so as i have read, the runflats SUCK, but
the guy at justtires told me that if i were to ever get a flat tire id be stuck because i couldnt carry a spare
do you guys have a spare, or just take a chance?
i really want to lose the runflats too but not sure

 

Deluxe slime kit in boot. MINI roadside assistance, AAA and Allstate roadside assistance. A little luck too. I will take the chance.

What do people that drive motorcycles do if they get a flat??

 

what is a deluxe slime kit ??
and you are right
so basically your telling me you are taking a chance, if im not wrong
i would too but my dad wont let me
im 17
dont have so much of a say

 

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000YMP...etteraddons-20

Kit with tire plugs Slime tire sealant, compressor.

 

the compact spare in the Cooper will fit, as will some Honda compact spares.

But really, unless you live in North Dakota, what's not covered with a cell phone and a AAA card?

And run-flats can have events that leave you stranded, it's just more rare than with a non-run flat. So each items reduces risk, but none eliminate it.

Matt

 

You can also fit a 16 inch spare in the Boot, you just loose the shelf. I have been carrying one for over a year now, as I dont like to wait on the side of the road.

 

Since you're only 17, follow your Dad's advice and keep the runflats. They're not nearly as horrible as some would have you believe.

You can take all the chances you want later in life.

 

I've definitely gotten my money's worth out of AAA, it's like $90 a year and considering I have more than one unreliable toy, I've called them many times. The truck drivers are usually cool with you too, one time I called and he used the truck to help me pull my dad's jeep out of a 4' deep rut since it was close enough to the road.

 

Keep those runflats for now. Everyone bashes them but they hold the road decently in warm weather. I would only upgrade a tire if you're looking for better traction not ride comfort.

 

I am running the risk. The closest was when I drove 1200 miles with a nail in the tire. Like I have said before in numerous threads its all about how much risk are you willing to except?

 

Just ditched the runflats last week and have no regrets whatsoever - it's nice to just be able to drive and not be preoccupied with avoiding every little reflector/bump/crack/etc in the road. What a difference it makes with the ride. Plus my car's interior it's being jolted - over time causing interior rattles and such.

I'll be getting the slime kit and maybe a spare for road trips - although over the last 20 years the only problem I've ever had with a tire on an extended road trip was with a runflat - a serious pothole damaged the sidewall.

 

Good advice. This is probably a battle not worth fighting.

 

After 30k miles I got rid of the runflats, it's the best thing I have done for my MINI. Now it drives like I always thought it should, no torque steer, no bone jaring when you hit a hole and it tracks straight. It literally drives like a different car.

I have a spare tire that sits behind the drivers seat, and I dont even snow its there, also carry a plug kit and a slime kit.....so I'm covered.

 

+1, you're young, learn how to drive properly and save your money. Get non-runflats when your tires are dead.

Otherwise I carry a MINI mobility kit in the boot and have AAA.

 

Mini makes a kit with a compressor and a can of "fix a flat". I used the same thing in my old R32... which also had no spare. That said you may want to pick your battles in other areas ....

 

Dont be like me when I was 18 and got my car and burned those $360 each tires away in a year. Just be carful when driving, dont hit big pot holes and don't run over glass bottles and don't park on shiny objects. Its alot cheaper to not get the runflats exspecialy if you cant keep your foot off the gas pedal. I think I have to buy a set a summer and I have winter tires on for 4 months of the year. Careful it can turn into an expensive hobby!!!

 

the guy at justtires said that with the non runflats if my wheel were to pop or whatever, my rim can break too
what do you guys think of that??
i dont know if its true ?

 

You'd have to have a blowout or have the tire separate from the rim or drive on the flat for damage to the rim to really occur.

 

I think the guy at justtires is trying to throw any excuse he can at you to get you to buy a more expensive set of tires than what you are really interested in.

 

I do more Damage to my rims with out a flat that if I had one it probably wouldn't hurt them at all. I have one dented rim and many scuffs for crapy toll booths in buffalo ny and many other chips and dents that I have no idea how they got there. You have to look at it this way, Hes A Salesmen. I have a tire place that knows I use alot of tires so I get an insane discount and usally people I know get a pretty good one when I go there with them. Go to a different tire place and don't be scared to talk about the prices and always ask if I paid cash. Credit cards have extra charges that you would not see or know that the tire place has to pay and alot of them work it in the price, so they can help more with cash. If you live around Buffalo NY let me know and I can help you out.

 

I experienced first-hand the dilemma run-flats pose, on a road trip from Seattle to SF last week. Roughly 150 miles from SF, my right rear tire went flat. (2009 Mini Cooper Clubman S - 18k miles). It was Saturday, about 6 pm.
Called Mini RA. Told - we will tow to nearest dealership. Which is in Sacramento, the opposite direction from which I'm going. Also, dealership is closed so no help until Monday am. I have a paid for room in SF, plans for Sat. night & Sun., and a business meeting Mon. am.

So I ask - the manual says 50 - 80 miles on the runflats. Is it OK if I drive more? I'm told - absolutely not, will likely damage the wheel, alilgnment, front end, etc.

So I have no alternative - find the only open tire shop, which has 1 tire my size (not a run flat), pay $130 to buy it and have it mounted, and drive to SF

But of course I can't keep that tire on, especially not driving 800+ highway miles home in a few days, so I take it later in the week to the SF Mini dealer who says, can't repair a run-flat, and I get to buy a new tire - $350.

This is nuts. First, no visible damage on the flat - all highway driving, no curbs, etc. Lots of tread on the tire. It should not have gone flat after only 18k easy miles.

Second, Mini RA is worthless. Looking at message boards now, I see people easily drive 200+ on the deflated runflat. But Mini RA is all about not incurring any liability. On my dealer's advice I canceled my AAA because of Mini RA. Stupid me.

Third, every time I have a flat I have to buy a new tire?

Finally, and most troubling, I feel like I can't trust the car/tires on any more road trips.

I don't know what to do.

 

So what caused it to go flat?

 

Another frustration. SF Mini says - slow leak near the valve stem - I say, so workmanship/warranty? No. Looks like 'normal wear'.

Huh?

 

The valve stem doesn't go through the tire itself, so not sure why that would require a tire replacement. Unless he was talking about some problem say along the sidewall "near the valve stem". Can't imagine any normal wear on the sidewall though. Really can't imagine any situation that "normal wear" would result in a leak.

 

Just got rid of my run flats 3 days ago.
How long before the tire pressure warning goes away?