So my wife's 2012 MCS has been through 2 wheels and 4 tires with the Wheel 'N Tire Protection plan (7yr, 100k.) We've been through 2 bent rear wheels, 3 sidewall bulges and 1 puncture. While it's fortunate we have the warranty, it's a major inconvenience to drive 70 miles round trip and have to take a loaner for a few hours or a day and do another 70 miles. On one of our last visits, Enterprise fraudulently added the insurance to our rental and we had to fight to get a refund. This is all over the course of probably 5 visits over 1.5 years. Our whole experience has repeatedly been a nightmare.

Today I walked outside and I heard a hiss like the water hose was on. I searched around and then I knelt down beside the Mini and sure enough there's a leak on the inside side wall of the passenger front tire. The hole is large enough I can feel it and the air leaking out.

All of this is coupled with the fact that the run-flats ride horribly. Every pothole feels like the car just suffered a collision impact.

This leads me to my question, what would you do? This is the first time I'm getting involved since my wife has tried to reason with Mini Customer Relations and the dealer. I don't believe we ever got a call back from their GM even after numerous phone calls. Ideally I would like Mini to replace the tires with non-runflats.

TL;DR: Wheel n tire warranty, 2 wheels, 4 tires later, another problem today, tired of driving 70-140 miles for service... WWYD?

 

Where do you live where roads are this bad? How do you drive over potholes? If you just go over them without slowing down at all, then I see how this happens. Slow down for potholes and swerve around them if you can. Replacing the runflat tires will make the ride much better. Other than that, smaller diameter rims have less of a chance of being ruined due to potholes

 

Swerve, that's what all Mini's do really well. I almost never hit them. After owning a lowered car I just avoid them in everything I'm behind the wheel of now.

That or drive better. Drive like a Ninja.

Downgrade to 15s or 16s. Keep tire pressure high.

That.

Or sell the Mini and buy an SUV. Sorry hitting things is clearly owner/operator error. I don't know why this would be Mini's fault. Yes 17/18" wheels don't take damage well, but that's any car brand.

 

Since I bought my mini I avoid rough roads, which usually means taking the longer way. Worth it to me though, those bumps and pot holes can only be doing damage.

 

We drive 90% highway and most of our issues stem from changes of pavement grades. You can't really avoid those, but I appreciate your criticism. I am obviously living in la-la land to expect that I should enjoy driving my $40,000 car and not have to bring it into service constantly and immediately shell out $600 on new tires.

When the dealer tells me one of their own employees has replaced 6 tires in a year, there IS a problem. My level of fanboism obviously isn't high enough yet...

 

I guess your right. Sorry.

Good luck trying to blame Mini.

I guess owning a 40k car entitles you to just drive over large objects at speed without damage.

You asked for advice, I gave some.

 

I'm not sure what potholes are defined as in your area but I'm talking like 2-3in wear holes or grade changes. We're not hopping curbs. But yeah I do feel entitled, especially when you read the forums and the problem is so prevalent.

Please just go back under your bridge, troll.

 

You can't blame a car company for flats and bent rims. It's ludicrous, I think your just having crumby luck.

 

Excuse me? Troll? Does the truth hurt?

Here's an idea. Sell the Mini and buy a 91' Pathfinder. Hit everything you want.

If I buy an 80K car can I hit twice as much as you do in your Mini?

How about slowing down before the hit? I know of hits in my area (North East). And I slow down, don't brake over them. Its not like it's hard to map it in your head where problem areas are.

As for problems if you were complaining of turbo line oil leaks, timing chain issues, crappy dipstick, sunroof problems, and so on - I'd believe you it was an engineering flaw.

The fact that your getting sidewall damage on run flats is what I have an issue with. How is that Mini's fault? The tires are reinforced sidewalls. Bent wheels? You're acting like you run a set of 14" BBS RAs.

I'm sure Mini told you about the guy who damaged 15 wheels and that's why you too should invest in the wheel and tire package.

Good luck with the law suit.

 

Like a 2 inch straight drop? If a grade change is what I think it is, I have a pretty good one when a bridge starts near where I live. I slow down for it, most other cars do too. And any problem with any car is going to be exaggerated on a forum, people come here to complain

 

Gawd...4 posts and he's already calling vets 'trolls'. Do you have some links to these forums where this issue with numerous bent rims and flat tires on MINI's with run-flats exist all because of the issues you are claiming? Forget the Pathfinder, buy a Ford F350 with duals on the rear....

And Enterprise 'fraudulently' added insurance to your rental? You didn't initial the contract where it said "I Decline"?

 

lowfidelity, what rims and tires does your MCS have, 17", 16"? If 17's, you could change to 16" (or even 15"), and could consider even dropping the runflats. For example, switching from 17" RFs to 16" non-RFs make a world of difference in handling, ride comfort and also likelihood of rim/suspension damage and flats. Getting a fix kit or space saver spare and non-RFs is my plan once I wear out the stock 16" RFs. I've always found 16" rims to be the best compromise for the MCS in terms of performance, comfort, safety, and even looks, but of course that's just my personal opinion.

 

How'd she bend two REAR wheels? On the same side or different? Usually you'd hit the front tires first in any pothole not the rears?

And of course hitting potholes feels bad. That's why you try to not hit them. Like others have said that's not mini specific.

And if you replace the tires with non-runflats you'll be stranded after hitting potholes versus able to make it home after losing all your air. How is this better?

Tell your wife stop aiming for potholes and maybe you won't need to use your warranty so much. And who knows what all that shock is doing to your suspension, you probably are bending big pieces of aluminum under there....

 

Not "hopping curbs", but dealing with a 2-3" drop?? A curb is really only about 6" high anyway, so if you're hitting drops that big, you ARE hopping curbs! No wheel or tire is designed to withstand impacts like that. This is not a MINI issue. Be glad you at least have the protection or that kind of driving would cost you a lot more than inconvenience. Perhaps you'd prefer that MINI hand deliver a $40,000 loaner to where you are and then bring back your car once it's all better.

 

I do read the forums every day, and I would not say your problem is 'prevalent' in MINIs. Actually I think the problem is you can't drive safely around rough roads.

 

Run 15 or 16 inch wheels on your car. The extra side wall will provide wheel protection and will also provide a smoother ride. Nonrunflats are also preferred by many. Contrary to some beliefs.....there are 15 inch tires that provide great grip and excellent cornering properties. Many feel that 16 wheels/tires are the optimal size for Mini's.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking too - Nothing like insulting long-term members as a newbie. How about don't make waves here. I guess the Enterprise "fraud" is MINIs fault too. Sounds to me like an error in the interface between the driver's seat and the steering wheel.

 

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OMG, that poor car!

 

It's no wonder they took the wheel warranty...sounds like their driving habits make this mandatory.

 

His wife is probably laying a beating on him for telling us about her driving habits...