Hey there guys,

So this might seem like a stupid question but I am in desperate need of new tires, but the quote from my dealer for four new run-flats is way more than I want to spend, not to mention where I live (Wisconsin) the RF handle horribly in the winter weather.

BUT ALL IS NOT LOST! I have a friend that can get me tires at-cost, so my main question is; do I need to stick with the RF's or can I just use standard tires (I AM aware I will not have a spare) on my rims? or will I just need to go out and buy new wheels anyway?

I ditched my run-flats soon after I got my car in 2007, and never looked back. I have a 2007 MCS (no spare tire). On those very rare occassions where the low tire pressure light came on, I went to a tire store and got the tire fixed. Leaks are usually slow. I also carry an air pump and bottle of fix-a-flat though I have never used either.

I hated the rock-hard ride and noise of the run-flats. Also, I once had a flat with a run-flat and discovered that the tire could not be fixed. Needless to say, there is hugely wider selection of non-run-flats, and they cost much less as a general rule.

My non-run-flats mounted without any issues whatever on my factory crown spoke wheels. I will never return to run-flats.

Non run flats will mount on stock OEM Mini rims with no issues. Carry a can of
fix-a-flat for added security.

Excellent! I placed the order this morning and didn't think about it till later, I started to panic a litte bit there. Thanks!!!

I've been running none run flats since 2003. I carry a small compressor and a plug kit. I've only had to use it twice, delayed my trip maybe 15 minutes.

Nik

It basically boils down to can you handle the fact that you might possibly get a flat and be stuck on the side of the road? If not, then stick with RFs. If you can live with that fact there are a bunch of standard tires out there that are great, cheap, and have good performance.

If you are worried about getting a flat tire fairly often and not near a place where you can be towed to to get it fixed, then stick with runflats.

If, however, you notice you hardly ever get a flat, and if you do, you should be able to get it fixed in short order, then get regular tires.

My car came with runflats and in the two years I used them, I had to have them fixed 4 times. Since then, I have used non-runflat tires and have not had a flat tire situation on them. So calculate your own risk and make your decision based on your findings. Noting that even with runflat tires, you will still run the risk of being stuck on the side of the road with nowhere to fix your tire.

Ditched the runflats when whomever's head on the coin hit the tread. Bought a pump, a plug kit and put a bottle of tyreshield in all four tires. Hoping for good cell phone coverage for roadside assistance and a clean roadway. The rest is luck.

A Slime kit is a better option than Fix A Flat. Fix A Flat can damage the Tire Pressure Monitoring system's wheel transmitters and they are not cheap.

You can also get a donut spare, but they don't fit over the front disc brake rotor, so if you get a front flat, you have to move a rear tire to the front and put the donut spare on the rear.

Dave

So what tires did you go with? I need new tires for 2009 Cooper.

My run flat tires came in handy after I ran over a 4in eyebolt. When the car has no room for a spare, what better tire to have? One lesser expensive place to go is Tirerack.com They were 75 to 100 dollars less than the dealership.

I am running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. I upsized from 205/17" to 215's. Great grip wet or dry, smooth and quiet and 45k mile tread life warranty.

I'd try a Dynaplug or similar before reaching for the fix-a-flat or slime if possible.
The fix-a-flat/slime/etc. is not friendly to the TMPS system nor to the next person
who has to change a tire on that wheel.