Improving the ride

[Sheffield]

We have a MK1 Cooper with Chili pack, 17" alloys, and Pirelli Eurforia run-flat tyres (all quite new).
We have had it for a year now and love the car, but it has a tendency to tramline a bit and the ride is quite harsh.
Its great fun to fling around but i am wondering if we should sacrifice a bit of this for a better ride.
What are my options?
I have throught about fitting 16" Alloys and non-run flats, or will just fitting non-run flats to the 17" alloys make a significant difference?
What about changing from 205 to 195 profiles?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[DrainTheSpuds]

Sheffield said:

We have ... Pirelli Eurforia run-flat tyres.

Here's your main issue. You don't have to look very far on this forum to find this topic covered in quite some detail.

Sheffield said:

it has a tendency to tramline a bit and the ride is quite harsh. will just fitting non-run flats to the 17" alloys make a significant difference?

Essentially, yes. My old Pirelli Euforias used to make it tramline significantly and skip all over the place on uneven roads or on mid-corner bumps, as well as giving the car a jarring ride. By fitting normal tyres, this has all but been eliminated, as well as improving grip in the wet.

I run Toyo Proxes T1Rs which really suit the car, although many people on here recommend Falken 452s.

[fivesixseven8]

DrainTheSpuds said:

Sheffield said:

We have ... Pirelli Eurforia run-flat tyres.

Here's your main issue. You don't have to look very far on this forum to find this topic covered in quite some detail.

Sheffield said:

it has a tendency to tramline a bit and the ride is quite harsh. will just fitting non-run flats to the 17" alloys make a significant difference?

Essentially, yes. My old Pirelli Euforias used to make it tramline significantly and skip all over the place on uneven roads or on mid-corner bumps, as well as giving the car a jarring ride. By fitting normal tyres, this has all but been eliminated, as well as improving grip in the wet.

I run Toyo Proxes T1Rs which really suit the car, although many people on here recommend Falken 452s.

How do you accommodate a puncture? Can of foam?

I got so sick of the ride quality with her MINI.

[DrainTheSpuds]

fivesixseven8 said:

How do you accommodate a puncture? Can of foam?

I've got 2 cans of Holts Tyre Weld and a compressor in the boot. I've had two punctures since swapping to normal tyres, and both times I've simply pumped the tyre up to the correct level and driven the few miles to the tyre centre without problems. However, blowouts are another matter, and a job for your breakdown cover.

fivesixseven8 said:

I got so sick of the ride quality with her MINI.

It used to drive me up the wall to the point that after about a year I considered selling it. Once I put the Toyos on, the difference was like night and day. As I've said on other threads before, the MINI is what it is, and will never have the ride of a Merc S-Class, but at the same time, it doesn't need to break your back each time you drive it.

[Sheffield]

Thanks for all that.
So most people stick with the 17" alloys and just change the tyres.
Its a shame they are nearly new run flats on it at the moment...

Do you also stick with same tyre size or has anybody moved down to 195 instead of 205?

[bazking69]

Ditch the RFTs will make a big difference.
Swapping to 16s on top will make a slight difference but even our Cooper on 16" wheels with non RFT tyres is uncomfortably firm around town.