I just had to replace a 17" run flat tire and wheel. The total cost for one tire and wheel was:
Rim: $225.00 (Rim unique to run flat tire)
Tire: $312.50 (205/45/R7)
Valve: $3.85
Labor: $30.00

TOTAL: $571.35 FOr ONE TIRE AND WHEEL

I will immediately buy four tires and wheels from R Speed for $1100.00 including shipment and offer my four run flat tires for sale on ebay.

In addition to being expensive the run flat tires run rougher than normal tires. I would encourage all new mini buyers to not buy the run flats.

 

(sorry, but this thread really belongs in the TIRE area...Moderators, can this be moved?)

Mini4USA, I agree that the runflats are expensive and harsh-riding. There have been a number of other posts over time to that effect. Also sorry that you needed to replace a wheel. What happended? Curb? Pothole? Re. the latter, this is why some of us have been promoting the (albeit not as pretty as alloys) steel wheels and winter tire combination.

But what I'm really wondering is why you're saying that you'll buy new wheels in the spring? Why not just buy 4 non-runflat 17" tires that fit your existing wheels? Check for previous posts as several people have done this and no-doubt have recommendations.

 

I was under the impression that runflats can fit on any rim.... You might want to check that.

 

Which runflat tyre did you receive? :???:

I was quoted $212 from my local tyre shoppe for the Dunlop sp5000 DSST 17 inch

 

Remember that an S doesn't have a spare... with normal tires you could get stuck. Keep some Fix-a-Flat in your boot.

 

I was planning on replacing the run flats with regular tires when the time comes, and just keep an 'emergency' kit in the boot....fix-flat, compressor and the like

 

The Tire Rack stocks our run-flats. When I had to replace one right before my trip to Canada, the dealership wanted $271 for one of the Dunlop 205/45 R17 Run-Flats. The Tire Rack wanted about $180 at the time. I bought the tire from the Tire Rack, had it overnighted out to Colorado for $51 and had it installed at one of their installers who worked with run-flats for $20.

I am now using Yokohama AVS ES100 205/50 R16 tires on the MINI R84 wheels. I carry a cell phone, my roadside assistance card, fix-a-flat, and a small compressor. Really not a big deal. Plus, regular tires really improve both the handling and the ride comfor of the car. Very nice change.

 

Moving to the Tire and Wheel forum...

Mark

 

We checked pricing on run flats prior to ordering and discovered the same. A little out of the budget for a "flat" run flat. Also,... Xenon lamps are a little costlier as well - not that they burn out soon, but a local news report stated that they were a hot item and many new cars equiped with them were targets for theft. Oh well, it's only money.

 

>>I was under the impression that runflats can fit on any rim.... You might want to check that.


I came across this paragraph in an article I found concerning Minis' and runflat tires.

MINI's run-flat tires are engineered to fit on standard wheels and to run without inflation pressure for up to 150 miles at speeds up to 50 mph, he said. A tire-pressure monitoring system is standard equipment

 

there are no specific wheels for "run-flats" Run-flat tires will work on any standard wheel. You may be confusing this with Michelin's PAX system.

Run-flats are a great idea if you don't want to carry a spare (or a fix-a-flat can) and can sacrifice some ride softness.

Run-flats are a bad idea if you never get flats, need to shed a few ounces of unsprung weight, or need *****-out grip and decent ride softness.

 

>>Run-flats are a bad idea if you never get flats, need to shed a few ounces of unsprung weight, or need *****-out grip and decent ride softness.

How do you know you'll never get a flat?????????

retroom

 

you can't determine if you're gonna get a flat or not, unless your MINI is parked in the garage or museum indefinitely, that's the point! It's kinda dumb to have regular tires and no spare/fix-a-flat.

 

Can any tire be mounted on the 16 inch wheel? I can't believe that the wheels are specific to run flats. I really want to get rid of the run flats for better grip and better ride.

 

I guess we'd have to have a tire rack on the top of the car like they did in the Monte Carlo Rally!

- - For me, I'll take the run flat tires that MINI designed the car to come with. I like the idea that there is a low tire gage on the dash. If I decide between now and when my current lease is up that I do not want a fun car with a stiff ride and I really want a smooth quiet ride, then I'll buy a luxury sedan.

 

I like the idea of run flats too. I just got my MCS and I love it, but it catches all the grooves in the road. That makes the car jump right and left. I have the stock Pirelli's. Do the Goodyears have the same problem?

 

PeterM: the tramlining is more of an alignment issue. Changing to a different tire won't band-aid the situation. If you're used to driving anything but a go-kart, the MCS will seem jumpy for a while. Teach yourself to stay on top of the steering constantly, and only small, smooth inputs are needed. Lastly, drive IN the grooves, don't drive all over the lane! That or switch to an all-concrete-commute

The Goodyears weigh 8 pounds more apiece than the Pirelli's!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for this info.. On other cars i run Toyo T1-S. They are a softer sidewall but grip from hell! They are the best tyre inthe rain hands down and great for autocross!! Please consider these!

 

I switched from the 17" S-Lites w/ Pirelli's to 16x7 Rota Circuit 8's w/ 205/50-16 Toyo T1S Proxes (thanks again to Peter @ R-Speed). I may have never known the difference either, but it's reality guys - major difference in ride quality! You give up a little handling sharpness, but make up for it in grip. No more "tramlining", no more sliding, better wet grip, and the ride is still plenty stiff, without the rough edge. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.
By the way, the low pressure warning works regardless of tire type and with MINI Assistance and AAA, I'm taking my chances on a flat (OK, just jinxed myself). I'll throw in a can of Fix-A-Flat for long trips.

 

I got my 2007 Mini S with 16,000 miles. At 20,000 miles one of the front ride flats blew out and stranded me. The other front tire had a "blister" and I had to replace that too. The nuts were "after market" security, and the mated socket was not with the car, so they had to be broken off. It cost me $528.00. Now, I have a howling at 70MPH which the dealer says is caused by the rear tires. I want to get a wheel and spare and buy regular tires. The ride flats cost $100 more a tire and last half as long as the regulars. Also, perusing a magazine while waiting at the dealer, I saw an after market kit to mount a spare tire on the back outside, like the old Nash Metrolpolitans. It would seem someone has made the switch and has some recommendations. Or, perhaps a tire dealer that has a whole package to make the change. Please let me know. Thanks, Nelson.

 

You get brownie points for using a > 6-year old thread! Welcome to NAM!

I assume you have the Cooper S.

Those who have changed from runflat to regular tires usually opt to carry flat tire repair kits and their cell phone in case of a flat. For longer trips, some have put a spare "donut" tire in rear.

There are many threads discussing the pros and cons of various solutions.

Just one example: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...are-donut.html

 

I just bought two non-runflats Bridgestones to replace my worn runflats. I got about 27,000 miles on the tires and they were on the fronts for most of those miles. I've read a little about the pros and cons and decided on the donut spare. I went ahead and bought the MINI spare from Mini-Mania and got a bag for it from Helix. It fits very nicely behind the passenger seat and with the passenger seat moved back as far as the tire allows, it won't budge. I know I could have gone cheaper with non-MINI tire, but after adding all the costs, it's still much less expensive than two new runflats.

 

I discovered a serious tow issue that competely wore the inside of my left front tire. Since all four OEM run flats were pretty much more than 50% worn I decided to change all four for new ones. After finding out how much OEM replacement tires would cost me, I realized I'd have to do some research.
The benefits of run flats just didn't make economic sense. I found the same size/profile regular tires for my Cooper S with almost the same tread pattern as the original Dunlops for $145 each. Bought a can of fix-a-flat and a $25 cigarette lighter type air compressor that will get me out of most flat tire situations to put in the trunk.
The end result is softer ride, lighter steering, better performance, and a tire that I'll get a hole lot more mileage out of.

 

Just got rid of the run flats today... Pirelli's PZero Nero's....waaaaaaaaaaaay nicer...

I'm betting that shoving RFs down the customers throats is costing them sales.
I almost walked the first time with the CM... But never having RFs before I gave it a try...BAD MOVE!

RFs are now a deal breaker.... My tires if you want my $$$$$