My 2-month old 2011 clubman has beeped on on for the 3rd time now about low pressure on the same tire (rear left).

I'm gonna take it to a tire shop soon, but I figured I get informed before I do, so I have some options.

If the tire is fixable, then i'm definitely keeping them. As enjoyable (or so i've read) regular tires are than runflats, I'd hate to trash 2-month-old tires.

If they're not fixable, would it be advisable to leave them as-is, and just continue inflating them? maybe i'd just get a portable compressor. I don't think the tire is totally damaged, since it still holds pressure, at worst case, it seems to only have a leak.

Lastly, if I do have to replace it, i figure I'd just replace the whole set, and go with regular tires. How would this affect my warranty? Will replacing the tires be a simple switch, or are any other modifications to care neccessary?

Can I get replacement suggestions for my current tires. (195/55 r16 Michelin Radial X). I don't know how tires are classified, so I simply wrote everything on my tires. I'm not looking for anything super-high end. Anything mid or high-mid range. I'm looking at costco and americastires.com they seem to go for 130-150 per tire, so around that would be good.

 

New car, new tire and rims....this is a dealer issue. Let them deal with it, fix and and you drive a loaner to do something else.

It could be a valve core needs a 1/4 turn, or the tire needs to be removed, etc.


Now, if there is a nail in them or you ran over a curb, there may be other issues and the dealer may be less useful.

 

For all yo know it could have been mounted with a tiny impfection in the bead/rim...
Let the dealer deal with it...unless there is physical dammage from the driver or road, the repair should be free. If they must plug/Patch it, it will cost you, but the savings potential is so great!!

 

in my experience the dealer says "tires are not our problem" 5 feet off the lot.Which complies completely with the factory warranty and the tire documention - UNLESS you bought an extra warranty on the tires from MINI.

Run flats are as repairable as any other tire.....but tire shops worry if you ran them flat which alters the equation.

 

i never even thought of the dealer being a part of the equation, but i guess it's worth a shot.

How does the whole warranty thing work? Does the "loaner" thing a per-dealer thing or a Mini thing? I ask because even though my deal does offer loaners, I wish to bring it another (closer) dealer for service. Can I get a loaner even if i didn't buy my car from them?

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also, what do you guys think of just continually putting air into the thing? is that feasable idea...or is that asking for trouble?

 

Could be a faulty valve stem. The 2011's have a newer style stem so who knows. Dealer would be my choice.

Tires are a very broad topic. Depends on your driving needs and style. While some brands may be great for high mileage index, they may lack handling while others may be better suited for drivers looking for comfortable ride.

Either way, not something you choose w/o some decent research.

Tire Rack has some great tires, and also some feedback from it's MINI customers if you do a Make/Mod specific search for Reviews. It's a good place to start.

 

i seem to drown of information on that site. i have absolutely 0 knowledge of tires, and information there seems to confuse me more than anything else.

I simply drive my car to work, in CA traffic/weather. Again, i'm not really looking for anything special, or personalized, just something that's a good deal, and something that doesn't suck.

Also want to go back on the issue of loaners. Is getting a loaner a function of my MINI warranty, or is that offered by each individual dealership? Basically, if I took my car to a different dealership other than where i purchased my car, would I be illegible for a loaner?

[ edit : nm on the second question, i found my answers ]