basically what I want to know, Is can I fit dunlop sp01 tyres to my standard rims...

I know some runflats require a specific rim, but these are just hardened sidewalls....

would it be safe? or should it be an OE only fitment....

thanks in advance.

basically what I want to know, Is can I fit dunlop sp01 tyres to my standard rims...

I know some runflats require a specific rim, but these are just hardened sidewalls....

would it be safe? or should it be an OE only fitment....

thanks in advance.

Really don't know. I do know you can run normal tires on run flat rims. I would imagine the run flats would run OK, but you would not get run flat functionality because the rim has no keeper ridges inside.

Surely non RFT tyres would be cheaper?

Chris

Really don't know. I do know you can run normal tires on run flat rims. I would imagine the run flats would run OK, but you would not get run flat functionality because the rim has no keeper ridges inside.

Surely non RFT tyres would be cheaper?

Chris

but as far as I understand it, there are two types of runflats, and these (dunlops, OE mini) don't need the internal support of special rims, i.e. the runflat capability is soley down to stiffness of sidewalls....

my car has no spare (which really bugs me) and I have a puncture, i've had punctures before and its a pain....

now even with the simple XL tyres that the car comes with (and I have always replaced with XL tyres) it will run supporting the wight of the car with no air inside, but only at speeds of up to about 20 mph safely..... and not for very long without overheating...

just wondering if I can use these on standard rims.....

any tyre fitters on here?

just spoke to the seller (e-bay) and he doesn't recommend it, he says it will handle like pants....

(nice that there are some honest people on e-bay!lol)

just spoke to the seller (e-bay) and he doesn't recommend it, he says it will handle like pants....

(nice that there are some honest people on e-bay!lol)

I have dealt with mostly good people on Ebay. What size / load are you looking for?

Chris

Run-flats do handle like pants!

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205/45/17 v or w XL

Run-flats do handle like pants!

My experience of them on the Cooper Diesel on Saturday would be that they handle really well on a car set up for them.

Chris

205/45/17 v or w XL

Apart from the obvious choices, there is the Nokian Z. I have run the Nokian V and was deeply impressed, particularly with wet weather grip.

Maybe Bridgestone RE050?

Chris

My mate had an early Mini Cooper on run flats. At the time we never; A, figured out how the low pressure warning worked or 2, figured out how to reset the system once the pressures had manually been set!

Led to some interesting moments to say the least when you were unaware of how low the tyres actually were!

Fantastic handling car though with the right amount of air in the tyres. Just a bit uncomfortable and not something that I'd choose to fit if I didn't have to!

Apart from the obvious choices, there is the Nokian Z. I have run the Nokian V and was deeply impressed, particularly with wet weather grip.

Maybe Bridgestone RE050?

Chris

bridgestone re050a's are the OE fitting, and my tyre of choice, never tried anything better... too expensive though :(

update: ordered 2 falken 512's from camskill... bargin price of £103

My mate had an early Mini Cooper on run flats. At the time we never; A, figured out how the low pressure warning worked or 2, figured out how to reset the system once the pressures had manually been set!

Led to some interesting moments to say the least when you were unaware of how low the tyres actually were!

Fantastic handling car though with the right amount of air in the tyres. Just a bit uncomfortable and not something that I'd choose to fit if I didn't have to!

The tyre pressures are not monitored, the system uses the ABS sensors to detect wheel speed differentials as far as I am aware.

As with all cars, pressures should be checked regularly, at least weekly or more often if doing big miles.

Chris

The tyre pressures are not monitored, the system uses the ABS sensors to detect wheel speed differentials as far as I am aware.

As with all cars, pressures should be checked regularly, at least weekly or more often if doing big miles.

Chris

Yeah, we figured it out eventually. He had the car for 3 years and I think we read the manual with about 6 months to go!

I agree, ideally pressures should be checked regularily, but generally the first clue you get is when you see the tyre looks a bit soft. The second clue is going into a tight left hander a bit hot and ending up slightly sideways... parp!

Yeah, we figured it out eventually. He had the car for 3 years and I think we read the manual with about 6 months to go!

I agree, ideally pressures should be checked regularily, but generally the first clue you get is when you see the tyre looks a bit soft. The second clue is going into a tight left hander a bit hot and ending up slightly sideways... parp!

I think that if you have a puncture, you know when the pressures have dropped because you get to feel it. Maybe with RFT you don't feel it as much? With the Fabia I generally know if I am 2 - 3 psi down.

On day to day running, a lot of people will only check the pressures occasionally and this is where a slow leak can cause trouble. The AA did a survey recently and found a big percentage (cannot remember what) of cars with at least one tyre 10% below what it should be. At that low, there will be less grip, less fuel economy and more wear.

Chris

I think that if you have a puncture, you know when the pressures have dropped because you get to feel it. Maybe with RFT you don't feel it as much? With the Fabia I generally know if I am 2 - 3 psi down.

On day to day running, a lot of people will only check the pressures occasionally and this is where a slow leak can cause trouble. The AA did a survey recently and found a big percentage (cannot remember what) of cars with at least one tyre 10% below what it should be. At that low, there will be less grip, less fuel economy and more wear.

Chris

I know what you're saying. I guess it makes a difference if you're using a car day in day out - you're less likely to notice a really slow leak. Whenever I pop home to see my Mum and drive her old clio (without power steering) the first thing I ask is 'when did you last check the tyres?'... response; 'er...'

Cue finding one of them that hardly registers on the gauge!

Interesting re-run of Fifth Gear testing a BMW on RFTs the other day - ahh, the joys of daytime channel Dave - where they stabbed each tyre and despite it looking like it was all over the place on the track Tiff said 'still feels rather good considering'... Hmmm!

I have run flats and I hate them. They are a bit of a ride wrecker. The 3 series works well with them, but the 1 series is a bit rough on them. I dread to think what a car that hasn’t been designed and tuned for run-flats would handle and ride like.

I have run flats and I hate them. They are a bit of a ride wrecker. The 3 series works well with them, but the 1 series is a bit rough on them. I dread to think what a car that hasn’t been designed and tuned for run-flats would handle and ride like.

That is the key, is the car set up for them. Certainly, although I had heard horror stories about the ride on 17s on the older Mini, the new one was definitely better than the Fabia ever managed. The only bit of road that upset it a bit was a section that has the Fabia wheels pretty much off the ground.

I would go so far as to say it was a very well judged ride, firm and stable, never wallowy or harsh. Seems they can be made to work well, but I would not try them on a car not set up for them.

Chris

indeed, in my research after thinking of them, it says, car manufacturers are setting up their suspension sytems to specifically run 'run-flats' ... it says that now things are improving, and ride/handling balances are good, but DO NOT replace with normal, if it comes with run-flats as OE or this upsets the whole set-up thing.......

indeed, in my research after thinking of them, it says, car manufacturers are setting up their suspension sytems to specifically run 'run-flats' ... it says that now things are improving, and ride/handling balances are good, but DO NOT replace with normal, if it comes with run-flats as OE or this upsets the whole set-up thing.......

This is one of the hassles of choosing with the Mini (if I go for one). There are two wheel options and due to the way the Mini options list is configured, to get the seats I want, I will probably end up on 16" RFT tyres:confused: don't ask. The other option gives me 15 conventional tyres.

Problem is that in the size that fits the 16" Mini rims, the tyre suppliers have got the market stitched up, with all the runflats being pretty expensive. I have no idea if the non runflats would handle well with the car or not. If they use the same spring / damper settings for the 15" wheel option, it will be fine on standard non run flats. If they specifically fit different springs / dampers for different wheel / tyre options, then the 16s do not make financial sense.

Chris

This is one of the hassles of choosing with the Mini (if I go for one). There are two wheel options and due to the way the Mini options list is configured, to get the seats I want, I will probably end up on 16" RFT tyres:confused: don't ask. The other option gives me 15 conventional tyres.

Problem is that in the size that fits the 16" Mini rims, the tyre suppliers have got the market stitched up, with all the runflats being pretty expensive. I have no idea if the non runflats would handle well with the car or not. If they use the same spring / damper settings for the 15" wheel option, it will be fine on standard non run flats. If they specifically fit different springs / dampers for different wheel / tyre options, then the 16s do not make financial sense.

Chris

If you get the pepper or chilli packs you get the larger wheels. What about tyres for the 17" alloys are they cheaper. I know they were about £100 a corner from the big players and less online when looking for somebodies cooper.

If you get the pepper or chilli packs you get the larger wheels. What about tyres for the 17" alloys are they cheaper. I know they were about £100 a corner from the big players and less online when looking for somebodies cooper.

The pepper pack comes with 15" alloys 175/65R15 tyres. Chilli pack give you 16" alloys on 195/55R16 RFT tyres. 17s are an option on the Cooper and come in the Chilli pack on the Cooper S. The car configuration process is about as clear as mud.

The 17s will be pricey to replace, as will the 16s because they are in RFT sizes and the industry knows they are Mini fitments, the prices are high even on non RFT. 15s would be best in fuel consumption terms and far cheaper to replace. I am yet to drive a car on 15" or 16" wheels, so don't know how they will feel.

Still got to raise the money yet!

Chris