A few concerns about RFTs

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Diddums

Caporegime
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Bit of a stupid one this but I need it confirming before I potentially invalidate my insurance:


Car owner's manual says run flats.

Tyre man says run flats not available in 15" - the size on the car.

Tyres on car are cheapo rubbish jobbies from previous owner, no other point of reference that I'm aware of.

So would a 2006 Mini come with RFTs as OEM or not? Are RFTs available as 15"? If so, I need to inform my insurance company that I'm going with normal tyres. If not, then I can just get a new set of tyres without worrying.


Cheers!
 
As long as the tyre is the correct load rating and speed rating for intended use then it matters not if they are run flats or not. You don't need to inform yo're insurance company if switching between run flats and normal tyres or vice a versa.
 
And neither does it invalidate your insurance either.

The only issues you might encounter with removing runflats is an argument with an AA man about whether they take you home or just to the nearest tyre garage.
 
Great, thanks all. I'll justget them fitted then.


Slightly related, my right front brake squeaks a bit. The alignment of the car was shot to bits which I'm getting done the the new tyres so it pulls a bit to the left. When steering right, it squeaks as if it's binding. These discs and pads have less than 1k miles on them, got them done last month.

Could that be related to the alignment being off and the tyres being a case of pick'n'mix (one is even a winter tyre).

Yeah, the last owner of this car shouldn't be allowed near cars.
 
It could be a few things, but most likely alignment I'd suggest. I would chose normal tyres over run flats everyone really, they just ride better, though modern ones are better. If you have concerns about the tyres on the car, swap them off and get an alignment done. If it still pulls you need to look a bit deeper into suspension etc.
 
I think it was only the cooper S that came with the run flats (no room for a spare because of the exhaust boxes) - on the others a spare was an optional extra!
Anyway, they are terrible things - get a full set of new rubber, makes a big difference to the car
 
the_r_sole said:
I think it was only the cooper S that came with the run flats (no room for a spare because of the exhaust boxes) - on the others a spare was an optional extra!
Click to expand...

There is no room for a spare in any Mini hatch.

2006-2014 Mini's are fitted with RFT's as standard except models with 15" wheels, which are fitted with conventional tyres and supplied with a Mini mobility kit in the boot.

So, if the car has 15's it never had runflats in the first place.

A Mini on 15 inch non runflats rides and handles better than any other tyre combination. It's like driving a different car.
 
[QUOTE='[TW]A Mini on 15 inch non runflats rides and handles better than any other tyre combination. It's like driving a different car.[/QUOTE]

Funny you should mention that, as when we were trying out Minis, from Ones to JCWs, the one we bought had the best ride quality and that played a massive role in what we ultimately got. We live in an area plagued with speed bumps and cushions and the sportier variants were simply too crashy over the them. I put it down the the sportier suspension, thinking that all Minis had run flats, but having since found out that you don't get 15" run flats, it makes more sense.
 
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