Somebody set me straight. I had heard that all 2007+ MINIs came with runflats, be it a base cooper or S. That was my thinking at least until Dell (Cally95) looks under my base coop and tells me I have a spare. Really, I thought...? Never bothered looking since I don't plan on using it anyways. My understanding was also that runflat-equipped cars do not come with spares. But, what if it's a base coop upgraded to runflats? Spare or no??? Somebody, please set me straight! Thanks. Greg

 

i couldnt say for sure what happens on the 2007+ years. i do know that the older ones had the runflats with no spare and you could add the option of a "mini" spare in the back that hung there. From my understanding, all the minis that had 16"+ tires had runflats with some having the spare added. Its not wrong but concider yourself lucky!! Once you need new tires your options of getting better tires than the runflats (AND CHEEPER) go through the roof!! You would no longer have to worry about getting a flat if you change.
(it seems most will decide to remove the harder runflats for regular tires of their liking and the cost is usually at least half the price of the runflats)

Dont know if this helps but count it as a blessing!

 

Check your tire sidewall to see the brand of tire that is on your car and search for that tire brand on TireRack or any other tire site. TireRack has descriptions of all the tires that they sell and there is an indication of whether the tire is a runflat or not.

 

I know that on 2008 models the S models come only with run-flats. They are optional on the non-S.

 

Hey Greg!!

Off work today, lucky! Anyway I checked on miniusa this morning and under the 2 pics of the 15inch tires it says "std", which I am assuming stands for standard but the 16, 17 and so on says pref "run flats". I dont know what that means but just FYI.

enjoy you weekend!!

Dell

 

On the 2nd generation MINI in 2007 any factory tire that was 16" or larger was a run flat. The base MINI Cooper came with 15" traditional tires with a space saver spare. The catch was if you opted for the 16" wheel on the base MINI Cooper as a stand alone option or in the sport package you got run-flats AND the spare tire. The best of both worlds...

They changed this for the base MINI Cooper in 2008. Now if you opt for 16" wheels you will still receive run flats but there will not be a space saver spare.

 

To have a spare or not I think is a basic issue of being a R56 or not... the new R56 models have the exhaust running down the middle thus the old spare tire area is now occupied by an exhaust system>>


The first gen models which include the R50, 52 (2005-2008) & 53 have a different exhaust layout thus allowing space for a spare. The 2009 R57 will too require the convertible to have RFs due to no space for spare.

So am I missing something??? How can you have a spare on a GregO's MINI if it is a R56 "base coupe"

Is this too much of a simplification on my part?

To tell if you have runflats here are the markings: Bridgestone RFT (Run Flat Tire), Dunlop DSST (Dunlop Self-Supporting Technology), Firestone RFT (Run Flat Tire), Goodyear EMT (Extended Mobility Technology), Kumho XRP, Michelin ZP (Zero Pressure), Pirelli RFT (Run Flat Technology) and Yokohama Run Flat. But on our MINI we have Goodyear (German) RFs and the marking is RCS with a circle around the letters so there appears no standard marking as of yet???
Michael

 

R56s still have 2 different exhaust layouts, depending on whether you have an S or a Cooper. The Cooper still has the exhaust down one side and the space for the spare on the other. This is Tristan:



He got a spare and 16" runflats with the sports package. Our MA told us that all Coopers came with a spare, this may have changed since then (May 07). I like having a spare, I've got non runflats on both the MINIs.

 

Ahhh....now I comprehend between the layout of the MC vs MCS... thanks for clarifying
Michael

 

It also varies by dealership too. Some dealerships will put different tires on different cars. My MA was certain that because my car was JustACooper, it had all seasons because that was the dealership's habit when they ordered cars, was to put all seasons on the coopers, and runflats on the S. I was amazed to find out later that Viola has runflats, and a spare tire.

I've still gotta buy new tires before winter hits, because summer runflats and snow do not mix....

 

And to be clear, all the tires available on the S are runflats, even the optional "all season" tires.

 

your lucky, the run flats suck. way rough

 

Hey Greg,

You have regular 15inch, correct? 15inch rotator spoke performance?

Dell

 

I have a brand new 08 Cooper with 16" Goodyear runflats (sport package)AND a spare.

 

IMHO way over exaggerated issue, also depends on which run-flats you have. The Continental ContiProContact SSR which are a 16" all-season option (they are a grand touring tire) are actually a very nice tire. Yes they are stiff, but I like a stiff tire, do they handle like a HP, or MP tire, no, but they are as good as any all-season I've ran.

Rather funny to, because I usually hate Continental tires because they have such weak side walls, perhaps their run-flats have such weak side walls it makes them handle decent.

MC gets spare and run-flats 16" and above, MCS has no spare and always run-flats from dealer.

 

A bit off the subject, but I've got a 2007 R56 with 17" wheels and Dunlop run-flats. I'm thinking of changing the tires for non run-flats to get a better ride. I have 2 questions. First, what do I do about the tire pressure sensors? I have rubber valve stems. Second, what tires would you recommend? I'm in south Florida, and obviously cold weather and snow are no concern.

 

First, what do I do about the tire pressure sensors? I have rubber valve stems. Second, what tires would you recommend? I'm in south Florida, and obviously cold weather and snow are no concern.


Regardles of having RF or not always retain the TPS system... just make sure you have someone who knows about TPS systems do the tire changing..can be damage by incompentent tire changing.

Question about tires...get ready to be buried with opinions so I will start with mine ... my criteria is (1) care less about wear longivity..want stick and crisp turn in/handling, (2) low noise, & (3) price only somewhat important but does play in my decision.

My C6 Vette came with Goodyear EMT RFs... hated them from day one so I began my search to replace and after quite a bit of research etc. decided on NITTO INVO...



Meets all my criteria and I have sold many a set of these to fellow Vette drivers after they have tried them... absolutely no compliants at all. Might recognize the tread pattern since it is very similiar (not by chance either) to the NITTO autoX tires thus the excellent handling characteristics.
Michael