[JJH]

Having collected my car late this afternoon, I'm just back from my first 100 mile+ run to the coast (see two quick snaps attached) and these are my first impressions;

- the F56 MINI Cooper D is a superb & premium small car which eclipses, by a huge margin, the Mk.1 & Mk.2 (BMW) MINI models that I've previously owned.

- having driven the F56 MINI, back to back, on standard & run-flat tyres (and having owned various other cars with both tyre types), I can confirm that my new MINI with Pirelli F1 run-flats rides almost identically to the 'standard' car - and I think it's most likely that BMW, rather than Pirelli, have achieved this improvement. For safety reasons, I am a run-flat convert... and the ride quality on the F56 MINI with run-flats is firm (normal MINI style) but very comfortable.

- I've commented elsewhere on this forum about the excellent quality of the new 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system - for those about to order a new MINI, tick this box! You won't be disappointed if, like me, you love music. Also, the DAB radio is the best I've heard in a car (aided, I'm sure, by the HK system).

- the sports seats are excellent (there's a theme building here!) and if, like me, you go CHILI on your MINI - add the JCW steering-wheel too... for £50 it's a rare bargain on the options price-list and the perforated leather feels great in the hands!

- I've got the central display (disco) LED behaving as I like it, and I'm amused by how it shows its disapproval of a heavy right foot in Green mode!

- I resisted the temptation to add LED headlights (just too expensive BMW/MINI if you're reading this) and had the opportunity to test my standard headlights tonight... they were perfectly fine on the backroads around where I live (although I've no doubt the LEDs would be even brighter/better).

- another nice touch - white LEDs in the exterior door handles... just like a grown up BMW!!

- as & when you get them, enjoy your cars guys - mine is a peach!

 

[andyross37]

Excellent review and a lovely car you have there too!

I have always had run flats on my Mini's, so I've never known anything else. Looking forward to the ride of the new one.

I'm really glad I went for the HK, JCW steering wheel, LED Headlights & Media Pack XL.

You've just justified my choices.

Looking forward to testing out green mode and the heavy foot disapproval!

Cheers

 

[pjsjr13]

Very Nice. Congrats on your MCD. Great "Mini"review

 

[Black&White_D]

excellent review! thanks for sharing! which seats you choose? thought with rim 16 could not bring runflat.
ps: very cute mini! loved to have ordered the HK can not have everything....

 

[texy]

My last 4 Mini's have had run-flats, but I have not spec'd them this time. I am looking forward to quieter, more comfortable ride with standards and at a cheaper price when replacing. Note I have also spec'd a spare wheel ;-)
Texy

 

[JJH]

My last 4 Mini's have had run-flats, but I have not spec'd them this time. I am looking forward to quieter, more comfortable ride with standards and at a cheaper price when replacing. Note I have also spec'd a spare wheel ;-)
Texy

Honestly Texy, the back-to-back comparison I made showed that big strides have been taken with NVH standards on the F56 MINI - and this extends to the run-flat experience.

Having been stuck on the side of cold, wet & dangerous roads with a puncture during my motoring life, I feel comforted & safer with run-flats.

BTW: I have not paid more than £105 for replacement 16" run-flats for any MINI I've owned, and I rotate the wheels every 10,000 miles to balance the wear.

 

[palgt1]

Just as a note to Texys quote, re specing a spare wheel , I suggest that this is done while ordering your car - I have non run flats, didn't get the spare and have now been quoted £280 for spare, jack etc - £65 if ordered with the car !! - BTW I have 17" wheels !!

 

[JJH]

Just as a note to Texys quote, re specing a spare wheel , I suggest that this is done while ordering your car - I have non run flats, didn't get the spare and have now been quoted £280 for spare, jack etc - £65 if ordered with the car !! - BTW I have 17" wheels !!

It's scandalous that we, as consumers, have allowed car companies to remove the once-standard items (like spare wheels) and now have to buy them as options!!

For me, it's a run-flat future... and that used to be standard, but is now £140 !!!!

 

[cosmic68]

I actually (for the 1st time) didn't order Run Flats because of the deafening chorus of disapproval about them, price, noise etc. I also didn't order a spare wheel.

This thread has made me a bit nervous!

 

[texy]

Isn't there an issue with a spare wheel for an MCS - the central exhaust gets in the way?
Also, someone else who has received their car can confirm, but if you DON'T spec a spare wheel, don't you get a compressor and tyreweld as standard?

Texy

 

[cosmic68]

Isn't there an issue with a spare wheel for an MCS - the central exhaust gets in the way?
Also, someone else who has received their car can confirm, but if you DON'T spec a spare wheel, don't you get a compressor and tyreweld as standard?

Texy

In the test MCS I drove last week, they were non run flat, no spare wheel, but in the boot was a section that had an aerosol repair thing (tyre weld) and there was another doohickey which could be the compressor?

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxmac500]

That is correct Cosmic.
We had a thread about this a few days back and it was worked out that the MCS didn't have a spare option due to the exhaust configuration.
The tyre weld and compressor are the standard option that come with cars on normal tyres, however there would be no need for this in the run flats as they don't actually "go down" even if they deflate, this is due to the side wall structure.

I was pleased to read that JJH had tried both tyres and found them very similar in ride as there was talk of improving the comfort in the run flat technology, something that was sadly missing on my last car with run flats and add that to a profile of 255/30/19 and it was chattering teeth on any road surface!

Maybe going forward this will no longer be an issue for the consumer that it once was.

Any way, a great write up JJH, a nice intro to the CD, very impressed.
One question though, where did you drive to the coast to get that kind of parking RIGHT next to the sea!!!

 

[palgt1]

Yea - previous posts are correct in that there is no space for a spare wheel in a Cooper S, due to the exhaust situation. However I would still like a spare, not sure where I would store it, as I also believe that if you get a puncture on a non run flat and use the foam, the tyre can't be salvaged. Seems to be a lose lose situation !!

 

[MiloMini]

I went for the non run flats 16" and a spare but hearing that the run flats are not as bad as people have made out I'm now wondering about my choice - too late to change now but something to think about - maybe for a winter set.

Not looked into what the price for the tyres will be as I don't know the size yet - all I know is 16"!!

Also wish I'd added the JCW steering wheel!! Oh well.

Car looks fantastic - Deep Blue all the way!

 

[Washy]

I have to say that the lack of a spare and no runflats doesn't bother me much. I have got used to it as I have had a lot of cars where the front and rear tyres are different sizes and many years on motorbikes. Luckily perhaps whilst I have had punctures I have never had occasion to use the foam or have a tyre destroy itself.

the latest generation run flats are miles better than the original ones the first MINI's came with...

 

[JJH]

That is correct Cosmic.
We had a thread about this a few days back and it was worked out that the MCS didn't have a spare option due to the exhaust configuration.
The tyre weld and compressor are the standard option that come with cars on normal tyres, however there would be no need for this in the run flats as they don't actually "go down" even if they deflate, this is due to the side wall structure.

I was pleased to read that JJH had tried both tyres and found them very similar in ride as there was talk of improving the comfort in the run flat technology, something that was sadly missing on my last car with run flats and add that to a profile of 255/30/19 and it was chattering teeth on any road surface!

Maybe going forward this will no longer be an issue for the consumer that it once was.

Any way, a great write up JJH, a nice intro to the CD, very impressed.
One question though, where did you drive to the coast to get that kind of parking RIGHT next to the sea!!!

Can I update my run-flats comparison comment by saying that I've only tried my car (16" run-flats) & the dealer's demonstrator (16" standard tyres).

Frankly, anyone who orders a MINI with 17" or 18" wheels & sport/Cooper S suspension will probably need to add the adaptive suspension option... or find a good chiropractor!! And I mean that with or without run-flats.

16" run-flats are not noisy or uncomfortable on my car.

nB: The photos were taken well after tourist hours at Frinton-on-Sea... where the locals are all in bed at 9pm - bless'em!!

 

[texy]

I think to be a real test someone needs to drive a F56 with and without runflats. People are saying that the F56 is so much quieter and more refined drive, and that could be clouding the issue. I can't argue that the runflat technology has improved either way as I don't know enough about the subject - I have always replaced like for like when I have needed too, but which tyres specifically have seen an improvement in technology mentioned ?
Strangely enough, as mentioned in another thread some weeks ago, in 30 years of driving I have only had 1 puncture (non runflat)....up until recently when I had a screw/nail go through the centre of the tread. Of course most tyre suppliers will not repare or puncture fix runflats in my (limited) experience so I had to replace the tyre, in a car I am part exchanging next week.
Texy

 

[paulao]

Congrats!! thk for the review!!! have a nice ride