Spare tyre space

[Warrick]

Hi All,

Finally getting the Cooper this week – and have “just found out” about the lack of spare tyre unless ordered initially. Kind of missed that option when placing the order… I am getting the 15” standard alloys.

Several questions:

1. I’ll be using the car for extended European trips (skiing holidays and such like), and am worried about getting a slashed side wall, and not having a spare tyre. Can the space saver under the boot be retro fitted? The dealer says “no”, the minicooperonline forum says “no”, and one posting here in a search says “yes” and gives part numbers (but no rough cost?)

2. If I cannot or do not get a space saver retro-fitted, then I’ll get a towbar from towsure. Anyone have any comments on these? Seem pretty cheap deal at £70 odd.

3. If no spare tyre, then any use for the space that would have been taken up by it? Seems that they put a plastic cover under the body of the car – wondering if anyone has modified the boot to take advantage of the additional space.

Cheers,
Wazza

[hurrens]

Are you getting the Mini Mobility Kit (puncture repair goo, compressor, valve removal tool, etc) I think this maybe standard unless you have 'runflat' tyres. If not you can buy it as an extra. Check under the boot floor mat when you get your car.

[Warrick]

You are right - think that it is standard getting goo kit. It's more the thought of a side wall rip that worries me - the very thing that happens when using chains (and in remote ski areas!)

[Jeep-2-mini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Warrick

2. If I cannot or do not get a space saver retro-fitted, then I’ll get a towbar from towsure. Anyone have any comments on these? Seem pretty cheap deal at £70 odd.

I think the £70 is for the bar only, fitting, electrics, ball etc will be extra

Mark

[Warrick]

What towbar did you get Mark? Was kindof hoping to fit the towbar myself, however need to research a bit more.

[Dreamin]

If you do get the Mini Mobility Kit... can you please check if there is a part number on it and post it. I've been looking everywhere for a part number and cant find it (and my dealer cant find one either).

Thanks!

[Warrick]

Sure thing.

[Nameless]

We are getting the spare wheel retrofitted (apparrently), as it was missed off our spec. There is a kit available, but I think it might only be on offer to dealers, and not a generally available thing. I will try to find out more next week, and I will let you know if the retrofit is done properly.
With regards Towsure - I have just fitted a towsure Bar to my Mercedes, with the detatchable conversion kit, and I can say that it is absolutely superb quality. The detatchable swan-neck is a work of art, CNC milled from solid steel and anodised gold.
You need to sort out electrics yourself though, use a genuine BMW Kit for that bit.

[Jeep-2-mini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Warrick

What towbar did you get Mark? Was kindof hoping to fit the towbar myself, however need to research a bit more.

I've got the witter - I couldent find a local installer for the towshure at the time, and ther we no removable bars either except for the hugely expensive MINI official one ( I was quoted over £800 inc fitting by my dealer even he recomended going aftermarket)

I basically got it fitted since I didn't want to mess around with the electrics of my new MINI (towbar fitted the day after I picked it up) and due to time constraints. I picked the MINI up on wendsday, towbar fitted thursday, drove down to Cornwall on friday

Mark

[Nameless]

OK - update on the spare wheel.
It's possible, but only in the same way that it's possible to retrofit a Cooper S engine by ordering all the required bits seperately. There's no kit available !
Stew.

[Nameless]

Futher Update.

Spacesaver successfully retrofitted. No brackets, just a hole in the boot floor.