodyear 16"s. I've had them on since late summer and, so far, so good. I've GOTTA get a tire kit, though, but haven't had anything happen w/them so far. I'll see how long these last, but ditching the RFs was the best thing I could've done IMHO.

 

Those aren't going to fit on 18" wheels, but they do seem to be available in 205/40-18.

I live a little south of Silicon Valley, so know your weather. Unless you go skiing, summer tires will be fine.

In 205/40-18 the only non-runflat tire available at TireRack.com seems to be the Yokohama S-drive. Based on comments on this forum and TireRack test reports, S-drives would not be my first choice in tires. I have no personal experience with them or Nittos.

I run Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 205/45-17 which seem good, but the only 18" seems to be 225/40ZR18. I also have Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S all season 205/55-16, but am not that fond of them. This model has been replaced by a newer version. So Pirelli might not have been that happy with them either.

I carry the Continental Comfort kit from TireRack, but haven't needed to use the sealant. I also have a Dynaplug kit which seems to be the popular plug kit. Haven't used it, but it looks well designed.

My 2007 MCS has had one flat in the Pirellis. It was a slow leak that was discoved while backing out of the garage recently. I have two sets of wheels, so just switched to the Michelins. Haven't gotten around to getting the Pirelli fixed yet. Requires a drive into Salinas.

 

Again, thanks all for the help. Now I'm going to get a bit more specific.

For the record, my Mini is an 06 JCW Cabriolet with every possible JCW option including the suspension. It has not been lowered beyond what the JCW package did and as far as I know, there are no wheel stops. I'm running the 18" JCW black wheels and using H&R 15mm spacers. I've never had any problems with rubbing, even during very hard cornering. So......

If I decide to go with an alternate size, in all your humble opinions, which would be the way to go? 215/40-18 or 215/35-18?

I'll be measuring to see how much clearance I've got with the existing tires and see what is more critical. Width or diameter. Since the car is lower than a regular S (I think), I may go with the 215/35's as I'm sure that even with the loss of sidewall height, they'll still ride smoother than the Dunlop run flats. But then, if they're softer and shorter, am I at more risk for tire and wheel damage? Maybe I'm better off with the 40 series if I've got the clearance for them?

Oh, and what's not so great about the Yokohama S? It's got to be better than the Dunlop run flat? And better mileage?

Thanks again, all.

 

Falken ZIEX ZE-912 and Nitto NeoGen, and Hankook V12 Evo K110 are all available in 215/40-18. And all are between $100-$130. My preference has nothing to do with gas mileage, noise, comfort, treadwear or speedo issuue, so I would probably choose the Dunlop Star Spec for street use, the Falkens for road trips, and Nitto NT-01 for track. btw I had more flats on the brief time I had on RFTs than I have on non run flats.

 

Thanks for that. But how will they fit? The 215 should be 10 mm wider than the 205. Divide that by two (centered on the rim) and the tire should only be 5 mm (.196") closer to the strut and other things, compared to the 205. And by my calculations, the 215 should only be .157" taller (measured from the rim to the tread). I'll be doing some checking, but given my particular car and it's equipment, do you think these increases will cause problems?

Cheers!

 

Will all of those give me better mileage than the Dunlop run flats? Which of those tires would be the best and most predictable performing?

Thanks again!

 

I have absolutely no idea what makes up or constitutes a tire that gives better gas mileage its never been on my radar and I don't understand tire engineering that well. I know Yokohama came out with a "green" tire that has less "rolling resistance"? I'd say inflate a little higher psi for better mileage, but you may compromise best performing tire with more psi. I can only guess a high treadwear and harder all-season rubber would give better mileage but again with sacrifice of better performance that you would have in a summer tire. It is a difficult question cause it seem a tire that give the best gas mileage and a tire that is the best performing are directly in conflict of each other.
Nitto NeoGen-UHPAS w/280 treadwear very predictable at the Dragon or in a full rainstorm. Consumer Report rated them a dead tie for first place UHPAS tire with the Falken ZIEX ZE-912 which has a 360 treadwear rating, also Grasroots Motorsports deemed the Falken their Budget Tire of the Year.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...eng0711tir.htm
The Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 is also a 280 treadwear but is Max Performance Summer tire (mileage may be compromised) Car & Driver rated them pretty against some of the best tires and got 2nd only to the epic Dunlop Star Specs.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests
That said maybe the Falken would be the better mileage tire, being a UHPAS with 360 treadwear but all 3 tires are pretty good performance wise. But just not the best in performance when compared to say extreme summer tires. Some obsessed hypemiler types use tires with treadwear ratings of 400-540, but tire performance is way down on the bottom of the list of priorities and it may not even be on that list actually. I can't say if either of these tires would lay down better mileage than stock Dunlop run flats, I am just not sure. If I had to choose with a gun pointed at me, I would say the Falkens would get better mileage (I would add 5 or 6 more psi for the test)

 

Sorry, by mileage I meant miles out of the tire. MPG is not a concern.

The Falken is sounding like a good choice. However, I've talked with the folks over at B&R Racing in Los Gatos (they have a lot of experience with Minis and have raced them) and they are recommending the Yokohama S Drive. They say it sticks real well and doesn't squeal a lot when pushed. And it's supposed to be a real quiet tire as well. It also has the added advantage of being available in the 205/40-18 size so I don't have to take a risk of any rubbing with the 215/40. But, I'll read that review and maybe I'll change my mind.

Any idea if I'll have rubbing issues with a 215/40-18 using JCW rims, 15mm spacers and JCW suspension?

Thanks so much again.

 

Sorry my bad by mileage I think MPG, also meant to say the Falken was named budget tire of the year by Grassroots Motorsports my monthly bible. Also no rub and no spacers needed with 215/40-18.
Re: The S-Drive sticking well, is confusing? It just kinda conflicts with Tire Rack Test and Surveys it has a 8.7 which is good, but there is 15 other tires rated higher in dry grip in its class Ultra High Performance Summer tires? That info re: S Drives also flatly conflicts the the Car & Criver Magazine's Test (skidpad) Result which placed the Yokohama S Drives dead last with the horrid Ling Longs, a Chinese tire that C&D reffered to as cement tires. And in the Tire Rack Test od UHPS tires it place below avereage in evey test, puts it at 2nd to last beating out the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW-2. The 300 treadware S-Drive is a Ultra High Performance Summer tire same as the Hankook, but not same class as the Falken or Nitto which are Ultra High Performance All-Season (rubber a bit harder).
Car & Driver Tire Test
Tire Rack Survey
Tire Rack Test

 

Thanks so much for that again. I had a good look under the car yesterday. Rear, front with wheels straight, front with wheels turned to lock. It appears that I've got plenty of room for the 215/40's so I may go with the Hankook's. I'll be making my decision early this coming week.

 

Good luck, I'm also thinking of getting rid of my RF's in spring.

 

I thought I'd post a follow up to my tire adventures. I just got my new Hankook Ventus V12 Evo's installed today by BR Racing in Los Gatos, Ca. (215/40-18's) I placed them side by side to compare width and diameter and they were somewhat larger in both dimensions, but the difference seemed to be what the tire specs predicted. They installed just fine and I took them out for a test drive up in the Santa Cruz Mountains on a nice twisty and bumpy road. Though new, and though the road was mostly wet or damp, they stuck very well and seemed predictable, though I didn't push it because of the particular road and the weather. However, I did get some rubbing. The car is an '06 Cabriolet with the full JCW package including JCW suspension. The rims are the black JCW 18". And I was still running the 15 mm spacers the previous owner had installed. (Previous tires were the Dunlop run flats in the 205/40-18.) BR Racing was going to remove my spacers for me but I didn't have the shorter wheel bolts with me so I went home and did it myself. I only removed the front spacers and left the spacers installed in the rear. I then took it out for another test drive on the same road. It had dried out a bit more and so I pushed even harder. No rubbing. Though at one point in a fairly tight corner and carrying a bit of speed, some roughness in the road may have made the rear rub very slightly. I'm going to keep the 15 mm spacers in the rear for a while and see how it goes. If I get more rubbing back there, I may just remove them entirely, or I may get some 5 or 10 mm spacers and see how that goes.

All in all these seem like great tires. They came in second place in the July '09 Car and Driver tire test. (The Yokohama S Drives came in 6th place.) Of course, they don't have the quick response to steering inputs that the run flats had, but I chalk this up to the much stiffer side walls of the run flats. Because the Hankooks (and other non-run flats) have softer sidewalls than run flats, this isn't surprising. Even in my short drive, I found myself not noticing the tiny lag in the steering response. They just went where I pointed them and approached the limits of adhesion very predictably. Nice tires. And they're real quiet. In the Car and Driver test, they tied for quietest tires with the Yokohama's.

So, if anyone is wondering if you can fit 215/40-18's on a first generation Mini without rubbing, my experience says yes.

Cheers!