I hope I'm not just a big dummy, but I cannot get the space saver tire re-mounted underneath the trunk. It will not come through the hole far enough to get the clips on to it. This does not even begin with my problems on raising the car with the jack. The jacking bracket snapped off and the jack put two big scratches in my passenger door. Dealer says it was not a factory defect and will not cover. So much for all the promises the dealer made about customer service. They're all the same.....lots of promises until they get you out the door. :angry:

Photos here may help?
http://www.mini2.com/forum/wheels-tyres-brakes/190458-how-retrofit-spacesaver-spare-wheel.html

In case you still have this problem, I may have the solution for you.

The trick is to ensure the space-saver tire is properly seated on the plastic bracket before attempting to lift into on the underside of the car with the long plastic attachment handle. If the space-saver tyre is insufficiently seated onto the plastic bracket, it is impossible to pull the central pillar sufficiently far up into the boot of the car for it to click into place. Try wiggling the tyre to see if you can sit more deeply onto the plastic bracket before you try reattaching it to the underside of the car once again.

I had this exact issue today when I was doing my regular safety inspection of my space-saver tyre.