I've had my new leased 2016 Cooper S for 8 weeks and I've already picked up a bolt in one of the run flat tires. Ugh! The cost to replace is $320.00 including tax. Outrageous! Can I request the dealership replace all the run flats with regular tires with out incurring a penalty?

 

They can ordered that way from the factory...
But I think that once you have driven off the lot....it's yours...even on a lease.

 

you have to read the conditions in the lease, obviously you failed to do so before signing or you would know

a friend of mine got an unpleasant surprise when he turned in a lease car ... lease said tires had to have at least 50% tread or he would be charged for a new set OF RUNFLATS ... an extra $1500 he had to pay because he failed to read the lease before signing ... i believe that clause is in the mini lease too

 

The dealership is no longer involved at this point. The owner of the car is now the leasing/finance company, and that's who you would have to negotiate with if you want to do anything outside of the lease agreement.

 

Realistically, you're on the hook to replace/repair it at your own expense unless you had purchased a tire protection plan.

Was that the cost from the dealer? It would be much less from an independent tire shop. Look at the prices at tirerack.com.

 

Did you check the price of that tire on Tirerack.com or similar? Or are you getting quoted from the dealer? RF's assuming your talking about US Dollars should be a lot less than $320.

 

whatever penalty would occur at lease end.You could go non run flats, put the 3 in the garage and put them back before you return.

 

Buy a set of 4 new tires, PLUS a replacement run-flat for the lease return? The OP wants to save money.

 

OP - Check the tire warranty. Some Mini Original Equipment RFT's come with a 1 year road hazard warranty. MIGHT GET A FREE TIRE. Dealer should assist you on this.

 

its a 2016. My assumption is he'll be buying at least one set of tires sooner or later. Of course if the lease is sufficiently short term that you might return it with half of the tread left on the original tires that's a different story.

 

While I didn't have a road hazard compromised RF tire issue with our leased BMW, I DO know I must return the leased car with minimum acceptable tread on RF tires. Because of that requirement, at mid-lease, I purchase 4 preferred non-RF tires for about 1/2 the cost of new RF and will then remount the "lease-compliant" RF prior to lease turn in. Bonus for us: the non-RF tires we purchased will also fit the new replacement vehicle.

 

Did you purchase wheel and tire insurance with your lease? If so, take it straight to the dealership and they will gladly replace the tire free or charge or for a small deductible as per tire insurance contract.