MINI Cooper owner finds the solution for run-flat tire problem

By Horatiu Boeriu. Read Bio
January 23rd, 2010 | Others | 56 comments

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Regular tires vs. run-flat tires…..what a heated discussion this has been in the past few years and one of the ongoing topics here at BMWBLOG. Clearly after 70 comments left, majority of you favor the regular tires with the ol’ good spare sitting in the trunk.

Or…attached to the trunk?

Our friend Kamil over at CarGuyDad spotted recently an….let’s just say for now, interesting MINI Cooper. Nothing out of ordinary until now, right? Wait, we’re not there yet. What really makes this MINI so special in the spare tire attached to its trunk. YES, you read it right, no typo this time.

Before we will give some a speech on the advantages of a run-flat tire and of course, the cons, let’s see what CarGuyDad had to say about this.

Another issue on many new cars, such as the Mini Cooper, is simply the lack of proper space for a spare-tire. That however clearly did not stop the owner of the above Mini Cooper S. Looking closely you will notice that the spare tire tilts down on a Jeep Wrangler-like-carrier/contraption to allow access to the tailgate. Problem solved! And in a classy way might I add, as the exterior spare tires gives Mini an even more retro look which is that of a car from 1920’s to the 1950’s. Bravo, Real [Short] Man of Genius from Massachusetts! Today We Salute You, Mr. “I have Nothing to Overcompensate for!”

Quite ingenious, huh? Or was it a simple protest to the lack of a spare tire as a standard feature?

Here are some disadvantages of using run-flat tires, cons that turn into pros of using a regular tire:

The run-flat tires (RFT) can usually not be repaired in the case of a puncture, so instead of a simple puncture costing $20, you’ve got to replace the whole tire.
RFTs can malfunction, defeating their intended purpose to begin with, or be damaged in such a way that getting the typical 150mi@50mph is no longer possible.
Run-flats are more expensive to buy, more expensive to install and offer poorer performance.
Lifespan is half of that of normal (even with regular monitor of pressures).
Costs 50% more than normal tires on average.
The ride is more uncomfortable, especially if you have 17″ upwards.
Increase the running costs of ownership. Normally a tire lasts you a good average of 50,000 miles (80,000 km).
Not all tire shops have RFT
Unpleasant ownership as you always have to worry about getting a puncture and always hoping that the warning does not appear.

Reasons to use run-flat tires

It is dangerous to stop on any road to change a tyre, especially on a motorway or at night.
There is no need to have to wait for a breakdown service to arrive.
Safety and security of the driver and passenger(s) is maintained.
Alloy wheels are difficult to detach from steel hubs.
On most cars the spare is under the contents of the boot, and uses boot space.
It can be tricky to line up the wheel bolt holes with the hub screw holes and match the thread.
The dirty punctured tyre needs to be removed and stored in the boot.
Another puncture before the punctured tyre is mended means one is stranded.
A driver can continue for 150 miles at 50mph with a punctured Run-flat tyre.

Tags: funny, run-flat tires, tires, winter tires Email Print 56 comments

Rose

I have a mini cooper d clubman with run flat tyres. Apart from being a bit noisy, I would like to know how they perform against a normal tyre in snow, rain & dry conditions ? thanks.
Bill

How can i find one of these rear tire carriers! PLEASE!

Tan

Me too!!! Anyone know??

Archi

I’m 61 and my previously owned 2004 Mini Cooper s is my first sports car ever. The car is a lot of fun, yes, but in my ignorance, I was not aware that there is no spare in the car. The runflats are due for replacement, and I hate the ride they give, so like so many of us I am faced with mounting conventional tires and hoping I never have a blowout. My solution is to buy one replacement air pressure sensor (approx. $90) and stow a can of Fix-Flat in the car. Anybody got a better solution?

Jdljm

The tire does swing down but the boot hatch swings up.
Check out the Mini-Fini site here for this product:
http://www.minifini.com/Shop.aspx
You can watch a video of it in action here:
http://www.youtube.com/minilinksystem#p/a/u/2/ysq8S7gVzbw
Focushere

go to wal-mart and buy one of those cheap tire compressors that plug into the cigarette lighter (less than 20 bucks) and a tire plug kit with a good set of needle nose pliers and keep it a gym bag with your fix a flat and your good to go. if you have low pressure sensors you can check for puntures quickly and repair them with the plug kit before too much damage occurs. I have elimintated the need to change a flat because of this method for years.

Lori

How do they open the trunk with the tire mounted on the rear??

Tan

I guess the tyre hangs down and the trunk opens downwards.

Tan

Hi,
I knew nothing about the RFT until I bought my mini (second hand) and the BMW dealer told me over the phone after my car’s 1st service (55000kms) that all 4 tyres needed replacing. So in love with my car and not knowing anything about tyres, I did exactly what he told me and agreed to 4 new run flat tyres……. When I paid the invoice and nearly had a heart attack plus maxing out my credit card all at the same time (just over AUD$2500 for just the tyres and AUD$1500 for service), I managed to get the breath I needed to ask why the tyres cost so much, he told me they were needed for this vehicle as they are specialist tyres blah blah blah….. Since then the dealers price is no cheaper and I have shopped around to find that RFT can cost as low as $189ea this includes the balancing, fitting and tubeless valves. This is AUD$756 for all 4 RF tyres.
I have made great use of my RFT as I have unfortunately had to drive around for the past 7 months with a puncture in one of the rear tyres, couldn’t afford to replace it until now as I have just found the above prices. So apart from the annoyance of having to check the pressure 1 or 2 times a week (when the warning sensor goes off) I really think the RFT are a good thing for small car and Mini owners where a spare is not available in your time of need, or you are unable to afford new tyres right away or not in a position to change the spare for a little while. For what I drive RFT are suitable and easier, there is nothing wrong with regular tyres at all, I think it depends on the situation of your vehicle.

Tan

Oh I should add that I have just had my 2nd service for the Mini and again the dealer advised I needed new tyres for AUD$2400. Ha hahaha. I told him I’d look into it and let him know…
Kj Strach

Hi tan, i currently find myself in the same situation as yourself however have told BMW they can think again about replacing them. i also live in Australia(Brisbane) however have called around and the best i can get for a single tire is $480. would love to know where you got your $189 quote from ?

Cheers
Kierin.

Jill

Run flat tyres in Australia: (195/55R16 87V……..go for 87V as opposed to 87H – it’s somewhat cheaper!!)
Pirelli (Bob Jane T-Marts $315)
Bridgestone (Bob Jane 226ea)
I was quoted $443 ea from Auto Classic in Perth and was lead to believe that they were the only place to get tyres for my mini…..I’ve had a win by looking elsewhere.

eduardo milieris

I own a 2006 Mini S . The ride is uncomfortable on NYC bad streets and it is time to change them. Can I change the tires without having to change the wheels? Any recommendations for regular tires?
http://www.tyrebaydirect.com wheel balancer

Based on my experience,run flat tyres can be an emergency help to still drive at a lower speed,enough to go home or nearest shop to fix your problem.On the other hand,it may seriously damage your tyres which cost more.
eduardo milieris

Everybody has a different opinion on changing to regular tires. The messages I left at my dealership ( MINI of Manhattan ) were ignored and unanswered , not even the courtesy of returning the call after buying a 30K car from them . I am TIRED of the rough ride on the RFT’s . any tire expert can recommend a brand and model number to change for my 16”’s? thank you .

Ron Mapes

On my Cooper S I replaced the rims with aftermarkets one inch smaller and replaced with a radial sized to compensate for rolling diameter. Keep a can of Fix-a-Flat handy. So far so good.

Jim

This whole discussion is somewhat absurd for several reasons. First of all, let’s consider the likelihood of a blowout using either one of the tires mentioned (run flat vs regular radials). I’ve had steel belted radial tires on every single vehicle/sports car that I’ve owned since 1972, starting with a 1965 Austin Healey 3000. Never have I experienced a blowout. Leaking air pressure is another thing, largely due to alloy rims which are notorious for this. The Mini was outfitted with RF’s only because there is no room for a spare. The Mini S also has very low profile tires…45′s. Add the alloy rims and the chance of damaging the tires or the rims from contact with curbs is much higher. What’s truly insulting is the cost of replacing either of these things. I would recommend going to standard radials of a slightly larger size…55′s, to achieve a much better ride and then buy a AAA membership. Chances are pretty good that you won’t have to use it and you’ve saved what looks like a substantial amount of money.

Traci

I have had a blowout in a runflat, running around 75mph , hit a major pot hole in interstate 95. Scared the h*ll out of me but the car stayed on the road. I got home driving a bit gingerly for the 15 miles or so.

However, this is the 2nd time in a year that I’ve damaged a runflat *and* bent the wheel hitting potholes. The first time was when I was driving the car home after purchasing it! The repair bills for buying rims/tires is getting way too costly. I’ve just ordered 4 new non-runflats and new wheels for just a little more than what I would have paid for one tire.
Jill

…what you say is pertinant to the driving conditions your mini is subjected to. I wouldn’t get anything else other than RFT’s. We live in the country and drive on isolated gravel roads where there is no AAA membership available. Mini’s came with RFT’s for a reason & it’s not only the lack of boot space….they’re for people who would rather not risk the AAA (our RAC) being 500km away or who drive in conditions where punctures are more likely to occur.

Jill

Oh…and by the way, if you look carefully under the mini, there is actually a space allocated for a spare tyre should you go down this pathway.

RFT Replacer

Yes there is. I have a 2006 Mini and it came with a full RFT spare! However, Mini was very prudent in providing this as I used it my first year of owing the vehicle. When I realized the costliness of replacing an RFT, I purchased a tire and wheel guarantee warranty. However, now that I know I can replace RFT for conventional tires, I will be doing so as the price and annoyance is more costly than pulling over for a few minutes and changing the tire.

Bill

Jim is exactly correct. Blowouts are very rare, regardless, even if YOU DO have run-flat tires, if you don’t find a tire dealer who can match YOUR tires within 50 miles after a run-flat puncture, you’re still out of luck anyway. My experience has been that run-flats are special order. My solution was to buy a smooth riding tire, 215/40R17XL Capital Sport, and keep a can of Fix-A-Flat in the trunk. My rims don’t have low pressure sensors, so there’s no harm done if I have to use it and, unless the damage is a total blow out, I’m good. I have AAA road service, so I think I’m pretty well covered. All that being said, my ’04 “S” is for sale.

mags

I have barely ever had a flat in my life. I had my first within three months of owning my 2010 mini with the run flat tires AND it cost me close to 700 bucks at the BMW dealership in Edmonton. I was choked! But as I was on vacation, no choice but to pay the bill. Now one year later I have another flat which they patched and it has taken the BMW dealership 3 weeks to get a run flat tire. I am done with these run flats. I live in BC and am planning on buying a set of standard tires when I am in the states next month

http://www.cardvdplayerdirect.co.uk car dvd player

Some run-flat tires have a 20% higher rolling resistance, in part due to their added structural material and mass.Sometimes it helps especially if the repair shop was a bit far.Just to go there and have your tires fix,run flat tyres can be an initial resolution.
Shaz

Hi
I have a mini cooper s. When I was driving on the motorway yesterday the yellow tyre pressure symbol came on. so i pulled in to the services to check pressure and filled up accordingly. However the light is still flashing what can i do to reset it.

Your advice would be much appreciated.

thanks

miss cooper

Shaz it must be the full moon, the exact same thing happened to me on the same day. Also need response on how to re=set.
Otterpmpkn

Know this is probably a little late to help you out but you need to fill the tire and then reset the gauge. For my 2004 MINI S the reset button is under the parking brake. Turn the car off, turn the key only until all of the warning light come on or so you can listen to the radio, push the rest button for about 10 seconds until the light goes off. Sometimes it takes until I restart the car for the light to go off.

eduardo milieris

You can follow the instructions in the manual. If it doesn’t work, take it to the dealer like I had to do. It was a defect , and the button was stuck.

Terrence Greene

can I ask how much they charged you to unstick it ?? mine came on 2 days ago and also appears to be stuck was wondering if i can fix it myself(06 r53)Thanks Terry

Shaz

Hi Miss Cooper

I found the answer. If you have the mini cooper 04 plate or similar look under your handbrake. There is a button with the same tyre pressure symbol on it that comes on on the dash board. Make sure your tyres are at the right pressure then turn your ignition key to the 2nd position not fully that the engine comes on then hold the button under the handbrake for about 1 min until the tyre pressure light on the dashboard stops flashing and is just lit. Once this happens turn off your ignition and start it again and miraculously the light will have gone off. Hope it works for you.

Shaz
Katie

Hi All,

I have a 2008 Mini Cooper S and have been debating what to do with this runflat issue. I finally decided that its just not worth the money to me to purchase new runflats. However when I took the car to a tire place to have them replaced, for some reason my tire pressure light is still on. I know above Shaz explained the trick for and 04. But does anyone know the trick for an 08′?

Thanks!
Katie
Andrew Littleford

What are the best prices for runflats in Melbourne that people have found. I am being quoted $379 each for Pirelli’s. The sensor on the front failed to go off and I now have to replace my tyre on each side at the front. Can i run runflats on the back and non-runflats on the front. Does anyone have any suggestions for good non-runflats to run on the mini ?
Steve Winterton

1. Start the engine but do not start driving.
2. Briefly press the button in the turn indicator lever repeatedly until “SET/INFO” is displayed.
3. Press and hold the button until the display changes.
4. Briefly press the button repeatedly until the corresponding symbol and “RESET” are displayed.
5. Press and hold the button until the display changes.
6. Start driving.
Vince

Good discussion here. What about these aftermarket spares? Are they hard to mount underneath. Will they fit on a convertible? I’m not putting more runflats on this MINI. They are noisy, ride rough, lower gas mileage, way too expensive, and questionably better.
http://www.qims.com.au/BMWM6 Philip TALBOT

I replaced the run flats on my wife’s Mini Cooper S with Yokahamas and it was the best thing I ever did – better ride, quieter ride, better handling. Visit http://www.qims.com.au/BMWM6 to learn more and see what dramas I had with the rft on my M6
EDUARDO MILIERIS

finally I put 4 new continental conti pro contact ( non run flat) , and I am very happy with the change. Hopefully this will help somebody and save hours of research .I paid 150 each all included.
Stuts

Save hyour breath(s). A web site MimiMania.com sells a spare tire kit that will fit in MOST mini’s spare wheel well. They also have the styrofoam insert to replace the original. Expensive, but it gives me peace of mind, and I will NEVER have to deal with RF’s again. Stuts
Karen

I had two new Goodyear run flats on my 2002 Mini Cooper two years ago and have done about 15k miles on them and they are in desperate need of replacing. Tread nearly down to legal limit!!!!! Is this a reasonable amount of time for the tires to last, bearing in mind they cost me just over £100 each I would have thought they would last a lot longer. Should I consider reverting to normal tyres? The back tyres are still like new and have been on the car since I bought it over two years ago!
Drew

Why not just put tyre sealant in normal tyres? That’s what I do in Malta!
philip

can you put 205 17 55 on a cooper s instead of the 205 45 17 run flat looking 4 abetter ride would the 55 rub or change the speedo
eddie

Replaced my 2006 Cooper RSC (Run-flat Self Contained) tyres with Falken Ze-912 195/55R16. Immediately experienced a much confortable ride – lesser noise and much smoother (not bumpy).
Gordon Powell

to phillips, take a look at this website http://www.alloywheels.com/tyrecalc.asp will answer your query

chers
Steve

I had a Mini S 06, if you rotate the tires every 6k, the run flats will last longer!
You can drive over 50 miles with R/F, in fact I drove 500 miles, the inner part of the tire
went bald, lucky the wheel stayed on. The light indicator failed.
Direct Tire, has excellent prices for the R/F’s. Safety is the only reason to keep them!
emmy

looks like the spare tire is mounted on a tow hitch, kinda like a bike carrier on a hitch. pretty cool…a truly space saver.
Rami

I got a question, When you guys replaced your runflats with radials, what did u guys do about the sensors that come along with the runflats?
Traci

I replaced the runflats that came on my 2009 Clubman S with non – runflats, and I had the TPMS taken off of the original wheels and mounted on the new ones. Other people have just put regular valve stems in, and that works fine, but the light stays on in the dashboard and I didn’t want to look at it all the time, or cover it with electrical tape like I read one person did.

I did not realize until today that the TPMS is attached to the wheels and not the tires. So, unless you are replacing your wheels, you should not have to buy them again.
Kate

I’m on my second mini, 2 friends also have a 2011 mini. We are all very proud that we each only had to replace one tire this winter. Last winter I had to replace all 4 tires. This is my last mini.
Rodonisle

Wife is never going to change ANY tire – that is why we have an AAA membership and cell phones. The RFT are not needed for her, don’t last and are uncomfortable on such a short wheeled car – and I can fix regular punctures without paying anyone.
Jcluz08

After realizing the 2012 Minis did not include a spare but only run-flats, I canceled my order for a 2012 convertible. Having had run-flats on my 2005 Mini I spent $1K on four replacements in 2009. Then $1K between 2006-2008. It seems they’re more fragile than regular tires.

Once I replaced the run-flats with regular tires the ride has been smoother, gas mileage better, and I haven’t had any flat tires or road emergencies. I would never go back to run-flats for those reasons. I don’t understand why Mini is locking their customers into run-flats when they have a shoddy reputation. I love this rack. Where can I get one so I can re-place my 2012 convertible order!?
Jcluz08

Does anyone know how much something like this affects the gas mileage? Thanks in advance for your feedback: http://bit.ly/rbhELL
Jcluz08

I just created a group on Facebook regarding the return of the spare tire option. Hoping to get Mini to provide a spare tire option in future models, as the 2012′s only ride on run-flat tires. http://on.fb.me/p2kX9d
Astanyer

Hello everyone, I hope someone can help me out there…..I have a mini Cooper s 2008 sidewalk and are looking to replace my two front tyres …. They are 205 45 17 RF ….. Can I change these to normal tyres and keep my two remaining RFs on the rear of the car or should I pay the extra and have RFs on my front wheels …… By the way I have done a lot of running and ringing around in Brisbane and these RFs are costly and u have to wait at least 48-72hrs to get them ….. Help would be appreciated …. Andy S
Mikeinlaca

Never a run flat again. The darn thing went FLAT. So much for run flat. Price? 3 times a real tire. $450 to replace. The night my run flat ran flat the only tire dealer open did not have any. Had to stay over night in a motel till the expensive replacement arrived. I now have regular Bridgestones.