I have owned my MINI for 12 days. I recently noticed a nick on the door that is down to bare metal. I must have missed this when I picked it up. I can't stop looking at it. I suck at fixing things and am scared to try.

I went to the dealership yesterday because my sway bar bushing was broken.

I went to home depot to try to find the freaking right size license plate screws to put on a smoked license plate cover...great, I run over a %$#@ing nail. The nail is on the outside of my run flat. I bring it to a tire shop. They can't fix it because it's on the edge of the tire. I am so glad that I opted not to take my dealerships road hazard warranty. I would have gotten a new tire for free.

By the way, I am typing this from my roomates computer. My day decided to suck even more. My computer has a virus. A bad one. I do IT work for a living and can't even figure out the problem. No, I don't look at ****.

I don't know what to do. My car has like 550 miles on it. I love it but I think satan lives in it and is trying to kill me.

I paid off 100% of my debt before I bought the MINI vowing never to be in debt again. Here we go again. What do I do? Need suggestions please. I feel depressed and sad. Do I buy a new runflat? Can I call my dealership and get the warranty and then claim this tire? Do I buy all new tires? Do I sell 3 good tires and 4 perfect condition bridge spokes?

My goal was to save money by sticking with the stock 16's and powdercoating them black.

Ahhhhhh....sorry for venting. I want to go punch a hippopotamus in the eyeball to take out my anger. Someone please point me in the right direction.

 

Get a new tire and get an estimate for repairing the nick. Take a deep breath and realize that we'll help you through it. It's all stuff that is fixable, but I understand your frustration.

 

I see in your sig that you have 16's. Are you running the All Season Conti's? if so they can be had from tire rack for around 120.00. not bad for a runflat

 

sending you a big Hug!!!!!!

 

3one3, the zoo (and hippotomi) is Thataway...except I'm pretty sure punching one would probably make your day suck even MORE when the authorities show up and try to figure out why you're punching one.

Seriously, though. Take a deep breath. Satan doesn't like MINIs - they have too much personality. The door ding is totally fixable. So is the tire. I WOULD suggest, however, that you go get a warranty if you're still able to...just in case.

Good LUCK. And forget about the hippopotomi.

 

Remember these:
When flying, the number of take offs should always equal number of landings.
You don't have to be good at sex to enjoy it.
And, every day above dirt is a win.

Like Coach always said "Walk it off, we still got game left"

Better luck tomorrow.

 

My heart goes out to you, man.

Can I ask why the smoke plate cover, though? What is the point of those things?

 

You're right, your day really DID suck !



Gotta keep that sense of humor.

And remember, your problems may seem big to you, but put it all in perspective. You own a MINI. You're already more fortunate than billions of people in the world who only drive cars.

 

I have the run flat Goodyears. They're EXPENSIVE. Thanks for the encouragement!

I have the Goodyear Runflats.

I wish MINIs could hug. But that would probably result in airbags being deployed!

I promise not to punch the water mammal. I will TRY to get the warranty, but don't know how it will work since I am guessing they will want to inspect the tires since it is after the purchase of my vehicle.

I don't understand the first one, I agree with the second one, and live by the third one. Gotta keep my head up. All this bad crap just seems to pile up at once. Just when I thought I was in the clear and things were looking up...

The theme of the car is black and blue. Just got window tint, have Lamin-X for tails, rear fogs, sidemarkers. Going to black out beltline. Just goes with the whole theme. Thanks for the kind words though.

 

Hahaha, that gave me a good laugh.

I wish I could enjoy my prized possession without feeling that I am driving with a ladder over my head, a black cat in my trunk, and all gauges reading 13.

 

Hang in there! It probably makes sense to replace the tire and buy the tire warranty. It'll give you peace of mind.

On the positive side -- it seems like these items are minor inconveniences and nothing indicative of major mechanical issues with your MINI. But they still stink!

 

Actually in flying the number of landings will ALWAYS equal the number of take offs. Just not all landings are controlled. Now in submarines you always want the number of surfacings to equal the number of dives. If it doesn't, you're screwed. Fortunately mine did.

 

First, while you're on your roommate's computer, watch some ****.
Then call tireshops if they will give prorate on the damaged tire. If you don't need the car everyday, look for a take off(s) from Online.

 

What about going after the tire company to replace the tire...
Say it shouldn't have allowed the nail to penetrate.

Ask a tire repair shop to burn a patch on the inside, it will work unless you got a railroad spike in the sidewall.

 

No one will repair sidewall damage for legal reasons..Krafty04.

 

We all have bad days just remember that tomorrow may be worse so enjoy what you have now.

I have the Goodyear's, they suck for longevity. Go online and buy 4 new tires, it's not like you wouldn't have to do it eventually anyway, yeah I know it still sucks. Then you can either keep the remaining Goodyear's as spares or sell them to other NAMers that have run into similar problems, thereby subsidizing the cost of the tires you just bought.

As for the computer, you're in IT so you know what to do. Time to spend some quality time with the PC.

 

Day 2 with nail in tire:

I was informed that the culprit is actually a hex screw. There still seems to be no air leaking from the victimized tire. Do I take a chance and pull it out hoping it is short and didn't puncture anything but rubber? Will my tire be fine if I pull it out and no air comes out?

 

I like the part where he punches a hippo.

 

That depends on what you intend to do AFTER you pull it out...Do you intend to roll out and go get another tire? Or do you intend to just keep rolling? I would say take it out and see how it goes -- have you ever seen how THICK runflats are (in order to BE a runflat?) How "flat" is the tire? (Implied question: how did you discover the nail/screw in the first place?)

Whatever you do, make a backup plan for transportation in case plan A doesn't work.

 

I wouldn't attempt it myself; I'd be 2 scared it'd make the problem worse. If not, a new tire purchase is in the immediate future. At least u won't have 2 get all 4 at once (like I had 2 earlier this yr--sucked 2 be me then!).

It'll all work out, tho ... no worries! Keep motoring!

 

sorry to hear about your day... I had an equally bad day yesterday.. I hit a blown out truck tire on the freeway... BAH!!!

 

first of all sorry for the lack of puncuation and quotes, I'm typing this from my phone. So far the tire has no signs of losing air

 

Could be worse, you could have to put an all new set of tires on your car before the month is out. I have goodyear excellence run on flat tires. They're a summer rated, performance tire. 5 inches of snow is not unheard of here, and I won't be able to drive the car on those tires this winter. I'm looking at around 800$ to replace all four with conti pro contacts. And I have to wait for an appointment because only one place in town will work with runflat tires...

Yes, your day was shitty, but it could be worse my friend. Much, much worse.

 

Hi Neighbor,

I am absolutely not an authority on tires. If it were mine and pressure was holding, I would want it out before it worked further in and started to leak.

I would try to carefully 'un-screw' it (not 'pull') and be prepared for a leak, I might rather have a rubber plug in the hole than a steel screw. YMMV!
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________

'Rubber Plug'... I never had "run-flats" or a car without a spare, but I have had good luck on bicycle, wheelbarrow and Hangar Towmotor tires using the injected sealant method.

You might look on the 'Wheel & Tire' Board to see what the Cooper S folks who have ditched 'run-flats' are using in their 'repair' kits,
I recall that you need a specific brand sealant to avoid damage to your TPM Sensors.

 

3one3,
The plate screws should be M5 [that's what I have on my 04]. As far as the Goodyear RF I checked Tire Rack and they are $205 each. I was curious because that's what I have. My Toyo truck tires are cheaper and twice the size!
A reputable tire dealer should be able to put a plugged patch from the inside of that tire to fix it. It is not unreasonable to expect a small round hole to be repairable in a modern tire. If the tire was slashed or cut then it is unrepairable for obvious reasons.
Good luck...