Spare Wheel for the 'S'

[eltel]

I'm not happy about driving around Australia with just a set of run-flats. I think I'll be buying a spare 16" 5-spoke with tyre and take that with me when I leave the metropolitan area (which I hope will be every weekend).

Has anyone tried this and is the boot big enough to hold a spare and some luggage? Is there room for a jack and wheel brace?

For the Aus crew, any idea of prices for a spare wheel and tyre, jack and brace? Any knowledge of a bag that this wheel would fit in for storage in the boot?

Any other ideas, suggestions?

Regards, ElTel

[Basil]

Your not alone with that concern mate. I certainly wouldn't go bush without a roof rack and at least one spare.

Not sure if the tyre design allows a tube or not. Probably been discussed around here somewhere.

[Sealevel]

I needed to re-install my boot "shelf" just now after reading your post earlier, so I took a tape out to measure. I think a 16" 5 spoke & tire will just fit in the boot, but will be very close. There's a bulge in the molding of the hatch, covering the latch mechanism, which might interfere. A compact jack will fit too. I'm not sure what you mean by a wheel "brace" but other than the jack and the bagged and padded wheel/tire there won't be much room left, certainly none at all for luggage. Of course with just you and a passenger and the rear seats down, there'd be room enough for both.

An additional tip I've been meaning to post--with the rear seats down and any substantial weight on them, you really need to cover the rear seat belt latches with foam padding, a thick cloth, or a small kitchen sponge. After an 1800 mile trip, they left very deep "dimples" in the seatback upholstery where it made contact. It recovered after a few days, hardly noticeable now, but I thought another 1000 miles like that may have permanently marred the upholstery. I now keep a 5" x 3" sponge in the MINI to cover the latches when the seats are down.

[snoopy]

I have got the same concerns. This is what I have though of. Feel free to pass comment if you think it will or will not work.

Option 1 Take a can of tire sealer like the w one you get in the mobility pack. Don’t know if the run flat could be repaired after this, if run flats can be repaired.

Option 2 But the space saver that comes with the Copper (as a spare part in Oz) and have a nice bag made up with a MINI logo embossed on it, should look good then. I know the space saver wheel is not an option on the MCS, but do you think we can fit it for short distance until we can get the main tire replaced.

Option 3 read the MINI assistance plan and see how far they will go to bring you a replacement tire. Then we don’t have to worry about this for 2 years.

[Basil]

Quote:

Originally posted by snoopy


Then we don’t have to worry about this for 2 years.

TWO years ???

[eltel]

I am hoping to keep this car for many many years, and I need a more permanent solution to travelling safely.

There will probably be just the two of us, so laying the back seats down for either luggage or a spare is a partial solution. But driving around with unrestrained missiles is clearly unsafe.

I was thinking of making a bag with a harness and strapping the spare wheel in, as if it were a child, in the back seat. That leaves the boot for luggage, and everything is relatively safe.

Even if they can carry a spare for such situations, I can't see that BMW roadside assistance will make it to the west coast of Tassie (for example) within half a day, so that sort of wait can just kill a holiday. Best to expect them for metropolitan duties. Anyway after the 2 or 5 years of roadside assistance runs out, what do you do then? RACV, etc. won't be carrying replacement wheels and tyres.

This issue could be a stumbling block for a number of people. Perhaps we should consider building a network of people in each state who keep a spare at their home that travellers could call on in an emergency. There'd be a fee for useage of course, and there would be other issues to sort out. There's the problem of 15 vs 16 vs 17. Perhaps BMW/MINI could also carry a stock of fitted wheels ready for travellers?

If a national club is ever organised, then this would be one jolly good reason to form it and to belong to it.

Any other thoughts?

Regards, ElTel

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by eltel
driving around with unrestrained missiles is clearly unsafe.

Are you referring to a mini club run, perhaps?

What about carrying a can of tyre goo? Don't forget that the first year is going to be the toughest. This time next year there should be enough of them on the road to give you half a chance.

[eltel]

Quote:

Originally posted by swamos


Are you referring to a mini club run, perhaps?

Nice pickup, Steve. Seems like you are keen to get together with any other MC MCS afficcionados. ME TOO!!!

Can't wait till late August, when mine arrives. Spazz will have his about the same time (better not be before me, as they're on the same boat, from the same dealer), and at that stage I think we'll be looking for excuses to hit the highway.

Must find an excuse to head north. or south or west...

Keep in touch.

Regards, ElTel

[rich]

One could get a tow bar fixed and buy a very small trailer into which one could place a spare wheel & tyre with jack & wheel brace, and one could cover it with a very small tarpaulin

This would appear to solve the problem

[eltel]

Quote:

Originally posted by rich
One could get a tow bar fixed and buy a very small trailer into which one could place a spare wheel & tyre with jack & wheel brace, and one could cover it with a very small tarpaulin

This would appear to solve the problem

Would the trailer be fitted with run-flats, or would I need to carry a spare for the trailer as well?

Now where can I find a mini-trailer with ABS and DSC?

Regards, ElTel

[MiNiGuY]

Quote:

[i]

An additional tip I've been meaning to post--with the rear seats down and any substantial weight on them, you really need to cover the rear seat belt latches with foam padding, a thick cloth, or a small kitchen sponge. After an 1800 mile trip, they left very deep "dimples" in the seatback upholstery where it made contact. It recovered after a few days, hardly noticeable now, but I thought another 1000 miles like that may have permanently marred the upholstery. I now keep a 5" x 3" sponge in the MINI to cover the latches when the seats are down. [/b]

It is possible to tuck the seat belt buckles down inside the seat to prevent this.

[MiNiGuY]

Quote:

Originally posted by snoopy
I know the space saver wheel is not an option on the MCS, but do you think we can fit it for short distance until we can get the main tire replaced.

The space saver system is basically called such because it offers a way of storing a spare wheel under the vehicle whilst offering minimum effort to the user when changing a wheel.
The wheel is removed/replaced by the user from inside the car with a supplied handle that basically goes through a hole in the boot floor. Because the S has its battery in the boot (incidently - the largest structural difference between the MINI's), the 'space saver' cannot be employed.
Neither could an underbody spare because of the exhaust. This is the reason Cooper S has runflats.

[rich]

Quote:

Originally posted by eltel



Would the trailer be fitted with run-flats, or would I need to carry a spare for the trailer as well?

Now where can I find a mini-trailer with ABS and DSC?

Regards, ElTel

So long as the trailer doesn't have a battery, you can fit a spacesaver spare underneath. Otherwise you're looking at a second smaller trailer... possibly more

[WAY]

I have the same concern as well, particularly after BOTH my rear wheels has experienced leaking (which the dealer has fixed, but was a pain!). I have also thought about getting normal tyres, and am wondering what I am going to do with regards to spares. Let us know when you have a solution to this. I am thinking mobility pack. Oh, and get your cars quick, I am dying for a run with other Cooper S!!!

[freek]

While we are on the subject of tyres. I rang Bob Jane T-Mart (Melbourne) yesterday out of curiosity and asked them about replacement cost for the 205/45 17" Run-Flats. Don't remember the gentleman's name but he was extremely helpful. He could only refer me to the Pirelli's, but he new Good Year and Michelin where working on them (Looking at the pirelli uk website looks like its a Pirelli/Michelin joint project). He quoted AUD$540 fitted for the Pirelli 17" run-flat Eufori@. He also told me that Pirelli has developed their own tyre pulling machine that will need to be used to change the tyre. The frightning thing is these machines cost $15,000 each. At a Pirelli conference they demonstated how a standard tyre pulling machine will not do the job and will damage the tyre.
How many tyre garages out of the metro areas are going to be able to afford the machines and stock the tyres if they get damaged. Bob Jane did have one of those machines but didn't stock the tyre but could provide it next business day. I would hate to be in a rush! I'm sure I've seen a mixture of 17" Pirelli's and Good Years on different Cooper S's. Can somebody confirm which is standard for Australia or is it build date or dealer dependant?