Quick question for the seasoned Mini owners...I have an opportunity to purchase an unlimited replacement warranty (tires and rims) for my new Mini (Soho Edition, yet undelivered). My Mini dealer is advising to buy it because he claims they don't like repairing run flats and recommend replacing (this will also be a lease by the way). The good news is that the warranty includes unlimited replacement of tires and rims for 500.00 one-time...any suggestions/recommendations?...Adam

 

If you are going to keep runflats, do it. I've replaced two so far in 6,000 mile $%&$ potholes in NJ!

 

Your Mini dealer is advising you to buy the warranty because they make a lot of money on warranties like that. They aren't doing it because it is in your best interest. Odds are you will use the tire warranty very little or not at all, and that means it will be pure profit for the dealership.

I've driven well over 300,000 miles so far in my lifetime and I've blown out one tire, I hit a large rock sitting alongside the road. I bought a used matching wheel from a salvage yard for $30 and a new tire for $50 (this wasn't on a Mini). If you are the kind of person who regularly blows tires or hits bad potholes or runs over debris in the road, then it may be better to get it. I always pass on warranties like that though, since studies have shown that tire warranties are mainly just an extra way for dealerships to bring in more profit.

-Keith

 

Thanks for the info....I guess my question relates specifically to the ability to successfully repair the run-flat tires (tread-only punctures) as the dealership seems to not be a fan of plugging those tires at all, rather they prefer to replace them. On a regular tire I wouldn't go for the extended warranty. Do repaired run flat tires still last less than regular tires would after having the tread filled??

 

Here is a thread that has a pretty extensive coverage on runflat vs. non-runflat...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=74043

 

A repair to the tread on a run flat is no different than that performed on a conventional tire. What you need to be concerned about is the integrity of the sidewall. Has it been compromised by the drive to the shop to get it repaired?

 

I disagree with Mineon if you are where the roads are crappy like here in NYC area. My two failures were not from punctures they were from hitting potholes and cause ing bubbles in the sidewalls, only choice then is replacement. Soho Guy if you are here in the Northeast you need to accept that you are going to loose the run flats cause the side wall is going to get damaged from hitting potholes. Watch the mushrooming issue to (except your a lease so maybe you don't care). I was able to get used tires from NAM members, 1st one for $80 + $25 mount and balance, 2nd time I got smart and bought two used for $130 (so now I have a spare). I believe that run flats (at least 17") are more prone to sidewall bubles. This may be the reason I loose the run flats when these wear out.

 

The odds of getting a flat are the same, regardless of the type. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about that as much as wheel damage.

There are many threads of ppl having wheel damage from potholes. Some MINI wheels costs $430+ to replace new. So just consider your odds of unexpectedly hitting a pothole and then decide.

 

Sure the warranty is expensive, but I bought it for peace of mind. Besides I replaced my 16's with 17's and my warranty covers both sets.

 

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom. I think that these news groups are awesome. I will most likely get the warranty when I pick up the car next month because the city gov't here (Toronto) are finding less and less money for pot hole repairs and I think the winters are destined to help lose the battle with pot holes. I'll be sure to let everyone know how this new Soho Edition model turns out. At least I'll have scheduled maintenance and tires/rims taken care of for the lease period...woohooo

 

One last thing (I feel like Columbo going back in for another comment heheh)....I always have to remember good old Murphy and his law..what ever can happen WILL which will apply the day after I "don't" by that warranty so better to be safe than sorry (most most expensive awesome care yet that I don't want to see get more expensive unless it is for toys)...cheers

 

As someone who bought an extended tire and wheel warranty which turned out to be VERY BADLY misrepresented by the MINI dealer (MINI of Dallas) I have to chime in here.

First off, make absolutely certain you know what you're buying. Read what is covered and make the dealer put in writing (signed by the dealership's business manager) what is covered if you have ANY questions or there are ANY ambiguities in the offering. In my case what was represented verbally and even on the single sheet "flyer" was not at all what was covered. For instance, I was told that if I ruined a tire while I was off on a trip that I would be fully reimbursed for the cost of the replacement tire - but as it turns out only the wholesale cost of the tire (somewhat less than TireRack.Com sells them for) is covered. That was around $180 per tire, not the $325 I was quoted when I needed a replacement.

Another way to think about this: $500 will pretty much get you a full set of Goodrich g-Force Sports, mounted and balanced. Yes, these are non-run flats but they ride better, last longer, handle better in dry and wet and are far quieter than the stock runflats.

Good luck on it all!

 

Thanks for that gmcdonnell. I have emailed my sales guy with that exact issue because I don't want to be shelling out anything else if I buy an extended warranty. In our case with the new SOHO (CDN addition) we aren't paying maintenance so your point is an Excellent one.

 

My advice is never get the extended warranty.

 

I guess I am a bit confused - are you saying that soho guy should only be considering the chance of incurring pothole damage as the sole decision criteria for whether to get the policy or not? If the tire gets a nail and is driven to a tire store, and is deemed unrepairable (if say, there were 2 previous repairs), the tire will have to be replaced regardless of whether the requirement came from multiple flats or pothole damage. And, it is possible to have to replace just the tire from pothole damage that causes the sidewall to fail but isn't severe enough to damage the wheel.

 

Very good points. (But then again, I am partial to non-runflats.... So I might be biased.)

 

The other thing to consider is this: Most tire waranties are PRO-RATED. This means they give you credit toward a nother tire based on the remaining tread of the tire. They will not PAY you for the tire; you have to purchase it through them and the warranty claim is only a credit towards that purchase.

So, for example....if you hit something and have non-repairable damage, but only have 50% tread remaining, they will give you a credit of 50% of the cost of a replacement tire toward the purchase of a new tire.

For $500 you can buy two or three brand new tires or a set of 4 OEM Mini rims off ebay.

 

No. He wrote:

"... my question relates specifically to the ability to successfully repair the run-flat tires (tread-only punctures) as the dealership seems to not be a fan of plugging those tires at all, rather they prefer to replace them."

My response was that the odds of getting a flat are no different if RF or Non-RF but he is totally disregarding the possibility of wheel damage. The "real" money costs come from getting new rims, not a tire. My MA even said to be wary of potholes because the RF sidewalls were stiff and hence more likely to send more energy into to the rims in potholes and used that argument as the basis to buying the insurance. They never argued that the cost of tires was an issue.

 

Hey, for $500 + shipping, I will sell you a set of four 17 inch S-lites with 205/45-17 Goodyear RSA runflats with ~1,300 miles on them....

 

Seriously, that offer is most likely far superior to any tire and wheel warranty you're going to be offered at a dealership.

Yet another note: it was pointed out to me that one can get these extended tire and wheel warranties much cheaper if one deals directly with the company that offers them - approximately 50% less.

 

Look at what you pay for a warranty, any warranty, as a insurance premium.

Statistical average $ amount the warranty company will have to pay out + a certain % profit. In the case of a tire warrany, purchased at the dealer, you can add dealer (and salesman) profit. My guess is the statistical average of what is claimed (or more accurately what is paid) by the warranty company is less than 50% of the purchase price. Additionally:

1. Runflats are repairable but may be less repairable than a nonRF. From other threads, this is largely dependant on who you take your flat to.

2. Wheels cost is greater than tire cost. While you may be able to purchase used wheels, can you find the wheel you need when you need it and how long will it take to get it? One option is to find, and purchase, a matching wheel before you need it.

3. What happens if you have one tire replaced under warranty at (just for argument purposes) 15K? Do you replace a second tire, on the same axle, or the other three out of pocket?

4. The tire warranty cost is not the same at all dealers. This could be because each dealers markup is different, where you live (ie. how many potholes), or which tires you have on your car. I was offered the tire warranty (Mini Nashville) at just under $400.00.

4. As others have said, if you decide on purchasing a tire warranty, go direct to the warranty company and avoid the dealer markup.

5. READ THE FINE PRINT!

Some people will save money by purchasing the warranty (bad luck?) but, on average, most will not.

 

I have decided to purchase the warranty after confirming with the dealer this is a total replacement of tires or rims at no cost to me as many times as it happens while I own the car. The warranty is provided by Safe-Guard http://www.safe-guardproducts.com/ptire.php