Hey
Future mini owner here and wanted to ask: I have heard that run-flats have their problems but what are they? Are they worth it?

 

my only major beef with the run flats is that the ride is HORRIBLE compared to a standard tire. if your getting an MCS, you don't really have a choice about getting them, i'd just suggest selling them and putting some standard tires on.

on the up side, they do provide some degree of security compared to a standard tire. i guess it just depends on what kinda risks you wanna take; smooth ride with no form of spare tire, or rough ride with extra security

 

The stiffer sidewalls and harder compound tend to make the ride a little harsher than a regular tire but I don't think they are too bad.

 

They don't have the grip of other tires, nor do they use up all their tread after 20-25k. They weigh considerably more, which affects the suspensions ability to follow bumps as well or accelerate as well. Also don't get the 17" minilights, they are also heavy. Get 15" wheels which are marketable to auto-xers, when you purchase aftermarket wheels and tires. I'm saying this because very few people can resist changing the look/performance of their car/mini. And runflats are expensive, plug kits and cigarlighter pumps are not.

 

jollybengali87,
Runflats are OK but there are "choices" any MINI owner has.
Problems?
Sure- nothing is perfect.
Negatives include:
High cost of each tire in case of replacement
Stiffer sidewall -harsher ride but not too bad with stock MINI suspension
Heavy weight
No spare tire in MCS.
Pothole unfriendly- tires easily damaged and rims as well.
(interestingly the non runflat stock 175 tires will blow out due to potholes but the rims do OK)

Are they worth it?
Sure, if safety and not having to stop for a flat tire are of concern or importance. If it ain't safe to stop on a busy stretch of road or highway in the middle of the night then nothing is going to be as good as a runflat.

For those looking at the base Cooper
The stock 15" non run flat tires are OK for daily use, not as good for performance vs the 16" runflats.

For those looking at the Cooper S.
Stock 16" runflats are smoother riding, offer runflat safety, weigh less, don't cost more, work well with the stock suspension, and offer enough performance.

 

if you get the perf. runflats, dont plan on doing too much winter driving, i get stuck in powder regulary with the tires. i'm getting Sumitumo ultra high perf all seasons when i get rid of these damn runflats!!!

 

yeah im not impressed with the grip or traction of the 16's either. after 9000 miles the front tires were shot, but i doubt thats usual.

This is a bit off topic but still about runflats, my father's 545 also has runflats as part of the sports package, they are either 18 or 19's. He has had so many issues with them. With his 25000 service he needed to have all four replaced, including one new rim due to bumps or something... it came out to like 2400. However its a company car, so he didnt have to pay, but still runflats arent cheap.