Any one carry a spare, and if so which one?
I have 16" on my MCS and would want to carry a spare on some back road cruising this summer.
Expecting to drive about 4-5000 miles and not too keen on my run flats.
What is my best bet?
Can you install non-run flat tires on run flat rims?
Thanks

 

You certainly can install non-runflats on the "runflat rims". Been there, done that. No problems. The spare I carry around is one of the compact spares that comes standard with all MC's. You can get one from Classic Auto Campus. They're great to deal with and their prices are wonderful. :smile:

 

Hey, Jerseygirl...don't forget to tell danish about your tire carrying case!

 

>>Hey, Jerseygirl...don't forget to tell danish about your tire carrying case!

Yes, to cover the spare tire Jerseygirl made her own custom tire cover with cloth and zipper. It looks great and very finished. Only thing is that the tire takes up precious boot space. Oh well.

What we need is a foldable spare that is inflatable like on racing bicycles.

 

When the warrenty is over and these cars are very used,I see spares mounted on the front bumper,like the old rally days.Get your MINI dirty

 

>>>>Hey, Jerseygirl...don't forget to tell danish about your tire carrying case!
>>
>>Yes, to cover the spare tire Jerseygirl made her own custom tire cover with cloth and zipper. It looks great and very finished. Only thing is that the tire takes up precious boot space. Oh well.
>>
>>What we need is a foldable spare that is inflatable like on racing bicycles.
>>

Actually I've always wondered why the space saver spares are not made with a lightweight rim. I know, price, but how about aftermarket companies for those who wouldn't mind spending a bit more on a space-saver to have a lighter one. Then, I like the idea of a deflated space-saver, that you inflate with a small compressor, which would further cut space. The compressor could be stored in the center part of the space saver rim.

Oh well, I just got a regular MINI space saver from Classic MINI, and am waiting for my carry bag from Jerseygirl - I also ordered a MINI -tote from her, can't wait!!!

M.

 

what was the price on the space saver?

 

the space saver was $80 CND,, $5 US

 

What's the diameter of the space saver rim? :smile:

 

does running a wheel with a smaller diameter than the others throw off the traction control at all, or the DSC. I know it would pick up a flat tire sensor thing, but would expect that, being that one of my tires would be flat.

 

>>does running a wheel with a smaller diameter than the others throw off the traction control at all, or the DSC. I know it would pick up a flat tire sensor thing, but would expect that, being that one of my tires would be flat.

I don't know if the MC space saver actually has a smaller diameter, I'll go measure.

On some cars the dia is smaller and that creates a problem if you use it on a powered wheel, as you will work the differential. I know someone who drove on a donut for 250 miles, and fried the diff on a Subaru.

If you use a space saver, stick to the speed and distance limits!

 

Just went and measured, and the MC space saver has an outer dia of 21.5", and my MCS has an outer rolling dia of approx 24", so there is a difference, and that would mean that when you are driving in a straight line, you will work the differential constantly, which is NOT a good idea AFAIK.

That makes me wonder, wouldn't it be better if you have a flat in the front, to move a rear tyre to the front and use the space saver in the rear?

NE1 know?

M.

 

wow, good job on the extra work, appreciate it!

 

M., thank you for the measurement! :smile:

 

>>That makes me wonder, wouldn't it be better if you have a flat in the front, to move a rear tyre to the front and use the space saver in the rear?
>>
>>NE1 know?
>>
>>M.

This is what I would do, and have done in the past. Only takes a few more minutes, and doesn't make the above mentioned an issue.

 

I just bought a set of non-runflat tires for my MCS and I'm wrestling with this issue myself. I will purchase an emergency compressor and tire sealant foam, but I wish there was a more reliable solution.

My brother told me that he saw a space-saving, collapsible temporary spare tire/wheel made by Continental, but I looked on their website and couldn't find it. I'll have to ask him again...

I wish I could find one of those rectangular basket-type carriers for the roof, like the rally Minis had in the 60's, with spare wheels/tires inside.

 

>>Just went and measured, and the MC space saver has an outer dia of 21.5", and my MCS has an outer rolling dia of approx 24", so there is a difference, and that would mean that when you are driving in a straight line, you will work the differential constantly, which is NOT a good idea AFAIK.
>>
>>That makes me wonder, wouldn't it be better if you have a flat in the front, to move a rear tyre to the front and use the space saver in the rear?
>>
>>NE1 know?
>>
>>M.
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MG-BGT --

I think that is exactly what should be done. You're on that side with the jack anyway, why not take the time to be cautious about further damage!

Also, whichever axle (!) you put the smaller-diameter space-saver on, its rotational speed will be greater than the other tires. Thus you can expect that the flat tire monitor will remind you to drive with care until the repair is made!

Theo

 

Granted the spare does take up a lot of boot space and that is usually where I keep it, BUT the spare also tucks neatly behind the front seat (and actually it's probably more secure there too). If you're not carrying a full load of passengers and you really want the boot space, try putting the spare there on longer trips.

 

ANyone care to link .to the thread discussing the Spare Tire Bag... I have not seen pics of this!

 

Here's the thread where the spare tire bag was first mentioned...

For all you MCS owners lugging around a spare

But there is more info here: http://www.millpondminis.com/baglady.html

 

Ok, here are a few more measurements for those who are interested:

the space saver spare for the MC is on a steel rim. The tubeless tyre is a Continental T 115/70 R15, so the rim is a 15" one. That is the diameter at the point where the bead of the tyre sits. The edge of the rim - which sticks up above where the bead sits, has a dia of 16". As mentioned above, the outer dia of the rubber is 21.5"
For those who might consider finding or using another type of space saver, it would obviously also have to be of a hub-cenetric design with 4x100 hole pattern, and the correct hole diameter. Another consideration would be offset, and this is what I measured: when lying the side of the tire that faces the brakes flat on the ground, the hub-centering ring (between the four bolt holes) is 4" above ground (that's the center of the opening).

I think if I ever get a flat in the front I will do just that, move the full size rear to the front to avoid working the diff, and putting the space saver on the rear. It's easy enough to do that when you use the jack under the front of the car, the whole side lifts up and you can remove front and rear (that's how I rotate my tyres).

I'd like to find out more about the collapsible spare, if NE1 find out details, please post here.

M.

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>>I wish I could find one of those rectangular basket-type carriers for the roof, like the rally Minis had in the 60's, with spare wheels/tires inside.

You mean like this:


That is one of two basket sizes available for the MINI roof rack, it is the narrower of two.

another view:


and finally a top view:


and finally, check this out:


I found this on the Targa Newfoundland website, looks like that MINI used the MINI roof rack beams, but made their own flat platform to hold the full size spare and the rally lights, very cool.

 

Those look good. These are some others I found on the web...racks

 

>>>>That makes me wonder, wouldn't it be better if you have a flat in the front, to move a rear tyre to the front and use the space saver in the rear?
>>>>
>>>>NE1 know?
>>>>
>>>>M.
>>
>>This is what I would do, and have done in the past. Only takes a few more minutes, and doesn't make the above mentioned an issue.

There is such a basket available, one that can be used with an aftermarket, removeable roof rack, or get the MINI roof rack, it has a basket as an accessory.

 

Thanks tontobird- I will look into that. The MINI is probably the only car where it actually looks cool with a spare tire/wheel strapped to the roof.

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2003 BRG/W MINI Cooper S