One of my tires has a slash in it...looks like someone took a knife to it, but was too dumb to even slash a tire correctly. It's not very deep, about 3 inches long from the side to the top of the tire. My TPMS has not made any noise, and I drove about 50 miles home on it without any issues.

I called MINI...they have the tire in stock for 169$ (195/55/16 Conti All Season Runflats, yeah I know I need to invest in some non-runflats). They want 100$ to mount it, so after tax I'm looking at around $300 to replace 1 tire. Should I go ahead and do this, or wait and see if my TPMS has any problems? I'm trying to get an appointment scheduled for them to at least look at it. I'm not positive it needs to be replaced...is there any chance something like this can just be patched up? I have the worst luck with tires, and I was very excited to be driving around with 4 of the same brand (don't ask) tires with the same amount of mileage on them all. Are there any issues I should be aware from driving on one new tire with 3 used (12k miles) tires?

My second issue is that I have 12k miles on my MINI without any service being done. No oil-change or anything. When the hell can I bring this thing in for an oil-change?? My countdown is at 9,000...how is that possible? I got this back in May, so I am not eligible for the one-year oil change. I know I can pay for one...but isn't it over $100? That's insane. I've avoided doing it myself because I don't have a garage and probably do not have the necessary tools, but I'll go ahead and get them if I have to wait another 9k miles for MINI to do it.

Any thoughts on any of this? I'm on a tight budget, and the last thing I need right now is a $300 new tire and a $100+ oil change...

 

I would recommend you get a new tire or tires. I am assuming the slash is in the sidewall and this is not repairable. As the tire flexes as it rotates, the slash will grow deeper and if large enough, it could give out quickly. You can find 4 non-runflats for $400-$500 or maybe less.

Regarding the oil change, you either wait for the mileage or one year for Mini to pay for the oil change. You should be able to get the oil changed at non-dealers for much less than $100. Mine went from 4000 miles remaining to needing service in 1000 miles. Do not know why so you should get the service in less miles.

Since your budget is tight, I would review the for sale items on NAM , find a used runflat for $100 or less, take the tire to a non-dealer to get it mounted for $50 or less, and then spend $50 getting the oil changed at a non-dealer.

 

How deep is it? I wouldn't worry I have off-roaded my whole life and had tired get cuts in them from rocks and they never blew out. A tire can get a slice in it and be completely fine I had one in my truck tire from the time it was new until it got replaced from being worn out.

 

Well my advice would be to wait until the monitor goes off. If your car is wearing run flatz why not just use them for what they are meant for. Use what you payed $$$ 4.

 

There are a gazillion threads on NAM (use the search function) regarding oil change intervals, which oil is preferable, oil change methodology, etc. but the vast majority of owners agree that the intervals MINI specifies are considerably too long, and amount essentially to a marketing device. Evidence to date suggests that the R56 S, in particular, is quite hard on oil because of high turbo temperatures. Analyses have shown significant degradation in oil characteristics after about 6K miles on the MCS. 6K is the oil change interval I use, and many others similarly change at a milaege which approximates this figure. If your car is new, and the oil has never been changed, I would recommend you change it immediately, as the break-in process leaves a considerable quantitiy of microscopic metalic shavings in suspension in the oil, and it is highly recommended that the break-in oil be drained to eliminate this debris. Many owners change oil immediately following the breakin - ie, at 1200 miles. While there are some MINI owners who will insouciantly stick to the MINI-recommended oil change intervals, I think it is safe to say that the large majority of owners (especially those who are technically knowledgable) are adamant in adhering to a much more frequent oil change schedule. Strongly recommend you change your break-in oil now, and then read up on the NAM literature so you can decide what oil change interval is comfortable for you going forward. Enjoy your MINI, keep its engine clean and happy with fresh oil.

 

That is because most of the people on NAM have not lived in Europe where you pay 25 Euro (30 dollars when I was there) a liter for oil. The american change it every 5K would quickly change. Most upper end synthetic oils can go the distance and that has been proven over and over. The mentality is what hasn't changed. Either way it is not that big of a deal to change it here as we get cheap oil.

On the tires, check a local shop instead of a dealer for this. You will pay a lot less to get the same thing.

 

I had my father look at the tire. You can see the steel belt in the gash...it is pretty deep in his opinion. I honestly am not quite sure how runflats work, and how serious it is to be able to see the steel belt.

He is also under the impression that because of the length and jagged pattern, that this was not a knife...so that makes me feel a bit better in the meantime. Although, this is in the rear driver's side tire, and there is nothing wrong with the front tire...

 

In my opinion, you should change the tire. If you have 12K miles on the tires already, you should change them in pairs. I would go to a tire shop to get this done. They are quite a bit cheaper. Go to tirerack.com and look under the installation tab for someone near you. There are prices and ratings there as well. Remember to put the new tires in the back, provided the fronts are still good. Please, lots of thread on this so we do not have to start a new one if someone disagrees with me on this. Just look at the tire manufacturers web sites.

If you want to go to Non RFT, this is the time to do it. You did not mention how much thread is in the other tires.

If you had your car for one year or more, you can try to request a free oil change from the dealer. They may do it. If you want to keep your car for at least 5 years, it is preferable to get one anyway. If you do it yourself, it is about $35, perhaps a little less.

 

Thanks slinger...I called a local shop through Tirerack...tire+mounting for $180. What a huge difference...

I'm just going to replace one tire for now...and maybe when summer rolls around, I'll have the funds to ditch the runflats for a decent tire. I commute 100 miles a day, so I might be due for new tires by then anyway.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=52

there you go.

 

Did they tell you why it would cost $100?! I had some tires drop-shipped to NTB by Tire Rack, and I got all 4 mounted and balanced for that! I absolutely agree that you should replace it if it has that much mileage and the cut is that deep. Whether or not to go with RF or non-RF depends on your luck as a gambler. My MINI is most often locally driven, but I have taken 2 major trips on it--about 3,000 miles each time. I now have non-RF, partly because of noise/handling, etc, and partly because 20,000 miles wear is ridiculous!

As for the oil change, I would do it, but don't fall for the $100 here, either. Oil is one of the cheapest types of maintenance you can do, so unless you're on a lease, or are otherwise sure you won't be keeping the car for long, I'd keep it clean. My previous car (BMW 325i) was sold at 190,000 with no engine problems, but we used synthetic oil that was changed every 5,000 miles.

 

I'd check craigslist for some OEm wheels and tires... I got a set of 17's with non run flat tires that 0nly had 50 miles on them for $400 for the complete set. (no tpms on them )

 

Definitely get the tire replaced. Being able to see the steel is bad. Perhaps it is time to start the switch to non-runflats. I've had good luck with Discount Tire. You can also have tirerack.com ship tires to a tire place near you for installation. If you have a preferred tire place, get the tirerack price and ask them what it would cost to have the tires installed and balanced. I think that the most I've paid for mounting and balancing a tire is $25. It might have been $25 for four when buying the tires from them. I don't recall.

If you are more comfortable going to your dealer, ask if they can give you a better labor price for tire mounting and an oil change. The $100 might just be their minimum service fee.

My count-down service odometer reading has been stuck on 9,000 mile for several thousand miles. My car is 1.5 years old. Changed my own oil twice and had the dealer annual change once. Still haven't had the first real "service." I now see how MINI can afford to offer free service for the first three years.

The DIY oil change isn't hard. IIRC, you need a 27mm socket (or 1-1/16"), and a T50 torx or 8mm Allen wrench (you can get them to fit socket wrenches). Some MINIs seem to take the torx and others the Allen.

If you have an MCS you will also need an 8mm socket, and a fairly long extension for the socket wrench.

A torque wrench is useful for getting things tighened just right. It is also necessary if you want to rotate your tires yourself.