Hi All:

Taking my 16 MCS for yearly service tomorrow am. Getting loaner and leaving mine for oil/filter, locking door no longer locks hatch, and left rear tire losing 5 pounds every 3 weeks or so.

Concern is last one. If it's a nail, does a patch hold up well? If something else, do I have to pay? Asking because I vaguely recall a thread that mentioned Pirelli tires have their own one year warranty. Don't know if dealer honors this or if I will need to take it elsewhere (worse case scenario). What should I expect.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

Dealer will not repair a run-flat tire. They will recommend replacement if there is a puncture, even if it's not structural. I'd recommend going to a reputable tire dealer or independent garage that can repair tires

 

Pirelli offers a 1 year road hazard warranty on the tires, but if more than 2/32" wear, no hazard warranty. Doesn't take too much tread wear to go out of warranty.

If the air loss isn't caused by road hazard, the pro rated warranty on materials and workmanship is still operative. Visit the Pirelli USA web site and school up, because you may have to educate your MINI dealer.

 

Check your valve covers! I went thru losing air on my tires and after a lot of work Discount Tire figured it out. I had bought some MINI Union Jack valve covers. When tightened fully they made slight contact with the valve stems and I was slloowwly losing air. (This was on 3 different sets of tires.) I went to plain black valve covers and no more problem.

 

Great idea. Unfortunately it turned out to be a $76 nail hole repair. Still cheaper than a new car. Last Mini had a tire with 0 air. Took it to dealer and it turned out to be the valve stem cover. "MINI" covers had a small wire that caught the valve stem and emptied the tire. Plain black caps courtesy of service department.

 

$76, wow. Last nail hole at Schwab Tire center was $14 and when they punched it in the computer for my son they saw that I was in the system as having bought something from them so they didn't charge him at all.

 

I know. I'm still feeling the pain. Only redeeming parts are:

1. Got the software update to fix "keyfob/hatch release" problem and whatever other goodies come with it.

2. Loaner is a 17 vert with 26 miles on it (put into service yesterday. Fun car in 98 degree weather with top down and air on max.

Realized two things: I am totally over the convertible phase of my life and after an afternoon with the Mini S in sport mode, and super glad I spent the money to add the JCW exhaust and tune to mine.

 

So I take it the warranty is not operative due to age or wear?

Also, though $76 is pricey, you are probably fortunate they were willing to repair a run flat. Many dealers won't claiming the manufacturer forbids patching run flats.

 

Tire leaking air isn't the same as one run flat, so no damage to sidewall, that is probably why they can patch.

 

You're right. When they called, they said they found an inch and a half long nail, but it was dead center in the tire so they were able to patch.