I have 12,800 miles on an 09 Clubman JCW that is eating its tires. Tires are Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST 17" run flat tires. Wheel alignment has been done three times with only minor misalignments noted on one wheel at a time. One tire was replaced by the dealer for serious cupping on the inside edge at 10,200 miles. Have experienced a lot of road noise and very subtle thumping and after checking the tires and wheels for balance and if wheels were bent. Discovered the remaining three tires are showing signs of cupping on the inside edges. Wheels and tires in balance and at correct pressure.

The dealer says that Continental tires perform better on this car. They agree that Dunlops are junk for wear but perform and handle quite well. However, can't understand why Mini-BMW doesn't do a better job at matching tires/wheels to this JCW suspension.

Any experience with this problem or solutions that could be shared? Not happy with having to pay for the correction that is hard wired into this car. A great car but the tire wear issue is a dark cloud. I don't drive this car aggressively but do have some fun with it on occasion.

 

I've got the continentals and have 18K with 3/4rs tread and no sign of cupping wear.
I rotate every 3k and never have any troubles