Replacing run flats

[hoops2]

I have a 51 plate Cooper with "Sports Suspension Plus". The ride is rock hard.

I need to replace the fronts and am probably going to do the rears as well.I want a more compliant ride

Is it advisable to replace the run-flats with normal tyres and a can of emergency sealant? If so can anyone recommend a type?

[Raify]

Here's a list of the replacement tyres people are using on Mini2.com: http://www.mini2.com/forum/wheels-tyres-suspension...

You can get the BMW mobility kit from a dealer (tyre gunk + a compressor), or buy the same from Halfrauds

[Eifion]

Just about to replace mine with Falken ZE512s (205/45 17s), £67 each fitted and highly recommended on the www.mini2.co.uk website.

Did have to replace one run-flat (twice) following 2 punctures on the same wheel (££££ down the pan), replaced with Kumho run-flat for £99 fitted if price is a concern.

Personally hate the run-flats and can't wait to get rid.

[tweety]

Having changed over to Falkens on our S after 2 years of using the runflats, the wife drove it most of the time, I can safely say its the best thing we have done. The ride is much smoother and there's less wheelspin when you pull away enthusiastically, both due to the better sidewall compliance. I only wish we'd done it sooner, we used to quite frequently get leaks from the sidewalls of the runflats and could have bought at least two Falkens with the money we spent having to get them resealed.

[BlackStuff]

Can anyone give me a bit of advice (or perhaps "reassurance"...)

Wife has an '06 Mini Cooper Park Lane, which needs two new front tyres. We could stick a pair of OEM runflats on (at £110 each by the looks of it) or for approximately the same money I could buy four Falkens...

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?ty...

Scouring the forums a few seem to have made this same change; can anyone comment on comparitive tyre wear, and / or what pressures to try.

Wife is reluctant to move away from a standard setup, but my feelings from doing a bit of research are that ditching the RFTs might be a very good move. Just a bit worried about how well they'll wear (OEM Goodyear RFTs have done 12k miles on the front, much of it fairly spirited driving on twisty lanes).

[fergy]

I think that the non-run flats will be better in every way, apart from when you get a puncture or go to trrade in the car. I have heard that dealers remove the cost of 4 new tyres off the trade-in value as they wil not put cars with non-run flats on their forecourt.

[BlackStuff]

Quick update...

Further to my last post, have now bought 4 x Falken RE912s from CamSkill, cost £43 each including VAT and delivery. Ordered them 2pm online on Monday, they arrived 11am Tuesday!

Got the four fitted and balanced for £40 and well pleased with the improvement to ride and handling. Car is much more compliant, doesn't rattle your bones loose driving over cats eyes, and doesn't try to dart off into the hedgerows like a bloodhound on speed every time you hit a bump mid corner.

Hopefully now the car will live up to the promise that has felt so latent and stifled since we bought it.