Does the spare tire from the 06 mini cooper fit on the 2007 mcs? I want to switch to non-RF tires so I looking at a spare off an 2006 mc non-s

 

yes it does - I have the spare I used from my 02 in my 07

 

You've actually mounted it on an '07? The larger lug bolts aren't a problem?

 

Does the donut fit over the front calipers? The R56 has larger brakes than the R53.

 

Yup.. I'd be curious to see if it fits as well..

Might be worth a few minutes in the driveway jacking it up, dropping a wheel and seeing if the spare fits before the unlucky owner finds out when the tire goes flat out in the middle of BFE...

Aren't R53 lug nuts 12mm, and R56 lug nuts 14mm?... I seem to remember reading that somewhere..

 

Yes you are correct. If the donut was from a 2002 then yes it had 12mm lug bolts. The last few months of R53 production also used same 14mm lug bolts as the R56's do.

 

You guys have me worried! I bought a nice "S" '03 with Nitto 18" tires on JWC wheels. They are not runflats so I just bought a donut.

 

Just get one of these and don't worry about a spare...

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/...tkit/index.jsp

 

Speaking from the perspective of a fellow who has ripped the side out of a tire or two. Get a spare.

 

I'm using my R53 spare on my R56.
1.R53 spare bolts up to the R56 no problem. 12mm vs 14mm bolts still torque down nicely.
2. Front flat: May need to rotate good tire rear-to-front if you have a flat since the spare fits snug (marginal caliper clearence.) I have 2 jacks for extra stability & safety although you can jack the car up one on side using a single jack.
3. Spare will fit behind the front passenger seat & there are nifty cloth tote bags w/ handles for sale (mine has a Mini logo on it.)

Personally I like having the extra security of a real spare as opposed to the Conti kits (compressor & goo)
Good luck

 

If I wanted one, where can I get a donut tire for my MCS as well as the nifty tote bag.

 

-Tire tote bags at www.njbaglady.com (many to choose from.)
-Spare wheel & tire via your local Mini dealer parts department. Some are more willing to mount the tire for you (skinny tires are hard to mount.)
Good luck
PS Not cheap, all combined app. $300.

 

try asking around the local auto shops if they have a wrecked mini or something... I got a spare off one for pretty cheap

 

The spare fits perfectly behind the back seats. Get a rachet tie-down strap and hook into onto the cargo loop at the front edge of the storage area, throgh the hole in the spare and end on the cargo loop at the back corner. Ratchet it in tight and the spare is rock-solid. You can still push one seatback down for more storage. If you need to put the whole back seat down, unclip the spare and drop it behind the passenger seat.