Run-flats or not?
Discussion
My other half's mini needs new tyres and the garage has quoted for run-flats.
I don't particularly want run-flats and didn't think that the current tyres were. They are Dunlop Sport Maxx RT and I can't find a DSST logo on the sidewall (although from googling this appears to be pretty tiny logo - you would think that they would make it more obvious). There is also a sealant/inflation kit in the boot.
Is it safe to assume that I can replace them with ordinary tyres? And is there something definitive that I can check on the current tyres to say that they are or aren't run-flats?
I don't particularly want run-flats and didn't think that the current tyres were. They are Dunlop Sport Maxx RT and I can't find a DSST logo on the sidewall (although from googling this appears to be pretty tiny logo - you would think that they would make it more obvious). There is also a sealant/inflation kit in the boot.
Is it safe to assume that I can replace them with ordinary tyres? And is there something definitive that I can check on the current tyres to say that they are or aren't run-flats?
we have an "old" R53 Cooper as a run around car for the shops, school run etc. It came with some, admittedly cheapie, run-flats which I swapped out for regular Avon ZV7's. Handling is light and day different, tires are much cheaper too.
I just keep a foot pump in the boot and an AA membership in the glove box for any problems.
I just keep a foot pump in the boot and an AA membership in the glove box for any problems.
markh1 said:
I would be interested to know what tyres you ended up with, my wifes R53 front tyres are 8 year old run flats with hardly any wear but I can tell they are way past their best!
SWMBO also has an R53 cooper and as above, swapped out some dodgy old runflats with Avon ZV7's, which i have found brilliant, especially for the price!I figured that she was never going to actually change a wheel anyway if she got a puncture, and she probably would not even notice if she was on a deflated run-flat until it fell off the rim, so may as well put some better tires on it and if she does ever get a puncture the AA Man can bring her home.
Hi you don't say which mini it is r53,r56,f56? although it may not make a difference .My experiene with a 2011 R56 cooper s and F56 Cooper s both on 17" wheels gave different results
The R56 came with non runflats when purchased , Continentals on the rear original tyres from date marks on tyres) and Toyo TR1 on front. Changed dampers to Koni FSD's which improved ride but not as much as I had expected. The Koni's claim to adjust to the driving style as car is driven On same road with same driving style some days it seemed far better than others. But biggest improvement was swapping the Toyo tryes to Michelin PS4's. Completely changed the car (even with Conti's still on back). Great setup with konis but suspect would be nearly as good just with ps4's on all four corners.
Swapped R56 For F56( wanted an auto) the F56 that I went to buy had a more compliat ride -on runflats) that the R56 as started. Bought the car thinking that change to ps4's would give a similar improvement as it had on the R56. Swapped wheels (same 17" size) and tyres on f56 with 4 new Michelins- a little disappointed, an improvement that gives a decent ride that's better than final setup on R56 before I sold it. The riunflats that the F56 came with were Pirelli P Zeros. No other experience of them but recently bought a Z4 thats on runflats and discussion on runflats or not on z4 forum. Similar consensus from people who have change is that the P zeros are probably the best runflat
tyre.
So if want a runflat get the P zero's or non runflat the ps4's
Was going to sell the F56 propellorspoke wheels with the P zeros on them but now thinking of keeping them
The R56 came with non runflats when purchased , Continentals on the rear original tyres from date marks on tyres) and Toyo TR1 on front. Changed dampers to Koni FSD's which improved ride but not as much as I had expected. The Koni's claim to adjust to the driving style as car is driven On same road with same driving style some days it seemed far better than others. But biggest improvement was swapping the Toyo tryes to Michelin PS4's. Completely changed the car (even with Conti's still on back). Great setup with konis but suspect would be nearly as good just with ps4's on all four corners.
Swapped R56 For F56( wanted an auto) the F56 that I went to buy had a more compliat ride -on runflats) that the R56 as started. Bought the car thinking that change to ps4's would give a similar improvement as it had on the R56. Swapped wheels (same 17" size) and tyres on f56 with 4 new Michelins- a little disappointed, an improvement that gives a decent ride that's better than final setup on R56 before I sold it. The riunflats that the F56 came with were Pirelli P Zeros. No other experience of them but recently bought a Z4 thats on runflats and discussion on runflats or not on z4 forum. Similar consensus from people who have change is that the P zeros are probably the best runflat
tyre.
So if want a runflat get the P zero's or non runflat the ps4's
Was going to sell the F56 propellorspoke wheels with the P zeros on them but now thinking of keeping them
Since our R55 is mainly used for short journeys (school runs, nipping to shops etc) I didn't want to splash out on something premium. I was going to go with Nankang NS2s but the garage reccommended Davantis. Hadn't heard of them before but weirdly since then I've seen a few lorries with their branding on the side etc and to be fair, after 3 months or so of use I've no complaints. They were about £80 a corner I think (17", can't remember the width).
This may be a daft question, but are non-runflats any less prone to pothole damage than the RFs?
My F56 JCW has the 18 inch rims and I have stuck with the original Pirelli RFs. I get through quite a lot of tyres as the roads here in Rome are like the surface of the moon - potholes causing scary bulges.
I swapped the RFs for PS3s on my R56 Cooper. They were only 16 inch and not as prone to pothole damage.
My F56 JCW has the 18 inch rims and I have stuck with the original Pirelli RFs. I get through quite a lot of tyres as the roads here in Rome are like the surface of the moon - potholes causing scary bulges.
I swapped the RFs for PS3s on my R56 Cooper. They were only 16 inch and not as prone to pothole damage.
gregelvis said:
This may be a daft question, but are non-runflats any less prone to pothole damage than the RFs?
Please don't take this as scientific evidence, because it isn't, it is just a logical thought, hopefully.RFT are so because they have incredibly stiff sidewalls.
I would have thought a tyre with a more compliant sidewall SHOULD give more & therefore be more resistant to pot hole damage.
Just a guess.
E-bmw said:
Please don't take this as scientific evidence, because it isn't, it is just a logical thought, hopefully.
RFT are so because they have incredibly stiff sidewalls.
I would have thought a tyre with a more compliant sidewall SHOULD give more & therefore be more resistant to pot hole dama
Just a guess.
Interesting. I hit a pothole last winter and my P7 rft suffered sidewall damage . Never had this on a non rft before.RFT are so because they have incredibly stiff sidewalls.
I would have thought a tyre with a more compliant sidewall SHOULD give more & therefore be more resistant to pot hole dama
Just a guess.
Gus265 said:
I have just bought a 2009 R56 Cooper S and the front tyres need changing but the rears are fine. It’s currently on run flats.
So I am going to change the fronts to non-run flat and keep the rears on as they are.
That’s okay isn’t it? Thanks
Technically keeping the same across the "axle" is OK, but the grip level will be different even using the same tyre so I personally wouldn't do it as the balance of the car will be different.So I am going to change the fronts to non-run flat and keep the rears on as they are.
That’s okay isn’t it? Thanks
SHIFTY said:
It does state in the vehicle handbook not to mix with other tyres so might null and void your car insurance if you did need to claim.
I think that will be a 'Should not' rather than a 'Must not' but if the tyres conform with spec I can't see it voiding any insurance unless they are slicks. You could never mix a radial and a cross-ply on the same axle but I don't think the latter still exist?On the subject of Runflats. I have 18" wheels on my F56 Mini with Pirelli RFs. They are awful - noisy, poor grip in the wet and not fit for our UK potholed roads. When I get my wheels refurbished I'll be swapping all 4 for 'normal' tyres. I can get 4 tyres for the price of one Pirelli RF. Also keep in mind how difficult it can be to find a fitter with that size and profile in stock - especially 18".
Of the two 'incidents' I've had both involved hitting a pothole that put a bulge in the tyre wall resulting in replacement. When I questioned the 'weakness' of the sidewalls the fitter told me that RFs have a unique sidewall when a deflation happens the upper and lower part of the wall lock together to form a rigid structure. Under normal inflation this does not exist. When the bulge 'pops' you can't do anything and then spend hours trying to find a dealer with a replacement - as I found out!
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff