Got an S in November. Had to replace two runflats this week. I said hell no! $500 a piece is not worth it to me. So I got Kumho Ecsta AST's for it and now I need a spare. Does a donut spare fit in an S? Is the bolt pattern 4 x 100? Do I have to worry about backspacing? Thanks in advance...

 

I'm not the one to ask but I do know what donut spares have been used with the MCS. Try a search or post in the tires/wheels forum and I'm sure someone can tell you what ones will fit without mods. Many owners abandon the runflats and carry a tire plugger/pump also.
What in the world did you do to ruin 2 tires in one week anyway?

 

Get a doughnut spare here or find it used (hard to do):
http://new.minimania.com/web/item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm

CAUTION: if you have limited slip differential, do not place on front axel. Move retire to front and place spare on rear. Small OEM jack will lift both wheels on one side of auto simultanioulsy

Then get a very nice bag to keep it in:
http://njbaglady.com/

I have both of the things I suggested, although I got the wheel and the tire independently from one another.

Some 2005 info:
Tire Rack has the 115/70/15 Bridgestone for $75 plus shipping. call them at 877-522-8473 - I spoke to Eric at x 391

Classic Mini has the temporary spare rim available to NAM members for $34.20 plus shipping. Speak to Jason at 440-205-6404

 

I had bulges on the sidewall of one. I knew I'd have to replace it. Then I got a TMS symbol, so I took it to the dealership. I had a puncture on a different tire. Two tires one week.

Ok so there are some tires available, but will it fit in the trunk?

 

$500, whats that the dealer price, stock conti run flats that my S came with are like $135 at tirerack. You can also get tire/wheel insurance through your dealer that wasn't that bad.

 

Welcome to Canada... The land of the superprice. Even though our dollar is on par with yours, we get gouged when it comes to auto parts.

 

JudgeS, I shopped the replacement tires before buying an MCCS.
NEVER buy replacement tires from the dealer.
They're quoting $1200 to replace...the tires cost $135 as you noted.(plus about $100 to install, I'm sure, including the valve)

As for the Mini Dealer's tire insurance, it was quoted as $650 for four years of insurance.
When I replace the tires at a some Tire Store, I'll pay for their insurance.

 

Yea thats what I plan on doing, if and when I ever need to replace them. I laughed when they offered me the insurance and told me replacements cost $500 a pop., what a scam.

 

The donut off a Chevy Cobalt will fit the MCS. Check around, this might be a cheaper way to go.

 

I don't think the standard donus spare fits over the front brakes of the R56 so you need to put it on the back whether or not you have LSD.

I keep the spare behind one of the rear seats. get a ratched tie-down strap an dput it from the metal loop at one end of the boot, through the center of the spare and back to the other loop at the same end of the boot. It holds the spare solidly in place and still lets you push one of the back seats down. On the occasions where you need both back seats down, unclip the spare and drop it in the foot well behind the driver seat. I will never have runflats again and this works well for me.

 

This is a great thread.
I'm already considering NOT replacing the run-flats and my Mini is only a month old. I may buy regular All Season tires and a donut for my ClubmanS!

 

Hey--that bubbled tire should have been a TIRE company warranty item, even without the dealer's rip-off "insurance"!

 

Yeah the bubbled wall tire is long gone now, guess I should have thought about that. I was just so pissed at MINI I just got other tires without thinking about it. I will most likely buy a Cobalt rim and tire from a wrecker and put it behind the passenger seat.

Thanks all for the input.

 

I have an R56 w/ NRF's and carry a 2006 Cooper spare (purchased wheel & tire from the dealer parts for $300.) It fits snuggly behind the passenger seat and looks good in it's Bagwitch black fabric carry bag.
-It does clear over the front caliper (I have mounted it.) I have used the spare twice & was glad to have it in an EM!
-Be sure to check the air pressure monthly and keep at 60 psi (70psi max.)

 

Has anyone used ULTRIK MOBILITY KIT - COMPRESSOR, TIRE SEALANT AND BAG instead carrying a spare? http://new.minimania.com/web/AddedFr.../InvDetail.cfm

 

Could you take a picture to see how it looks? I'm wondering if it's going to hot the sides on turns or if it stays in place, I want to buy one and get normal tires when my MINI gets home

 

lots of 4 x 100 donuts from other cars fit over the S rear brakes. Just more a rear flat to the front and use a donut on the rear...which is what you should do on FWD cars anyway.

 

Sorry but unless I have another flat I'm not going to mount the spare again. I did drive 60 miles on the spare w/ no rubbing, noise or even pronounced steering differences (speeds up to 55mph.) I also have a Conti kit from tirerack w/ compresssor & goo. I carry them both but actually prefer the spare because it's so easy to change.

 

Sorry, I meant pics of the spare in the back of the back seats (trunk), to see how it looks..

 

If you don't mind the larger size and space requirements, Wally World will do it for about $25. I have used the compressor just to make sure I knew how (and IF) it works, and it inflates just perfectly. I wonder about this little one. But, as I say, mine is a lot larger--wish I could put it in the wheel well, instead of the side netting.

BTW, I also carry a puncture repair kit--the kind that has a bunch of rubber strips and an awl to install them. Costs just a couple of dollars. Hopefully I'll never need any of this stuff.

I also would like to see pictures of anyone's setup where the donut is restrained behind the seat. I don't want to give up trunk space, but would really feel better with something round. Heavy loose objects can become deadly missiles, though.

 

I use a Triple-A card. Fits nicely in my wallet.

 

True, but what does it DO for you? Drags you off the freeway shoulder, but you still have to deal with the flat. Do you always drive within a few miles of Discount Tire or whatever? Or close to home? Check your AAA tow limits, too--they might be as little as 1 mile, as a friend of mine found after he had an engine fire 80 miles from home and facing a $500 bill. (We towed him instead.)

 

I just replaced my RF's with non-RF's General UHP Exclaim's. The ride is noticeably better and much more compliant over rough pavement. I am carrying a compressor and a can of Fix-A-Flat $3.97. I installed the TPM sensors on the NRF's so if I do have a flat hopefully I will get a TPM warning before the tire is damaged. The compressor and Fix-A-Flat fit nicely under the driver seat.

 

My AAA Plus card will flat tow me anywhere I want within 100 miles. Anywhere east of the Mississippi, that will get me to a tire store. Out west, it might not be the solution.