Now that the snow is melting in the Northeast USA (and other places), you may discover incredible damage to our road surfaces. Here in Brooklyn, New York, a moon-crater of a pothole on Hamilton Ave. near the BQE and Battery Tunnel rendered my MINI Cooper S with 17" S-Lites running on Pirelli Euphori@ run-flats undriveable after a horrifying "collision" with the pothole. It had just gotten dark and I was travelling at a city speed of about 30 mph.

After a preliminary estimate from my dealer, ALL FOUR S-Lite alloys were bent and require replacement. On top of that, two of the four tires sustained severe damage, as the run flat sidewalls split open upon impact. Including an alignment job, the damage will run about $2500. All from a pothole!

I hate to say it, but New York City MINI drivers may be wise to consider 16" or even 15" wheels to soften the blow on major "road surface hazards." Infatuated with the "big-wheel" look and feel, I'll stick with a 17" brutal ride, and try to memorize road craters.

 

Many years ago a friend hit such a pothole with his Honda CRX. Not only did it wreck the wheel, but bent suspension parts. After years of trying to get the city to pay for the damage, he got a check for about $10.

 

Isn't Brookly like the worst place in the world to drive!!!!!!!!!? I don't know which is worse, the potholes that were created by the elements, or the ones that city workers make when fixing water lines and such, but NEVER SEEM TO CLEAN UP! And the BQE in general, now that's a hole other story.

I am currently very invovled with this exact debate, 15inchers or 16 inchers…15 or 16…15 or16…I can't decide!

 

I am well versed in the treachery of frost-heave and other post-winter wonderfuls occuring to Detroit roadways

Yes, I do memorize potholes, I have also learned to read the road very carefully. I think the MINI is great for avoiding just about all the of the obstacles with its' excellent handling.

My MCS on order will have White 17 S-Lites with Pirelli eufori's. With a staggering 3.6 inches

_________________
Wisdom is not a function of age, but a function of experience.
*Keeper of the CWFAC list*

 

>>Isn't Brookly like the worst place in the world to drive!!!!!!!!!? I don't know which is worse, the potholes that were created by the elements, or the ones that city workers make when fixing water lines and such, but NEVER SEEM TO CLEAN UP! And the BQE in general, now that's a hole other story.
>>
>>I am currently very invovled with this exact debate, 15inchers or 16 inchers…15 or 16…15 or16…I can't decide!

If I were you I'd go with the 16 or 17's... I went with the 17s and I've been pretty happy. Though if you want a slightly softer ride go with the 16s. I personally like the feel of the 17s but I like to feel the road when I drive.
-Chris

 

I narrowly dodged a 5'L 3'W 1'D patch of missing road today! Luckily the road was nearly empty, I swerved into the turning lane and back. The guy behind me in his rental Sebring wasn't so quick. He fell in and scraped front and rear all at about 30mph! Wow you shoulda' seen/heard it bounce and drag over that pit! There were no cones, signs, or metal top plate anywhere in sight. Later, on the way home, it was a small speedbump of freshly thrown asphalt.

 

I HATE when the Road Commission shovels too much asphalt into a hole, and then they don't manicure it at all, leaving a big pile of SUCK, spraying everyone's cars with tar :evil:

Narf!
Ryan

 

>>Isn't Brookly like the worst place in the world to drive!!!!!!!!!?

Yes. A couple of years ago I lost a wheel and tire to one under the BQE. My choices were going up the curb and hit a steel column, or crashing into a fellow motorist in the next lane. I picked the pothole from Hell.

Another tore out the front supension and oil pan on Ocean Parkway.

But they were far from tragic circumstances.....they were both company cars! And I plan to leave the MINI home when I venture to Brooklyn in the Winter and early Spring in, of course, another company car!

Stay vigilant Brooklynites, it's a great place to live! :smile: