Retrofit traction control?

[curbed-them-silly]

Hi there!

I've had my One for just over a year now and seem to have managed to run the front two runflats bald within 9 months of use at just under 9000 miles. I decided not to go for the traction control, instead substituting the saving with the 3-spoke sports steering wheel. But after replacing the front two tires, it really hurt in the wallet, so I have come to regret my decision.

What do you think, will traction control make a substancial difference on the durability of the tyres? If so can you retrofit it?

[ONED]

I'm sure the switch could be fitted, but it will take your BMW Stealer to program the system ....for a fee!!!

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by ONED (original)

I'm sure the switch could be fitted, but it will take your BMW Stealer to program the system ....for a fee!!!

There's more to it than that i'm sure and unlikely to be retrofitable at a cost effective price.

You're better off getting a better balance of throttle & clutch when pulling away.

[NickG]

I turn mine off unless the roads are wet / greasy. When switched on the only time it comes on is in the wet, with too much throttle. What tyres are you running, you could consider a change to something with a longer life.

When you next get them, I found eTyres.co.uk - lowest prices on car tyres, van tyres, 4X4 tyres & car batteries mobile tyre fitting service to be the cheapest fitted price I could find for tyres, online or locally.

[Adrian_T]

Having had a cooper without and a cooper s with I think that the saving in tyre cost will be not worth the outlay.

If fact the TC is so severe that if you do break traction the car bogs down so much that you sometimes fear for your life and I am not exaggerating!
Best invest in some gripy tyres (non runflats) and not corner so hard. They should last a little longer then and the savings should more than outweigh the cost of Traction control.

[curbed-them-silly]

Thanks everyone.

May consider getting rid of the runflats when they lose their tread. But yes, you are right, cornering at slower speeds and less wheelspinning at the traffic lights may also help, but it's so bleedin addictive. Traction control may have been nice when I ordered the car, but at the time I heard about the fun of driving a Mini, so I thought why ruin the experience with TC? Maybe i'll never get to see the difference, but when it comes down to it, would I really want to lose that flickabilty? NO

Thanks for your input and i'll check that website out.