Hello Guys,

My other half bought a 57 Clubman a couple of months ago, and the car has always felt a little skittish (she has complained about it quite a bit.)

The other day I drove the car and she is quite right, it really does feel horrible to drive, worse than horrible - scary, especially at higher speeds.

The car pulls to the left constantly, and when going over sharp bumps feels like it's jerking sideways (to the right), trying to snatch the wheel from your hands.

We took it into a garage today, and the guy has commented that the clubman should be on run-flats, and that the suspension is configured appropriately for that, and that running on non-runflats could well be causing the skittish ride.

Does this float with you guys? is he correct?

Thanks,

Robert

We took it into a garage today, and the guy has commented that the clubman should be on run-flats, and that the suspension is configured appropriately for that, and that running on non-runflats could well be causing the skittish ride.

Does this float with you guys? is he correct?

Nope. Complete drivel from someone who doesn't know any better.

In fact non-runflats are less skittish than runflats so changing tyres would make the problem worse, if anything, though I've not found the difference between the two to be huge.

You probably should quote which model and tyres you have now, as that can make a difference. A JCW on 18s will respond differently between runflats/non-runflats than a justa Cooper on 16s.

It would also be worth taking the key into a Mini dealer to get them to print out your car's specification - if for example the car has sport suspension, that affects how compliant it is.

Sounds as though the garage are wanting to supply a set of runflats (approx £160 each for 17"s) - fit these and the ride will be harsher

The ride you describe can be caused by chep tyres - directional ones are worse in damp/ wet - what make and size tyres are fitted? -
Cheap tyres are nicknamed "ditchfinders" for obvious reasons

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I'll get the tyre spec when the Mrs. is back with the car. It's a Cooper D on 17s though.

The guy from the garage said they were only cheap tyres (not that he's to be trusted, clearly) around the £70 mark - they came with the car unfortunately, although from a MINI dealer so one would hope they wouldn't skimp on such things?

I'll come back with more detail when I have it.

Cheers,

Robert