Small Report after changing tires on my GP

[GarryThomas]

I like the hard ride of dunlop runflats.
If I go for non runflats replacement I thtink you can't beat Ultraseal
tyre sealant, which should last the life of the tyre.


Garry

[Lorien]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chief_Charlie (original)

Lorien,
The Continental Tire Comfort Kit kitsd like a glove in the rear compartment of the GP. Photos to follow

great. thanks for doing this

Quote: Originally Posted by GarryThomas (original)

I like the hard ride of dunlop runflats.
If I go for non runflats replacement I thtink you can't beat Ultraseal
tyre sealant, which should last the life of the tyre.


Garry

cool. ill check it out. thanks

[Skykatz4]

what happens when you get a flat tyre??

[Joogle]

You pump expanding foam into the tyre and then you can limp to a tyre place and get a puncture repair or replacement tyre.

[Lorien]

Quote: Originally Posted by Joogle (original)

You pump expanding foam into the tyre and then you can limp to a tyre place and get a puncture repair or replacement tyre.

exactly.

some options:

Continental Tire ContiComfortKit
SLiME Smart Spair

[Jim Ray]

We carry the Slime kit, a can of aerosol flat fix, and a plug kit with insertion tools. This is only for use in extreme remote locations.

I still have to get a factory jack and lug wrench kit.

[Chief_Charlie]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Ray (original)

I still have to get a factory jack and lug wrench kit.

For those of you who are interested in obtaining a Jack, lug wrench, tire wedge, and the pouch that they fit in, here are the MINI Part numbers, retail price, and cost at Classic MINI in Ohio:

JACK 71 12 1 501 930 Retail $64.75 Classic $51.80
JACK POUCH 71 11 6 762 181 Retail $ 9.90 $7.92
LUG WRENCH 71 12 6 762 182 Retail $ 12.20 $9.76
TIRE WEDGE 71 12 1 507 292 Retail $ 7.40 $5.92

They are sold separately by MINI

[Jim Ray]

Thanks Charlie, no point in looking for salvage with those prices.

I have used the stock jack to jack up A/W's GP, and it works. Tight, but it works.

[salocin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lorien (original)

Hi all,

Got back an hour ago from Rimini. Had a lovely dinner with my wife and also had a good go with the new tires I installed last week on my GP. Thought I'd share my experience with others, incase anyone else has been considering such a change.

New Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 XL- 205/40YR18 - 86Y (These cost me in Italy including installation, which took a little over an hour: 210 Euro each).

I changed the tires, as the Dunlop runflats that came with the car were way too stiff for me, as well as being very problematic on the many bad roads in Italy. I just felt from the first day I got my GP, that the tires were holding me back from truly enjoying the car. I was right.

Below you can find some images of the equipment used to perform the switch. Nothing other than rubber touched the wheels, and I left the shop without a scratch, and with 100% balanced tires. I was very pleased with the installation quality. I plan to revisit the place to purchase and install winter tires for my R94s I purchased.

Today I drove from Spoleto to Rimini and back, which overall was about 315 miles. Max speed I drove today was around 135 mph. Some of the roads were really bad, and some were in perfect condition. The difference between the tires in my opinion was easily noticeable. The car felt a lot smoother, and I let my self drive a lot faster on corners than I used to till now. The GP totally sticks to the road no matter what speed I drive it. It feels perfect. They are quieter and less bumpier. I was actually surprised on how much difference the tires could make, and my wife agreed: they were 100% worth the purchase.

I highly recommend such a change, and so far I am very pleased with the performance these new tires are providing me.

Great week to you all!
Lorien

Excellent report, thanks! I think this is the way to go for me as well, your comments about driving confidence ring true to me too!

I posted a tongue in cheek comparison between my MB 320CDI & my GP in the thread Your first G_P driving impressions - do tell and came to the conclusion that the MB was quicker point to point than the GP for the reasons you have given!! You just put it much better!

I am not keen on foam so would be considering buying a spare to put in the boot.

1 Does anyone know if a spare will fit in the boot (has anyone tried it )?
2 In your opinions will the weight increase make any iota of difference at all?

[salocin]

Thought I would bring this one to the top again ....... didn't someone publish photos here of a spare tyre in the boot area??

This would help with regard to a final decision as to change from runflats.

[Vitesse]

One of the car mags in the UK recently did a test of all the runflats available on a BMW, Auto something, can't remember the exact one.

They did seem quite adamant that you shouldn't switch from runflats to non-runflats as the car has been set-up for runflats. They did a comparison on braking distances and showed the runflat performed better than the non-runflat. So what you gain grip may actually affect your stopping distance.

[GBMINI]

Remember though that even MINI have said the '02-'06 MINI wasn't designed for runflats, they were a late change ... it's likely that the magazine results will be more applicable to the designed-for-runflat next gen MINI and less relevant for our current cars

[Chief_Charlie]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

Remember though that even MINI have said the '02-'06 MINI wasn't designed for runflats, they were a late change ... it's likely that the magazine results will be more applicable to the designed-for-runflat next gen MINI and less relevant for our current cars

Thanks Ian. For a moment I thought I just wasted $800 on the MIchelin Pilots I just installed on the GP!

[Vitesse]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

Remember though that even MINI have said the '02-'06 MINI wasn't designed for runflats, they were a late change ... it's likely that the magazine results will be more applicable to the designed-for-runflat next gen MINI and less relevant for our current cars

True, but unless someone actually test a first generation Mini your never going to know for sure. I doubt whether Mini slung some runflats on it at the last moment before sending it out to show rooms, there must have been a degree of testing on runflats? I would have thought braking was top of the list?

[salocin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vitesse (original)

True, but unless someone actually test a first generation Mini your never going to know for sure. I doubt whether Mini slung some runflats on it at the last moment before sending it out to show rooms, there must have been a degree of testing on runflats? I would have thought braking was top of the list?

Surely it's more likely that Mini didn't want to spend any more time or money on the GP? The runflat was a way of avoiding designing new accommodation for a spacesaver or a full size spare?

Remamber we were meant to be getting a carbon fibre bonnet too?