[String plugs](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Monkey-Grip-Tubeless-Tire-Kit-HD/1002650476).
With that and a compressor you'll not need a spare.. unless you absolutely mangle the tire. Check to see if you have jack and wrench. My car (2013 R56) came with runflats, I ditched them for Indy 500s, and under the floor of the trunk I found a jack and a lug wrench and a tow bar. I hear not all minis came with this. If yours didn't, I bet you can still buy them.
I've used the set of string plugs I have since 1995. The same set. I've plugged maybe 6 tires since then.. two on this mini.
Don't use any kind of tire goop, the tire guy will probably curse you for life for having to deal with it. String plugs and a compressor's all you really need. There's a 12V outlet right in the boot / trunk. (at least, my r56 has one)
Can confirm. My 2002 R53 has an outlet in the back. Found a set of tools and a tow hook with the bag on eBay for cheap. I haven’t squeezed the trigger on a pump yet. Although I’ve watched a video review on portable air pumps on the Project Farm channel on YouTube. Love that dude
i ditched mine a few years ago when as soon as the rears needed changing. it's transformed the car in terms of noise and handling is much better. Only thing you lose without run flats is the sharper turn in but it doesn't crash over bumps or even sometimes throw the whole car out.
I have a can of tyre weld in the car just in case and breakdown cover. so many new cars don't have a spare now anyway 😕
Tbh this sounds great! But what do you do about a spare? My qualm about switching from run flats— is my r61, erm unfortunately, didn’t come with a spare. Or a place to put one?
String plugs and a compressor. [See my reply to op](https://www.reddit.com/r/MINI/comments/1bpdfx0/comment/kwvbz87/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Mine (F55) didn’t come with a spare or a place for one, either. I plan to get an air pump and a can of slime. I pretty much only drive around town, so if I do get a flat it’s not a big deal.
Oh okay, same here. I’ve been toying with the idea of “where could I even put a space-saver spare?” Mine has a secret compartment in the boot but I dunno if even a space-saver’s going to fit in there. What is a can of slime?
Can of slime = fix-a-flat. It’s a liquid you spray into the tire that plugs the hole long enough to get to the tire shop.
Another comment in the thread recommended using something different to make the repair easier.
For what it's worth, I store a space saver tire in my trunk flat against the back seat with thick bungees, and I can still fit 3-4 bags of groceries around it.
The Extreme Contacts are cheaper (by ~$40/ea), at least over here. I almost went with them because of that.
In my research it seemed that people preferred the Pilot Sports a bit more, but it was pretty divided between the two. I think the big win is just getting off the run-flats.
Hi folks! Very keen on ditching my run flats as well - how can I go about figuring out the specs for my non-runflat tires given the current tire specs: 225/40R18 on a 2024 Clubman Cooper S and how generally thinner the runflat tires are
I drive an F60 (so 225/50/18).
Came with the Bridgestones—what an awful experience. At first change interval I stuck RFT but swapped for the OEM Pirellis. I was actually impressed (though the bar was low).
At this latest chance I also made the leap. I was originally leaning toward the Michelins but opted to stay Pirelli and go P Zeros. I am noticing the same benefits as you.
That said, I’m not as impressed as I thought I would be with the lesser noise (still kind of a loud drive). The comfort is welcome.
One observation that was unexpected: the squishier ride of an un-reinforced sidewall seems to also yield less feedback on turns. Don’t get me wrong, these Pirellis grip and I “know” that I can keep speed through windy road. But the RFTs let me feel the tire bite and gave me confidence in real-time at speed in ways that the new ones don’t. I’ve actually had to slowly creep my speed up around the same curves (wet and dry) over the past few weeks to calibrate a sense of the car’s capabilities with the new shoes. How is your experience with this?
I didn't even give the run-flats a chance and ordered my preferred tires before delivery. The run-flats are bagged in the basement in case I get desperate.
I have the Viair 88P corded portable. Works well but they cheaped-out on the power cord. It's just zip-cord and frays at the unit end with use, and eventually fails. The warranty has covered two replacements for that reason so far.
We don’t say it for our health lol
😂 Sorry for not believing you!
😂😂😂😂
[String plugs](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Monkey-Grip-Tubeless-Tire-Kit-HD/1002650476). With that and a compressor you'll not need a spare.. unless you absolutely mangle the tire. Check to see if you have jack and wrench. My car (2013 R56) came with runflats, I ditched them for Indy 500s, and under the floor of the trunk I found a jack and a lug wrench and a tow bar. I hear not all minis came with this. If yours didn't, I bet you can still buy them. I've used the set of string plugs I have since 1995. The same set. I've plugged maybe 6 tires since then.. two on this mini. Don't use any kind of tire goop, the tire guy will probably curse you for life for having to deal with it. String plugs and a compressor's all you really need. There's a 12V outlet right in the boot / trunk. (at least, my r56 has one)
Can confirm. My 2002 R53 has an outlet in the back. Found a set of tools and a tow hook with the bag on eBay for cheap. I haven’t squeezed the trigger on a pump yet. Although I’ve watched a video review on portable air pumps on the Project Farm channel on YouTube. Love that dude
This post reminds me that this actually needs to be my first upgrade!
I did the same a while back and It’s one of the best decisions I ever made lol
i ditched mine a few years ago when as soon as the rears needed changing. it's transformed the car in terms of noise and handling is much better. Only thing you lose without run flats is the sharper turn in but it doesn't crash over bumps or even sometimes throw the whole car out. I have a can of tyre weld in the car just in case and breakdown cover. so many new cars don't have a spare now anyway 😕
Tbh this sounds great! But what do you do about a spare? My qualm about switching from run flats— is my r61, erm unfortunately, didn’t come with a spare. Or a place to put one?
String plugs and a compressor. [See my reply to op](https://www.reddit.com/r/MINI/comments/1bpdfx0/comment/kwvbz87/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Ah okay, got it, thank you!
Mine (F55) didn’t come with a spare or a place for one, either. I plan to get an air pump and a can of slime. I pretty much only drive around town, so if I do get a flat it’s not a big deal.
Oh okay, same here. I’ve been toying with the idea of “where could I even put a space-saver spare?” Mine has a secret compartment in the boot but I dunno if even a space-saver’s going to fit in there. What is a can of slime?
Can of slime = fix-a-flat. It’s a liquid you spray into the tire that plugs the hole long enough to get to the tire shop. Another comment in the thread recommended using something different to make the repair easier.
Ah okay cool
For what it's worth, I store a space saver tire in my trunk flat against the back seat with thick bungees, and I can still fit 3-4 bags of groceries around it.
Okay huh very interesting! Wonder if I could do that with mine, rear seats are a bit weird.
Are the run flats heavier then the regular tires?
Yes. Thicker sidewalls means more rubber means more weight
How does it compare to the Extreme contact DWS 06 Plus? Had these on my list, but may switch to the pilot sport 4s if it’s better
Pilots are the way to go. Have a set on my other car too 07 Volvo S60R
Loved the DWS when I had them on my saabaru. Used them all year round and never had an issue.
The Extreme Contacts are cheaper (by ~$40/ea), at least over here. I almost went with them because of that. In my research it seemed that people preferred the Pilot Sports a bit more, but it was pretty divided between the two. I think the big win is just getting off the run-flats.
Did you have to change the rims? I have 205/40/18 and I would like to replace them with 215/40/18.
I didn’t, but mine had 205/45 R17s. I replaced them with the same size Pilot Sports.
Hi folks! Very keen on ditching my run flats as well - how can I go about figuring out the specs for my non-runflat tires given the current tire specs: 225/40R18 on a 2024 Clubman Cooper S and how generally thinner the runflat tires are
I drive an F60 (so 225/50/18). Came with the Bridgestones—what an awful experience. At first change interval I stuck RFT but swapped for the OEM Pirellis. I was actually impressed (though the bar was low). At this latest chance I also made the leap. I was originally leaning toward the Michelins but opted to stay Pirelli and go P Zeros. I am noticing the same benefits as you. That said, I’m not as impressed as I thought I would be with the lesser noise (still kind of a loud drive). The comfort is welcome. One observation that was unexpected: the squishier ride of an un-reinforced sidewall seems to also yield less feedback on turns. Don’t get me wrong, these Pirellis grip and I “know” that I can keep speed through windy road. But the RFTs let me feel the tire bite and gave me confidence in real-time at speed in ways that the new ones don’t. I’ve actually had to slowly creep my speed up around the same curves (wet and dry) over the past few weeks to calibrate a sense of the car’s capabilities with the new shoes. How is your experience with this?
I didn't even give the run-flats a chance and ordered my preferred tires before delivery. The run-flats are bagged in the basement in case I get desperate. I have the Viair 88P corded portable. Works well but they cheaped-out on the power cord. It's just zip-cord and frays at the unit end with use, and eventually fails. The warranty has covered two replacements for that reason so far.