Which Proxes? I run Toyo Proxes 4 215/40/17. They're no louder than OEM runflats - quieter if anything, and that's with English roads that look like swiss cheese in places.
Have been running Toyo prox T1R (XL - extra load) tyres for the last few years, the grip is good in the wet & dry wear isnt to bad, around 12 - 15000 miles with the odd track day thrown in.
They arnt to expensive compaired to the top priced tyres can get them fitted for around £80 - £90 a corner
Well update to this, I ended up going for tyres I had previously as good while back. Went for FALKEN ZE912 205/40 x 17, for an excellent price of £187.40 for 4, plus £40 to have them fitted. £57 per corner !!!!
Having driven in various weathers now (Scotland), I must say I am very pleased with my choice, especially in the wet. Better than the Toyo's or Yoko's in my opinion.
Not sure what year your car is but, any MINI from 2001 - 2006 can mount any tyres on the stock rims. Your tyre pressure monitoring system will work with any tyre, either run-flat or conventional. The run-flat tyres spec'd by the factory use standard rims. The tyres are constructed with very heavy sidewalls to support the vehicle weight without air pressure. Because of this it is impossible to visually detect low pressure. Pressures need to be checked on a regular basis. Refer to the owners manual for the correct pressure.
BMW/MINI and tire manufacturers do not recommend plugging run-flat tyres, but under certain circumstances leaks in the tread area can be repaired with an internal self-vulcanizing patch.
One problem with a run-flat tyre is that internal damage can be done to the carcass with no visable signs. So there is no way to know if any, or how much, damage has been done to the tyre. Hence, the reluctance of MINI or the tyre manufacturer to recommend repairing puncturers.
If I knew that the tyre was not run at less then 15 or 20psi I would try plugging the leak myself, as long as it is in the tread. I keep a tyre plugging kit and a compressor in the compartments in the boot.
I have been running conventional tyres on my MINIs since 2002. First it was only winter tyres, but after the run-flats wore out I was running conventional tyres all the time on the stock MINI rims.
Good luck.
Motor on, Dudes and Dudettes!!!
'06 MCS SB/S
R84s(Kumho Ecsta AST, summer), R81s(Nokian Haakapiilatta 2, winter)
'02 MCS DS/W (retired)
I've recently changed from 17" Crown Spokes on runflats to Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 on Toyo T1R 215/40/17 and they're great on my R56. The difference is immediately apparent and they probably aren't scrubbed in yet.
Better traction in both the wet and dry than the runflats. I get less traction control kicking in than before and am able to take corners/roundabouts quicker. The lighter alloys are helping as the car accelerates and brakes better too.
Due to the softer side walls they do feel different than the runflats on initial turn in but you soon adjust. Plus the car is more compliant over speed bumps and bad roads don't unsettle the car as much as before.
I have the factory sport suspension and it feels like the car was designed to run these wheels/tyres.
Very interesting......I've got Crown Spoke Alloys on my R56 MCS and don't like them very much as they scratch very easily. Have you got a link for Team Dynamics ?
Well I've now driven them on some really wet roads and I must say they are sooo much better than runflats!
On the runflats I felt my JCW tuning kitted S had too much power at times. You'd get wheel spin at times and sharp bends and round abouts could result in bad understeer, and that's not driving too hard either. The car had a slightly different character on really wet roads.
All that has now gone on the standard tyres. I really think they should come as standard on all Minis. They feel so much safer to drive with it's really surprised me.
Hi,
I have just bought two toyo proxi tr1's for the front of my cooper on the recomendation from a friend. Does anybody know if their a proven decent tyre?
Yeah there a good tyre have been running them on my MCS for the past 3 years, never had any problems with them and the grip in the wet/dry is much better than any of the runflats.
Saying that I've just changed my fronts to Avon ZZ3's on the advice from a friend who has been running them on his 944 for years
Running Avons on the front and Toyos at the rear
Last edited by Fuzz; Aug 1st, 2009 at 07:07 PM.
Reason: updated with pics
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