Now that I've ditched my runflats and heavy wheels (what a difference!), I'm looking for a compact spare tire/wheel for longer trips. Any advice where I might find a good deal on one? I understand it's a 115/70R15 tire on a 15x3.5 inch rim with 35mm offset. Is that correct? Anyone have the Mini part numbers? Anyone have advice on what not to buy? Thanks. G.

 

this is an oem part on std coopers,and you SHOULD be able to get one at any dealer.I got mine at MINI of Peabody in N. Mass.. www.miniofpeabody.com

I think they get $285 .don't forget a lug wrench and jack too, Jock

 

I've been looking for a spacesaver spare also for my non-runflats, at least for long drives. Around town, seems like a few cans of fixoflat will be ok. My understanding is that the spare for the Cooper is 115/70-15, and costs new over $200 at the dealer. Doing some calculations, this size spare tire would be about 1.3 inches smaller in tire overall height than a stock Cooper tire. It would be about 2 inches shorter in height than a stock MCS tire (195/55-16).
It must be ok to run spares smaller than the tires they are temporarily replacing (I'm assuming). I would put spares only on the rears anyway.
I might check out the local wrecker yards for a spare from a '95-'98 Jetta/Golf. I was checking my son's spare in the Jetta, it is 4x100, a 125/80-15, with a perfect centerbore fitting the MCS rear hub. It calculates out to 1.3 inches shorter than a MCS stock tire. I've heard a 2000 Civic spare is 125/70-15, which should be ok too, about 0.5 inches shorter than the VW spare. I hope to pick up a spare from a VW Jetta or Honda Civic at a wreckers, maybe around $20-$40, if lucky also get a jack and tools tool. Then I'd be all set ! Will keep y'all informed.