OK, this isn't an issue so much as a peeve, but its been bugging me:

Why do they even bother with a jack on a car without a spare tire?

I want to take it out of the back since it takes up quite a bit of space, and I have the runflats and no spare and I can't think of another reason why I would keep it around.

Anyone have a good reason why we should be driving around with it all the time or should I just throw it in the back of my closet and forget about it?

I'd probably be more comfortable leaving it at home if I had any idea why they thought to give it to us in the first place.

Thoughts? Thanks.

 

If you got a flat while parked you can take it off the car, have it plugged and not drive on it (which ruins the tire).

 

This is silly, tire rotation, fix a flat, brake repair, stuck in ditch, better access to fog lights to replace, wheel wells to clean, and so on. There are tons of reason one might need a jack, or have to remove a wheel, not related to putting on a spare/donut. As you said its easy enough to take it out, and leave it in the shed (or wherever). I'm certainly glad they included it rather than not.

 

When they were releasing the 2009's (when I received mine), MINI was not including the jack kit. I had to request that I receive one after the fact. Judge S made some great points. I was/am considering switching to run flats and may need to carry a spare for long distance trips. So a jack would be needed if I was to get a flat.

 

I believe the Federal regs say all cars must come with a jack regardless if the tires are run-flat or not. Our jack now sits in our garage.

 

My wife's 550 didn't come with a jack, I'll have to research the regs on that and see if the dealer owes me a jack..
I also noticed that the jack point on the Countryman is different than my previous MINI which was the same as my wife's BMW, now I do need to get a jack for her car....

 

Exactly - but I keep mine in a storage locker most of the time.

 

I fear that this may not be the case. Since there is no way for the tire shop to know for sure it has not been driven on, I don't think they will not patch or plug a run flat. very wasteful and expensive hence the need for tire insurance.

 

They will do whatever you ask (if not just go to the local garage). I've plugged many runflats, with no issues (no difference than a regular tire) its been a very debatable topic (just do a seasrch), but the side that says you shouldn't is usually the one trying to sell you tire insurance or a new tire.