I had MINI of Peabody put GPMINIs “real” wheels and summer (runflat) tires back on yesterday (still easy to transport, even with the subwoofers) … and after three months on winter wheels/tires, it’s amazing how much I’d forgotten!
Number One Difference: we’re back to significant road noise; it seems all that Dynamat and other sound suppression wasn’t enough to quieten the GPs insides 😦
Of course, I didn’t have GPMINI gutted and every panel silenced … but at least now I can turn up the Super Sound System and drown out the road noise.
Also immediately noticeable was a significant increase in steering responsiveness – the GP is more “lively” and ready to turn / change lanes / etc. A bit surprising really, but it’s very obvious so it must be true! Whether it’s the bigger wheels / narrower rubber, or the “performance” tread pattern, I don’t know.
Of course, the wheels improve GPMINIs looks, too 🙂
I’ve avoided switching to non-runflats on the GP because of the difficulties of access to lift the car, but other GP owners have reported significant noise reduction from different tires, and clearly the winter tires were quieter … but on a trip like The Great Ice Cream Run later this year, I’d really want the re-assurance that runflats offer.
M&I / GBMINI 
