Comments on: MINI UK Switches to Non-Runflat Tires

By: GP for sale? Advice please - MINI2 - MINI Forum

GP for sale? Advice please - MINI2 - MINI Forum — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:19:18 +0000

[...] Despite me claiming that MINI are increasingly reverting to non-runflats for new factory cars (MotoringFile Archive MINI UK Switches to Non-Runflat Tires), he remained adamant that there would be an issue re him accepting my GP in part-ex if I were to [...]

By: Haemish Edgerton

Haemish Edgerton — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:54:51 +0000

Some of us actually LIKE runflats, me included. Yes, I know I'm in the minority. :)

I'll keep my 18" summer RFs (and 17" RF snow tires for winter), thank you very much. :P

By: Owen

Owen — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:36:19 +0000

MINI Ireland and MINI UK have never supplied 15″ runflat tires. The runflat option was only available on wheels of 16″s and above. All cars with either 15″ steel wheels, or 15″ alloys got a MINI Mobility System, or the option of a Space Saver Spare Wheel.

By: James Irmiger

James Irmiger — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:23:16 +0000

I'm happy they're at least considering moving away from runflats all together. I recently switched from the stock 16" performance runflats to the new Continental ExtremeContact DW tires and the differences were staggering! Not to completely bash on runflats, buuuut, the ride over expansion cracks has now smoothed out, they soak up the harshness of hitting manhole covers better, and yet they still have higher overall grip and longer tread life!

I've had my fair share of flats over the years. Some were small and easily fixed with a mobility kit, some were slow leaks that later needed plugging, and only two or three occasions in 20 years of driving ever required the changing over to a spare.

Note to BMW/MINI, I'll take normal tires and the mobility kit any day of the week, thank you very much ;)

By: that.guy

that.guy — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:12:44 +0000

Wow. A decision from MINI management that actually makes sense.

By: Roccorocket

Roccorocket — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:24:02 +0000

Dude, C4, what kind of comment is that? Seriouslyâ€¦ I havenâ€™t driven a MINI without runflats, so I donâ€™t know what Iâ€™m missing on the ride factor. I wonder if this means something for the mid-cycle refresh for the S sold in the US.

C4, I thought you were banned. Someone please turn him off?

By: Matthew Adams

Matthew Adams — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:42:34 +0000

Corrosive, and your tire shop will hate you.

By: Roccorocket

Roccorocket — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:34:17 +0000

Don’t use Slime!! It corrosive!

By: Lanier

Lanier — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:28:50 +0000

My 2006 MC came with 15-inch Pirelli non-run flat tires. I currently get 24K miles before change out. I’ve spoken to other US MINI owners who have used Dunlop, Goodyear, Yokohama tires… They all got roughly 24k on those as well. I bought the MC for the doughnut tire provided. However, 15-inch tires are had to find, unless you go threw http://www.TireRack.com.

By: K

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:07:55 +0000

Space saving is not the issue here, but safety. In the event of a blowout or puncture, there is no need to stop the car, and a high degree of control can be maintained. This also amounts to increased security - in countries where highway robberies are rife, a flat tyre can mean big trouble. Gangs even "half-puncture" a tyre, then follow you till it blows completely, then set upon you like hyenas. Think I'd rather have runflats. Also handy for getaways after bank jobs....

Regarding design changes, they'd have to have McLaren SLR front-side exhaust outlets to allow for a spare on the MCS. Even the Clubman S can't have a spare (or a tow-hitch for that matter). The battery moving to the engine compartment allowed for the use of the Mobility System on the S, but no more than that.

Price-wise, as Aussom says, 16" are considerably cheaper than 17" in RFs.

All told, it's something each of us has to weigh up for ourselves.

By: Aussom

Aussom — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 05:01:09 +0000

I’ve recently found that the cost savings for replacing 16 inch runflats compared to 17 inch is substantial. Consequently I only use the 16 inch wheels now on my MCS – softer ride plus cheaper replacement run flats. Compare the prices for yourself.

Regarding lack of MCS spare wheel – I read somewhere a long time ime ago that a particular Mazda spare wheel could be compatible with the MINI? Not sure of the model nor of its impact upon MINI warranty, insurance, etc. Beware of possible implications of using non-BMW/MINI components.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:57:07 +0000

The runflats wear out far too fast and cost far too much. With the MINI’s front wheels steering, doing most of the braking, and providing power, the runflats really are NOT the way to go, despite the space savings. I changed my ’05 Cooper S to standard radial tires after the runflats were toast, and the results were a better ride and improved handling at half the cost. I plan to do the same thing again when the tires wear out on the new JCW. BMW should learn and move on.

By: Aaron Woolsey

Aaron Woolsey — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:09:17 +0000

I know the base tire sizes for the different models. I’m just wondering if this has further implications for the 2010 refresh and beyond in terms of design. Like will MINI begin to consider that the S needs a spare or a donut. When they moved the battery up front in the R56, I thought that would make room for a spare in the back. A concerted corporate move away from run-flat tires as default car equipment is the sort of thing that might lead to further developments in some design components (like finding spare for a spare in the S). I know it’s a different market. But if it leads to a design change (obviously not immediately but further off), that change will be across all markets.

By: Dr Obnxs

Dr Obnxs — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:20:20 +0000

Not a thing... The base wheel for the S is a 16". This is a 15" only thing. Also, I think in the US you have to have runflats or a spare, and there's no room for a spare in the S.

This really is UK only news. Not that it makes it any less significant, but if you're looking for implications for the US, there are none to speak of other than the news that BMW/Mini isn't too happy with the pricing of the run flat tires. Seeing what they charge for wheels though, I can't see them loosing too much sleep over it.

Matt

By: Aaron

Aaron — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:43:15 +0000

Dude, C4, what kind of comment is that? Seriously...

I haven't driven a MINI without runflats, so I don't know what I'm missing on the ride factor. I wonder if this means something for the mid-cycle refresh for the S sold in the US.

By: Stitch

Stitch — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:14:23 +0000

I have an ’05 MCS with 17″ S-Lites (misnomer) and runflats. HATE everything about the runflats from performance to comfort to replacement. I’m thinking the extra weight of them helped wear out the other front-end components (control arm bushings, etc.).

By: C4

C4 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:45:09 +0000

Nothing to see here….. Move on folks.

By: rkw

rkw — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:47:15 +0000

The tire pressure monitoring system uses the ABS sensors to detect variation between the rotating speed of the individual wheels. If one is no longer rotating at the same speed, it triggers the system

In US spec cars since mid 2007, MINI replaced that system with a direct pressure sensing system, to meet federal DOT requirements.

By: glangford

glangford — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:29:15 +0000

One of the reasons I bought the R56 MC vs MCS, 15″ wheels NRF and a spare.

By: nervous

nervous — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:05:45 +0000

Just last week I had to replace my first set of 17″ run-flats (’06 MCS) – $1,100.00. Ouch. And, mind you these are all-seasons – no performance advantage. Personally, I wish there was some way to engineer the car to fit a spare – at least a donut.