Whos better to comment on this?
Either your local tyre fitter who has probably never driven a mini...
...or lots and lots of people who own, love and cherish their minis who have done this.
Your call
.
He is partly right but the Gen1MCS suspension is by no means soft, take the guy for a ride in it.
Run-flats have no give, therefore turn in is faster than most tyres.
However, normal tyres (if you go for the same profile) have a bit of flex which means turn in is slightly slower (maybe not even noticeable) but grip is increased because of this.
If you go for a lower profile normal tyre (like a 215/40/17) then the turn is quicker than the RF because they are lighter than RF's and have similar stiffness.
Regardless of difference in price run-flats will probably have a higher profit margin because they are used on less cars and have limited competition. He's a sales person, he will be making more money.
The Goodyears on mine handle so much better I can actually feel safe and confident in giving it the beans even in wet conditions. The Gen1 is not set up specifically for Runflats, he's misinformed.
Also I paid £312 fitted for 4 Goodyear Eagle GSD3 in 215/40/R17 from Bracknell Tyre & Battery so not only is he talking rubbish he's also got one hell of a markup on them. Mine were not an internet price, local tyre fitter who could beat mytyres quote (and they are a fitter for mytyres).
Bracknell Tyre & Battery Ltd in RG12 1RL Western Industrial Estate, Bracknell - Your fitting service companies for mytyres.co.uk