Nothing to do with the size of the vehicle. Or any blind spots. Everything to do with the sense that my MINI is rarely planted firmly on the pavement.

I can’t even think about driving my MINI (2008 S Sidewalk Conv) without both hands firmly ahold of the steering wheel, not even for a second (at least at any speeds above 25mph). I can feel the car “wandering” under me as I drive the roads of Southern California, especially at highway speeds (boy, how). Go over a rough patch or a metal plate or, God forbid, a good-sized pothole… and I hang on to that wheel for dear life lest I end up in another lane.

I suspect the issue lies with the tires. God knows I’ve read comments from more than one MINI owner about the harsh ride of the run-flats. But sometimes, honestly, it also feels like the car is simply being buffeted by the wind. And, granted, I look to the palm trees at roadside and sometimes they are blowing about. But not every time, not by any means.

Wish I knew for certain. Who can afford to lay out for four replacement tires only to discover the run-flats aren’t the culprit? I don’t believe the alignment is the issue; it seems to steer straight and true. Tire pressure—no.

I was so stoked when I got the MINI in January. I’d had my eye on one for probably a year. It’s met or surpassed my expectations in many areas, although in some areas it has fallen short.

I just know I often don’t feel safe driving my MINI. And I find myself inventing reasons NOT to drive places.

So much so that I’ve begun researching the lease assumption process and thinking about what to drive if not a MINI.

Anyone had similar experiences?

Anyone have sage wisdom to offer?

 

Test drive another cabrio at the dealer over the same roads you are having trouble with now. At least it will help you see if something is wrong with your particular car.

 

I replaced the entire wheel and tire combo because i didnt like the way the tires rode and tracked any marks. havent looked back and I am very happy. The weight of the stock S-lites w/ runflats is incredible too!

 

I have never felt safer in a car (especially a small one) than I do in my MINI. Wind, rain, whatever (though I don't live in snow country any more). Potholes can be a bit tricky, but I usually see them in time to avoid, due to the handling that makes MINIs famous. I'd have it checked out - that doesn't seem normal to me.

 

I felt the same way about the stock wheel/tire setup, they seemed to grab ruts and I had to pull it back. I replaced them with aftermarket and got the tires in a wider version and I do not feel it happen as much. I does still happen, but not to the extent you describe. Other cars I've owned that were smaller (Porsche Boxster, BMW Z3) did the same thing.

 

My MINI feels firmly planted on the pavement. The only time I get a bit of torque steer is if I take off really fast from a dead stop (which I do 90% of the time) but it is no big deal & not scary at all. I just need to hold the steering wheel in my hand firmly.

I have never felt more safe with the handling abilities of any other car as I do with my MINI so I would say if yours is driving as bad as described you should def take it into the dealership & let them check it out.


ETA: I have driven with both runflats & regular tires & my handling has felt the same using both.

 

I replaced my runcraps and then sold them (with 8K miles on them) for more money than I spent on the new tires ...which made a HUGE improvement.

They are at the very least part of the problem and you can afford to change them simply by selling them.

Dean.

 

I agree. Few cars I've driven feel as well-planted and sure-footed. Even when I had the run-flats I felt that way - even better without 'em. Take it in.

 

I have been surprised at how stable my Mini has been. I had an 03 Nissan Pathfinder before this which had at times issues with strong winds, being as aerodynamic as a brick and all. I now have an 07 MCS, hardtop with the 17" wheels and runflat tires. I expected it to get swept along with the wind and the rain here in Boston, my it has been rock solid. I also expected hydroplaning with the runflats, but they have been great as far as that goes. I have been told that Minis deal well with the snow, we'll see this winter. I think it is a great idea to go back to the dealer and test drive another, probably wouldn't hurt to have them inspect your suspension as well, just to be sure. I do plan on replacing the runflats with non-runflats when I need tires, but mostly for ride quality issues and not stability problems.

 

I too, after 61 cars this thing hold the road amazing, my new 06 civic seemed to float, please check it out as something is not right!

 

I had experiences in this car I've never had before. Maybe because my last car didn't have a advanced ABS system. I was driving down hill in my MCS and there was a red light at the bottom, as I start to brake, I hit a pot hole and my DCS/ABS system kicked in for a split second and scared the crap out of me the first time. But I started to become use to it, and after a while it's not a big issue because of the confidence I have behind the wheel. No other car gives you this type of response from the steering wheel, so I really can't loose confidence in my MCS. Note: I have Dunlopp SP Sport 2000's on stock wheels. I actually drove through winter last season without knowing I had sport tires and made it alive.

 

??????????????? Huh? How fast are you driving? Seriously.??????????????

 

You know, I understand completely how you feel. When I test drove the first MINI of two that I drove before I came home with Viola, I didn't feel safe in the car. There was something about it that was off, and now I think that it was the tires. The first one I test drove had 15" tires on it that were some off-brand sold by one of the local tire shops. Viola was the second car I test drove and she's wearing Goodyear Excellence tires (not run flats, oddly enough). The car feels like a million bucks and I feel safer in my MINI than I do in my husband's Honda.

If your dealer is close by, call your MA and talk to them about this. Maybe they have some vehicles that you can test drive to see which tires you like better. It's worth a shot. I'd hate to see your MINI love spoiled by a bad set of sneakers.

 

If you have runflats, you are experiencing "tramlining," which is the tread of your tires interacting with some of the texture on the freeways we have here in SoCal. It's particularly bad on certain parts of I-5 near the 605. Like others have suggested, if you get different tires, you'll see a big difference in that tramlining phenomena -- it will likely vanish. Once I realized what my 16-inch runflats were doing, I relaxed, and it didn't bother me again. Hope that helps.

 

 

Even with the original runflats I do not experience any of the what the OP talks about. Sure if I am under hard acceleration on an uneven road at the crest of the road the car pulls. Other than that the car is 100 times more stable than my 2000 grand cherokee which I hope to get rid of some day soon.

 

I'd have the alignment checked.

I feel more stable and safer in my MINI than in any car I have ever driven, at any speed, in any maneuver. BUT...

Last winter my MINI was transported on a flatbed truck, chained down too tightly. Afterward, when I next took a curve at "sporty" speed, the handling was downright scary. Putting the MINI up on a rack we found that both rear suspension cradles had been moved about 3/16" by the flatbed guys. A 4-wheel alignment fixed the problem.

I have summer Dunlop performance runflats on now, and had winter performance Dunlops at that time. Both sets have performed fine for me, though the ride is a bit hard.

 

My first long ride in my new MCS was from Phoenix to LA which includes a nice desert run. Problem was, I hit a huge windstorm on open road

I've never had a car track better, esp with winds buffeting about. In fact, the wind was strong enough to lift the edges of a new clear bra I had done... but no swerving, no slewing of the car.

I would strongly suggest that you take yours back for an alignment check and steering check; also, you might want to see about a local track or autocross event where a driver who is more experienced in handling different cars can do a check out ride with you. I mean no offense by that last statement... all I'm suggesting is to get a skilled person's impressions in addition to your own.

I later switched to aftermarket Bridgestone tires and ditched my stock 17" S-Lites and runflats. Much quieter, and great road feel.

I also strongly recommend to all getting a clear bra done... it -really- saves the paint : )

 

that and most of the 10 between thr 57 and 605 where they re-surfaced by grinding. my acura tramlines, on 4 different tires, especially around Citrus Ave where you can see the wavey ridges on the freeway.

 

Hi Kev,

I noticed the same thing here in New England's roads. Some have a worn path in each lane, and I too feel the car wanting to follow the "ruts" like a train on a train track. I have to bring the car back to center.

The MINI's wheels have unusual camber settings, set for optimum handling and typical to most BMW's. I think this, in combination with runflats are what is making this happen....

 

I have a 08 Cabrio and drive mostly at hiway speeds and feel increadably safe, even when passing / being passed by big rigs. I have the OEM 15" wheels with Pirelli runflats.

Even when doing on/off ramps well in excess of the posted limits, the MINI stays well planted and stable.

As advised, please have your car checked so you can join in the fun!!!

 

I live out in the boonies and hit a black, 500lb. feral hog around midnight. I had killed the hog, had only cosmetic damage and the air bag was not provoked. I was impressed, but, the first time I shut the door on my '02 Mini, I knew it was more solid than it looked. Man, how about a fun performance car that still gets great gas mileage? -Jeffy.

 

I have to agree with the rest of these guys. Every car I've ever had (including the last 3 minis I've had in 3 months....lol, don't ask) the first thing I did was swap over to non runflats.

...except, with my '08 I just bought. The ONLY reason I didn't swap them out is because I drive from NC to FL quite a few times a year and I got a killer deal on wheel/tire replacement guaranteed for 5 years with unlimited mileage for less than the cost of 2 tires.

So I guess I'll stick with the runcraps for now but my suggestion is to ditch them. They're simply not as good, sticky nor quiet.

Mark

 

You might consider one or more option:
a.have some serious build issue with the '08 and require a solution from MINI
b.they aint makin Minis like they used to...
c.you bought the wrong car for your style of driving
d.need to ditch the run flats
e.lease a pt cruiser
.....find reasons not to drive places???...oh jeez now I'm feeling ill.
-the only thing that will cure me is....GO DRIVE MINE NOW!

 

The Mini feels super stable to me. Sometimes if I'm making a turn at a good speed I can feel it lose a bit of grip if I hit a bump, but never lose control.

I've been rear-ended in my Mini and I have to say it's very strong and needed very minor work. I feel very safe in this little car.