I was at Americas Tire today (aka Discount Tire depending on where you live). I needed a tire rotation prior to my trip from LA to SF Bay Area this coming weekend. To summarize what happened, when inputting my current car and current tire size data into their system, their system stated not to service them as they were not within spec (rated load capacity of current tires are too low for vehicle). I'm running the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT (205/40 R18 82W).


I found that strange that their system would show any incompatibility, as I know that 18" rims are an option on our MINIs (JCW wheels came in both 17" and 18" varieties, for example). The owner's manual for the Clubman has a chart for all possible tire sizes that fit the MINI including recommended tire pressures. At the bottom of the list, is the current tire specs on the car right now: 205/40 R18 82W RSC.

I've been buying tires from this tire shop chain since I took ownership of my previous '04 MCS; I've always had great service from them in the past. That MCS was totaled so I picked up a used '09 Clubman S a few months ago. The Clubman was fitted with 18" OZ Superturismo wheels by the previous owner. These tires came with the car.


They recommend that I eventually swap the tires out (currently 5/32" tread depth), and go to a wider size and higher load rated tire that their system actually allows them to install and service at 215/40 R18 89Y.

I had two managers trying to figure this out re-entering the info on their system in front of me, both eventually saying, if the system recommends against it, we unfortunately can't service the current tires.


Am I missing something here?!

 

It boils down to liability and tire shops will use OEM tire specs to guide them on which tire sizes are "safe" for street use since they cannot ensure that you will be carrying a load of passengers and cargo that will be appropriate for a given tire.

Truth is that the Bridgestone RE050A RFT tires are fine for street use and the correct size for the 18" MINI wheels. Many of the other tires in that size are 86 XL load rated with stiffer sidewalls. The tire shop wants at least 84 to be satisfied.

I would go with another tire shop and not fuss with telling them much or do the tire rotation on your own or with a friend's help.

 

Yup, I definitely get that "liability" is at play here being a business manager myself. When they started pulling out the liability card, I stopped them and flat-out said that I understand.

It was just strange that manufacturer specs wouldn't trump their "recommended" specs dictated by their CRM/POS system. What was even more strange was that their system showed that any 205 width tire (MINI specs) was not recommended at all. It's got to be 215 for their system to allow it.

So basically, if my MINI dealer installed 18 inch wheels with fresh tires according to their specs and I went to my tire shop (a national chain) they would refuse to service them.

I wasn't at all annoyed by the situation or hard on them at all, just confused. Actually, we were all equally confused.


So 215/40 R18... I've read a couple threads (some that you contributed to), at stock height, these should be ok without rubbing issues/camber issues, etc. Would you agree? Thanks

 

Sadly, that's what happens when you use a shop that substitutes processes for intelligence and common sense.

There is nothing wrong with your tire choice.
There is ZERO risk from your tire selection to your, or liability exposure to the shop.

It's just that the shop monkeys refused to use their brain and instead followed whatever the computer screen told them to do. Happens.

Find yourself a proper independent shop (enter your zip here: http://www.tirerack.com/installer/index.jsp), and give them your business.

a

 

There is not much to be "confused about". The MINI has OEM tires that are
84 load rated and some shops will require that as a minimum. Tires that fit the MINI wheels may or may not be designed or manufactored with a load rating enough for a MINI since tires can be used with various cars.

215/40-18 is a usable size and comes in tires that are about $150 each-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...rk=1&x=21&y=16

Another tire size that could work is 215/35-18, fits 18x7" wheels, has 84Y XL load rating, has tire diameter of 23.9" just slightly smaller than OEM. This is a good size for a lowered MINI with 18" wheels.

To reduce the harshness of a 35 series sidewall a more comfortable tire like Continental ExtremeContact DWS UHP All season tire $146 each would be possible.

 

I'd go with the operater's manual over what some data entry clerk coded into Discount Tire's computer.

 

I had the same issue when I was getting my tires last year from Discount Tire and it ultimately boiled down to the guy listing my car as a base cooper and not a Cooper S, but the fact was that there system won't let them go further if things aren't matching up with what the system deems "proper" for the car, regardless of you or a manager knowing better.

 

Trust me, the situation was weirder than you think.

I've been really looking forward to getting the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (205/40 R18 86W) when these tires are done. System reports a no go on these.

Our findings were that only tires with a load rating of 89 were ok. I'm no tire expert, but last time I checked I drive a MINI. I don't think there is a tire out there in a 205/40 R18 with a 89 load rating, so by default all 205s are out of the question for them.

It's a shame, they were just so convenient all these years since they are everywhere and always match TireRack if you ask them to.

 

I use only Firestone / Bridgestone tire stores, because they are the only tire stores own by the manufacturer, they are nationwide, they match tire rack pricing after shipping every time I've asked and for any reason you don't like the way your new tires ride and or handle on your vehicle in the first 30 days they will swap them out to whatever size or model you want at no charge without a hassle.

 

Really? Firestone states they will not install non-runflats on cars that came with them.

 

i use an independant, family owned and operated tire store

they had zero issues mounting my 205/70R16 dunlop SJ6 winter non-rf tires (YES 16 INCH) or my 225/50R18 Michelin PSS non-rf tires even though my all4 was delivered with 225/45R18 rfs

they will price match tire rack, yet don't charge freight

they did ask what i would do if i got a flat, i showed them my plug kit and CO2 inflator and they said "good you have a plan"

they did point out that the dunlop SJ6 tires are speed rated at only 99 MPH and i said "yes i know and will not drive over 99 MPH in the snow!"

i highly recommend finding an independant tire dealer

 

Man I feel for you guys who can't do your own work.

Our legatus sue happy society sucks.

 

You wanna buy me a tire mount and balance machine lol? I'll be glad to do my own work then.

 

That simply is not true...my last two Mini's went straight from the Mini dealership to the Firestone Store for S-04 Pole upgrades in non-runflats.

 

That's not weird - that's flat out incompetent.

Mini specifies tire load rating of 82W for 205/40-18's, where W stand for the recommended speed rating of upto 168 mph (silly high for a MINI), and 82 stands for load carrying capability of upto 1047 lbs (silly high for a MINI that weights ~2700 lbs in total, or 675 lbs per tire).

See Page 106 of the manual: http://www.miniusa.com/content/dam/m...0210__2010.pdf

Insisting on an 89 load rating (1279 lbs per corner) is getting into 5,100 lbs car weight category, or almost twice the MINI weight.

Here is all you ever wanted to know about sidewall markings: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=33

Bottom line - any tire you will be looking at will have plenty of load capacity, just flat don't even bother checking.
Virtually every tire you can be looking at will have speed rating in access of what MINI can do (speed limited to 130 mph), with the possible exception of winter-only rubber.

Just find another tire shop that knows what they are doing, and insist on understanding the logic behind any particular recommendation !

a

 

TireRack's website:

Firestone Complete Auto Care
Installer since: 08/18/2011

Address:
390 Green Valley Road
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-3937
(916) 939-4084

Restrictions: Will not install non run-flat tires on vehicles that came with run-flat tires as original equipment.

The same statement appears on all five Firestone stores in the area. Maybe your store is ignoring the policy.

 

Come out to Philly and I'll buy you a cheese steak and help you use my equipment.

 

I called and asked, it seems that people were ordering tires and have them shipped to FS dealers for install wanting to mismatch RFT's and non RFT's and or not clearly understanding the difference between the two types of tires.

He said replacing OEM RFT's with Non RFT's is not a problem as long as the customer clearly understands the differences and it's fully disclosured in the store at the time of sale that it's not recommend for cars without spare tires designed for RFT use.

PS: Great holiday weekend to all...

 

That's a lot different from the stated "will not" isn't it? The statement cost them my business.

 

Agreed, it seems that everyone is in ambulance chaser CYA mode but I get it...