[adamos o3,cooper s]

please can someone explain this to me,
about to dump the run flats, looking 215/40/17 non run flat, good year seems to get the votes.
went into tyre shop waiving cash, the sales man then, told me
"the run flat side wall has no give" therefore the mini suspension is set softer to compensate, by replacing the run flats with a standard tyre, the ride will then become soft, and effect the handling,
one new run flat was about £120, and 4 good year £430, he had no real reason to talk me out of the run flats.
so is the ride softer, and the handling compromised?

thanks(lower & top strut fitted)

[alski]

r53 was designed for normal tyres, the run flats are a bmw thing, added on later
the r 56 designed for runflats from the start so much better ride....
as different products have different margins and discount structures dont kid yourself the guy might not be doing you a favour after all

[batou]

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

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by adamos o3,cooper s (original)

please can someone explain this to me,
about to dump the run flats, looking 215/40/17 non run flat, good year seems to get the votes.
went into tyre shop waiving cash, the sales man then, told me
"the run flat side wall has no give" therefore the mini suspension is set softer to compensate, by replacing the run flats with a standard tyre, the ride will then become soft, and effect the handling,
one new run flat was about £120, and 4 good year £430, he had no real reason to talk me out of the run flats.
so is the ride softer, and the handling compromised?

thanks(lower & top strut fitted)

The ride will be less crashy, and handling is improved as a result.

He seems to share the common misconception that a harder/firmer ride = better handling, full stop. This isn't the case, it's much more complicated than that.

[adamos o3,cooper s]

got goodyear f1 fitted this morning.
215/40/17. £360, been wet so not been pushing it, but first impressions are good, turn in good, and car seems poised, but as always.,when you spend the cash, you just want it all to be better.
thank you all for your imput.