[flminiman]

I have a Mini Cooper S - F56. Love the car.

HATE the road noise from the tires!!

It's making me consider getting rid of the care. Wind noise is fine, it is the run flat 17" tires I have. Ugh!! Hard punishing drive and very, very loud on some roadways.

Has anyone else experienced this? Suggestions for better tire options?

Thanks!

 

[Another Mini]

dump the runflats

 

[radiocaf]

Sorry to change the topic, feel free to ignore, but how bad is the road noise from 16" non-run-flat tyres?

 

[jeremybingham]

If you look now in the uk,and eec countries tyres have to have a noise rating.run flats generally worse but they vary a lot so if you think tyre noise is a problem buy carefully. However I do think its because the car is so quiet in t h e first place!

 

[donnaj1dlh]

It'll be the runflats. My MCS with non runflats is really quiet compared to the dealer's loaner Cooper with run flats. It gave me a headache!

 

[DaveT]

Sorry to change the topic, feel free to ignore, but how bad is the road noise from 16" non-run-flat tyres?

I run on 16 inch non-run-flat Black Victory wheels and I didn't know there was an issue with road noise and I've never heard it on my Cooper and It's also a comfy ride.
19 inch on a Ford Kuga that's another matter! but, fit 18inch on a Kuga and it disappears so does low profile play a part in road noise?

 

[sirron]

Can you replace run-flats with regular tires/tyres?

Then, can you carry a spare and a jack? If so - where?

 

[tandberg]

I have 17 with none runflats and they are quiet

 

[jeremybingham]

Here in the uk we get a can of tyre mousse and a pump! No run flats for me ta.

 

[radiocaf]

I run on 16 inch non-run-flat Black Victory wheels and I didn't know there was an issue with road noise and I've never heard it on my Cooper and It's also a comfy ride.
19 inch on a Ford Kuga that's another matter! but, fit 18inch on a Kuga and it disappears so does low profile play a part in road noise?

Good to hear, because your wheels are exactly what my wheels will be!

 

[isleofbones]

I think the thinner profile on the 17" sidewalls may have something to do with increased noise. I got my 2015 MCS about 3 weeks ago, and it came with 16" wheels with Pirelli run flats. There is absolutely no noise at all. In fact, I love the way the wheels and tires feel. They have a little bigger sidewall profile, providing for a little less hard ride. In fact, I was thinking of getting the 17" wheels and the salesman recommended against it... He said the ride would be more harsh and that I would have a much greater risk of damaging a rim. Anyway, I would go to the dealer and test a car with 16" wheels. I am a advocate for the 16" Pirelli run flats. I will replace with same tires when the originals wear out.

 

[jeremybingham]

I have 17" wheels with the Dunlop tyre. Lovely ride and whisper quiet.got 16" winter tyres on at mo and they are harsher and much noisier.

 

[rix]

That will be the winter tread pattern which is more open. Very please we have stuck to the 16s on our MCs

 

[johnan]

Can you replace run-flats with regular tires/tyres?

Then, can you carry a spare and a jack? If so - where?

On the non S Minis you can specify a spare space saver wheel which is in a tray underneath at the back, and a jack kit comes with it, which fits in a recess in the luggage area (boot)

 

[sirron]

On the non S Minis you can specify a spare space saver wheel which is in a tray underneath at the back, and a jack kit comes with it, which fits in a recess in the luggage area (boot)

I have an S.:crying:

 

[flminiman]

Ride Improvement - But how about Noise?

OK, so I'm hearing that NON RunFlats will improve the harshness of the ride....

How about interior noise? Over rough pavement?

Non RunFlats also an improvement there?

And in my S, I guess no spare, so I'm calling for roadside service anytime I have a flat....

 

[jeremybingham]

You get a can of mousse and compressor so. if it's not too bad.....Yes generally non run flats are quieter than run craps imo.Check the eec tyre figures that now have to be published by law.v handy. Wet grip economy and noise in dba .

 

[sirron]

'the eec tyre figures that now have to be published by law'.

In the USA we have nada such provisions

 

[jeremybingham]

That's a shame but if you cannot find similar makes of tyre you could look on a uk website who publish them. I'm not sure how accurate they are but my Dunlop are rated low noise and I'd say they're v quiet. Try www.mytyres.co.uk. might give you the info to make an informed choice?

 

[flminiman]

NON-RunFlats definitely helped

OK, so I replaced my RunFlats tires on my Mini Cooper S

I now have standard tires on the car.

Ride is MUCH softer. Road noise is down, comfort is UP!

Definitely improves the experience of the car.