While true, this is an exceeding rare type of tire failure, at least for most passenger cars that are not routinely driven around in construction sites. I've driven over a million miles in my career and have had perhaps ten flats (on both two wheels and four) and have never had an unrepairable failure such as this.

You can over-worry this stuff. The engine can fail too, so is it a "dangerous habit of driving" not to carry a spare engine and all the tools/equip to change out the engine? You make your choices and take your chances.

- Mark

 

I agree completely. It's a balancing act, and you have to plan your method of repair far in advance, based upon level of perceived risk and comfort. Some people may be content to wait as long as necessary for the roadside assistance tow-truck and/or tire-swap. Others may carry a spare or donut, with appropriate tools (jack, wrench, compressor, etc.). I suspect the vast majority of MINI drivers fall in the middle, and favor a minimalist approach, carrying nothing except maybe a can of Fix-a-flat and a prayer.

The side-wall puncture was only one example of damage that is not repairable to tires. Again, it comes down to driving style, and where you live. But until there is a pneumatic, re-inflating tire (James Bond style) becomes available, driving on the most damage-resistant RF available will trump not doing so.

 

I don't know where you could fit that! Good one.

After reading about slime or whatever plugging technique... even using a "spare"... all are meant as a temporary fix until you can get the tire repaired or replaced. I think that even RFs only allow for driving at a "limping" speed for a very limited amount of time. I would highly doubt that the average person using the slime or plug would be capable of doing anything permanent. (Notice I said "average" person... which includes me.)

One thing that I don't understand is why some people think that just because the warning light comes on that they have a "flat".

BTW, a couple of weeks ago I saw an old guy driving the coupe and he had a FULL SIZE wheel and tire mounted on the hatchback! I don't even know how he could see out the rear window... it was huge!

 

Umm, I am a complete nut, but this has occurred to me as a possible way to carry a spare. Did you happen to see how they had it mounted?

 

Actually, we were so excited and ready to wave that when we saw the tire we were just stunned. I don't know how it was attached but I think it was bolted on. We were going to U-turn and follow him to see but we decided not to. It was not pretty... just seemed so wrong. Sorry.

 

It's interesting to read about inflation time with the small compressors. In a pinch, I've inflated auto tires with a bicycle pump (a floor model with a "T" handle). My low profile RF's are actually fairly easy to fill by hand, takes about 40 pumps to get 5 psi in the low profile RF Dunlop, as opposed to 100+ pumps for 2-3 psi in a regular sized, non-RF tire (and 3 psi per pump for a bicycle tire). Yes, I've done this more than once, there are very few gas stations with operating air compressors near me.

I agree, tires are a matter of personal preference. I'm happy with the factory RF's, although I'd love to get a ride in a non-RF car to feel the difference.

 

All you folks that have fix-a-flat in there cars and intend on using it, be prepared to also replace the pressure sensor as well. There is no fix-a-flat that is sensor safe. I makes an absolute mess of the sensors.

 

Don't know about the Gen 2 cars, but there are no pressure sensors on the Gen 1 cars - abnormal tire pressure is inferred by changes in wheel speed.

But I agree with you that Fix-A-Flat makes an unholy mess.

- Mark

 

I experienced a flat on my Goodyear RFT's (4000 miles) last week. Low pressure monitor light came on and thought it was due to the cooler weather. But low and behold a big old nail in the left rear tire. Drove to the closest tire dealer and they repaired the flat by plugging it....no charge. So far the repaired tire seems to be doing fine. We'll see how it goes.

 

Gen 2 cars did not get the TPM (electronic metal valve stem pressure sensors) until after August 2007.

This was because of a US Federal Mandate for Tire Pressure Monitor and the older 'wheel speed' (ABS) system did not meet those requirements.

 

Fix-a-flat's still good for those emergencies where you are out in the middle of nowhere, dead of night, werewolves prowling, etc.

 

I agree and I carry it, but as a last, not first resort.

- Mark

 

Fix-a-flat is also reputed to make a mess of the inside of tires that tire shops wont deal with. However, Slime uses a water-soluble formula that can be washed out of the tire with water. So, repairs are easier. They also claim that Slime will not damage a TPMS sensor.

 

Thanks for posting this! Good info to have. Fortunately I have the slime. (And NonRFs of course.)

 

yeah ive heard of that.. some shop will tell you to get lost if you mention theres a bunch of 'fix-a-flat' in there. I think slime has some better press with tire shops these days

 

Just finished fixing my first flat on the original Dunlop RF's ('05 MCS) using a Dynaplug kit a few minutes ago. I've been listening to the "Flat Chime" for a couple of days but it handled ok so I ignored it until I had time to check it. First try I didn't roll the little black string-thing small enough before inserting into the applicator tube and it didn't work - my bad. Second try worked like a charm.

I rarely have flats, and they've all been nails, etc. This one was a drywall screw. Now that I know that the low-pressure sensor works, and how easy it is to fix it with the Dynaplug, I'll be going with non-RF's when I need them.

BTW, even though the car's an '05, it's only got 14k miles. I bought it last spring with ~7k, consequently it's still got the OEM tires.

 

Since everyone's on the discussion... I'll say that one of my first mods on any of my cars that come with RF's is to dump them. Always have....

Having said that, on my 3rd mini, I kept them. I travel a lot between FL and NC and 700 miles leaves a lot of open country at 4 in the morning.

About two months ago, I drove from NC to Roebling Road race track, drove the car with stock RF's for two days and drove back.

The car handled remarkably well, took an abuse and never showed any wear.

I'm sure a set of aftermarket tires would have handled better but for me, there's no way I'm putting nonRF's on the car.

My .02...

Mark

 

this has to be the one issue that causes me the most consternation of any mod. i like to be as self sufficient as possible. i don't like relying on roadside assistance. and i don't want a car halfway between nowhere and BFE with 3 tires that work. but i like performance. it's why i got the S. i think the answer lies in an above post that basically said "OEM RFs are not the best performing RFs". but at least i know there are plenty of OEM RFs available from you guys who get rid of them when you get new MINIs.

 

Mineola......maybe on a nice warm sunny day on a nice flat driveway, you could have a friend show you how to change a tire ....not really all that hard and could save you if you're stuck somewhere and your cell phone is in a dead area and you cannot call roadside assistance....really not hard.....really


no one here has mentioned getting a space-saver spare to put in the boot if you are going on a long trip,,,,,wouldn't that make sense?

 

Keeping the runflats would have caused me to sell the MINI, my kidneys hurt from the darn things. thankfully after reading this board I realized I could swap out the tyres and did so, best thing I ever did. I sold the Runflats to a kid who needed a set so that was my good deed. I love driving the car now that I don't have flintstone rock tyres to drive one.

My opinion of course, I worry about a flat but carry a can of fix a flat and don't drive hugely far from home.

peter

 

Hey there umberto... "miniola" here. Thank you for your concern and suggestion about changing a tire. I must say... I am amazed that this thread is still going on. I think there's at least more than one too.

I just checked out your gallery and saw the Dunkin Donuts shot... total New Englander! (Yeah, I'm originally from Maine so I can tease a little about that ). They've been harder to find around here until the past year or two and now they're showing up. Whenever I go to ME and NH I am amazed that they are EVERYWHERE! Like, you can see more than one at the same time in lots of places.

Ok, so back to the spare tire thing and changing one. I have never had the desire to learn how to change a tire so I haven't done it. I'm sure that I could figure it out if I absolutely had to. (I actually fixed some guy's VW Bug one night on the side of the road... it was a funny thing.)

I have been stranded on the very rural highways of Maine 2 times with various engine problems- once with a blown head gasket and another when a rod was thrown through the engine (no spare engines both times) and both before cell phones were around... or at least well before I had one. Both vehicles were POS and there was definitely NO roadside assistance... I had "Uncle Bob" though.

I have been stranded in the middle of nowhere on a logging road in a new Jeep and walked 12 miles in pitch black (like can't see your hand in front of your face pitch black) back to an area of cabins where there was no one. We broke into a cabin for shelter and in the morning we started walking again. It was Moose hunting season and we just happened to see some guys in a truck in an open area about 3 roads away (logging roads running parallel). I think we had a cell phone then but there was NO reception.

What happened there? Pretty fall leaves. Yup, I was creating a Jeep commercial picture for myself and I drove out onto a sandy beach area. I wanted to splash through a little water and my husband (who wasn't at the time) was going to get a picture. The sun angle and the colors were perfect... but then the 4x4 Jeep got stuck. Apparently the lake had just recently been drained some... so all that nice open beach area was too soggy. Had a spare tire... but again, it didn't matter. Winch would've been nice though! BTW- it was "his" idea to walk... insisting that the cabins were very close. I wanted to wait with the vehicle... maybe start a little fire... maybe honk the horn for long periods of time and hope that someone would hear us. I also thought we could get lots of sticks and stones to put under the tire that was most stuck and we could eventually get out. If we had stayed... we would have been bored enough to read the manual and see that you could use the floormats under the tire for getting out. (He still says no... but we agree to disagree.)

Anyway, I don't have a spare tire... just the slime kit and compressor. We've driven from Florida to Maine and back and have driven on the Blue Ridge Parkway (and other areas like that) more than once. I've driven to Alabama and Mississippi from Florida... taken multi day long road trips all around the state too.

Personally, I don't feel that it's such a crisis for me. I don't know... maybe it's my New England blood or maybe it's because I've been through things FAR worse than a flat tire. No one has to agree with me... and I am happy for all of those people that feel safer with RFs. My '05 MCSC had NRFs since shortly after we bought her. My '08 MCSC had RFs when we picked her up in Texas and drove her back to Florida. Basically these are both the same cars for comparison. The drive back was so rough. About 1200 miles of tramlining... hated it. The car felt squirrley to me and thankfully I didn't have any wet roads to deal with. Honestly, I thought this happened because the car was new and stiff. I made the husband change the wheels and tires over from my '05 to the '08 before we left for the NC road trip and it was such a dramatic difference... was like buttah! (So now the '05 has the stiffer squirrley ride... and it's definitely not because it's new.).

Just watched the movie "VACANCY" last night. Don't know if anyone else has seen it but... maybe it's better to just stay on main highways at night anyway! And watch out for raccoons.

 

Yep, I'll buy some nice rims and sticky tires, but I'll be the one rescuing her if a flat occurs. AAA doesn't work well in Italy....

Ciao,

Jeff

 

I carry the Wal-Mart air compressor. It only takes a couple of minutes to use it. Actually, I've used it many times and I find it quick and effective. I can't imagine not being able to make the cord reach. It reaches on my Nissan van easily.

I'll go non-RF once these are done. I have carried a compressor for years and have never had anything that I couldn't drive safely on for a few hours without airing up again, though I have had several leaks/punctures, repairable and non.

The bad thing about the MINI TPMS is that it is so dumb. It doesn't know which tire is bad, and it doesn't tell me how much pressure is in them. In the '04 van, the system can show you the actual pressure in every wheel any time you ask for it, or it will bring the display up with a warning if anything is below 30psi or something. That's on any '04 Nissan van. Why does MINI give us so little to go on?

Above comments about sensors being in Gen2 cars is incorrect. I have an '08 Gen 1 because it is a convertible. This is a post-August '07 issue, not a Gen 1 issue.

 

MINI doesn't give you the information because it sells it to you. The info is there, but it is only available with the NAV system (tells which tire is low).

 

I do not think runflats are bad thing. I think the lack of the spare tire is very, very, very, very bad. They must've provided one as a safety measure regardless of the OEM tire type.

What if you've got a nail during your vacation in a Death Valley or while crossing Mohave desert? I've been in both places. I wouldn't like to be in one's shoes with no spare in either event.

As for runflats by itself I can tell you my story. I was driving my car (not a Mini) with regular tires and a spare on a freeway. At some point I've heard like something has hit car's body. Hmm... sometimes this happens - a stone sticks in the tire and then releases... But this one was incredibly loud and unusual. So I keep driving but pay more attention. Very soon after that, sooner than anyone could've done anything I realize there's some vibration just like in case the road surface has changed to a rough one... But that was not the case... Hm... now I better reach the curb and see what's up. So I use my turn signal and start changing lanes carefully one by one. I was in the middle of the freeway when I felt like something has exploded in the back. I was scared instantly, paralyzed by the explosion sound for a moment, glimpsed in the rear view mirror and saw a *huge* dense white cloud after my car. At the same moment car suddenly started changing driving direction. The speed was still very high. I was lucky I do autocross sometimes so I managed to take the control over myself, the car and again with almost no drama, steadily slowed down using just right amount of steering and engine corrections with almost no using the brakes... Left the car and saw that just almost nothing is left out of my left rear tire. I mean nothing. Just some thin leftovers right on rims (i have a photo), but no protector whatsoever, no even signs of it. And it smelled really bad.

So I think:

1. I was happy I do autocross as inexperienced driver would've easily lost the control over the car making the situation even worse and get into the skid at highway speed.

2. I was lucky the highway was almost empty so I had enough space around to settle the car and not hit anybody. Drivers behing me also had anough time to react.

3. I was lucky it was not the front tire. Otherwise #1 and #2 would not help.

4. *Run flat tire has better chance to withstand such a damage so the driver has more time to stop*. This is the reason why I think run flats ARE SAFER. But even this should not be a reason to supply not a spare. Also, in case whatever broke my tire was big enough even runflat could be destroyed, so...

5. I was in the middle of nowhere indeed and was handling my spare dohnut just like it was my very desired precious christmass gift, reinfalted one to recommended pressure, cleaned out from dust... i was even talking to it.

For sure, I also checked the pressure in the remaining three wheels and visually inspected them.

I then was able to drive *a lot* of miles on a gohnut by the way. I was on a tough schedule that day. I haven't missed anything. Just lost 15 minutes I was able to recover. And I kept using the spare for one more week on a short commute while waiting for the tire to be shipped (*no local shops had that brand and model and this is a regular tire*), and eventually replaced the tire at the time convenient for me.

This would not be the case with MCS... I do not beleive tire shops in the middle of nowhere carried *any* runflats. So I'd have to crawl to one of them (in case there was one within reach and open) and be forced to install just whatever they had to just be able to keep driving (and waste some money). I'd lost time and screwed my schedule that day. But then I would have to search for the correct replacement tire again (and pay big money this second time), wait, and loose time again at another appointment. What a nghtmare.

So I really think I will try to find a way to have a spare dognut. I do not like the idea of using trunk space though.