I just purchased 2008 Cooper S with runflats. Don't really like the ride and wanted to swap them this summer. Not sure if I will be getting all-seasons or summer and winter sets. In any case, what to do about spare? Are some of you going without and taking your chances, or are you taking up that small area known as the boot with a spare?

 

I'm much happier having ditched my run flats on my 07 MCS -- I hated them. I bought a set of Blizzaks, and had them mounted on my 17" factory wheels. All season radials are no substitute for winter tires.

Then, I ordered a set of Michelin Pilot Exaltos mounted on 16" wheels. Great high performance summer tires, a much nicer ride, and curb rash eliminated. Handling remains great. Love 'em.

I carry an air pump and a bottle of flat sealer "goo" purely as insurance. When I get a flat, I do just what I did with the run-flats: get it fixed asap.

What's not to like?

 

I also got rid of the runflats, and have been happy with my decision. As for a spare, I don't carry one, and I simply rely on AAA to take care of me if I get a flat.

 

My setup, which I employed even whilst on run-flats, is as follows:

1. Air compressor, 12V, craftsman. There are a few good options for these.
2. A dyna-plug kit
3. A small tool kit including pliers and screwdrivers for removing impinging objects from the tire tread
4. A bottle of slime (this is the water-soluable stuff that doesn't damage TPMS)

For motoring outside of 100mi radius, I carry my full size, matched, spare in the boot.

 

I replaced my runflats with Bridgestone Potenza RE-01Rs.... the ride is hardly better, but much, much, much quieter. The bumps are still bumpy, although slightly less so. The noise is what is different with the Bridgestones. Grip is outstanding, however!

 

Here are some more answers:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-cooper-s.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-reviews.html

I've seen lots of people saying they think a donut from a civic 2000 and later work, but no one ever says yes, they have one, have used it and know it fits.

 

yeah, plug and fix kits are nice untill you get a nasty cut rather than a nail or you run over something that rips your sidewall

 

Why does MINI put such crappy run flat tires on it's cars??????

 

Sooth.

AAA or BMW 1-800 Roadside Assistance, as the case may be.

 

where can I find 17" steelies with the same lug pattern??? I would like to get one and just place it in the boot.

 

Um, if that happened to your runflat, you'd be out of luck as well. They aren't indestructible!

 

Love it, that's what I told my ex-wife to do when it came time to replace the runflats on her Lexus SC430 . . . "you have AAA . . . you have cell phone . . . what's the issue?"

 

I like to drive small mountain roads a lot of the time no cell service, we have air and slime but, peace of mind- run-flats.

 

I, too, ditched the runflats and I'm happy that I did. I've got blizzacks for the winter and Goodyear gs-d3 for the summer. My wife drives the car and is very nervous about no spare. So, I carry one of the tires not being used.
One thing I would highly recommend is to buy a set of MINI wheels for your second set of tires. They are easy to find either on NAM or e-Bay. Believe me you will not regret getting a second set of MINI wheels.