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MINI Club Of WNY -> General MINI -> Ditching The Run Flats
Post Info TOPIC: Ditching The Run Flats
Cogman


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Ditching The Run Flats
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A good friend of mine in Virginia called me to lament that her dealer wants $1400 to replace her Run Flat tires!  I know from listening at our gatherings that some of you have switched away from these to conventional performance tires.  I just don't remember who that was!  Any comments you could add here to enlighten this young lady will be greatly appreciated!  I suggested she contact Tire Rack, and talk to one of their advisors.  From what I understand there is some issue with the tire pressure sensor devices?  What were the pros and cons of the switch?  Thanks people!  Bill aka "Cogman"ashamed

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Jack07734


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There are no issues with using other types of tires on a stock MINI wheel.
Run flats are expensive. The current on line price is around $300 each and then you have to pay for mounting and balance.

Remember, in most cases when changing  to a standard tire is that you no longer have a spare.

The new TPS sensor are used on some 07 and all 08 models.
MINIs before that use the ABS wheel rotation sensors to check tire pressure. Any propper wheel and tire combo that will fit a MINI will still be monitored by the standard system.

The newer cars need a special sensor in each wheel to function. 

Happy Motoring,
Jack

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Mitch


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Run flats are also very heavy and are know to not handle very well. I have a 2005 Cooper and it does not have run flats. I have no issues with the TPS, although you really only need the TPS if you have run flats, since you can not tell when they are punctured until they start to break down.

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TOWNEMINI


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Bill,

A little more information would help. As for the tire, if it is a cooper with the sport pack or S with 16" size, Firestone makes the tire "Fire hawk." I believe more customers are running that tire than any other, it is a all season tire, wears around the same as the OEM tires, maybe a few extra miles, and have yet to get a complaint about them. Also they are cheap, I think $98.00 If they are the 17" tires, theres less options available and I dont have a tire im confident enough in with a low price to suggest, the only thing I will advise is stay from directional tires, many have had good luck with them, some have not. If your friend does go that route make sure they are rotated as often as one can stand and they will be OK.

As for the TPM's, Jack was right 02-06/07 they have pulse generators through the ABS system that measures the revolutions, if one is revolving faster/slower then there is a difference in diameter giving a different pressure. Then 07' and newer they actually take a pressure reading. Regardless of TPM style if they stay with the OEM wheels they will not have a problem, also OEM wheels will always mount any conventional tire. 



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Cogman


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Mark,
   I just spoke to her again and the car is a 2005 Mini Cooper S with 17" wheels.  She now asks if going to 16" wheels is possible, and would that improve her ride?  Thanks for all the help, everyone!  You guys and gals are great!  Bill

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TOWNEMINI


Towne MINI - Official

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Bill,

 

  A base Cooper S will accommodate a 16 wheel size, and she could then run that Fire Hawk tire among others. Being a R53 S as long as all wheels and tires are the same size the FTM/TPM system can be reset and will continue to operate. If she does go down to the 16 wheel size, she may want to look for a package deal, usually lower price than buying individually, and lower labor rate to simply put them on the car than mount and balance the tires, also usually lower shipping charge.

 

Mark



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Mitch


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Other than "looks" what are the advantages the different sizes?

Sorry if this is off topic.

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Jack07734


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Mitch wrote:

Other than "looks" what are the advantages the different sizes?

Sorry if this is off topic.


As far as daily driving goes the biggest difference is that 16" tires usally have a larger sidewall than 17 or 18" tires. This translates in a smoother ride. The biggest trade off is your car is a bit closer to the ground.

From the preformance point of view the smaller the better. It all has to do with a thing called "unsprung weight".  The less weight you have between the road and the springs the better your car will handle. 

To take this discussion a bit further ot:
Mark, how much will changing tire size effect the spedometer?

Happy Motoring,
Jack





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TOWNEMINI


Towne MINI - Official

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To be honest, I dont know. I would have to get the exact size of tire and take gear ratios and what not in to account to get the MPH difference. But as far as any huge differences and worrying about the law, I would not be concerned. All 02-06 vehicles share the same ABS/DSC control module with wheel speed sensors, the wheels range 15-18 in size as well. The government allows a 15% deviance that permits us not to have to change everything back and forth. If anyone gets in touch with skyjacker and puts some 35s on then we will have to figure that one out. Sorry for not having an answer.

Mark



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TrixieinNY


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TOWNEMINI wrote:

If anyone gets in touch with skyjacker and puts some 35s on then we will have to figure that one out.


I do happen to have something like this in the works...


so, ya know... get out your calculator.



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TOWNEMINI


Towne MINI - Official

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touché.... if you could let me know what differentials those dana's have it would help. Nice Picture.

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the_copi


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Jack07734 wrote:

 

how much will changing tire size effect the spedometer?

Happy Motoring,
Jack


See here to calculate and compare different tire sizes.  The speedometer will vary with different tire size based on the ratio of old and new tire circumference.  As long as the change in size is not drastic, the speedo will only read 1-2 mph differently.  It's also something to take into consideration as you calculate your gas mileage with a different tire size.  ie. a larger tire (circumference) actually turns fewer rotations per mile, reading a lower speed on the speedo for a given speed, and also indicates a (slightly) shorter dstance travelled.  The opposite when going to a smaller tire circumference.



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Jack07734


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I have noticed that when it comes to MINI tires the only things appears to change is the wheel size and the sidewall.

It looks to me that the outside diameter dosen't change much between 16, 17 and 18 inch wheels.  Which made me wonder if there was much of a change to the speed-o-meter.

smile Happy Motoring,
Jack

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Bagpiper


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I got rid of my run flats a couple of years ago. I just didn't like the "hard" ride.. so went to Falken 205-50-R16's... made a big difference to me... right now the price for that size tire is anywhere from $103 to $136 depending on make. I've been very happy with my tires.... and the performance. (I don't drive as hard as I use to... at my AGE... you need to slow down a little;o)

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Venno


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To address the lack of spare tire...a few solutions that I always have prepared in my boot:
1. AAA card
2. MINI road side assistance
3. tire repair kit (its an awl type thing with 'yarn' coated in 'tar' you remove the item that caused the hole (if its there) and thread the 'yarn' into the hole with the awl thing.. You can get it at Napa or autozone
4. Road side repair kit- got this at Walmart, its a small 12v air compressor (helpful with the awl aswell since the awl will only stop pressure loss and not recoupe it) and then a tire selant gel (you pressurize the tire and then squirt this stuff in it and it seals the hole and dries as you drive off
5. 3 road flares..Always usefull.
Although it seems like a lot it really isn't and takes up a very small corner of your boot

I got 17s with BF goodrich G-force tires (ultra high performance tires so i doubt that really helps her) but I got them mounted at the local Super walmart for SUPER cheap (i think total it came out to like 40 bucks) and i got the manager to do the tire change himself...other local places were charging the same price per tire

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