Hey North American Motoring,

I will soon be joining your ranks soon as a proud owner of a 2005 Chili Red Cooper S! Man this car is full of sweetness. Props to Kaz, the previous owner, for taking such great care of this car and giving me such a great deal.

Anyhow, I have a few questions to ask you experienced Mini Motorheads so here it goes: 1) I'd like to know people's opinions on run-flats. Is there any performance benefit that goes with the hefty price? 2) I would like to use my iPhone with the car. How do I know if the stock stereo will work? Where do I find a cool armrest cradle for the iphone? Am I better off getting an aftermarket stereo that is compatible if the stock radio is not?

Looking so forward to being part of this tight community.

Later,
Lawrence of Montpelier

 

Hey Lawrence! Welcome to the club (almost)

as for your first question:
I HATE the run flats! although I do have to admit I did get a dime size hole in my tire somehow and was able to drive all the way up to the dealer (about 50 miles) with the pressure at 0psi. So I'm grateful they served their purpose at least once. But let me tell you as soon as these puppies go bald I'm switching to non-runflats and just keeping some fix-a-flat in my boot. The runflats make the ride very harsh and they are generally heavier too, I think. So I don't know that there would be a "performance" benefit to having them.. Just a "convenience/peace of mind" benefit?

Sorry I can't help much on the second question as I don't have an iphone. Do you know if you have the convenience bluetooth option?

 

For an R53 like yours, the run-flats are no good. Tires need to flex to a certain degree to grip the road better and transfer the contact patch to the outside. This is something run-flats cannot really do because they are stiff enough to, run flat. So they tend to scuff and skip on surfaces, especially uneven ones. The R53 suspension was designed for conventional tires, so run-flats make for a harsh ride. The R56 was designed with run-flats from the start, so the ride is not as bad with run-flats though improvements are still seen after switching.

 

I just picked up my JCW hardtop on halloween and I ended up getting a flat the same day. I was pissed, but luckily I was able to get it plugged. What do you think about plugging run-flats? I drove over a razor and it happened right in the middle of the tire, so they said the plug would be fine. In general, do you guys think plugging run-flats is okay? I didn't want to buy a new tire, it was brand newwww.

 

You got the right advice about the run flats. Do get some fix-a-flat and keep it handy in case of tire failure.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll post pics on my first day of ownership. This can't happen soon enough.

Later people,
Lawrence

 

Thanks Ben, i'll look into getting that.

 

Runflats SUCK. Period. I will have them off my car within an hour of it being delivered. I've lived this nightmare before, on an '06 330i. I held off swapping them out till 12k miles, and it was a huge mistake to wait that long. The car was completely different with "real" tires - better handling, MUCH better ride, no more tramlining (wandering), better steering response. The MCS I test drove was definitely suffering in the same ways the 330 was. Runflats have brutally stiff sidewalls to support the car's weight if deflated, and there's no way around that causing a bone-jarring ride. They're also heavier than normal tires for the same reason, and that has its share of negative effects too.

Find *anyone* who has done the swap - 100% of the reactions I've read over the last couple of years (primarily in BMW forums) is overwhelmingly positive. I've never seen a single person regret their decision. Not one.

 

Can't wait to see pics! Congrats!

 

Its official! I'm now the proud owner of a 2005 Cooper S, Chile Red and Black. Previous owner babied this thing. It really is mint. When driving all I can say is WOW! I'm a happy boy.

 

Pics . Then you are offical LOL !

 

show yr yr baby

 

Welcome to NAM!

Congrats on your new MINI!

 

Okay people. Let me first apologize for never getting back to this forum with a decent pic of my car now in its almost first full year of ownership.

My family came up with the name Chili and we got a matching vanity plate for the car. We have been turning heads and getting lots of questions wherever we go in this car. I cannot say enough as to how much fun this car is. I love it more and more every time I drive it.

A buddy of mine who has used to race in SCCA was quoted saying "I can't believe you have a car this good and I don't. I hate you."

Anyhow, lots of things done with the car and yet many things left to do. Here are a few things I have done:
1) Installed Dice to interface ipod to the stereo. r53 05 stereo does not show track information on radio display (suck)
2) Hardwired and mounted Passport radar detector by the review mirror.
3) Replaced stock s-lite rims (which are now for sale on NAM)
4) Added front bumper guard (NOT an easy install. Please let me help you if you want to do this.)
5) two dyi oil changes (fairly easy job if you ask me)
6) Fighting constant battle with the Mrs. to keep the car clean.
7) Driven the car 10,000 thrilling miles.

Next plans are to: 1) Give Chili a tune up. 2) Change brake pads and rotors 3) install driving lights on bumper guard. (Any recommendations on how to do this and tie in the driving light switch next to the other oem dashboard switches would be awesome.)

Take care.
Later,
Lawrence