Runflats VS Non Runflats

[sjm]

hi,

I am thinking of having non runflats put on my 07 Cooper to try and make the ride less harsh, especially on country roads. Has anyone done this already and if so was there a big difference in the ride/ grip of the car.

[slim_boy_fat]

Quote: Originally Posted by sjm (original)

hi,

I am thinking of having non runflats put on my 07 Cooper to try and make the ride less harsh, especially on country roads. Has anyone done this already and if so was there a big difference in the ride/ grip of the car.

Its the nads, a must do, get some decent rubber on it.

[MiniMpi]

Good few people have made the change, including a friend of mine. BIG difference.
Doing the change shortly on my R56 too.
Ferg.

[Lawrothegreat]

There are plenty of threads on here where others say that both ride and grip are improved. Never tried myself though.

[pbarclay]

My previous Mini was a Cooper S with Sports Plus Suspension and Pirelli 17" 45 profile tyres - looked great but not a very good tyre for ride or handling. They also used to get incredibly hot after driving!

I have a Mini Cooper Diesel with Goodyear Runflat 16" 55 profile tyres which seems to have a fairly reasonable ride/handling setup. I spend a lot of time on the motorway so the safety benefit of stability with a high speed blow out seems worthwhile. Mind you, with a Dooper, the sound of the engine clattering drowns out the road noise!

[sjm]

Well i have decided to order the tyres and will be getting them fitted on thursday, cant wait to see the difference now.

[Lolance]

tell us how it goes! :P

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by sjm (original)

hi,

I am thinking of having non runflats put on my 07 Cooper to try and make the ride less harsh, especially on country roads. Has anyone done this already and if so was there a big difference in the ride/ grip of the car.

I'm dumping the run-flats on my R56 MCS and going for a set of Toyo Proexes T1 R's. Had a set on my R50 Cooper and they were brilliant!

[SPClark]

I put conventional tires & alloy wheel on my '03 S at about US 16K miles, 'cause the tread was almost gone & the ride & tire noise was awful. Had a dedicated set of winter (snow) tires on another set of wheels too for seasonal use.

Didn't think a moment about pulling the newer-generation run-flats on my R56 when I took delivery back in April of this year! The OEM tires won't wear a bit in my basement & I can enjoy better handling & ride no matter the season. Same wheels as the R53, same tires too - even for winter.

I do carry a leaky-tire repair kit though, just in case: bottle of goo and a 12v compressor is reassuring when it's 3 AM & raining & a tire goes flat when there's no spare anywhere in sight!

[slim_boy_fat]

I have the tyre weld stuff in the boot to help with puntures, i might keepa 15" spare in the shed and the wife can come and drop it off for me assuming im close enough.

[MiniMpi]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

I'm dumping the run-flats on my R56 MCS and going for a set of Toyo Proexes T1 R's. Had a set on my R50 Cooper and they were brilliant!

I am going for the same tyres in the new year for my R56 Cooper running 17" Crown spokes.
Fergal.

[Dainewb]

I had T1Rs on my R50 Cooper and found them to be really bad! Poor grip and not progressive at all when grip started to go! If you drive in a spirited way I would be wary of them!

[MiniMpi]

Ordered a set of Falken Ziex ZE512's for my '07 R56 Cooper.
Will post how I get on with them versus the dreadful runflats!
Fergal.

[PGN-1]

Only driven less than 100km with my Cooper so far, but I think my 16" non-runflats seem quite close to the 15" runflats on the ONE and Cooper I test drove last fall.

Ride seems a bit bouncy, lacking in detail close to center, but nice overall. Ill most likely get 17" non runflats for spring/summer, I'm hoping to get more feedback without losing comfort.

[MiniMpi]

Fitted my new Falken Ziex ZE512's today instead of my runflats.
First impressions are a huge difference in the ride and comfort! So smooth on the road, and so quiet with no road noise at all comparred to the runflats.
Very happy I changed them now.
Fergal.