Hello.

We have a 2012 Countryman S ALL4 with 14,000 miles on it, purchased new in Dec 2012. Been a good car so far, aside from a smelly clutch if you reverse up hill...

Anyway. The front tires are badly worn on the outer edges. Would that be considered normal for a car with 14,000 miles? The local tire dealer is saying we need to re-do the alignment, then buy 4 new tires.

1) Should you rotate ALL4 tires?
2) Can I just get the fronts? The rears have a lot of life left on them. Tire shop says it must be all four tires at once.
3) Should I trust the local tire shop to do a wheel alignment, or go back to MINI?
4) I imagine there is no point in trying to claim warranty on factory tires at 14,000 miles?

Thanks for any advice!

-James.

 

I just had to replace a rear tire on my 14 CMS All4 at 25k miles. Typically, you purchase tires in pairs, but I just went with the one because I'll eventually pick up some winter/summer tires and ditching the runflats.

IMHO, anyone can do an alignment, but opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one and most of them stink. If your dealer is closer, go with them (mine is 75 minutes away, so I would go to my local shop for an alignment).

Doubt you'd get anywhere claiming warranty on the tires, but they my give you a "claim card" to send to the manufacturer as there could be a recall for tires made during specific dates (I was given one of these cards to fill out and send, but haven't yet)

 

you don't need to get 4 new tires, just 2. i would check the alignment by someone yes. and yes, i'd rotate tires every 5k, doesn't matter what car. not sure if you can claim warranty on a wear item as prevalent as tires

 

I thought anyone could perform an alignment until I was sitting at the Mini dealership and the person sitting next to me explained that he had new tires put on at a national tire shop but the tire shop refused to align his MINI. Something complicated about Minis and BMWs. I do not know what exactly he meant by that. I would call a reputable tire shop and my local dealer to hear what they say.

 

Thanks for all the input, really helpful.

I will talk to the MINI dealership to ask if they think it's OK for a local shop to the alignment, or do I have to drive 50 miles to take it to them.

I will rotate the new tires. And probably just get the 2 new fronts on.

Thanks,

-James.

 

I think i can hear their answer already....

 

They were very helpful actually (Niello, Sacramento). They can do the alignment, but said a local shop with the right equipment could do it too. They also offered lower prices on the tires, so thinking about driving down to them anyway.

-James.

 

BTW, the Niello chap told me that it is an unusually short time for the tires to last. He suggested, since we are up in the mountains with no straight roads in sight, that we run them at 36psi to help. Sound reasonable? It did to me.

-James.

 

Sounds like you have a good dealership to work with. I would give them my business just for that reason alone.

 

Just went in for an oil change today on my 2012 CM S with under 16k miles and my front driver side tire had the same issue of wear on the outside. My tires were rotated and the back were in great shape the other front was in good shape but more worn than the back. The dealership recommended I replace the tire. Alignment was fine but its very frustrating to have to buy a new tire when they should last especially with my low mileage.