Also. Does anyone think a potential solution is to change tire pressure? What psi levels does everyone keep their 17" all season run flats at?

 

Check the manual

 

I think you can salvage the situation for far less than the bath you'll take selling the car so quickly and it looks like you're considering the two alternatives I'd recommend.

1. Upgrade your headlights and/or add driving lights
1a. SilverStar or see if the dealer can upgrade you to Xenon w/o making to painful for your bank account
1b. Driving lights look cool and will add considerably more light
2. Swap out the tires ... go to a good tire shop and talk to them about what you're trying to accomplish with the change

As for swapping out the tires, I'm not sure what folks who drop the run flats do about a spare...I assume they just go without one...perhaps those who've made the swap can comment.

Next time don't be so anxious....wait until you can take a few test drives before buying!! I took 3 before buying and did notice that hitting potholes was a bit harsh but overall I felt the car rode fine on the all-season run-flats. Hopefully they fix the potholes in my area as soon as the weather turns.

 

Has aiming of the headlights been mentioned. If so, forgive me for not seeing it.

When I first got my hardtop I was appalled at the poor night visibility and then realized the headlights were simply aimed too low. A minor adjustment and now they are great. This might be something to look into.

 

Which model SilverStar lights would everyone recommend?
I'm planning on making a purchase for these lights, just don't know which ones would be best.

 

Remember tho, driving lights are only for when there is no oncoming traffic, just like high beams. They might be fine out in the boonies, but as you encounter traffic you lose the use of them.....

Aiming might help, but for me it's Zenon's or nothing, as I've gotten older.....

 

The difference between xenons and regular headlights really is pretty shocking if you are only used to xenons.

 

This is true. Whenever I drive an older car w/o Xenons, I sometimes wonder if the lights are on at all!

 

+1 on replacing your runflats with Conti DWS. I just replaced my RFs with these and the difference was shocking... the RFs simply don't absorb impact due to the super-thick sidewalls. They're a bit louder than the old tires (I replaced Conti Sport Attacks), but the ride quality and handling are much improved.
Sell your RFs though, there are definitely folks who like them and don't mind the harshness.

Have you talked to your dealer about doing the Xenon upgrade?

Peace and MINIs

LO

 

I carry a plug kit, and a tire slime compression kit (I think all combined cost me $30) in my MCS (my summer wheels are not run flats). Using a plug kit is really simple, and does not take long. The tire slime came with a compressor (main purpose I got it), but the slime is good in a pinch if you cant get the leak plugged. In three years I never had to use them and thats in NYC, aside from slow leaks I plugged when I had the time.

TPMS really helps you be proactive if you pick up a leak, so actual flat tires are rare.

 

Funny story, and another argument against runflats. My wife has been driving the MCS this winter (lease is up and miles are high, and she drives much less) anyway, she came home one day and said she hit a pot hole really hard, she said the car seamed fine, no flat or anything, so I didn't really think much of it. Anyway brought the car in for service about a week later only to find out that there was almost $2000 worth of damage to the suspension, including a bent rim. I can almost guarantee this would not have happened if the car didn't have runflats.

 

Tires really can make all the difference in the world, especially in a car with AWD.

My hubby has the worst tires in the world on his CRV... and I made him get snows after our first winter with his car... his snows make his car somewhat more bearable to drive, but in the summer, when he has the crappy all seasons that came with his car on... I hate driving that thing.

My summer tires are Goodyear RF's... and I thought the ride in my MC was rough with the RFs on... it is nothing compared to those crappy all seasons on my hubby's crossover... I won't drive his car on a rainy day with those tires on.

Find some GOOD quality tires for your car and donate the RFs to charity.

 

Here's a kit for HID lamps for a Mini Cooper. Seems worth it for $40

Description from the website:

HID Kits for any car, truck, or SUV. Finally, a great priced, slim ballast, fully digital, HID kit available in 55w and 35w. Starting at $40.00 including Lifetime Warranty.
Fully digital, draws less than 6 amps at start up and 3.4 amps at normal operating temperature. This system provides 3200-3400 Lumens at 35 watts and an amazing 5000 Lumens at 55 watts per bulb. In comparison, a typical halogen bulb produces 900-1200 lumens.
All kits use AC bulbs and ballasts for increased reliability and lifespan.

What is the difference between 55w and 35w kits?
Our 55w HID kits are 40% brighter than the standard 35w kits.
The 55W system ballasts are about 1 cm longer than the 35W ballasts.
55w kits tend to wash out some of the color of the HID bulb due to the light output( for example, a 55w 8000k will look similar in color to a 35w 6000k kit).
Our 55w HID Kit is not recommended for smaller fog light housings because they tend to concentrate a large amount of heat in a small area.