Last weekend I was on my way to NH and I was getting on the on ramp when I nailed a pothole in the middle of the road. It was at least a foot deep and I didn't see it until it was too late.

I ended up with a bent 17inch rim and lost the tire pressure of the run flat.

I am wondering if I should get the rim straightened, replace it, replace all the wheels with 16 inch rims....

So i am stuck and wanted to see if anyone else had experienced a similar situation and what did you end up doing.

 

Replace it. Unless its a very rare custom wheel, chances are you can pick up a spare for less money than fixing it on E-bay.

Was it a stock wheel?

Rumor is the stock 17" wheels are soft... then again, you hit a moon crater right?

 

Hey Dan,

Here are some on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200949564188

I thought about just replacing it, but considered fixing it.

Thanks for the suggestion

Maximilien

 

Replace.

Which wheel?

 

It's the drivers side front wheel.

 

I think pmsummer was asking the wheel style/brand.?

 

Ahhhh, and now I feel like a dork...forgive the literal moment. I believe they are called the R98 Web-Spoke Design 2-Piece Light Alloy Wheels.

 

Nice wheels (they came on my R55, and will go back on this 'winter'). Worth simply replacing the one. I recently saw a 3-wheel set for sale pretty reasonably.

 

I had a very similar experience this spring on the way back from the Dragon. Hit a pot hole on the Illinois Interstate at around 70. Blew the front tire (and bent the rim) and bent the rim on the rear tire. We were not running run flats but were carrying a space saver.

What was amazing was that the Mini barely swerved. I credit the 17" wheels for part of that. My wife eased it to the shoulder and we replaced the tire. Meanwhile an Audi hit the same pot hole and ended up way on the grass. He had to be towed.

It's your life. When you hit a rim that hard, for me it is a no brainer to replace the wheel. Our little experience cost us just under $1,000 (2 wheels, one tire). Deductible was $500 on auto insurance but I was reluctant to submit a claim. There was no time for eBay. That car is a daily driver.

Some day I'll tell you what it was like to drive 150 miles on a space saver with drivers blowing by you at 80. But we did get home. That wouldn't have happened with a run flat and no space saver.

-t

 

FWIW, that wheel is about $325 new at the dealer... I'd replace it.

 

If you need a local intermediary, I bet we can find one. FedEx ships for about $35 each.

Not mine. No association.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/3944017771.html

 

That is an awesome deal and thanks for the great find. I just sent him a note asking if he would be willing to send them (at my cost) to Boston. If they don't want to send I might ask for some help.

Thanks for your help!

 

I hope it works out. The MINI club in the Dallas area is VERY active, and I bet a local helper can be found. I about 300 miles away, but I am a member of the club.

 

Quick question for all of you: should I stick with 17s or go with 16s for New England driving? With the crappy state of the roads around Boston, I am hesitant to go with anything low profile. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

I converted from 17" wheels and RFs to 16" and all season tires. Much, much softer ride!

 

Thanks for the suggestion! I think that would be the best direction for me to go in....these roads suck to no end.

 

This is what happened to me:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...18s-again.html

At the end of it all, i still have my set after having to pay $700 to replace the rim from the dealer. I filed a claim through the city and they basically gave me the finger.

Long story short (and my advice), you can fix the rim, but don't expect it to have the same structural integrity as a new wheel. Bend a steel bar back and forth a few times and while you can bend it back the way it was, bend it some more and it will snap in half.