I have a new 2017 Countryman S with the 19 inch wheels and Bridgestone Potenza S001 225/45 R 19 tires. I have the tires inflated to the recommended 36 psi. I am a bit concerned about possible wheel/tire damage if I hit a big pothole. Would increasing to 38 psi reduce the risk any? The car rides very nicely now and could tolerate a bit stiffer ride. (I live in Las Vegas and the roads are really pretty good - though they do have a tendency to pave with a rough surface which the run flats pick up. I would be really worried if I still was in Los Angeles - those roads are terrible - one pothole after another.)

David

 

I doubt 2 psi will make a big difference. Your issue is big wheels and low profile sport tires, not to mention they are RF

the RF stiff sidewall is already providing more protection then you'd see from 2 psi - not to mention the psi variation is probably what you see daily from heat anyway!

if you decide to try this, watch your tire wear. Over inflated tires will result in excessive wear in the center of the tread, with less wear on the edges

best advice is to ensure you check pressure regularly and KEEP them UP to snuff. Too many folks assume no TPMS warning means everything is good ..... you can be several pounds low with no TPMS warning .....

 

When you check the tire pressure every week, include all the fluid levels as well. Don't rely on nanny to tell you something ain't right. By then it's often too late.

 

225/45 isn't the small a sidewall, really. How big a pothole you expecting? Ran 235/40 on my BMW for years, no issues. Also, never hit any huge potholes. You do have to pay attention, if you're running lower profiles. Will be putting 225/40 on my new wheels and am not expecting much drama. YMMV.

 

I'm not worried about higher pressure causing wear problems - the manual recommends 44 psi for travel at 100 mph or higher (not likely for me). I'm also not worried about ride issues - when the car was delivered, they didn't adjust the tire pressures to the recommended psi - and the tires were at 39-40 psi when I checked - and the car still rode very smoothly. (Apparently, during shipment, the tires are pumped up higher.) This car has much improved run flats - an order of magnitude better than the run flats we had on the 2004, 2008 and 2013 MINIs we owned.

I really haven't encountered any terrible potholes here in Vegas so perhaps I shouldn't be worried. I just remember how horrible the streets were in Los Angeles - the MINI ride in that environment was punishing. (We had one main road in and out of our Woodland Hills community - and it was a mess. Our local homeowners association paid to have it repaved because the city wouldn't do anything.)

I do check tires and fluids regularly. No dipstick for oil anymore, however - so you have to trust the monitoring system.

David

 

38 psi from 36 would not do much for pot hole damage risk.

Avoiding the potholes or other road hazzards would be of greater value. Just be cautious and ready at all times. Going a little slower and not following to close is helpful when weather is bad or traffic is congested or you are on unfamiliar roads.