Just bought a new MCS with Sport Pkg and DDC and manual transmission. I'm really enjoying driving it BUT I suspect it would be even better with good conventional tires instead of the runflats.

I mentioned to the wife that I might get a new set of Michelins. She says that sounds too risky and even unsafe, and why then did Mini equip it with runflats if they're no good?

Maybe this impasse can be resolved, I thought, by carrying a Mobility System kit for emergency use together with conventional tires.

Questions regarding the BMW/Mini Mobility System:

1. As I understand it, the Mobility System is a means of injecting a sealant into a damaged tire and then reinflating it. For a lot less money, is the Slime version of the kit just as good?

2. Does the Mobility System really work? Is the sealant injection better than a roadside plugging (assuming in either case a pump to reinflate)? Would the sealant ruin the TPM system?

3. Does BMW include the Mobility System (and no spare tire) in other models of their cars? If so, why don't they use runflats instead?

I live and drive mostly in a metropolitan area, so in the event of a flat tire it is conceivable that I could continue on to a dealer or repair shop if I still had the runflat tires. (I'd hate to have to buy another runflat tire though). But if I had conventional tires I'd have to wait for Roadside Assistance and get towed somewhere. I beginning to think carrying an old-fashioned spare tire and jack and wrench isn't such a bad idea.

I know the question of runflat vs. conventional tires has been thoroughly discussed already, but now I'm trying to decide whether the Mobility System kit may allow me to safely dump the standard runflats.

 

I've been considering going the Mobility Kit plus non-runflats myself, but I'm not financially in a position to do that right now.

From everything I've read, the Slime version will definitely put an end to that very expensive Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensor. Supposedly, this is not the case with the BMW/Mini version?

 

I bought a small 12 volt air compressor and a plug kit when I switched from my run flats to conventional tires. I watched for the tire sensor and pulled over safe and less than five minutes later was back on the road. I won't claim I never used it as I seem to be a magnet for nails and sheet rock screws.

I will be going conventional when the run flats on my new F55 ware out. It won't be as much fun as the Justa has a spare.

 

My car is coming with 18" Run Flat Summer Tires which I will have to change before winter. Since I can't find a All-Season or Winter RFTs in the correct size I thinking of going non-RFT with the mobility system. It at least gives peace of mind if for some reason I can't get a tow.

 

I can't stand runflat tires. I switched to regular tires and keep a small compressor in a backpack. I may get some slime or a plug kit too.

 

I have been driving for 52 years. Twice I have had punctures that were not manageable by adding air as necessary while driving to a place where the tire could be repaired or replaced. In both of the two exceptions, the tire had to be replaced. This happens with run flats as well if the sidewall is damaged.

In the UK and other countries runflats are a cost-added option. In the US the base MINI has nonrunflats, a spare, and a jack as standard equipment.

BMW makes some wonderful cars that they refuse to sell in the US. Have done so for decades.

I carry a spare to cope with those once in 25 years situations. My roadster S came with a jack. With all of the other punctures, I've always been able to drive to a filling station to add air. A compressor would eliminate that need. A plug without a patch inside the tire is not a recommended repair so I only do it to garden accessory tires.