What are all my options for securing a spare tire *somewhere* to my 2011 Mini Cooper S? Are there aftermarket options for like a hatch bracket or something?

I have done some googling but not finding much to go on and not sure who to trust. I do not have runflats right now and just had my 2nd flat in a year...I'm a girl and I keep having creepy Discovery ID flashes of me getting broken down on the side of the road at night! (I have a vivid imagination).

Thanks!

 

You can use a compact spare tire and cover it with a cloth or plastic bag and keep it in the boot area. You can bungie cord or strap it down to the metal loops on the bottom of the boot.

A full size spare is not really needed unless you can get a wheel for cheap then put it on over the front brake caliper. Hence a 16" wheel may or may not fit the front wheel area. A 17" wheel would fit either front or rear wheel locations.

For a compact spare you might contact Way and Waymotorworks.com.

I don't know of any hatch bracket that is available but one could be fabricated if you fold down your rear seats and attach the bracket to the back of one of the seats.

Since you are getting flat tires you might want to invest in a set of runflats, there are some decent riding and not too expensive options. What size tires do you have now?

 

Wow! Thank you for the information! Yeah, next time I get tires, I am thinking of going back to the runflats. My wheels are the 17" wheels. would a 16" spare work? or do those only work on the back b/c of the brake set up? It's just a regular Mini Cooper S, not a JCW. Not sure if that matters.

 

OK, with your MINI you can purchase a plain 16x6.5" steel wheel from tirerack.com like this one:


It will fit on both front and rear wheel locations and can be used as a general spare in case of flat tire, but you will need a jack and tools if you want to do the repair on the road. Better to get AAA membership and call for aid, the two truck driver will do the wheel swap for you on the spot when called.

If you do get the 16" wheel then any tire that is of stock tire diameter will work, a less expensive basic all season tire is fine such as:
Fusion Touring (Grand Touring All Season tire) $58 each, 400 treadwear in 195/55-16
Or General Altimax HP for $72 each, 440 treadwear
Or Kumho Ecsta PA31 for $75 each, 500 treadwear

If you order this spare wheel and tire from tirerack try calling Alex at extension 4294 and he can help you. The tire will be mounted and balanced on the wheel then shipped to you. You can cover it with a fabric bag you can make yourself or just a cloth or plastic bag is fine. A compact spare is another option but you should only drive on it sparingly if used whereas a full spare is fully functional and will handle better than the narrow compact spare.

Looking at OEM runflat sizes in 205/45-17 to fit 17" wheels you have 19 to select from at tirerack:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...ting=S&tab=All

Of these, Bridgestone DriveGuard (Grand Touring All Season tire) for $151 each, 460 treadwear is well priced and a good general street tire choice for any weather.

 

Just in case you get a tire that is of different overall diameter from yours, only use it on the rear or you will cause problems with the transaxle that powers the front. If you experience a flat front tire and use a spare of different size then you'll have to put one of the rears onto the front, and the spare on the rear. If you stick with the same overall outer diameter as your current tires then no problem.

 

You could trade your "S" for a "Justa" and have a spare...