Lets talk tires (and flats)

[donemcclure]

Hey all!  So as the weather has turned its got me thinking more about tires.  

 

To start out the conversation, I am driving a 2020 F56 JCW as my "daily" driver...really I metro most days and drive it to the store and errands on the weekends, but its my only vehicle.  I live in an apartment in DC with only a parking spot, no garage or storage space.  I've read the debates on runflats vs standard tires for performance reasons, and I get that. But I like the idea that if I needed to, I could drive the car to a shop if I had a flat.

 

Here's my dilemma and a couple questions for everyone.  I would like to run all-season tires since the mini is my only car and there will be times I will drive it when the temperatures are below 40 degrees (which is the line most summer tires seem to draw).  However, I can't find a runflat all-season tire below a 225 for a 18" wheel.

 

1.) Is it really a problem to run summer tires below the temperature ratings? Has anyone had issues with this?  Technically from what I understand the summer tires really shouldn't be put under any load, even sitting on the car in the garage, if its that cold because it could damage the tire.

 

2.) If I were to switch away from runflats, what do you do when you get a flat? Does anyone carry a plug kit and pump?  Do you just have the car towed to a shop?  This is my first mini and first time not having a spare tire...so I'm a bit nervous about how it works.

 

 

Appreciate any advice

 

[SneakyBaron]

For your first set of questions, you can run summers all year, but it s not great for the tires or your traction if there is any snow or ice. If you don't drive at all in those conditions it's slightly safer, but they will likely need to be replaced more often.

 

I had the stock runflats when I got my first MINI for maybe 6 months in 2013 and have been on standard tires since then. Have a plug kit and pump that I've used quite a few times, these would've also have happened with runflats. My wife has a donut for her MINI that she takes on any longer trips.

 

I'd say ditch them and go for a smoother, cheeper, and quieter ride without them.

[donemcclure]

Thanks!  I'm 50/50 on going to a set of all-season 215/40R18 tires (not runflats)...but I do like to get out and drive on the weekends when the weather is good.  We also have a big trip (~2k miles) to MOTM this summer so I just wonder what my options are so that I don't get stuck someplace along the way.

 

I did see some F56 with 225/40R18s (which I could get in a runflat) on fitmentindustries.com without any need to modify the wheel trim...so maybe that's an option? 

 

@SneakyBaron How/where do you jack the mini to put on the spare? 

[1975_mini]

I echo Craig's previous comments. Another thing to consider with run flats is any side wall blow out still leaves you stranded. They are really only good for a in tread puncture. Also they are non patchable once you get to the shop, you are buying a new tire shops do not patch run flats. Adding a space saver spare in the back takes minimal space, and will get you off the road like a run flat would. 

 

As for jacks pick up a compact full scissor jack and you can slide it under the passenger seat from the rear. Make sure it is a full scissor, not the half scissor MINI used to include OEM (that think is asking for trouble)

 

there are jacking points at all four corners they are blocks on all MINIs.

[donemcclure]

Thanks guys! I think I may switch to a regular tire once these are done and look at a compact spare for long trips. I've generally had good luck with tires, so hopefully that will continue.

 

What tire set ups are you running?  I've looked at some 215/40R18s which looked pretty nice, but I also don't mind the look of the 205s.  As of right now I don't plan to lower the suspension but I for sure have no desire to start shaving or modifying the wheel wells.   

[1975_mini]

The F chasis supports up to a 225 with no modifications, the GPs come with 225/35R18s. I currently run 225/40R18 on my wife's GP, because it is a much more common tire size and provides more option and more competitive pricing. 215 is also a good size, I would ignore the 205s due to less options resulting in higher pricing.

 

I personal run Michelin Pilot Sport 4s All-seasons, as the dailies on all our MINIs, and have extreme summers that I use for track or the occasional spirited road driving. In my opinion they are a great balance of performance and have some life to them. They are go for all the conditions you will face around here. 

 

Hell, do the the extremely cold temps lately I ran the Pilot sports on track this weekend and was very happy with how they performed. I was definitely pushing them harder than any spirited driving you will do out on the road.

 

 

[SneakyBaron]

My wife has 215/40/18s on the same rims as you have in your profile picture, due to them being the more common size, and they feel great. They're also the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s All-seasons

[donemcclure]

Thanks!  I found a site that has a gallery of wheel and tire options : https://www.fitmentindustries.com/wheel-offset-gallery

 

I do like the look of both 215s and 225s...so I think it will come down to cost and availability once I'm ready.  Ok, so last question: Can you calibrate the speedometer for the new tire, or do you just best guess your speed?

[SneakyBaron]

215s pretty much cancel out the 3+ mph buffer that is built in, so it ends up being more true to gps speed

[donemcclure]

I didn't realize there was a 3mph difference, I guess I figured it was closer than that.  Before this car I drove a 2017 Jeep Wrangler with 35s...so speed was not really a consideration.

 

I really like the looks of either the 215s or the 225s.  I also didn't realize the overall size of the tire (diameter) can even vary based on the manufacturer despite being the same width, some I've seen are an inch or so different. 

 

My wife and I are heading to MOTM in July, so I need to decide if I'm going to swap the tires before we spend 6hrs a day in the car for a week.   Thanks again for the advice.

Edited January 31 by donemcclure