Changed runflats for normal tyres

[broady]

Quote: Originally Posted by BRG/Blk Cooper S (original)

In my experience runflats were harsh, noisy, prone to tram-lining, prone to severe understeer and had both the ABS and DSC kicking in constantly.

My Vredestein Sportrac 3's suffer from none of the above, are as grippy as hell, quiet and give the MINI the sort of handling the designers no doubt had in mind.

Totally agree!
My Fisrt choice of tyre was going to be the Vredesteins you have but got some Yoko Prada 2 s instead. Got a good deal on 4, £300 fitted so went for them. They seem very good at the minute a real improvement on the runflats in my opinion. Might try the Vredestiens next as ive not heard a bad word against them.

[Kirium]

I must either drive like a nun or the majority of the mini drivers on this thread are certifiable lunatics... I trust people are causing their mini to understeer either in torrential rain and standing water, in the snow or ice, or on a track day. Certainly not on a public road... surely ?

The mini, with oem tyres, is a superb handling car, its why we all bought one. If the car was so bad with the factory tyres on why did you all buy it ? Did you sit there in the mini dealership after your test drive and say "this car would be soooo much better with different tyres on, I cant wait to spend my 17K so i can get down to ats and fit new tyres"

I suggest people are buying the non rf tyres because they are cheap, period.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kirium (original)

I must either drive like a nun......... I suggest people are buying the non rf tyres because they are cheap, period.

Answered your own question I think..

Additionally, you are driving a Cooper, not a Cooper S.........completely different beast (and I know, I've owned both........as have a majority of people who run conventional tyres on them.....).

[smc]

My first run flat tires change was at 52,525 kilometers since the day I bought the cooper. I do not thrash it, just drive to work and touring. When I decided to change out at the mini authorise workshop in our country, they were amazed of even wear and was well maintained.
I constantly check the tires pressure once a week that;s all.

[mooneymini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kirium (original)

I must either drive like a nun or the majority of the mini drivers on this thread are certifiable lunatics... I trust people are causing their mini to understeer either in torrential rain and standing water, in the snow or ice, or on a track day. Certainly not on a public road... surely ?

The mini, with oem tyres, is a superb handling car, its why we all bought one. If the car was so bad with the factory tyres on why did you all buy it ? Did you sit there in the mini dealership after your test drive and say "this car would be soooo much better with different tyres on, I cant wait to spend my 17K so i can get down to ats and fit new tyres"

I suggest people are buying the non rf tyres because they are cheap, period.

I know someone who bought a Mini Cooper and sold it about a month later because she couldnt stand the hard ride.
She hadn't test driven one before she bought it, she just really wanted one and was told that they were amazing cars and that she would love it. So she just got one.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by mooneymini (original)

I know someone who bought a Mini Cooper and sold it about a month later because she couldnt stand the hard ride.
She hadn't test driven one before she bought it, she just really wanted one and was told that they were amazing cars and that she would love it. So she just got one.

Yes, I'm sure considering the incredible number of MINI's sold that it's not an uncommon situation - bought for the looks nothing else.
I'm also sure there are many, many Cooper S's out there bought simply because "it's the top of the range" that will never be driven anything close to what they're capable of even on a public road.

Re the "certifiable lunatics" comment, it's a pointless statement and really quite ignorant.
Tyres being the only connection between you and the road greatly affect the feel of the car - at £400ish for a set vs. £17,000 it's hardly a big deal and I'm sure many driving enthusiasts of all marques take delivery of a new vehicle then get tyres of their preference fitted (easy to sell del miles only tyres on Ebay).

Every used car I've ever bought (bar the S, too new) has immediately had a brand new set of tyres, battery, fluids, belts & (if required) hoses, pads, disks.
For peace of mind if nothing else..

[mooneymini]

Quote: Originally Posted by BRG/Blk Cooper S (original)

Yes, I'm sure considering the incredible number of MINI's sold that it's not an uncommon situation - bought for the looks nothing else.
I'm also sure there are many, many Cooper S's out there bought simply because "it's the top of the range" that will never be driven anything close to what they're capable of even on a public road.

Re the "certifiable lunatics" comment, it's a pointless statement and really quite ignorant.
Tyres being the only connection between you and the road greatly affect the feel of the car - at £400ish for a set vs. £17,000 it's hardly a big deal and I'm sure many driving enthusiasts of all marques take delivery of a new vehicle then get tyres of their preference fitted (easy to sell del miles only tyres on Ebay).

Every used car I've ever bought (bar the S, too new) has immediately had a brand new set of tyres, battery, fluids, belts & (if required) hoses, pads, disks.
For peace of mind if nothing else..

Well said. Completely agree.

I changed my tyres on my MINI as soon as I could afford to and now feel I have a safer feel with regards to the contact my car has with the road now.

Seeing as I am averaging 35mpg, I don't think I could be classed as a lunatic. I just like a car to drive well and have the poke there when it needs to be.

[The Eggman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kirium (original)

I must either drive like a nun or the majority of the mini drivers on this thread are certifiable lunatics... I trust people are causing their mini to understeer either in torrential rain and standing water, in the snow or ice, or on a track day. Certainly not on a public road... surely ?

The mini, with oem tyres, is a superb handling car, its why we all bought one. If the car was so bad with the factory tyres on why did you all buy it ? Did you sit there in the mini dealership after your test drive and say "this car would be soooo much better with different tyres on, I cant wait to spend my 17K so i can get down to ats and fit new tyres"

I suggest people are buying the non rf tyres because they are cheap, period.

Have you driven an "S" with non R/F's

[stevetigersix]

just a question ive got a set of 17's running 205-45-17 dunlop sp9000 dsst runflats, 2 of which need replacing, after coughing up a lung at the £160 per corner fee for doing this im concidering ditching the lot for conventional tyres.

my questions this, do i go for the same tyre size or is there any room for more width on the rim say 215-40-17 or any other suggested size people?

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by stevetigersix (original)

just a question ive got a set of 17's running 205-45-17 dunlop sp9000 dsst runflats, 2 of which need replacing, after coughing up a lung at the £160 per corner fee for doing this im concidering ditching the lot for conventional tyres.

my questions this, do i go for the same tyre size or is there any room for more width on the rim say 215-40-17 or any other suggested size people?

You can go with 215/40-17 or (depending on wheel offset and suspension set up) 215/45-17.

[stevetigersix]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

You can go with 215/40-17 or (depending on wheel offset and suspension set up) 215/45-17.

its standard mini cooper cabrio 06 with the 17 inch bullet alloys, whats the advantage or dissadvantage of a wider tyre and lesser profile?

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by stevetigersix (original)

its standard mini cooper cabrio 06 with the 17 inch bullet alloys, whats the advantage or dissadvantage of a wider tyre and lesser profile?

From the FAQ ...

Quote:

There are performance benefits from wider tires, in that there is more rubber gripping the road. Increasing tire width or increasing wheel diameter means lowering the sidewall of tire. While a shorter sidewall, gives quicker steering response and better lateral stability, it may make for a "harsher" ride and leave wheels more susceptible to damage from encounters with curbs or pot-holes.

With 17" OEM wheels you can run 215/45-17.

[stevetigersix]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

From the FAQ ...


With 17" OEM wheels you can run 215/45-17.

cheers for that think ill go 215-40-17's

was thinking of these any downside to them?

yokohama parada2

[broady]

Quote: Originally Posted by stevetigersix (original)

just a question ive got a set of 17's running 205-45-17 dunlop sp9000 dsst runflats, 2 of which need replacing, after coughing up a lung at the £160 per corner fee for doing this im concidering ditching the lot for conventional tyres.

my questions this, do i go for the same tyre size or is there any room for more width on the rim say 215-40-17 or any other suggested size people?

Ive just done the same thing your thinking about. Was told that 215-40-17 would be right for mini, plus there seems to be a wider choice of tyres in this size too. Mine seem spot on

[stevetigersix]

ok as an update i had a set of yoko parada spec 2 all round 215-40-17 and the car now behaives totally different, in a good way. handling is sharp precise and grip in the dry is way way above what it was, tried a little test by turning the traction off and turning left out of a standstill junction under full acceleration and after a little squeek th egrip cuts in and your off, a huge improvement.
anyone thinking of doing what ive done and all umming and arrring over it...DO IT it will make the car drive the way it should