I own a 2005 Mini Cooper S with 12000 miles on it. I just took it to the dealer for service and I was told that the rim of the right front wheel was cracked and that the crack caused the tire to bubble; this damage was probably due to running over a pot hole. Both rim and tire (run flat tire) had to be replaced. Mini Motors stated that this didn't come under the warranty. I am no expert and I hope some of you are and my question is this: I live in an urban area with a lot of pot holes, but I don't remember hitting a pot hole that could cause this kind of damage, particularly with the low mileage on the car. I was wondering if the rim could have been defective from the beginning and is there any way to show this? Also I was wondering if any other Mini owners have had this problem.

Thank you for any help you may provide. Suzanne

 

It's not easy to prove it one way or another unless the car has very few miles on it. 12,000 miles is alot and easy to expose your wheels to any road hazzards.

Are there any other drivers for your MINI? Any mechanics that have taken your car out after servicing? Any loaning out of your car? Any trips away and someone has been watching your car?

Wheels take alot of stress and potholes are one problem but curbs and speedbumps are also problems.

If both tire and wheel were damaged in the same area then that would suggest that the wheel sustained damage from an external source that damaged both at the same time. This is common.

If the wheel cracked on it's own the tire should be OK unless it was compromised but a wheel crack is fairly small and would be OK.

Sorry to hear about your wheel and tire.