There seem to be a lot of threads asking about best options for tires and everyone suggests "real" tires and ditching the runflats. Does anyone other than me stick to runflats? I get continentals at a 60% discount so that might be why...but I've also had two blowouts in the tread and they saved my ***... Anyone actually keep them?

 

Some people with long commutes (or more commonly, it seems, wives with long commutes.) opt for the extra security of the runflats. Most just go with a slime kit and a compressor, a few carry a spare.

 

I keep the run flats for the extra peace of mind. I have a 45 mile commute, and just don't want to deal with the potential of dealing with a flat. I've gotten use to the "feel of the road"...

 

We have both Sport tires and run flats (two sets of wheels).

Sport tires for real driving.

Run flats for commuting on boring roads.

 

I personally don't find the ride quality on runflats much worse than a low profile performance summer tire, but I'm not worried about a flat, and they're heavy which is a larger concern on a non-S, and the cost is outrageous.

 

I have a set of run flats on 17" wheels and as soon as the tread is worn I'm trading them for a set of standard tires and equpping the boot with a bottle of slime, plug kit, and a compresor... funny because my Dad always taught me to carry those anyway! I have had a sports car for the past several years that had wide stanced, low profile tires, and never have I been beaten up so bad while driving as I have with the RFs. I figure at almost half the price of RF tires a standard tire set will be worth checking out. I have had two flats on RFs on another car and every time I was able to drive to a tire shop and they couldn't repair the tire and I had to end up buying a new tire each time. In my oppinon the RFs dont provide enough peace of mind to trade for the overly rough ride on a daily basis.

 

We use run flats in the winter with the factory wheels. In the summertime we use aftermarket wheels that are much lighter than factory with summer tread that are non run flats. Both types are continental tires. The run flats are expensive but I like the tire and we get a lot of miles on them.

 

I still have the OEM runflats on my 07 MCS.

 

Although it is popular to change from runflats to nonrunflat tires there are very good runflats available in MINI friendly sizes now.

This was not always the case when the first MINIs arrived back in 2002-2003.

Also prices have dropped on runflats which makes them competitive with other choices and handling and comfort have improved.

This tirerack test result shows how far runflats have come-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=164

In addition runflats are ideally suited for:
Longer range driving where carrying a spare is not feasible or wanted.
Driving at night or in heavy traffic
Driving for anyone not interested/capable in/of changing a flat
Driving in bad weather

 

I run RFs on our MCS because my wife and I commute 100 miles round trip with it. I really don't want her to be stuck on the side of the road if she gets a flat and I'm not around.