As the title says, I'm a few weeks away from a drive to south bend to have new tires put on the bridgespokes (still haven't picked a tire or even a size yet.....)

I'll be getting rid of the runflats. I use the car for a few long trips every year (dragon, florida, you name it). I'll need some sort of plug/patch kit and a compressor just in case I end up with an emergency situation on the side of a freeway. (which would suck...)

for those of you without runflats, what do you carry in the car in case of a flat?

(also, someone tell me whether to put 205/50-16s, 205/55-16s, or 215/50-16s on my non-lowered car.)

 

All of those tire sizes will work fine, I use 205 55 16 for the Winter and the ride is nice even over some rough pavement, 205 50 16 is a bit better if you will Track DE or Autocross, of if you do any type of canyon running. 215 50 16 there is not as may choices available in that size and prices are a bit higher.
As for what to carry in the trunk. I have 2 bottles of slim, 2 pumps and also a tire plug kit that i actually used on my daughter car Saturday and it worked great. But to be honest I had a sidewall blow out back in August about a mile from the house, no kit or pump was going to fix it. So I now carry a full size Runflat spare 195 55 16 behind the rear seat. It is strapped in, and I loose the rear parcel shelf, but its worth it to know i am covered incase I get a flat.

 

I use the Slime Powerspair Kit -- it has everything you need if one kit and the compressor has adequate volume to inflate a tire reasonably quick.

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-Powerspa...8068252&sr=1-5

 

So this is a newbie comment/question concerning this same issue so forgive me in advance...

My MINI has a spare tire attached underneath the back. Isn't this an option for any MINI owner? If not, why? This whole spare tire thing has kinda confused me a bit. I understand that run flat owners don't get a spare tire but couldn't one be purchased and then attached under like on my MCC? Yes, no?

I know I am missing something here....???

 

No -- The S models have a different exhaust configuration and there is no well for the spare -- they normally come with runflats.

 

This is interesting. What does the 'slime' do to the tire pressure monitoring system sensors?

 

I've thought of that, but when we take trips it is usually the four of us, so we need all the luggage space we can get. I did have the idea of getting the roof rack and mounting a spare on the roof for vacations!

 

got this the ContiComfortKit. its great and has pretty much all u need in small package... http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/...tinental&ID=38

 

Go to Slime.com and choose FAQ then choose "My vehicle has a TPMS device; can I use SLiME?"


http://www.slime.com/faq.html#answer_1111

 

cool. slime kit looks like the solution!

 

FWIW, I avoid slime type products - just the idea of covering the entire inside of my tire in order to plug a hole seems wrong.
I carry a traditional plug kit, but the dynaplug has received good reviews here.

As for a compressor, I just picked up a cheap one at Target which I've used for years for track days, etc.

 

I carry Dyna Plugs and my air compressor is from Griots garage. Part number 10299, $59.99. It's the best 12 volt compressor I've found. I have one in both of my cars.

Forget the slime. Some tire shops don't want to work on the tires if they find out they're full of slime.

 

Thanks! I figured I was missing some minor detail like that. This explains a lot for me actually. In another recent thread I asked some "new tire" questions and was still a bit perplexed after comparing similar questions in another tire thread/s and this is why. Yet another minor S vs Non S point that's not mentioned much. I thought I finally had them all.

Hijack over, sorry.

 

Here is one I got recently. Works better than most for its size.



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=96068

 

scottie
got this the ContiComfortKit. its great and has pretty much all u need in small package... http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/...tinental&ID=38
works for me
boxcars

 

MC = battery under the bonnet
MCS = battery in the boot

that's why the MCS comes with runflats.. helps with the weight distribution too.. you could maybe use a small racing battery in the trunk (loose a bit of space there to the side) remove the battery box and put a spare under there. i'd have to check out how the spare fits in the MC.

 

+
The only problem I have is my 03 does not have the rear cig plug, that would be handy!

 

I use the Slime kit with the compressor, and also keep a plug kit handy. If I can't plug it first, then I slime it...

 

depends what model year... the 07-up mcs has the battery under the hood.

 

thanks for the info everybody. i will be putting a plug kit in my 03 mcs and some slim as a last resort. i was told (by a guy in a tire shop) that slime wont work if you have pressure sensors. he also said they cost 50 dollars to replace. any comments feel free to educate me.

 

I'm selling my Dunlop Sport01 RunFlats and have a better ride with
the Goodyear F1-A/S tires. Love the ride and the better wet traction & adequate snow traction.
Looked for a compressor to use on the MINI, Taurus, & minivan_bought the Viair 300p and it's and awesome compressor with 25ft hose, guage, case,
& nozzles for pool floats. The line of Viair compressors is sooo handy to keep your tires at peak especially since your Low Profile 45 & 40 tires drop 5-8psi
with a temp drop of 25F. I added the Dynaplugs for when I can pull the nail/steel piece in the tire.
You can keep a can of Fix-a-flat to save your butt without a compressor bu you risk messing up the pressure sensors. I prefer to keep the Viair as it's the quickest compressor and it is durable. The smaller 70, 80, & 90P models plug into your lighter socket but I prefer the battery clamped 300P I got as it won't blow any lighter fuses. Be sure to run the engine as you won't run the battery down and the comrpessor works in 1/2 the time.
Nice thing about the Viair compressors is you can maintain the tire pressure in all your auto, recreation, and mower tires+blow up pool rafts.

 

+1 on the Viair compressors. Mine is their 00073 70P. By far the best 12 volt compressor I've used, out of many. Quiet and fast. Sure, you can buy cheaper models, but most of those aren't really up to the task if you need to fill a completely empty tire.

It is powerful, and will blow the fuse provided in some cars' wimpy power ports that are supplied these days, but the specs on the late-model MINI's say it can handle it. I've had no problems.

Some complain about the screw-on valve, but those quick release types usually fail eventually. The screw on/off is reliable and loses only a tiny amount of air when releasing.

Others say their gauge isn't accurate. Maybe I was lucky, but mine is off only by ~1 lb. Once you know how far off it is you just adjust appropriately - no big deal. A quality pressure gauge costs too much to expect one on a product like this, anyway.

 

I got the 300P so I could use it for my mini-van & Taurus and it has the battery clamps_fool proof. The 70p does use the power socket and yes
MINI has a 20amp rating so your good to use the 14-17amp Viair New 65P, 85P, & 90P compressors. Some suppliers still have the 70P model...
I switched from the 100psi hose to the 65psi hose and the guage is dead on.
Auto-Anything has everything -20% now so you can get them discounted there but you may need to buy $150 total_I got some winter mats too...
OH, did I mention their designed in CA and a portion of the larger models are made there also..

 

Have any pics?