Hi - I just took delivery of a beautiful spice orange MINI! The snow could start any day, and I am already looking for a wheel/snow tire package. Was not excited by options at TireRack (I had picked an option that came back 'Out of Stock' at checkout, left me a bit disappointed). I see a set of wheels / tires listed locally from a Clubman. Does anyone know if Clubman wheels will fit on a Cooper hardtop? Any reasons why I should not go down this path?
Thanks!
Abby

 

Yes, every MINI wheel will fit every MINI except the Countryman.

The bolt pattern is a 4x100mm.

The only thing you need to pay attention to is the model year the wheels came from. 01'-'06 '07-'10 and '11-'13 all have their own type of TPMS sensor that are not compatible with other model years. I may be wrong about the '01-'06 not being compatible with the '07-'10 but it would make sense. the '11-'13 are definitely not compatible with any older model years.

You can drive just fine with the TPMS warning on but it tends to be annoying to most drivers.

 

01-mid 07 don't have any TPMS, so aren't compatible with later MINIs.

 

Thank you both for the very helpful and quick replies, calforhelp and Btwyx! Just what I needed to know. I was wondering about the TPMS, so appreciate your adding in that info as well!
Best Regards,
Abikin

 

My pair of 06 Coopers had TPMS. I know because it used to annoy me when I got false warnings. And because we still have one of them.

 

MINIs through 2006 have "indirect" TPMS systems. This doesn't use a sensor inside the wheel like the later cars, but instead uses the ABS sensors. When it detects a wheel turning more slowly than the rest, it illuminates the dash light to alert you that you may have a flat or low tire. However, this system can't tell you that all of your tires are low, so all newer cars have the government-mandated in-wheel nanny sensors.

 

Oh, and if you're willing to put up with the TPMS light being lit up all winter, you can use snow tires mounted on wheels that don't have TPMS sensors.

 

Ok... but the statement that the first gen's had no TPMS is false.

 

They have a TPMS system but no TPMS sensors, which causes confusion. In any case, wheels from a first-gen car won't have TPMS sensors in them, which I believe is what the original statement was intended to mean. However, I suppose that the later-year R52s must have them, since they were made through 2008, but I have no experience with them. And the wheels themselves are "compatible" as long as 14mm lug bolts will fit through their mounting holes, you'll just end up with a light on the dashboard while you're using them.

 

It didn't, go check the manual.

You have "Flat Tire Monitor". The TPMS actually monitors the pressure, the ABS version in the earlier one didn't monitor the pressure, but could sense a flat tire


No, its entirely correct.

And it wasn't a generational thing, it was introduced in mid 07 on the hardtop in the US, so we have a 2nd gen with no TPMS (only FTM). I'd guess the convertables (sill 1st gen) got it at the same time. I'm pretty sure it was not introduced in some other markets at the same time. I'm pretty sure I've driven a UK spec later model than that with only FTM.

ETA: Further evidence of it not monitoring pressure is the note in the mnaual "nor does it detect the gradual and minor loss of pres- sure in all four tires.". You could drive on 4 flat tires and it wouldn't notice.

 

For the OP - what model do you have? If you have an S, you'll need 16" or larger wheels to clear the front brakes. Said wheels can come from an S or a Cooper. If you have a Cooper, any other MINI wheels should be fine.

 

Semantics. It worked differently but it was still called TPMS by MINI. They didn't call it FTM.

 

I checked the manual, both online and in person, go check yours. Its called FTM. If you look up tire pressure monitoring, it tells you to go see FTM. MINIs didn't have TPMS until it was mandated in the US.

 

This is silly.

1. Whenever I order tires for my 06, websites ask "with or without TPMS option"

2. Whenever I changed tires, MINI reset my TPMS.

3. Do a search on this forum under the first Gen forums for "TPMS" and you will find 153 threads.

So it worked differently and the technical name was FTM. But it was commonly called TPMS just like the current system.

Want to waste any more time on this?

 

Doing a search of the entire board, I find 2 mentions of TPMS before 2006.

 

Maybe you aren't so good at searching.

And owners of first gens stopped talking about their cars before 2006??

 

Thanks! I do have just the regular, non-'S' model. Good to know, thanks for the help.

I didn't mean to start a whole food fight here! Who knew this was so complicated.

 

Don't apologize for starting something fun !

 

Just my two cents...

2005 MCS has Flat Tire Monitor. Did a search thru the .pdf manual and TPMS never came up. Here are pics directly from the manual and a pic of the original window sticker. All say FTM. Sorry if it comes out small, working from a phone here.

 

AFAIK all 1st gen used the same wheel speed sensors as the ABS and DSC and would detect if one wheel was turning slower than the rest. Thats what my 06 has...

 

Thanks to all for your help in getting my winter wheels and tires! Now that I have them, I'm almost afraid to ask. My next question - but I guess I'll go ahead and give a few folks a good chuckle. There was snow in the air all day today so I need to get going!

I know nothing about TPMS. The wheels I bought were shipped with old tires on them, which I will remove and replace with the snow tires. Is there any external indication that would allow me to know if there are TPMS sensors on these wheels? And, can I take these wheels and tires anywhere to be mounted? I live in the boondocks, and there is a tire shop out here, and a number of national and local chains have shops in the nearest town. Nearest MINI dealer is about a 2-hour drive. Any advice much appreciated!


Abby

 

The external indicator of FTM is a rubber valve stem.
The external indicator of TPMS is a metal valve stem.

All bets are off if they are aftermarket valve stems unless the seller knows for sure.

Yes any quality shop can mount and balance the tires.

Hope this helps...

 

Aaah - the tell tale valve stem :-)
Thanks! This is perfect, everything I needed to know.
The valves are rubber in the wheels. So, now I just need to decide whether to buy sensors or adjust to the yellow light.

Thanks so much!
Abby