My front pair of run-flats are wearing down. So I am looking to buy new tires in the near future. I know very little about what to look for in a tire. I want to keep the good performance but I like having the peace of mind with run-flats.

Should I buy the replacement run-flats from MINI? Or look into a new tire?

Thanks.

 

Whatever you do - don't get 'em from MINI/dealership - it's a total rip-off!

 

I assumed that would be the case. Thanks for the tip!

 

You have options.
Buy new runflats from various tire outlets such as tirerack.com (the prices will be less than from the MINI dealership even with the shipping)

Buy used runflats from other MINI owners- post "want to buy" ad in NAM marketplace or see if others are selling runflats in your size.

Buy non runflats in a pair to replace your current runflats- I have a friend that has done this because of two damaged tires. Just buy the same size tire as the runflats.

Buy four non runflats. No more rough riding runflats but you do have to deal with flat tires/risk.

 

I just had a set of Proxes 4's put on my '03 MCS today, after wearing the original run-flats down to the cord. What a difference!!!!:smile: Even without breaking them in, the ride is so much better than the RF's. I can't wait to get a few miles on them to see how they handle.

Yes, there is always a risk of a puncture, but other than hitting a pot-hole on the freeway in my pick-up, I have never had a flat tire in my life. But pot-holes generally destroy the tire, so it's doubtful even a RF would survive. Get AAA, a can or two of fix-a-flat, and just enjoy. If it happens, it happens - there are worse things in life...

 

If you are looking for all-season performance tires, try the Falken ZIEX 512's. I have them on my Mini and I am very satisfied with them. They have lasted more the the OEM run flats which only lasted about 10K miles. I have over 15K miles on the Falkens and still running strong.

 

Anyone have the Hankook K104 or K106? The K104's are cheap at edgeracing..just wondering if they are any good.

 

Poderes1,

What pressure are you running in your Falkens? I put some on my MCS but have been terribly disappointed in the handling department. I replaced the Pirelli's (performance) run-flats with the Falken Ziex. Anyone have any suggestions to optimize the handling? I have 34 psi currently.

 

Hey Swing!!

The pressure on my tires are around that figure. You have to make sure you rotate your tires and are balanced to maintain great handling and performance with the Falken Ziex tires. I rotate my tires every 5K miles. So far I have no complaints.

 

Thanks for the quick response. I was wondering because I just had these tires put on the car. From day 1 (the Falkens have been on my car less than 3 weeks) the handling wasn't nearly as crisp as the run-flat Pirelli's.

Am I expecting too much from the Falkens since they are all season tires? Guess I just thought the Falkens would handle as well as the Pirelli's, but the Pirelli's that were on my car were the summer performance tires.

I am considering putting the Pirelli's on my Fliks and the Falkens on my S-lites to use only in the winter. Anyone have any other suggestions or comments as to the handling on the Falken's?

 

Update!

I went out and put about 200 miles on my new Proxes 4's today. Here's my impressions:

1. @37 PSI (what the tire dealer put in 'em) - Pronounced understeer, especially once into a corner; it seemed to turn-in fairly well, then start slipping enough to cause the understeer (you could hear it start to slip). Did not push it into actual side slip, as I was afraid it would let go all of a sudden. Did about 60 miles this way on an 80 mile set of twisties (long mountain road).

2. Stopped and dropped it down to 35psi. Better on the understeer, but still a slight slipping feeling. I should say the the tarmac wasn't all that great, pretty old but no loose gravel.

3. Got to the other end of twisties, dropped it down to 33.5psi and turned around. Way gooder!!! Very well behaved, pretictable slide - let it side-slip a few times with no wierdness.

4. Due to the condition of the road, I'll probably run them at 34 -34.5 psi under normal conditions.
grnmene, '03 MCS

 

I'm about to upgrade and have been looking at either Proxes 4s (205/50/16) or Hankook 405s (215/50/16). Anyone have any experience with the Hankooks?

 

My Goodyear runflats got me about 7500 miles.
I've just installed the Falken 512's and they're great!
If you're worried about flats get a 12v compressor and fix-a-flat.
I got mine from MiniMania. You might also keep a set of plugs onboard.
The ride is quite a bit better although you do have a bit of sidewall
flexing, but only on quick steering maneuvers It's been recommended that performence tires be rotated every 3000 miles ]
My tire dealer has lifetime rotate and balance as part of their price
It's good to check that out too

 

How about the Falken GRB FK-451? Does anyone have any experience with them? If you don't need to worry too much about needing an all-season tire, these look to be better handlers, maybe on a par with Yoko AVS ES100s.

I just added a swaybar and need to lose the runflats!!

 

Just installed Falken Ziex Ze-512 205/50R16 on my MCS, cost $70.00 each plus shipping ($38.00). Have about 500 miles on them, great tires, better ride and handling, what can I say?
Charles