My Dunlop run flats have reached the end of the road on my 2004 MCS. What are your experiences in using one of the run flat alternatives: Pirelli, Goodyear or Bridgestone? Am I better off sticking with Dunlop again? Is the tradeoff of lower price by the Dunlop alternatives achieved at a cost of lowered performance - handling, longevity, noise?

I live in a northern climate and use mu MCS as a commuter, no autocrossing.

Thanks for the help!

Scouttyboy!

 

i was about to ask the same question.

i have the Dunlop SP Sport 3000A DSST's and was considering other tires, including the 5000 all season version. my only complaint about the 3000's was the lifespan (i completely forgot to rotate my tires and the front ones are completely bald at 19k miles, probably should have been changed closer to 15k miles).

 

Drop the runflats and get this:
http://www.myminiparts.com/proddetai...rod=STK&cat=11

and a set of BR Goodrich KDW2's

You will love the improved ride and handling. And less than half the expense of RFs.

 

Amen Joel! LOVE my BFG KDW2s Found a brand new spare from a 2005 Cobalt for $45 at a local junkyard that I throw in the back for long trips and I'm set. Difference in ride going over things like manhole covers and railroad tracks is dramatically better after ditching the Dunlops, not to mention the improvment in performance/handling.

 

while i know that non-runflats will handle better, the car already handles better than any car i've driven and the runflats have already saved me once. i ran over a nail that caused a slow leak. had i not had runflats, i probably would have been stuck and had to get a tow or at least had someone come with a pump so i could get somewhere to get it repaired.

so, for me sticking with the runflats is more for just piece of mind... oh, and in the convertible there is NOWHERE to put a spare. lol

 

I had Pirelli performance runflats & they were fantastic tires. I just ditched the runflats to try some Goodyear Eagles & I must say (I am in the minority around her) but I am not happy with the non-runflats. IMHO the runlfats handle much better than the nons. I will be switching back when new tire time comes

 

very minute minority

To the OP, the MyMINIParts fix-a-flat kit would have handled that nail issue, and it fits inside a rear panel in the car.

Your choice, your car. Not trying to be a jerk. Just MHO

 

My windshield washer in my 2004 S does not squirt any fluid on the front windscreen or the rear window. It makes a whirring noise but nothing comes out. The resevior is full with fluid and the lines do not appear to be cramped. Has anyone had this problem? If do, what was the fix?

thanks!

 

My rear nozzle was clogged when I got my R53. A safety pin and a few squirts later it was working perfectly.

 

Is there an alternative for the MyMINIParts fix-a-flat kit? The link in the much older post does not work for me.

 

This thread was about new tires for a MINI.

It is off topic to discuss other things.

But an alternative if you have a flat could include a compact spare tire for $115
http://www.waymotorworks.com/mini-spare-tire-wheel.html

 

I would consider these Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT

 

I am about to take delivery on a new (for me) used 2012 S. It has 23,000 miles. But I know it just had at least 2 new tires put on the front, which have less than 50 miles on them. I believe they are Potenza REO50A. It has 17 inch wheels, so my guess is the size is 215 or 225 45 17. I don't know what the other two tires are, though from pictures, they look like Bridgestone. Doing research, though, I see these potenza are High Performance Summer tires. I am in Chicago. Not that worried about performance. While I don't understand how a dealer could put these on in Chicago, anybody have ideas what to do? My son suggests we get a set of winter tires, and then just switch the winter run flats and summer run flats in season, on the same rims. I have a guy who would do that for about $50.00. I don't necessarily like the ride on the run flats from my 07 S, but I don't care that much. So, is my son's suggestion viable? Should I just break down and get non-run flats, carry this dyna plug and hope someone can pump my tire up if I get stuck somewhere? Carrying a donut not really an option. Any ideas?