I have a lot of problems with the dunlop runflats. I have changed 3 tires and now I have to change another one and they are not exactly cheap. I´ve had it with the runflats . I´ve heard that the toyo proxes tires are a good option, is this true? what other options are good? I need strong reliable street tires. Does the MC spare tire fit the MCS, if not what can I do? Is it better to stay with the 205/45 tire or change to another kind? I am desperate by now I apreciate any help you can give me. by the way I have 17 rims. thank you

 

I think the Falken Ziex512's in 205/45/17 would be a sound choice. :smile:
all season tires, but have decent grip for street and looks great.

I never liked those SP9000DSST's myself... I have them on my R90's
and each time I drive around in them, I want to replace the tires...

 

I figured you had 17" wheels, given your problems with the run-flats, but thanks for the clarification.

I busted 2 run-flats, 2 days in a row on 2 different MINIs within a couple of months of getting them. So I switched to 16" V-spokes with run-flats for one of them. I purchased the V-spokes (take-offs) off of eBay.

At that point I still had 6 good tires left, so I had time to decide what I wanted to do. A couple of months later, I busted another run-flat. Five left. Eight months later, badly bent a rim. At that point I had only about 3/32 of tread left, so I got Yokohama AVS ES100s.

They are a nice performance tire, hold up to heat well, have good wet weather performance, and are well priced. I got 215/45/17. Had a slight bit of rubbing the first day, hasn't been an issue since, and the car is pretty well lowered. The downside to those tires is that they are a bit noisy, but I have a noisy aftermarket exhaust anyway. It's also been said that they don't last as long as some other tire choices, but I'm surprised at how much tread I have left given how I drive the car.

There are a lot of good tire choices out there, depends on your needs. Almost anything will be better than the run-flats.

You can get a spare and it will fit diagonally in a corner of the boot and you can secure it with some elastic cords. You probably only need it when you're on trips away from home. You will have to decide for yourself what your comfort level is. Other options are to carry some flat tire fixer, a mini air compressor, and a AAA membership (after MINI roadside assistance runs out).

Good luck!

 

Sounds like you are ready for non runflats- there are many choices.
The two sizes to look for would be:
Stock size 205/45-17 which includes the-
Yokohama AVS ES 100 (ultra high perf summer tire, w speed rated 280 tread wear AA A each $99 at tirerack.com (talk to alex) and $101 for the 215/45-17 size. More performance oriented than the Supra 712.
Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 (ultra high perf summer tire W speed rated 280 wear rated AA A $91 each and comes in 215/45-17)
Both are good general use tires. Here is a comparison test between the two from tirerack-
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tests/uhp_give_you_more.jsp

At egderacing.com, Toyo Proxes 4 (W speed rated 300 treadwear $104)and Falken Ziex ZE-512 (W speed rated 360 treadwear $90)are also good reasonably priced tires for general use (but not sold by tirerack.com)

You'd need to consider all season tires if you need to contend with light snow in your area or switch to snow tires if the snow is heavy. Summer tires won't do well in snow. Also consider the shipping costs. I live in Hawaii where shipping is an issue. Tirerack ships to me for half the cost or less of what edgeracing will charge me (2nd day air for $137 a set of four tires).

 

I too have had to replace two run flats (195 55 r16). I want to switch to a new tire but that size just isn't very common in the USA. Any one know of some good 16" choices less than $100 a piece?

Also is it true that you can't (or shouldn't ) mix run flats with non run flats on the same car(ie two front but normal on back)? Unless this is dealer hype than it forces a person to keep buying expensive run flats or get rid of run flats with plenty of life left just to make the switch.

Any help wouldbe great.

Rtro Rkt in VA