I picked up my new Midnight Black with Hot Chocolate top and interior about 1 month ago. So far I like the car, it is a blast to drive. I am fighting a problem that was there at delivery which is a vibration starting at 65mph.
The dealer Las Vegas Mini said it was flat spots on the tires and would drive itself out. So far with 1900 mi and 2 times trying to balance the tires it is better but still there.

 

that looks awesome!


are there dots on the tires?. Usually there is a yellow one and a red one. Yellow dot to valve stem, and red would be to a white mark on the rim but they are not always marked

 

there are not dots.
What are the dots and what do they mean?

 

Was this the sales person or a service person who told you this?

1) It shouldn't vibrate. There's probably something weird with the whees/tires.

2) There shouldn't be flat spots on the tires. There's probably something weird with the wheels/tires.

 

something like this:

"The yellow dot is the lightest spot and it is suggested to mount this above the valve stem.

The red dot is the high point, recommended to be mounted at the low point of the rim if so marked or, preferably, per actual measurement."

they are supposedly just a guide that they use when mounting tires... most tires you might get at like NTB or somewhere will have painted dots about dime size on the sidewall.

Lots of times they are just neglected and itll still balance out fine... just with probably more weights is all.



wouldnt hurt to have them start over and remount and rebalance all the wheels just for the heck of it.
and while the TPMS sensors are not that heavy they play a part in balance as well..

 

The sales person called service and he go the info from service.
i have the feeling they just wanted to get me out the door because i am 700 miles away from the dealer and he knew i would not be back.

 

I took it to the MINI dealer in Utah and they did a road force balance, this helped it but the vibration is still there. They indicated that 3 of the 4 tires had flat spots. I am into this ovr $200.00 trying to fix it. I may be better off to invest in new tires. By the way MINI is not covering any of this under warranty.
They said wheel balance is not covered, maybe the selling dealer would.
So far I am very disappointed with MINI service.

 

that realllly blows. seems like some dealers will bend over backwards for you, and some just wont budge with anything...

if they are just flat spots, they should go away eventually youd think, but hard to say


You could always just get some new non-runflats...itll drive smoother and feel better than ever....but thats just more of your money out of pocket...

 

Congrats on the new Mini! Welcome to NAM!

Sorry to hear about your vibration problem. Maybe you can drive around and heat up the tires then put 10lbs extra in your tires and let them sit for a few hours. Then deflate them back when they are at cold temp (back to what the cold psi says in your door). Kinda like stretching out the flat spots.

 

Welcome to the obsession from MAD-Town, WI. Sorry to hear about the tire issue, but if I were in your place I would ditch those OEM tires and put some better shoes on that puppy; You won't regret it. Check the tire threads here for some way better alternatives to what you have now. BTW, wave at Bruce Willis if you see him for me!

 

Sorry but a new car should not have wheel vibrations at any speed that is capable of reaching. Tires should not be flat spotted and should have been delivered in balance. This is the problem of MINI and the Las Vegas dealer to fix. Send each a letter demanding a solution within 15 days or you will seek a legal approach. It cerainly wouldn't hurt to suggest a complaint to the Las Vegas BBB and the Nevada Auto Dealers Association. They owe you a new set of tires properly installed and balanced plus reimbursement for your expenses and getting the car to them and back to Boise.

 

Wow, that is a beautiful Cabrio!

Sorry to hear of your problem. Hoping the dealer will make it right for you! I was just in Boise a couple weeks ago, on my trip cross country. Nice city.

 

Congrats tomwilliams1 on your getting a MINI and welcome to NAM!

Nice looking MINI and I'm glad you are enjoying it so!

I hate to say this but flat spots on tires DO NOT drive themselves out! As time goes on it only gets worse!

It could be as simple as an out of balance tire(s) or it may be symptomatic of something more serious.

Have your suspension checked and not by the dealer that sold you the car.

It is possible that there may be more to this than simple suspension adjustment.

Has the MINI been involved in an unknown (to you) prior accident? This matter bears investigation if only for your own piece of mind.

Your dealer is giving you a line that is all smoke and mirrors!

 

This is a new car so i do not think it has been wrecked. I took the car to another MINI dealer and they checked the car and everything is OK. The did a road force balance and indicated 3 tires had flat spots and need to be replaced or driven out. I am currently working with the selling dealer trying to get the tires replaced.
Thanks for all the suggestions from everybody

 

Hope they come through!

New cars can sort of be wrecked... Some get hits and dings during shipping and supposedly if its below a certain amount of damage they can basically act like it never happened and fix it....like if they cream a curb or something moving it during those couple miles..

 

Your MCS Convertible should be smooth as silk. Congrats on your MINI. I have enjoyed 4 months and 5,000 miles of smiles and giggles. I dumped the run flats and installed Michelin Pilot Sport A/S PLUS and love this tire. Great ride, low noise, great handling 45k treadlife warranty BUT you should not have to spend a penny to get a smooth, vibration free ride out of a new car. I would get MINI USA involved in this if you haven't already done so. Sorry you are having this problem as I am sure your enjoyment is being tempered by this BS.