Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

As I just found your site while looking for help I hope I posted correctly? If not pls just move this to where it should be.... I purchased an 05 Mini S for my daughter to take to college. This car has been AWESOME N every respect except one...(Can U Guess) those &^%$ Run-Flat tires! To make a long story short we live in Alabama on the coast and there is not a SINGLE Mini dealer N our state. I can live with that but what I can't live with is the $1600 to replace tires every 1 1/2 years. I was told simply to replace the run-flats with conventional radials but when I called (2) different dealers I get two different answers? I'm told if I did not have the 17" rims that would work but since I do have the 17" rims (something about a performance suspension) I will mess up the handling of the car if I do not replace again with run-flats. Another dealer told me they only make the 205/45r/17 N run-flats and I have no other choice? I went on-line and found the tires as conventional radials? Do the rims have to be modified in any way or do U just take the run-flats off and replace with the radials? Can the two tires be mixed ie: the run-flats on the front are fine but need (2) new tires on the rear? If anyone can clear this up for me it would be most appreciated!

regards

RE: Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

I've been running non run flats since 06 ... The 17's are available in conventional radials and work / handle better then the runflats ...
The rims do not need any modifications ... BUT I'd highly suggest either getting a tire mobility kit (slime and air compressor $20 at Wal mart)or a compact spare tire to keep close to be able to swap in case of a flat

RE: Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

GREAT NEWS! Many Thx that's what I wanted to hear. Can U tell me as far as the tires being mixed? ie: Conventional radials N the rear let's say and run flats N the front or vice versa. Two of my run flats are like new is why I ask?

regards

RE: Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

Another question U may know the answer too? Do the NEW Mini's still run run-flat tires?

regards

RE: Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

Mixing should not matter a bit except the ride ... The Runflats really are not great
YES the new mini's have runflats as they do not have spares ... No spare = Run flats

RE: Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

Again... Thank for taking the time to fwd the info!

regards

RE: Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

Moved.

RE: Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

Does the tire dealer have to have a special tire changing machine to remove the run-flats and replace with reg radials? When my daughter had a flat N rural Alabama the nearest tire chg machine that could replace was N Atlanta?

Thx N Advance
regards

RE: Those &^%$ Run-Flat Tires
 

I'm not sure about removal , The local tire shop pulled my runflats off and mounted snow tires on my stockers no trouble