[AndyP]

Firstly, I know there is a massive NON-runflat brigade out there. Please, I really don't want the answer, "Change to non-runflats". Fact is, I'm not having my good lady out there with the car on her own without the security of run flats.

ON our new R56 we have Dunlop SP01 run flats. We have found with the R56 there is an inconsistency in the handling of the car. Sometimes it will take a bend with no problems, holding the tarmac like the fantastic go-kart the MINI's are. However, sometimes when we take (even gentle) bends it feels like the car is behaving like a plate of jelly. It's not a loss of grip sensation, like we are expecting to loose the back end on a hairy bend, it's more of a slew from the back of the car on even slight bends. ASC hasn't yet kicked in, but we are still taking it (reasonably) easy as the car has only done 400 miles - ish, and we are still getting used to it.

On our R53 we had Dunlop SP9000 run flats. These tyres were absolutely fantastic at road holding. The only time ASC kicked in was when we were caught in a snow storm going over an exposed hill last winter. The only problem with these tyres was the bone shattering ride. Very harsh indeed.

On our Cooper CVT we had Pirelli somethings (don't know what model). They were slippy as hell. Always loosing the back end, DSC constantly kicking in. Hated these tyres.

We have noticed that the SP01's and the Pirelli's share the same Asymmetrical tread pattern. The Sport 9000's have a Symmetrical pattern and are rotational.

So (and thanks for bearing with me) my questions are....

Is it possible that the SP01's are causing this poor handling feeling? Is it possible the Sport9000's are actually better at gripping the road? (The SP01's are the new model of Run On Flat from Dunlop, replacing the Sport9000's (I think) ).

Or is it a case of we've only had the car for 1 week - 400 miles and need to get more used to the way it handles? Trouble is, we never felt this handling issue with the R53 ever - not even from day one.

All info and opinions appreciated.

A.

[SeldomSeen]

I've had the same problem on two occasions on my May 07 R56MCS, which also has SP01 run flats.

The car slipped sideways, thankfully without crossing the white line and none of the electronics seemed to be activated (I have DSC). (dry road, moderate speed, light acceleration)

The rest of the time the car has been rock solid, though it isn't fully run in yet.

I've always been planning to change the wheels as I don't like the ones it came with, so am expecting the new wheels with non run flat tyres to solve the problem.

[Jimboe89]

Firstly i must state that I love the runflat tyres. After having a near 100 mph suddent puncture on the A38 and only knowing because I heard a rather loud pop and the warning light come on my 2005 MCS. A chunk the size of my fist was missing from my tyre when i stopped 10 miles down the road!

I had some issue with rear grip when i first took delivery of my R56MCS and I had two rear punctures in quite quick succession with no obvious cause. The car was fitted witht eh new dunlop tyre. I replaced both tyres with the pirelli run flat and noticed a handling improvment.

Is the Pirelli tyre superior?

[msh441]

Well. As run-flats go, the SP Sport 07's are pretty good as far as grip (again - for a run flat). When they loose traction they go away slow and predictible-like. Easy to correct (or intentionally slide) and not the least bit scary. The sidewall could have a little more "give" and all run flats have a limitation of being a fairly hard tire... but for day-to-day driving. They're pretty darn good tires.

Now, one thing I have experienced with the R56 that I've mentioned elsewhere: bump steer, or the tendency of a vehicle to suddenly veer or swerve to one side when hitting a bump or dip in the road. Off the gas, it usually traslates as a veer or a swerve up front. On the gas it will often transfer the sensation to the rear (since the front end is gripping and pulling the car out of the corner).

Mine went away after lowering front and rear using H&R springs. In the process I gained about a 1/2 degree of negative camber out back. You could probably do the same with camber plates (if they made them for the R56 - not saying someone doesn't, I just haven't seen any yet) or fully adjustable coilovers. But basiclly, the R56 need some suspension tuning in the form of camber adjustment and/or lowering in order to dial out this issue IMO.

[andy1968@talktalk.ne]

my wheel alignment is out and suffered some heavy wear onouter edge of both front tyres (17" dunlop sp9000 runflat)looking for possible alternative to these costly tyres.also heard that wheel alignment is a common problem with minis (2006 mini cooper

[AndyP]

Quote: Originally Posted by andy1968@talktalk.ne (original)

my wheel alignment is out and suffered some heavy wear onouter edge of both front tyres (17" dunlop sp9000 runflat)looking for possible alternative to these costly tyres.also heard that wheel alignment is a common problem with minis (2006 mini cooper

Well, we are selling our Dunlop SP Sport01's if you are interested. They have covered 1000 miles but we have changed back to Dunlop SP Sport9000, we just prefer them.

Let me know if you are interested?

[caesar]

I recently purchased a new MCS with 17" wheels. This is fitted with Dunlop Sport 7 Run-flats. I presume the digit 7 represents 2007 so Dunlop must have changed the specification.

My previous car was a Honda Civic Type-R which had Bridgstone Potenza's. These caused a lot of noise, tramlining and lack of grip in the wet. I replaced the front tyres with Michelin Pilot Exalto's and they were infinitely better.

My new MCS with the Dunlop Sport 7 tyres handles as well or better, than the Type-R with the Michelin tyres.

So I endorse MSH441 thread above......why not got these.

[Avantone]

I wasn't too keen on the rear handling at times and run SP1's too. I ended up running the rear tyre pressures 4lbs lower. It suits my style better, however it's all a pretty objective and personal thing.

Avantone

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by Avantone (original)

I wasn't too keen on the rear handling at times and run SP1's too. I ended up running the rear tyre pressures 4lbs lower. It suits my style better, however it's all a pretty objective and personal thing.

Avantone

The same is true for the Sport 07's: Little variations in tire pressure make a noticable difference.

I had been running 34PSI for the last couple months and loving the grip. Ran them all up to the manufacturer's recommended 38PSI (wanted to see if I notice any milage difference over a month's time) and found the front spinning up a bit easier and the rear braking free on lift off, as well.

It was wet yesterday when I aired up... but I've been driving in the wet for months now had hadn't felt like I had to tiptoe around like this. I think I'll sacrafice 1-2 MPG for the increased grip IMO.

[robturkey]

dropped mine to 33 F and 34 R and this has made a huge difference to the feel and comfort of the MCS.

[grodenglaive]

Quote: Originally Posted by AndyP (original)

ON our new R56 we have Dunlop SP01 run flats. We have found with the R56 there is an inconsistency in the handling of the car. Sometimes it will take a bend with no problems, holding the tarmac like the fantastic go-kart the MINI's are. However, sometimes when we take (even gentle) bends it feels like the car is behaving like a plate of jelly. It's not a loss of grip sensation, like we are expecting to loose the back end on a hairy bend, it's more of a slew from the back of the car on even slight bends. ASC hasn't yet kicked in, but we are still taking it (reasonably) easy as the car has only done 400 miles - ish, and we are still getting used to it.

I got the same feeling with my 07 MCS. I took the car for a wheel alignment - it actually had +ve rear camber! The front was also towed in about 1/4" which didn't help cornering any either. It feels much more sure footed now with the rear at -1.3 degrees and turns into corners great with the front at 0 toe.
Still torque-steers/tramlines like crazy when accelerating hard on uneven pavement though.