If not, why does Mini make them?? Just bought one that had that option (I wouldn't have chosen them) but should I plan to switch immediately?? Will I notice a difference?? What happens when they are punctured?? How soon do you have to get them fixed..is it covered under warranty??

thanks

Happy New Year....2003 Black w/ white top loaded due in two weeks

 

I actually like mine but I like the feel of the road too, they are heavier than regular tires. BMW is often placing them on thier cars (read reviews of the new Z4).

Dave in Denver has switched his out. Look for a thread from Dave concerning the run flats. You will find a lot of information concerning them on this site. BTW, welcome.

 

I like my run-flats, of course I don't have anything to compare them too.
The car handles great with them and provides added peace of mind.

Maybe with other tires the car will handle better and provide a smoother ride
but I can wait until my run-flats are worn out before thinking about replacing them.

In the meantime I'll enjoy the driving experience.

By the way I have MC with 16" 5-stars.

retroom

 

Here are the things I have noticed since swapping out the run-flats for regular tires on my Cooper S.

my current set-up: 205/50 R16 Yokohama AVS 100 tires on MINI R84 v-spokes

1) The car accellerates better and doesn't bog down in first gear. This is because of the reduced rotating weight (50 lbs per corner for run-flats compared to 37 lbs per corner for the combination listed above).

2) The MINI doesn't "hunt" or "wander" as much over groved pavement because there is more give to the sidewalls (the run-flat side walls are twice as thick).

3) Ride comfort is improved because there is some give. With run-flats the suspension has to do all the bump absorption. The problem being that low amplitude / high frequency vibration isn't handled well by the metal coil springs. With regular tires, the tires car provides some damping that the run-flats can't because of the stiff sidewalls.

4) the replacement cost is less. The Yokohamas are $75 each. When I replaced a Dunlop Run-Flat it cost $180 from the Tire Rack. The dealership wanted $271 for the same run-flat tire.

 

Runflats are used to counteract the lack of a spare tire. If the tires are puntured in the tread area they can be repaired , provinding the tire was not driven on low air pressure. Actually running them flat causes wear inside the tire, due to overdiflection and the heat buildup assoicated with it. Repair of said tires is not covered under warranty.

Dan

>>If not, why does Mini make them?? Just bought one that had that option (I wouldn't have chosen them) but should I plan to switch immediately?? Will I notice a difference?? What happens when they are punctured?? How soon do you have to get them fixed..is it covered under warranty??
>>
>>thanks
>>
>>Happy New Year....2003 Black w/ white top loaded due in two weeks

 

>>Runflats are used to counteract the lack of a spare tire. If the tires are puntured in the tread area they can be repaired , provinding the tire was not driven on low air pressure. Actually running them flat causes wear inside the tire, due to overdiflection and the heat buildup assoicated with it. Repair of said tires is not covered under warranty.
>>
>>Dan

Right, so except for those instances where you see that your tire has gone flat while your car is parked...AND the puncture is in the tread...you're likely looking at buying a new $250 tire.

That's nuts. The price, combined with the weight, reduced performance, and the tendency to "hunt" at high speeds (see the thread on unstable at braking) all add up to a no-brainer for me...the runflats are outta' here when it comes time to replace my summer tires. I just hope I don't get a non-reparable flat in one of them before they're all toast. :evil:

Eventually, I suspect that tire technology will improve and there may be lighter, better performing, runflats available. And when that happens, I'll gladly give up my fix-a-flat.

 

Thanks for the report DaveInDenver. Your experience about what I expected switching to "regular" tires. Luckily my car comes with a spare tire (MC not S), so I'll go this route when the run flats are history.

Since the tires are wider than stock, how do the Yoko's fit in the wheel well?

retroom

 

when i got my mini, the dealer offered me a "tires and rims" warranty package that will replace any damaged rim and/or tire for about $400.00. i don't remember if the term of the warranty was for 5 years or as long as you owned the car though (wasn't listening/interested since i was too excited).

any one familiar with this nonfactory coverage? seems like a good idea now upon reading the cost of the runflats.

 

I like my 16'' dunlops. have about 7000 miles on them they have a good feel to them. :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

Here ...Here ....I to like my Pirelli 17's. They feel great on the road and grip the asphalt like glue. Only problem is price and mine seem a little soft. So I will be replacing mine sooner than a regular tire I suppose. PS....Why do they spell TIRE in England with a "Y"....TYRE? Just wondering...

 

No.

 

Yes I love em.

Here a Link to a MINI2 thread that details my experience getting one patched.

 

>>when i got my mini, the dealer offered me a "tires and rims" warranty package that will replace any damaged rim and/or tire for about $400.00. i don't remember if the term of the warranty was for 5 years or as long as you owned the car though (wasn't listening/interested since i was too excited).

Seeing as my dealer included this in their B.S. "protection package" along with Simoniz, Scotchguard, and a bunch of other overpriced crud, I just assumed it was yet another way to bend over. Not interested.

I'm not so sure that lighter, better-performing runflats are on the immediate horizon. Without that extra thick/heavy/rigid sidewall, they wouldn't be runflats. It's kind of hard to design an otherwise satisfactory tire around such a huge handicap.

_________________
2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA