Hello everyone,

2010 Cooper S owner here.

I had a strange appearing right before winter when I had to change my 17" runflats to winter tires. The winter runflats are 17" as well. I thought it was a normal sound since they were new tires but the sound lasted all winter long (I use my mini about once or twice a week).

When I put back on my summer tires, the sound was gone.

Today, I had to change my 17" summer runflats and the rims as well since they were completely destroyed (thanks to Montreal's potholes). I bought a new set of rims along with 17" non-runflat tires (after reading a couple of threads). Now I get the same sound again...

It sounds like multiple bubbles popping or water going down a drain sort of, and it comes from the center front of the car. Also the sound is only there when decelerating, not when accelerating.

Any idea what this could be?

 

check for any puddles under the car when you park.

You can also run the car in one place and look for leaking under the car.

Bubble sounds are not from your tire, it's likely from liquid. Could it be your coolant bubbling or leaking, Air conditioner dripping, other fluid? Check all fluid levels and all hoses.

 

Thanks for the reply but the question is, why would I only hear the sound with new tires?

But I'll check for the liquid tomorrow in case