Tyre Choices

[The Aardvark]

Evening All

Probably covered before but after some real examples. Am seriously considering changing the Dunlop runflats on my 2007 Cooper - not fantastic grip, very harsh ride, and I'm sure that they cause several of the interior rattles.

However, am undecided on tyre choice, so 2 questions -

1) Can anyone recommend (or tell me to stay away from) any make or model of standard tyre?
or
2) Has anyone had any good experiences of the 3rd generation of runflats?

Appreciate any comments.
Thanks.

[BlueBeastie]

I just fitted Pirelli P-Zero RFT's and seem great. The ride is softer than the Bridgestone RE050's and there is better grip. The tyre is a bit softer so depending on how you drive, it probably will wear a bit quicker, but at the price I payed for them its ok

[The Aardvark]

Thanks.

Anyone else?
And also any recommendations / links for compressors / emergency repair kits?

Cheers.

[The Nun]

I quite like the rattles, when you drive a new Range Rover everyday its great to get into something rough and ready at the weekend and have some fun.

[Tigercub]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueBeastie (original)

I just fitted Pirelli P-Zero RFT's and seem great. The ride is softer than the Bridgestone RE050's and there is better grip. The tyre is a bit softer so depending on how you drive, it probably will wear a bit quicker, but at the price I payed for them its ok

I have pirelli P Zero 18inch Run Flats on my JCW and i think the ride is solid and very bumpy so cant imagine what the Bridgestone tyres must be like

[AMAUTOS7]

I have Uniroyal Rainsports 2s on my JCW

Couldnt wait to get rid of my Dunlops


I am looking to get a set of Kumho Ecsta or Continental sports contact 5s as a summer tyre

[Pescha]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigercub (original)

I have pirelli P Zero 18inch Run Flats on my JCW and i think the ride is solid and very bumpy so cant imagine what the Bridgestone tyres must be like

I have 17" bridgestone potenza runflats (205/45) - they are pretty bumpy... hubby is thinking about changing them to normal tires and giving me a good ol' can of anti puncture repair... ... hope this helps...

[ihughes]

I have just fitted Kuhmo Ecsta's (17") on my MCS JCW's as replacements for the dreadful Pirelli Euphoria RFLT's.

They have very good wet grip performance BUT may not have as good wear rates as some of the premium (and considerably more expensive) tyres. I don't do huge annual mileage in my MINI so this doesn't bother me.

The road holding and ride comfort have improved enourmously, and the car is now a pleasure to drive!

[Macguyvic]

Installing my second set of Pirelli P Zero RF's, 205/45/17. Best tire I have had on the MCS so far! Comparing to the Dunlops and the Kuhmo's.

[Bozzer]

I have B'stone Potenza RE050A runflats on my R55 and can't believe how quickly they've worn out (12k miles) nor how skittish they are, especially when cold.

Planning a change to Conti Sport Contact 3 Non runflats soon.

Bozzer

[BlueBeastie]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bozzer (original)

I have B'stone Potenza RE050A runflats on my R55 and can't believe how quickly they've worn out (12k miles) nor how skittish they are, especially when cold.

Planning a change to Conti Sport Contact 3 Non runflats soon.

Bozzer

Yes the RE050's are crap. My set lasted about 20000km with regular rotation,balancing and alignment inbetween. They were completely shot.

What was even more worrying for me about them was how they would make the car tramline.

[ihughes]

I don't think you can ever avoid the tramlining effect from using Runflats on a front wheel drive car like the MCS. It's the stiffer sidewall construction that causes this, and all Runflats have the reinforced stiffer sidewalls.

Once you switch to non-runflats you should completely stop the tramlining from occuring.

For me, the tramlining was the single biggest problem with roadholding and handling on my MCS Works. When I first got it, it had Runflats and it felt like I had no control over the front end when driving fast! Once I swapped to non-runflats it was like driving a completely differnt car.

[Macguyvic]

Pointing out the obvious but keep in mind all tires ride hard when worn out. With summer tires I notice about 2/3rds of the tire life is good and after that the ride becomes more harsh when hitting expansion joints, pot holes and other irregularities in the road. Of course due to the expense, we keep running our tires at least to the tread wear bars. By then we are cussing our runflats.

Just put on another new set of Pirelli P Zeros. What a difference new tires make. The harshness is gone. Turn in is sharp. There is less effort to steer. Even stops some of the buzzy vibration noises in the cabin.

Even though the last set of P Zeros were worn with 30,000 miles I was impressed with tire life and ride quality compared to the original Dunlop sports or the Kuhmo's which I hated from day 1.

So just keep in mind when you are cussing your worn runflats, they are worn out and in need of replacing! New run flats will ride considerable better than the ones you need to change.

Probably the best thing you can do to get that new car ride quality back in your MCS.

Mine is a 2008 MCS with 205/45/17 RF's.