I picked up my new MCS Friday. Later, as I inspected the boot contents, I was surprised to find a tidy package containing a sissors jack. I'm wondering what purpose that serves since the MCS has 17" run-flats and no spare.

Did anyone else get a jack with their run-flats? I'm wondering if I should have gotten a tool kit instead.

Thought I'd ask before I contacted the dealer.

 

I don't know why but at least I don't have to buy a jack to rotate the tyres I guess. I would like to have the rear power outlet more and jacks are relatively inexpensive.

 

Yeah, I got one. (shrug)

It was nice to have when I changed the sway bar.

Why do we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway?

Why is Greenland called so when it's covered with ice? Why is Iceland called so when it's green?

-Jim

 

Another funny thing about the MINI...when you jack it up, the whole side goes off the ground :smile:

 

I would only use the MINI jack (which I didn't get on my 2002 pre-spec) for emergencies. For anything else, get yourself a good floor jack and some jackstands. You can get a 3 ton jack with jack stands at Sears for about $100.

 

For some reason, it seems like they started putting jacks in the 2003 S's. I have a late build 2002 and didn't get a jack...but would have wanted one for doing basic tire changes (e.g., winter change-overs). It's interesting to see that they're really providing the jack now as it seems that this was sort of hit-and-miss for the first 2003's.

 

Why do we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway?

Why is Greenland called so when it's covered with ice? Why is Iceland called so when it's green?

Also.....

If you wear a dinner jacket when you have dinner, and wear a smoking jacket while you're smoking, and a dressing gown when you get dressed... then what's a wind breaker for?

OK I see the jack would be handy for rotating the tires if I wanted to do that more often the the scheduled service calls for.

Thanks.

 

>>OK I see the jack would be handy for rotating the tires if I wanted to do that more often the the scheduled service calls for.
>>
>>Thanks.

Ahhh, you're in TX. I guess you don't need to do seasonal tire changes down there. BTW, I agree with DID re. a floor jack being a better option. I suppose I'm only carping about the fact that you 2003 folks are getting something for "free" that I did not. Oh well, I have the rear power outlet and you don't. And boy is THAT a useful option

 

What!!!!
You mean I wont get the rear power outlet!!! I love that on my Cooper.

I wouldn't use a car jack except for an absolute emergencey. Get a floor jack and good jack stands

 

I got one in mine...August delivery. As you said don't really need it unless you just want to jack it up for fun if your not at home I use Rhino ramps and floor jack/stands at home. Only thig is mine isn't a sissors jack it's some weird kind of jack that sits on a angle and looks like its going to tip over and damage the car. So I say leave the Jack Off....the MINI

 

>>Why do we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway?
>>
>>Why is Greenland called so when it's covered with ice? Why is Iceland called so when it's green?
>>
>>Also.....
>>
>>If you wear a dinner jacket when you have dinner, and wear a smoking jacket while you're smoking, and a dressing gown when you get dressed... then what's a wind breaker for?
>>
>>OK I see the jack would be handy for rotating the tires if I wanted to do that more often the the scheduled service calls for.
>>
>>Thanks.

and..

Why does a 7-11 have locks on the doors if they are open 24x7?

 

Why do the build streets when no one is driving on that spot?

 

Must be standard in 2003. Mine is a 2002 MCS w/runflats and no jack.

 

Perhaps to assist loading heavier passengers?

Edit: See here before you go using jackstands. This one's important.

_________________
Jeff in ATL

 

Personally, I think the spare tire jack that comes with most cars should only be used in emergencies. Spend some money and get a floor jack and some jack stands. I would not trust my car on any jack that comes with the car unless it's an emergency.
-Chris

 

I have a May 2002 MCS and did NOT get a jack. i went to the dealer and bought one. I wanted to be able to use the jacking ports on the car with the jack that inserts into them. I use jack stands and a floor jack, but STILL like to have the OEM jack around my garage!!

 

I think the jack that comes with the MCS works quite well. One thing to note is that the jack/jackpoints are designed to work together. I have a floor jack in my garage, but still decided to use the MINI jack last night when I put my 15" Holeys (winter tires) on. No complaints. That kit is nice and tidy - jack, folding chock, and tire iron. Worked well.

Also, someone above mentioned that they thought they should be getting a tool kit with their MCS rather than a jack kit. Well, my MCS came with both. The toolkit is in the compartment on the left side of the boot, and the jack kit was strapped to the tie-down points in the boot.

 

Because it is unlikely that a jack without a spare tire is going to help me in a situation that I cannot get out of with the run-flats and a can of fix-a-flat, I have actually removed the jack from the boot and have placed a small foot pump in its place.

When filling a run-flat on 17" wheels, it takes about 15 pumps to add 1psi, and it is a small and reliable (MINI) tool that used to be included with the tool kit in some old land rovers. Funny that BMW gave us a useless jack instead of this little cool thing that would have been so perfectly "MINI".

~Andrew~

 

So that you might rotate the wheels to keep tyre wear even.

 

Oh well, I have the rear power outlet and you don't. And boy is THAT a useful option

The rear power outlet is handy for plugging in the electric tyre inflator after you wear out the run-flats and replace them with some nice sticky hi-Performance skins. A mobility kit containing a tyre plugging tool and a small compressor.

 

>>Why is Greenland called so when it's covered with ice? Why is Iceland called so when it's green?
>>
>>-Jim


Actually, the names were intentionally made this way to confuse the enemies of the Vikings. Kinda cool.

Frank

 

>>Also, someone above mentioned that they thought they should be getting a tool kit with their MCS rather than a jack kit. Well, my MCS came with both. The toolkit is in the compartment on the left side of the boot, and the jack kit was strapped to the tie-down points in the boot.

You can fit the jack kit into the compartment on the right side if you remove the chock out and then balance the jack on top of it.

I posted some pictures in my gallery on MINI2.

 

I have a MCS with 17" runflats, but I dont think that my mini came with a jack