Howdy,

Looking to replace the OE run-flats on my wife's 09 Mini Cooper S to some non run-flats -- she has 195/55-16's. We live in Florida , so looking for something with great wet traction, low noise, and good wear. Disappointed that the OE tires were wore down on the front after only 18k miles. :-(

Thanks!

 

Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport

continental contipro

General Altimax HP

Are good same size (not much in that size)

go to 205/50R16

 

Along the same lines I have an 09 Clubman that came with the 17" mini black wheels. Love the car but...the ride is really, really rough. While it was in for service I drove an 11 mini with 16" wheels and the ride was infinitely better and still fun. Is this because the 16" tires allow for more rubber on the road or maybe because they weren't run flats? Are the run flats known for a rougher ride? Would I be better switching to 16 inch wheels or just switch from run flats?

signed - save my kidneys

 

runflats are terribly rough riding ... the sidewalls are super stiff to support the car with 0 air pressure swapping to regular tires will give you a better ride swapping to 16's even
15's will give you more sidewalls to absorb road impacts

 

Hi all-
We're in a similar boat. Our '05 S has Goodyear Eagle RSA 205/45/17" run flats that were OE.
It takes bumps hard but man-o-man does it corner like Space Mountain
The car is our toy as we have other vehicles for every day, so we don't want to give up any handling. The problem is that new Goodyears cost $390 each! Pirelli Uphorias are $220, Bridgestones are $260. The car only has 23k miles on it so the tread life on the OE tires was dissapointing. Her Explorer and my F-250 (both 4x4s) get 50-55k of life on the treads. Is the short treadlife something we'll have to get used to? Again I don't want to give up handling but 400 a tire is crazy...
...but if I have to...
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this.
Thanks!

 

Also without runflats, where do you put the spare

 

A TRUE performance tire non runflat will improve the handling drastically over the eagles

I've removed my runflats after 5K miles and never looked back...

I carry a tire mobility kit , air compressor and a bottle of slime , I also carry a dynaplug kit , and if all those fail a AAA card with towing insurance.
Also have a spare set of wheel at the house that the wife can bring out incase of a flat

 

So, you suggest non-runflats. With a kit...
I saw somewhere you suggested Continentals.
Thanks!

 

I'm running Toyo Proxes currently

 

have a 2006 s with 215/35/18 falcon ze 502 not run flats been on 2 years in july 9000 miles cord wear bands showing rotated 3 times , they sound like i'm on a dirt road and a chop stick in the road sounds like the rack fell out, might as well run a solid tire, just want less noise and better ride, got any ideas