In the UK, you haven't got any "flat tyre sensors" - it's just the ABS sensors that are being used to guess that if one wheel is going round faster than the others, it must be flat.
Not sure on tyre pressures - best thing is to ask for people who've got non-runflat OEM tyres of your size.
What benefit you'll get from switching will depend on the size of wheels and what sort of suspension you've got - 17s with sports suspension seem to get the most benefit while I found on 16s with standard suspension the difference between runflats and non-runflats wasn't great.
Thanks for that. I've got 17s and a standard Cooper S so I think that is sports suspension (I also have a Sport button in the car). Sounds like the difference would be substantial. Now I just need to choose a cost effective and quality set of tyres!
Not necessarily - they are different options. If you have a well-specced Cooper S (eg, Chili pack) then it's likely you have sports suspension - if only because it sounds good at ordering time, even if the driver won't be sporty (that's 90%, I would guess).
You can find out by going into a Mini dealer, giving them your key fob and asking nicely, from which they can look up the car's specification and tell you positively, one way or the other.
I'm relatively new to the Mini world having recently brought a used 06 Mini Cooper Chili Pack.
My back run flat tyres are bordering on slicks and need replacing. I hate the run flats they are hard, bumpy and slide all over the road (they did this before they got worn!).
I currently have 205/45/17 run flat tyres.....
what do I need to change to? A lot of people have said 215/40/17 are the right size?
Thanks - I have now got Little Mo booked in to have her new shoes fitted!
She is having standard 205/45/17's fitted and the runflats will be no-more
Having read previous threads I rang my insurance company and they said it makes no difference so no change needed to my policy. Also the garage said they have no problem fitting them but I need to sign a disclaimer? Gees can't help but think that they just want me to take runflats so they can take more money off me (but a garage woukld never do that right!! hahaha)
I shall post back once the tyres have been fitted on Monday - heres hoping I notice the difference!
I just switched to non-runflat 205/45/17" Kumho Ecstas on my 2003 MCS JCW's. The ride and handling are much better than the previous Pirelli Euforia runflats.
The Kumho's are excellent value and have a great wet weather rating, but maybe not so good in terms of wear and mpg. I don't do much mileage and the average mpg is dreadful anyway in the JCW's so these aren't really an issue for me!
Tyre pressures for non-runflats should be the same as runflats as far as I am aware (its the weight of the car that determines the tyre pressures).
I have got a couple of cans of tyre sealant in the boot with an electric pump in case of simple puncture.
Well today was the day that I ditched the run flats and had standard tyres fitted to my Mini and what a change it is.
Noword of a lie I could tell the differance as soon as I sat in it. It feels like a completely differant car to drive. No more bouncing around the road when I hit a pothole, the handling is now great! Not to mention the fact that my standard tyres cost £220 for 4 instead of £120 each for run flats.
I think the concept of run flats is good however, they just make your car feel like a bone shaking machine, which having speant all that money on a nice car is not what I was after!
I'm sure I won't look back on this one with regret...thanks for all your help and advice guys.
If anyone was to ask for my opinion......DITCH the nasty run flats and opt for standard tyres...you will not regret it!
They are Wanli S1063 205/45/17/88W and they were £55 per tyre with fitting (bought through Tyre-shopper online).
They're a budget tyre which is fine for me due to the very low mileage I do. If I drove more and went further a field I would spend more a good make however, don't see the point really when I'm only city driving to work and back!
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