Bought the R53 TARDIS used and never thought to check to see where the spare tire was. Finally did this weekend and....there isn't one. How's that work? (Sorry if this topic has been covered - I did a quick search and couldn't find it).

 

The R53 MINI S never came with a spare as they all had run flat tires. We now offer a spare you can carry with you.
http://waymotorworks.com/mini-spare-tire-wheel.html

The Non S MINI always had a spare mounted under the car.

 

You need to decided if you want a "spare" or a 5th wheel. The spare will only fit on your rear tire if you have big breaks. A 5th wheel takes creativity to mount. Way will be able to sell you everything you need if you go with the "spare", but I had fun looking at the instructionals online about building your own mount. Personally I bought a spare kit and was done with it. Give Way a call and he'll answer all your questions. I highly recommend his outfit!

 

Don't I feel dumb?!? The previous owner switched from run flats and I did not even think to inquire about a spare. I will likely get in touch with Way and see what options I have. Thank you for the info & referral. Where did you end up mounting? I have OEM brakes so I can get a true spare and should be ok...now where to put it?

 

I have an r55 that has a space for a spare. All I needed was the tire, the mounting hardware, and a different styrofoam insert. I see a lot of people with other model MINIs either put a 5th wheel where their back seats use to be (not my cup of tea) or do an exhaust mod to make room for the spare. If memory serves you have a large resonator where the spare could go under the car? I'm not sure.

Some people skip the spare and go with a nice pump and goo kit.

 

Pump and plug kit here. R52's have even less room so we tread very carefully.
Nothing against Way, they go the extra mile to assist MINI folk, this is what I carry.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks

 

Get one of these...
http://www.stopngo.com/standard-model-tire-plugger/

and one of these...
http://www.slime.com/shop/power-spor...nflator-40001/

And if you get a serious flat, use your towing from your auto insurance as the backup plan.

 

AAA Card...oh, if my card could talk...

 

Quality tires cost about half as much as run flats (think 180$+ per tire..)..and are far more common..
Last 2x as long...
Ride better..grip better...
Get s AAA membership, carry a pump andvplug kit, maybe some slime...and 99% of the time you will be fine...if you like to ignore bubbles in sidewalls and have had blowouts...might not be the plan for you...but I think 85+% of mini's change to regular tires....

 

I use www.tyreshield.com as a spare and sofar so good. It's has a latex base so it doesn't muck up the wheel. The folks from Autoxcooper steered me on to it three years ago.