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Thinking about Bridgestone Driveguards for my Mini Cooper S convertible
Hi, I am done with my OEM Continental 205/45/17 run flats, way too harsh a ride and squirily in the rain. I like the Michelin Pilot A/S3, but am concerned about non runflat. Americas Tire recommended Bridgestone Driveguard in a 215/45/17, and I am looking for some advice and comments good bad or otherwise. Thanks in advance
Terrible ride. I have a set in my garage because I couldn't stand them anymore. You'll be more comfortable with non-run flats, a tire patch kit and a 12-volt compressor.
put 'em on the Mrs '14 R59 a few months back .. no complaints .... watch for sales/rebates ... Firestone stores usually carry Bridgestone
she has ZERO interest is\n plugs, slime or small compressors ....
If you are OK with what's needed when you choose non-r/f then there are many options and lower cost ..... maybe ....
SOME LIKE what r/f's can provide: ability to drive even with what would be a flat tire .... owning MINIs since 2002, Mrs has THREE times had what would have been a flat on the side of I-95 and instead drove to an exit or home ... either way was NOT on the shoulder futzing with a jack or a plug kit or or or . . .
r/f won't prevent ALL tire issues, but MANY ....
r/f are gonna be all season IME so you may find 'better' sport tires but note that these are usually SUMMER tires, or warm weather tires, so something different may be needed in the winter if you live north .....
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r/f's suck is in the top 5 most discussed items since this site began!!!!
I just got rid of the Bridgestone Runflats. They were terrible. So terrible that I disliked them enough to take them off the car before they were worn out. And then I realized when I drove on my new tires, the runflats were actually worse than I previously remembered/thought.
17s on my F56, thought I liked them but this winter I put 16s on. Pirelli RF which are nice compared to the Driveguards. Could be the size difference.
When I crave a smoother ride I steal wife's GTI with 18s which are non RFs. Starting to appreciate the VW over the MINI except for the extra electronics.
Have run Driveguards in summer and either Rf Dunlop wintersports or Rf Conti winter tires on my wifes two minis for 9 years. I thought all of them were better than whatever pos Conti all season they put on in the factory.
With 17" rims minis have a terrible ride on runflats period. I have 16" driveguards and the difference from the stock continental runflats is night and day. From all my reading on here 17"s you need non flat for comfort.
The 2020 Oxford edition we just got has 17in rims with Hankook runflat all seasons. only put 100 miles on it before putting on our only 2 season old 16 in Conti runflat snows (had to get new rims and sensors as the set for our R56 doesnt work on the F56) but the Hankooks seemed half decent. Will be able to tell more come springtime.
The 2020 Oxford edition we just got has 17in rims with Hankook runflat all seasons. only put 100 miles on it before putting on our only 2 season old 16 in Conti runflat snows (had to get new rims and sensors as the set for our R56 doesnt work on the F56) but the Hankooks seemed half decent. Will be able to tell more come springtime.
The gen3 cars have a more comfortable ride than gen1/2. My story is a 2012 S, non-sport suspension.
I got talked into DriveGuards by the Costco tire man on my F56 17's. Absolute buzzkill when trying to round any corner. The response is terrible as they feel stiff and wooshy at the same time. Trying to see if they'll take em back as I don't even enjoy driving my car anymore. A good set of tires can really make the difference. Choose wisely.
I got talked into DriveGuards by the Costco tire man on my F56 17's. Absolute buzzkill when trying to round any corner. The response is terrible as they feel stiff and wooshy at the same time. Trying to see if they'll take em back as I don't even enjoy driving my car anymore. A good set of tires can really make the difference. Choose wisely.
Costco tire man wasn't wrong, it's the 17's that are the problem. Have you tried different tire pressures to see if that helps any? Do you have standard of sport suspension?
Not really. Went from factory Conti Sport Contact 3 runflats to Michelin PSS non-runflats on my wife's Euro spec Cooper LCI. Same 205/45 R17 size, same wheel. VAST difference in ride quality. So it's NOT the size, at least not the size alone. Admitted, IF ride was my major concern I'd run some 185/65 R15 touring tires on Holies.
Not really. Went from factory Conti Sport Contact 3 runflats to Michelin PSS non-runflats on my wife's Euro spec Cooper LCI. Same 205/45 R17 size, same wheel. VAST difference in ride quality. So it's NOT the size, at least not the size alone. Admitted, IF ride was my major concern I'd run some 185/65 R15 touring tires on Holies.
We're talking about run flats only. Of course non run flats will ride better, in any size. Driveguards are great for less than 17" rims. That is what we are discovering in this thread. All the people that think Driveguards suck have 17" rims. I have 16" rims and Driveguards are night and day better than the stock Continentals. So to discount Driveguards as a whole is inaccurate.
Costco tire man wasn't wrong, it's the 17's that are the problem. Have you tried different tire pressures to see if that helps any? Do you have standard of sport suspension?
The 17's? Please elaborate. I've only tired letting some tire pressure out from 45 down to 37, but didn't notice a ton of difference. I have the multi-link suspension, nothing aftermarket.
The 17's? Please elaborate. I've only tired letting some tire pressure out from 45 down to 37, but didn't notice a ton of difference. I have the multi-link suspension, nothing aftermarket.
With 17" rims Driveguards do not seem to improve ride quality as much as they do on smaller rims. On my 16" rims they are just about as comfortable as non-runflats. Since buying whole new set of smaller rims is expensive, you could switch to non-runflat tires but then you need some roadside assistance insurance in case a fix a flat can and compressor aren't enough.
With 17" rims Driveguards do not seem to improve ride quality as much as they do on smaller rims. On my 16" rims they are just about as comfortable as non-runflats. Since buying whole new set of smaller rims is expensive, you could switch to non-runflat tires but then you need some roadside assistance insurance in case a fix a flat can and compressor aren't enough.
Gotcha. Thanks for the breakdown. I think I’ll move to some non run flats and flat supplies to store in the boot. 👍
I don't think so. When talking about runflats it does make some sense to compare them to conventional tires.
Anyway, you're not a moderator and not even the OP.
Originally Posted by yesti
Of course non run flats will ride better, in any size.
Originally Posted by yesti
On my 16" rims they are just about as comfortable as non-runflats.
You don't even agree with yourself.
I'm tired of reading yet another gen runflat tires is 'vastly improved' for like 15 years and then I have to realize any time I drive them they still ride rough. The sidewall of any runflat tire has to be extremely thick, stiff (and heavy) to support the car's weight even without any air in it. There is no way to escape from that dilemma. I admit you may honestly feel them acceptable, however you're comparing old hardened rubber to new ones. That doesn't mean it still isn't wishful thinking runflats were same ride as non-runflats though.
The 17's? Please elaborate. I've only tired letting some tire pressure out from 45 down to 37, but didn't notice a ton of difference. I have the multi-link suspension, nothing aftermarket.
The stock continentals benefitted from adding more air than factory spec, it made the ride _almost_ bearable. People speculate the air takes you off the rock hard sidewalls a little. Anywhere between factory recommended and ~5psi less than the max value on the sidewall is a good place to play around. Just have to watch for center tread wear, and let out a couple psi if you see that starting.
The stock continentals benefitted from adding more air than factory spec, it made the ride _almost_ bearable. People speculate the air takes you off the rock hard sidewalls a little.
You're not understanding most simple physics. Pointless.
I had the Conti RF's stock on my 07S and 15S ... and b4 that the Pirelli b4 on my 02S
and now have DriveGuard on my 15 R59S
what's your question .... YES I have driven on all so I have EXPERIENCE versus anecdotal comment
On my 02 after the RF wore out I replaced with non RF SPORT tires .... why? PRICE
On my 07 after the RF wore out I replaced with non RF all seasons .... why? PRICE
both of these cars were MY daily drivers and the possibility of being roadside with a flat and dealing with slime or plugs and a lil pump and other STUFF was not a big deal to ME but when the wife or kids had the car there was CONCERN so we ALSO had AAA . . .
TODAY R59 is Mrs daily driver and having been bailed out of a couple of 'flat' situations by RFs (able to get OFF I-95 vs sitting on the shoulder) and having ZERO interest in slime or plugs or lil pumps and finding driving OFF I-95 versus waiting for AAA she LOVES the RF and we use DriveGuard which is btw an all season so should not be compared to a 'sport' tire wrt performance
as an aside / editorial
I'm getting old and been a car guy since the hey day of muscle cars and sports cars .... I could've bought a Mini, Lotus Europa, MGB, TR6 ... GTO Judge or Camaro Rally Sport new off the lot from a dealer .... I'm always surprised when a person that want's 'sports car performance' and by that I mean handling ... then complains the ride is hard . IME tight suspension is hard ..... a component of that is tires ..... I don't want my sidewalls to roll over . . . have any idea what the ride in a Lotus Europa is like? Or my 79 Mini ?????
I had a very early 02' ... soon after they came out folks complained they rode too hard so MINI softened the suspension ... and then the most popular first suspension mod for the 'car people' was stiffer sway bars
12-14-2019, 10:21 AM
. IME tight suspension is hard ..... a component of that is tires ..... I don't want my sidewalls to roll over . . . have any idea what the ride in a Lotus Europa is like? Or my 79 Mini ?????
