Hi all,
I'm new to owning my Mini and I basically want a little bit of advice about the tyres. I've had my 2004 Cooper for about a week and had to get one of the front tyres replaced today due to a puncture. While my car was in the garage, they noticed my back tyres are standard ones not run-flat. According to the mechanic in the garage, it was illegal for the car dealer to sell me the car like this, and if I get into an accident etc my insurance company will not honour a claim because of these back wheels. Is this true? The mechanic seemed OK, but obviously it's in his interest to sell me more tyres. The used dealer I bought the car from never mentioned any of this to me, and it's my first ever car so I don't really know about any of this stuff. (Just to clarify, the front wheels are run-flat)
So yeah, if anyone could help to clear this up, that would be great! :)

You should really check with your insurance company regarding their policy regarding replacing run flats with conventional tires.

Mixing tire types is NOT recommended.

If the car came standard with runflats then the insurance company would want to know if they have been changed as some will void the policy, not just because there mixed but just as there not standard fit.

Different insurance companys have different opinions, but best be safe not sorry....

Hi all,
I'm new to owning my Mini and I basically want a little bit of advice about the tyres. I've had my 2004 Cooper for about a week and had to get one of the front tyres replaced today due to a puncture. While my car was in the garage, they noticed my back tyres are standard ones not run-flat. According to the mechanic in the garage, it was illegal for the car dealer to sell me the car like this, and if I get into an accident etc my insurance company will not honour a claim because of these back wheels. Is this true? The mechanic seemed OK, but obviously it's in his interest to sell me more tyres. The used dealer I bought the car from never mentioned any of this to me, and it's my first ever car so I don't really know about any of this stuff. (Just to clarify, the front wheels are run-flat)
So yeah, if anyone could help to clear this up, that would be great! :)

There's no reason you can't run both, and RUN FLATS CAN BE REPAIRED LIKE ANY CONVENTIONAL TYRE REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANY TYRE DEALER TELLS YOU, THERE A TYRE DEALERS DREAM AND CON' TRICK TO SELL YOU TYRES. I've run an "S" on non run flats for over 3 years plus a can of tyre weld :D never used:)

There's no reason you can't run both, and RUN FLATS CAN BE REPAIRED LIKE ANY CONVENTIONAL TYRE REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANY TYRE DEALER TELLS YOU, THERE A TYRE DEALERS DREAM AND CON' TRICK TO SELL YOU TYRES. I've run an "S" on non run flats for over 3 years plus a can of tyre weld :D never used:)

Eggman, what you say is very true, apart from the fact that the insurance companies will not accept it. ( unless you have told them, and they have agreed, and it is noted on your policy )

if you have an accident and need to claim, anything non standard, especially tyres, give the insurance company the right to not pay up, and you could find yourself in really deep s***.

especially if injuries occur.

Iain

ps and the tyres are the very first thing insurance company/police, etc will examine.

the characteristics of both tyres are different...

RUN FLATS CAN BE REPAIRED LIKE ANY CONVENTIONAL TYRE REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANY TYRE DEALER TELLS YOU
Unless they've been driven too many miles miles with zero air pressure, in which case the integrity of the sidewall may be compromised. This is why many shops refuse to repair them.

Unless they've been driven too many miles miles with zero air pressure, in which case the integrity of the sidewall may be compromised. This is why many shops refuse to repair them.

How far do they know you've driven it:confused: Only an inspection of the tyre will tell if it can be repaired, most dealers just won't bother so they can sell a new one, women get caught the most;)

They don't know how far you've driven it thats why they dont want to repair them, they earn money from doing the tyre repairs not just by selling new tyres..tyre repair money probably goes straight in there back pocket, no tax etc...so they arent all going to refuse a repair but it isn't advisable

Eggman, what you say is very true, apart from the fact that the insurance companies will not accept it. ( unless you have told them, and they have agreed, and it is noted on your policy )

if you have an accident and need to claim, anything non standard, especially tyres, give the insurance company the right to not pay up, and you could find yourself in really deep s***.

especially if injuries occur.

Iain

ps and the tyres are the very first thing insurance company/police, etc will examine.

Police will only look at condition, Insurance, all Zurich were intrested in was performance enhancments nothing else. Charged me 50 quid extra and there were a lot on a R53.

Thats not all true, you have to tell your insurance company everything that wasnt standard, I've had to tell mine about window tints and that it had a chilli pack. I spoke to them when I purchased the car, anything that is added from standard is reported as if you do make a claim it is covered, as you know a mini can cost alot more when you start adding extras...this may not void your insurance in most of the cases, but tires do, as I wanted to change my runflats to standard but to do this I would have to find a new insurance company willing to cover that..as its a big no no from my insurance company..

Police will check for tyre condition and sizes, just to make sure they are legal.. insurance companys look for any reason not to pay out..

They don't know how far you've driven it thats why they dont want to repair them ...
Right ... they're just covering their butts (on liability issues) ;)

what advantage is there to run flats other than not having to carry a spare tire on a s coop

safer when driving, wont blow out, having a blow out on a front wheel can be scarry I imagine......