I'll apologize upfront as a new member if this question has been asked and answered or sounds inane. I've test driven several Minis and love the feel. It will be a daily driver but I'm concerned with potential problems from a tire that can neither be changed or patched. I'm also concerned about getting a car that in my home state of Virginia has only three dealerships. I'm about 50 miles from one of them. What have been folks' repair issues with the Mini, especially in regard to the runflats which I understand are pricey little numbers...thanks

 

Don't get the Pirelli's if you get the 17" wheels. I had three blowouts in 2 months on minor potholes at moderate speed. They have done nothing for me.

At least the Goodyears come with a road hazard warranty.

 

Whether you have runflats or regular tires, if one goes flat, you still don't have a spare and will need a replacement tire.

When I switched from run-flats to regular tires, I had one of the run-flats mounted on an extra rim that I carry in the boot on long trips. If I get a flat close to home, I will just have roadside assistance tow me home where I can change the spare and then take the damaged tire in for repair/replacement.

You may also want to consider picking up one of the regular Cooper's small doughnut spares to keep in the boot, as a full size spare like mine takes up a LOT of room, but does fit in the boot if you remove the hinged shelf.

 

>>You may also want to consider picking up one of the regular Cooper's small doughnut spares to keep in the boot, as a full size spare like mine takes up a LOT of room, but does fit in the boot if you remove the hinged shelf.<<

Why don't you just mount it on the outside of the hatch, Land Rover style?

 

>>Why don't you just mount it on the outside of the hatch, Land Rover style? :smile:

 

My 02/02 build MINI Cooper 5-speed certainly does have a spare.

MINI Spare tire



Did something change on the new models?

_________________

 

>>
>>>>Why don't you just mount it on the outside of the hatch, Land Rover style? :smile:
>>
or on the roof rack......rally style

 

From the top...

Runflats can be patched... just like any other tire.

Driving 50 miles to your dealership on a flat run-flat will not be a problem - there is a max speed, but 50 miles is fine. (I *think* you can go 150 miles, i'll check in the manual)

There should be a number of tire repair shops close to you that can change run-flats... not every tire shop can do it, but many can, and the numbers are increasing as the cars with run-flats increases. You can ask some local tireshops if they are "runflat certified"

The Dunlop 16" runflats run $117 - $146/tire from tirerack (depending on model) - a max perf non-runflat tire will run $120-$150 (Anyway, worry about this when they are bald, not when they are new)

Finally, another myth is that runflats are heavy... this is false, they are lighter than many of the max perf tires.

The only major problem with runflats is a rough ride...
With ride quality issue aside, runflats are a *great invention* (MHO)

 

I replaced my runflats early on.
I just didn't like the feel and ride quality of em.
I changed to a sticky high performance tire (Toyo Proxes T1S's) for the summer months and snow tires (Blizzaks) for the winter months.
I do not own/carry a spare tire.
I have a can of "flat fix gunk" and fingers crossed will be able to get to a station to get a flat fixed w/ it.
So far (1 & 1/2 years.....so good :smile:

Peace,
D

 

I have run flats and have had no problems. They can be patched at most all tire stores. I don't understand people who want to take chances with no spare. Living in Chesapeake , Virginia the quality of the roads in this area suck. I hit several potholes each day with no problems from the tires. While it is true they may provide a rougher ride I did not buy my MCS for the smooooooth ride. I had that with the Lincoln Town cars that I have gotten rid of.

 

Nothing changed. Coopers come with a spare, but the "S" does not have one. The different exhaust and the battery located in the boot take up the space where the spare would go.

 

I guess the salesman at Crown Mini in Richmond had his facts confused. He told me that runflats cost about $275 to replace and could not be patched.

 

btw, WELCOME to the board

 

The ride is okay but on MI roads it can be the pits. No tire would counteract these road conditions. I'm keeping my runflats until they wear-out then I can fully justify to myself and others the immediate need for some new performance tires. Of course, I'm trying everything I can to assist with a little auto-cross there and here... I know they won't make 65K like my Michelins, hoping for 25K as I'm 9K away.

Welcome to NAM (formerly MCO). Do we get in trouble now for using the MCO acronym?

SMKKVK

 

First off welcome to NAM.

I wish I had a dealer within 50 miles of where I live. My closest MINI dealer is 300 miles away.

I’ve been using the Pirelli’s on my 02 and have found them a very reliable tire. I have had one repaired recently and it has worked fine since the repair. I will be switching to tubeless some time soon for better performance, but the run flats are great tires.


_________________

 

rp,

Don't listen to the dealership. At the dealership they are going to charge you $275 and they won't patch the tires. I have 16" Dunlop runflats. I have gone 240 miles on a flat and hit 90+mph with no problems whatsoever. Tirerack sells the same 16" Dunlops from BMW for $149.

 

I want to make sure I get the word out about the run flat tires. THEY CAN BE REPAIR. DON'T LET THE DEALER TELL YOU THEY CAN'T BE REPAIR. My dealer try the whole "you need a new tire" but I just had it repaired today so here's to the tire repair guy!!!:smile: Cheers!

But no the dealer will not repair the tire!!!

 

12.2K miles on my 16" 55 profile Dunlop SP5000 Runflats and no problems...

 

I think this might be the same BMW guy who wanted to sell me tire insurance for $695 or so. Do they get these guys from the used car lots?

 

My understanding of the Mini roadside warrantee is that if your car breaks down (flat tire included), they will tow it free-of-charge to the closest Mini dealership. If that happens to be 300 miles away, then that's where it'll get towed - all under warrantee.