I found out yesterday from the Mini folks at the Chicago Auto Show that there is a space for a spare tire in both the base Clubman and Clubman S. Base models only come with a spare if you get 15" tires; base with 16" and all S models don't. However, the space is provided under the cargo floorboard even in the S. A guy showed me how you can just remove the rather useless foam tray in there and put in a compact spare if you like. There even is a threaded hole in the center to secure the tire if you get a hold-down bolt and plate. He said that since the Clubman S has side exhausts, unlike the Hardtop S, Mini could leave the well in the floor just like the base Clubman

Thanks for finding that out. It has been one of those nagging questions I've had since last fall. I'm also wondering if all the tires that come with the Clubmans are run flats. I know I have the performance tires with the 17-inch wheels on my ClubbyS, but it seems that from all I've read all the tires are runflats too.

Also wondering if you can buy the compact spare and the hold-down bolt and plate as an aftermarket from a tire company or do they have to be MINI parts.

Yes.. 16, 17 and 18 OEM are runflat...

Here you can see the space for the spare tyre...

I saw that also when looking at the clubby over the weekend. However, the Cooper I looked at with 16" runflats also had a spare tire....
If you do decide to carry a spare in the S, I beleive that the 15" spare that comes with the cooper will not fit on the front of the Clubman S because the brakes are too large, so if you get a flat on the front, you put the spare on the back, then move the back to the front.

I'm guessing this is why MINI cheaped out and didn't include a spare in the S. I still think it's LAME LAME LAME, though.

Lame.

That isn't the exact reason. With very few exceptions, the standard practice across BMW (including MINI) is to equip all vehicles with runflats and not provide spares. The non-S Cooper has 15" wheels as standard but runflat tires are not available in 15" size, so they provided a spare with Coopers (not removed if the wheels are upgraded).

If you prefer a spare, how about purchasing a 16" "run flat" tire? Will it fit in the tire well of an "S"?

No, it won't. The spare is one of those small temporary wheels/tires, not a full sized 15" wheel/tire. A stock 15" wheel/tire won't fit, so a stock 16" won't fit, either.

Whether the spare fits over the front brakes or not, it is always best to put the space-saver spare on the rear in a front wheel drive car.

Why would front wheel be any different than rear wheel drive?

Because the wheels both steer and power the car. Keep the temporary spare on a back wheel if at all possible.

where do i get the small spare and wheel and what is the cost.. plus wrench and jack and wheel chalk...

When it's time to replace the 16" tires on my ClubmanS, I'll likely use NON-runflats and buy a donut. The lovely space is awaiting the donut.
For now, towels, micro rags and spray bottles are in that special, 2nd sub floor level.

I have been carrying ever since I had 6 flats in my MCS, when that was gone I took it out and it stays in the basement of the clubman. I have tried real tires of diffrent sizes to no avail. The doughnut is the only one that fits.

Runflats are ok, but there needs to be a backup, for the backup. I work nights, and live forty miles from work. There is no fixing or replacing a runflat in the middle of the night, yes, you can run on it, but not for long.
Go for the bucks, the safety factor and peace of mind is worth the $150.
I guess I have said enough.........happy motoring all

So here's an idea for the after market guys...a de-mountable rack to carry a full size tire/wheel on the right rear door of the Clubman. For traveling purposes it would be great...who cares about around town, I can call BMW Assist.

Minifini ( http://www.minifini.com/ ) already has one that mounts to their SportLink system for non clubman models and they are working on getting a SportLink designed for the Clubman. Hopefully the will come up with something for this purpose to attach and make the barn doors usable. Now that someone else is interested as well i will send them an e-mail asking them about it. hollycross maybe you should send them an e-mail as well.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried rack mounting a spare tire. Yakima has a device specifically designed for bolting a tire onto one of their racks. Not sure about Thule. For long trips this seems like a pretty good solution. I'm worried about being out in the middle of the Arizona desert or along the California coast sans a spare real tire.

I've got a Clubman S with the standard runflats. I regularly drive long distance trips over weekends and want a spare... old fashioned I guess.

From reading the boards, only a spacesaver "donut" tire will fit.... right? I've always had trucks etc with "real" spares. Is the donut tire about the same as the runflat in that you can't go fast or far on it? Esp as you'd have three pretty different tires on the rest of the car?

From what i was told by the dealer the other problem you will have is that the donut spare does not fit over the front brake caliper. so you will have to transfer a rear tire to the front if you get a flat on the front.

But yes the Donut tire also have a speed an distance limit. I am not sure what they are though.

So if a flat runflat (that just sounds odd ) and a donut both have speed/distance limits that are about the same, then blowout is the only thing that makes it worth having the donut? Is that right?

In other words, you wouldn't take off the flat runflat just to put on the donut would you?

Our clubman will not arrive until October, but I have purchased a Civic spare from the 2004 and it is supposed to fit fine. We will be replacing our stock rims/run flats pretty quickly when we get the car.

My Justa Clubman with 16 " runflats came with the spare, which I've removed for saving weight and have used the space with a first aid kit, and a blanket and a spare dog food bowl for watering my Boston Terrier, Gromit. When the runflats are gone, the spare goes back in as I buy regular tires, hoping to soften up the feel of the ride a bit.

i've been thinking about this too... my current thought is that once the runflats are ready to be replaced, to replace them with normal tires and buy a donut spare.

whilst the runflat concept is good - it worries me that if i do get a flat, they aren't repairable. You have to buy a new runflat - and they're expensive. Over here they're about 3-4 times the price of a normal tire.

At least with normal tires, a flat (providing it's not a blow-out) can be repaired for like $30.

How to remove the foam tray without breaking it I try for over 30 minutes and still didn't come out

You have to remove the top loading surface (the one that folds to get to the 2nd compartment area). To do that you need to pull it towards you (while it is folded), then pull up to get it off. After that remove the 2nd compartment covering the tire well. Next you can get the foam inserts out easily.