Run Flats or No Run Flats (R53, 17" Crown Alloys)

[burgeMCS]

I currently drive a 2004/54 MINI Cooper S in Hyper Blue (Sliver Viper Strips) and have read on these forums about people changing there tyres to non run flats to improve handling and making the ride not so harsh.

Are there any R53 drivers with Crown Alloys who have tried this?
Im interested to know what difference it had, what tyres you changed to and whether it affects your insurance in anyway?

Thanks in advance

[nylo]

It shouldn't make much difference which alloys you're on surely? So comments for/against RFs will be the same regardless of what alloys you've got...

[burgeMCS]

Its not the specific alloys im concered about, more the size and also the model of car

Most people who have been on these forums drive R56

[nylo]

A very large section of MINI2 drivers have R53s...

And I think the Crown Spokes are the new S Spokes, aren't they? As far as I know they're 17s, and there are also a lot of people running 17s

[burgeMCS]

Thank you for replying. All i want is someone with the same spec as me who has made the change from run flats to non run flats so i can get some more information from them.

Id prefer if you just left my thread alone unless you have experienced this change over in which case id love to hear about it

[minicabrio]

There are hundreds of threads on this forum (of which I've posted in), if you care to do a search, you will find the information you are looking for.

I have an R53 - 2006 Model, running 17" wheels also. Switched to 215/40 Eagle F1 non-runflats. You will find my opinion of them by using the search function

[burgeMCS]

Im going to claim myself a newbie to this site, apologise to those who seem annoyed and start using the search box.

[Morri7]

I have a 2003 R53 on 17s and use non runflats. They are much better (and much cheaper!) than the runflats. On the front I have 205/45/R17 Verdisteins and I think they are very good. On the back I have some Faulkens the same size and they are not so good - grip in the wet can be very fightening/exciting depending on you view point! All pressures are regularly checked before somone pipes up!
In terms of your original question.........this is a one that get asked and debated many times so like has been said there is plenty of opinion out there

As far as your insurance goes I think it is best to tell them however I told my insurance company and they said they weren't bothered.

[burgeMCS]

Thank you Morri7. My searching last night perhaps wasn't as in depth as it should have been but your response was exactly what i was hoping to get. I will continue to search around but im almost convinced that its a change i want to make.

Thank you everyone who replied

[Morri7]

No problem

[beken]

I'm an R53 owner with 17" S-lite wheels and it originally came with Runflats. After spending more than the cost of a new tire constantly repairing the tires and finally have one literally tear itself apart, I followed the path of many other R53 owners and switched to non-runflats and have not had a problem since.

There really is a lot of discussion in many forums of cars that come with runflat tires (not just MINIs) and my own general thought is that the concept and idea is good, but the technology is not quite ready for primetime yet. Runflat tires are still a bit too expensive, heavy, and fragile to replace a good quality non-R/F tire.

Whether you think the ride is harsh or handling is worse because of r/f's is subjective. Personally, I found the response to handling very good with the runflat tires that I had. So just going from runflats to non runflats might not improve handling or ride. Even if you stay with runflat tires, going from brand to brand, or tire model to model will affect handling and ride. Though the chances of getting a softer ride with non-RF tires is much greater as the sidewalls are generally not as stiff.

You'll have to do some research, check with friends, go for rides in cars with different tires on them and then take a big risk and choose a tire. Those with lots of cash and time will probably own multiple sets of tires for their cars. Those of us who don't will choose a tire and live with them until it's time to replace them.

Good luck.