Hi all,

I'm new to the forum but I haven't been able to find much in the way of an answer through the search feature; apologies if this question has been answered previously and I just didn't find it...

I have a 2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible, which I think is a fantastic car, with one exception. I bought it new in January 2008. I love the car, but since I've had it I've had to buy a total of 10 new run flat tires for it. [Yes, I know, that is a lot.] I have no explanation as to why I keep ending up with flats, but the real issue is the incredible cost of run flats (each time I need to replace one, it's at least another $300). If I have to continue to buy run flats for it at this rate, I will have to sell the car - it doesn't make sense economically at this point for me to keep such a high maintenance car.

I am very aware of the pros and cons of run flats and with the official (BMW/Cooper) position on replacing run flats with non-run flats. That's not what I'm asking about. I am curious about Mini-specific issues with switching, and I've got a couple of questions, below.

I was originally hesitant to switch to non-run flats because of the lack of room for a spare, although I found a solution to that problem (see here http://www.minifini.com/ShopDetail.aspx?id=16). As you'll see, that unit costs $129, but it requires two other pieces (one for $324 and one for $225) to attach it, making that complete solution around $680. I need all four seats in the car, so I can't just put the seats down and skip the hitch. If I took this hitch option, I'd then need to get five non-run flat tires (assume $130 each), a decent jack (free, I have one), a can of FixAFlat, and a compressor. The total is around the same (or not a huge amount more) that four new run flats would cost me anyway...

FIRST QUESTION: Would I also need new wheels to switch? I've read conflicting information on this. Are the wheels specific for use with run flats?

SECOND QUESTION: Will the TPMS system work with non-run flats?

I drive the Mini in New England, and often on long trips to Vermont. The car has roughly 50,000 miles on it.

Thanks to everyone for any advice you can give. If you have another solution to my problem, I'd welcome it.

 

I recently switched to non-runflats myself and I can tell you that the TPMS work with them.

I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure that non-runflats will fit any OEM wheel as long as you get the correct size for them.

Switch to non-runflats! You won't regret it!

 

Thanks very much! This is really valuable.

 

The wheels are not run flat specific, you will be fine with regular tires.. better, in fact! That's shocking you're out ~$3000 for tires!! Yikes!

 

Answers:

1) You can mount non-R/F tires on your wheels. You don't need special wheels. Your wheels do have a special design to handle R/F tires. But are backwards compatible. Make sure your TPMS sensors are working though. It is possible the person changing your tires can damage them and make you buy new ones ($$$).

2) Yes. Your TPMS sensors will work with non-R/F tires. They are just tire pressure sensors. Realistically, they are an expensive overkill technology mandated by your government. Worst that can happen if they fail, your tire pressure warning light on your dash comes on. Your car will not go into limp mode. You get out, check tire pressures to ensure they are okay and if they are, you can keep on driving until you get it fixed. Funny, after 100 years of pneumatic tires, suddenly tire pressure monitoring is the mandatory "safety" technology "you have to pay for or you're going to die". The sensors can cost more than a tire (non-R/F). Sorry....I couldn't resist the rant.

 

You obviously haven't seen the people I've seen driving around on tires with probably a third of the proper air pressure. They are a blowout waiting to happen. If they've let their tire get to that point and are still driving around, I'm not hopeful they'll maintain control when that happens.

 

Your wheels will be fine and the TPMS will work fine. But why do you think you need a spare? I have been running Artoo since 2003 without a spare and although occasionally I do get one tire that is a little low usually due to leakage around the rim edge, I have not had a flat or needed a spare. I don't carry any tire snot or a micro-compressor like some. But I do have AAA and an extended towing plan that I have never needed.And to be clear I live in NJ where the pot holes can swallow a car.

You will love getting rid of the run flats. Less noise, better handling, more tire choices and less money. Sounds like a home run to me.

Rich

 

If all four tires are low on air, I'm not sure you will get a low tire pressure warning. Also, it's unlikely those who worry about their TPMS sensors working or not would be so negligent as to not check their tire pressures from time to time. Tire pressure monitoring is not foolproof. It is still the responsibility of the owner or driver of the car to ensure his/her car is in safe operating condition. TPMS is just an aid.

On the other hand, this being a MINI site, most MINIs I've seen have been well maintained. The cars out there that are running wrong tire pressures are usually older vehicles that do not have tire pressure monitoring and usually those cars/trucks are not very well kept. MINI suspensions are so well designed and give so much feedback, you will know when something isn't quite right while driving.

 

It's extremely hard not to feel the car roll around like it's on marshmellows when you're a few psi down in even just one corner. The car will pull and feel very sloppy.

 

Howdy from Phoenix! Just joined the forum a few minutes ago, so I'm happy to be here. This site has been so helpful already.

Skwrl: I found your question on the rims holding a non-runflat interesting. I had been told for YEARS by South Bay MINI in CA, and then by MINI of North Scottsdale here, that there was no way I could switch to non-runflats because "the rims on the car are made only for run-flats." I believed this, and kept buying the expensive, loud, hard-riding, can't-be-repaired, low-wearing run-flats, ContiProContacts (they are on the car now, shot at 19K). They wanted to sell me yet another set for $$1,000, plus alignment, but I really can't justify it again.

I am switching to the Yokos above, and am toying with the idea of a spare. The owner of a Big O tire store here is working with me to get a generic rim that will fit my MINI, then putting a cheap spare on it. I think this will fit in my "trunk." Supposedly, there is a donut spare from MINI, but it's about $250. Slime sounds good, and I've got AAA already.

I think you'll be fine!

 

I bought my spare from Detroit Tuned.

http://www.detroittuned.com/shop/?productID=504

$110 plus shipping! Totally worth it! I hope I'll never have to use it though!

 

Thank you for posting this link to Detroit Tuned. I just KNEW someone smart out there had another idea. This totally solves my problem and is about the same price as Big O's idea for a generic rim and tire. This is much smaller and cleaner and I can tuck this behind the seat.

Thank you from all of us who really want that spare tire assurance.

You rock!

 

You're welcome! You better get on it though - they have limited stocks!

 

Just do it. I'm lost the runflats on all four of my MINI's as soon as I could once I got the car, twice now was on the day after delivery. I'm also on my seventh car without a spare tire. Get over it. There's always the miniscule chance of a catastrophic failure, but the odds are with you that a "repair kit" and a cellphone will get you through to your destination.

 

Well, I have decided on the MINI donut tire. Living in the desert and going through areas that have no cell reception and no gas stations for many miles, I need a spare for real safety instead of Slime), but since the car came with run flats, there is no jack or wrench to do the job of changing a tire. I found one for MINI on MiniMania.com, but it's $197.50 (made by MINI). MiniMania.com also has a donut, by the way, with a carrying case (lol) but it's $325!!

Any other ideas for where/how to put a set together that will work with that Detroit Tuned MINI donut with a 2006 S 16" wheel?

Thanks,
Paula

 

Hey Paula,

My 2011 MCS came with a jack. Have you checked your boot?

If you go with Detroit Tuned and would like to purchase a bag, go check this out: www.njbaglady.com

~40 for a bag depending on what you like.

HTH!

 

OK. I plead having a run-flat moment. lol

I just went downstairs to our parking structure and took a look . . . lo and behold, I DO have a MINI jack and wrench.

THANK YOU again, for reminding me (you just saved me about $200) and for the bag lady link.

You know, it's funny, but I was just at the dealership this morning, reminding them of how they always told me I could not have normal tires without changing the rims (which they deny), and I told them about the donut and then the manager says, "Well, you don't have a jack or a wrench, so what are you going to do about that?" lol It's amazing what they don't know about cars they've been selling for 9 years . . . or maybe they do and they just want to discourage. They make a lot more money on the run-flats.

Thanks again!!

Paula

 

Glad to be of help! I was just like you before I switched to non-runflats. I didn't know wether to get a spare tire or a plug kit/compressor.

I decided to go with the spare tire that fits perfectly behind my seat which I only bring with me when I go out of town. I figured, I can just use MINI's/BMW'S roadside assistance if I do get a flat around town.

I also plan on buying a cheap compressor which I'll store in the boot.

Ditch the runflats! You'll love the ride!

 

I have started a new thread here, if you are interested. Narrowing down the tire choice after not really having any for years with the run-flats is tricky!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...your-favs.html

 

That is funny, I just went and checked i have a spare tire, I didn't think to look for the jack and the wrench. The spare was tucked under the car. Looks like you drop it down from inside the boot.

 

Luvdabeach 2001: You must have a Clubman--they have the dedicated space for a spare. I'm going to have to put my MINI donut (from DetroitTuned.com) in my trunk space.

 

I'm on my second set of RF and today the front passenger side almost tore on me. I'm changing to non-RF tomorrow but almost everyone around where I live is not willing to install non-RF tires on mine even if I have a spare! WTF!

 

I haven't used run flats for a long while....I think in the 1st 2 years I went through atleast 2 sets maybe 3. I switched and what a savings and the longevity is far better.

 

Nope a 2008 hardtop it isn't an S version so the exhaust ecits on the right side of the car. On my mini the spare is underneath like a truck. If I recall the dealer told me when I bought it I wouldn't have a spare. I haven't had a flat so I have had no need to look. Yesterday I saw on the net pictures of a spare under the car so I decided to check an lo an behold there it was.

I need to replace my tires any ways so I going to go with non run flats next week.

 

I had a flat o my RF this week. was on the highway headinghome from work and the sensor popped on. I thought at first one tire was down on air. It was raining hard and I continued a bit until I could feel the *** getting loose and moving around. I stopped at a rest area to verify but not much I could do. Limped to a Les Schwab which was closed! 7PM now so I tried to air it up at a gas station. Big hole in the center of the tire was letting it out as fast as I was filling. 30 Miles home from here was not good. I left my compressor and plug kit out after the last track event-stupid. I would have needed a a few
plugs. I went back to Les and they opened up a bay for me. The patched the rf from the inside at NC. I gave each the guys a 20 for the effort. In my opinion the RF get you a few miles further down the road but will not get you home either. Plug kit, can of slime and compessor gives you many more options.