Tyre Choice for "new" minis

[woof]

Hiya

I'm now on my second Mini - started with the Cooper S and moved on to the JCW

But i've always hated the run flat tyres, that BMW insist on fitting - and I've never had so many punctures in my life - 3 years of mini driving and I've had 6 - 8 punctures or slow leaks or whatever.

So decided (having picked up another 2 this week) that I'll ditch them and go back the normal high performance tyres. Looked at Bridgestone S03's - but opted for Toyo's T1-R (nearly half the price of run flats)

I cannot begin to tell you what an improvement it's made

Even with 210bhp on the front - i now have traction (unless i'm ultra aggressive with the throttle) and the roads are greasy as ...

Cornering, stability, road noise are so much better. It's comparitive to going from treaded to slicks !

BMW don't want you to change to standard tires (the even told me the flat tyre sensor would stay permantely on - BS) but believe me - do it - change to something that actually performs like a tyre is suppose to !

[woof]

Hi

I've had the Toyo's on now for 6 weeks or so - I'm still extremely happy with them - and stick by the original comments. And still no punctures ! Kind of does tell me that Run flats are more prone to punctures fro whatever ever reason.

Re blow outs - Pretty unlikely situation - the tyre pressure gauages still work in the car - so potentional I'd know that a tyre was below pressure

Personally i feel that a high performance tyre safer and more predictable than a run flat. I think run flats are a marketing & sales ploy really - more to do with saving a little space and charging 2/3 times the price for run flats.

[woof]

E74778 said:

OK guys, you have convinced me that the pro's outweigh the con's. What tyre's are the best all round performance tyre for a Cooper S and what sort of cost are we talking about. The cheapest run flat I could find was £140. Alan. Ps, do you carry a can of puncture repair liquid and a pump around with you?

The Toyo's (T1-R ) are great - I think they were only £85 each and yes I do carry a can of puncture repair in the boot !



>> Edited by woof on Saturday 11th March 17:44

[woof]

To be fair - i'm not an average driver (not to sound like a complete w**ker) and I just expect as much out of a car as possible (and a bit more)

So run flats are fine for most uses - apart that they seem to puncture far more that a normal tyre
Very useful for people who can't change tyres - but crap if you like a little bit more grip

Toyo's are great - really impressed by them - initially i was put off because they're the boy racer favoured tyre - but they just supply so much grip and traction. In fact you'll have to adjust yr driving to accomadate the extra grip - turn in is so much more immediate and generally understeer is far less. It's more Kart like than before

[woof]

I really do think than run flats are designed to puncture and of course can't be repaired

it's a secret deal the tyre companies have

[woof]

yep yr right - they will

I've just put on a set of Dunlop SP Sport FM 901's on
The Toyo proxies i had were good and they were a massive improvement on the run flats - better grip, fuel economy etc etc
The Dunlops blow the Toyo's away - just a whole new level of grip

The best tyres I've ever had on a road car
Not sure they're generally available in the UK but if u can get a set, do !

[woof]

The only reason why an insurance company wouldn't pay up, is if the tyre had a defect - low tread etc etc


Run flats are dangerous - puncture more, less grip, harder ride, worse fuel economy.
Cost more - non repairable - basically, they are an industry con !

[woof]

I went the opposite way - went to 18"
Think the look really nice and handles a little differently - but the super sticky dunlops make the biggest difference (amazing tyres)

[woof]

FlintyGP said:

Anyone run Toyo R888's day to day?

I run a GP with 18" wheels and considering change of rubber. 888's come in 225 width, which will fit with no fouling, but slightly concerned about wet performance.

I'd be concerned running 888's in the wet as well
Even with light rain, you'd be f**ked !

Try and get a set of Dunlop SP Sport FM 901's - awesome

[woof]

cyclostan said:

Hello
I am new to pistonhead, hope someone can advise on the topic of Mini run flat tyres. I purchased a Mini Cooper S in 2009. The brochure said run flat tyres fitted. I paid an extra £455 to have 17" Alloys with "run flat tyres fitted. The Salesman explained the benefits, after pointing out why there was no spare wheel. Earlier this year, and after only 7,000 miles had a puncture. The garage informed me that the 4 tyres were in fact not run flats. I contacted the dealer who said, Mini stopped fitting run flats in 2009 and just by pure "coincidence" this was just before I purchased. They also pointed out their right to change specs. Does anyone know if this is true, or has anyone purchased a Mini Cooper S after Sept 2009 with run flat tyres fitted ? Stan

Was it a new car you purchased ?
You're better off without run flats - horrible things.