The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
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tire is not repairable. And in any case, even the puncture is repairable, the speed rating of the repaired tire drops significantly. Then there is longevity. So far, at least, RFTs have been associated with much shorter tread life, which means that drivers are replacing them more often, and at a premium. That’s right, not only do RFTs not last as long as conventional tires they are also more expensive, costing as much as $150 or more extra tire. Furthermore, selection of RFT sizes and tread patterns is limited, and so is the choice of what to run on your MINI. On the whole it seems that the disadvantages out way the advantages of the RFT. Perhaps that’s why a Michelin study showed that worldwide only three percent of consumers want run-flat tires. In the US, it is only one percent. The battle to convert drivers into run-flat tire buyers has been a long one, almost 20 years to date, and it continues with tire companies refining the technology and automakers installing them on cars. It is a shame, then, that almost all consumers hate this technology. Hope On the Horizon Although consumers dislike RFTs overall, car companies and tire makers keep making them. GM says that they are working with their suppliers to cut rolling resistance and weight of RFTs within the next three years or so. Honda, the company that discontinued the used of RFT on the Odyssey Touring and Acura RL models says it may consider offering the tires again in the future, if the problems are worked out so that the ride, handling, fuel economy and tread life are all improved. That day may be closer than engineers at Honda think. Recently, Bridgestone announced that its new generation of RFT is significantly improved in all the above mentioned areas. The new tire, Potenza RE960 AS Pole Position RFT, incorporates the company’s 3rd generation technology and is intended as an aftermarket replacement for the OE Potenza RE050A Bridgestone supplies to companies such as BMW/ MINI for use on the Cooper S, Clubman and convertible models. According to the company press release, the new tire offers proven 6LGHZDOO FRROLQJ ÀQV DQG 1DQR3UR 7HFK UHLQIRUFHG UXEEHU FRPSRXQG NHHS RSHUDWLQJ WHPSHUDWXUHV GRZQ ZKHQ WLUH LV XQGHULQÁDWHG UHGXFLQJ WKH FKDQFH RI EORZRXW DQG RU VKUHGGLQJ all-season performance delivers improved ride comfort with a quieter ride over previous RFTs. The RE960 AS incorporates sidewall Cooling Fins and NanoPro Tech Sidewall reinforced rubber compound that controls heat build-up when the tire is underinflated or flat. The technology also allows for a reduction in overall tire mass and stiffness, which means a more comfortable ride, reduced resistance to roll and improved economy. The new tire comes with a 40K limited tread wear warranty and with a 30- day buy and try guarantee and a limited three-year replacement warranty. According to Kurt Berger, Manager of Consumer Products Engineering for Bridgestone in North America, the new Potenza RFT is improved in just about every area of concern to consumers. “One area that features a significant improvement is the reduction of sidewall stiffness,” says Berger. “The Potenza RE960 RS has a stiffness reduction in the 15 to 20 percent range depending on application. This translates into significantly improved ride comfort.” On the subject of tire noise, Berger was less specific, saying it really depended upon application and that he didn’t know the specific percentage in noise volume drop for the MINI. “There are more than a dozen different types of noise across a wide range of frequencies. Some noises are related to the stiffness, some to the pattern design. Normally there is a good correlation between the stiffness and the noise level, particularly on noisier roads. Most the noise you hear is pattern induced. But on rougher surfaces, the casing material plays a part in noise levels, so reductions in perceived noise levels will depend largely on the tire size and specific vehicle application.” According to Berger, the new tire technology is being rolled out into 7KH QHZ 3RWHQ]D 5( $6 UXQ ÁDW KDV D VLGHZDOO WKDW LV SHUFHQW VRIWHU WR LPSURYH ULGH DQG KDQGOLQJ 7LUH LV VKRZQ PRXQWHG RQ D %0: VHGDQ GXULQJ SUHVV LQWURGXFWLRQ DQG RQ D UDFH WUDFN 36 MC2 Magazine www.mc2magazine.com OE tires first and this fall, in the replacement tire market. He said that 16- and 17-inch run-flat tires for MINI, sizes 195/55 RF-16 and 205/45 RF-17 are in the product plan and will be available later this year. Whether the new Bridgestone Potenza RFT will change consumer perceptions of RFTs remains to be seen, but it is a huge step in the right direction, one that MINI owners should appreciate.