2008/9 clubman Love or hate???

[davyboy]

Fully agree with Humph, they can be repaired

Saying that, it's best to find someone who will repair a tyre before you get a punture or else you left searching for a repairer and nothing to drive

[Dalboyne]

Since when did it become impossible to fit conventional tyres to Run-Flat rims? That's totally false! We have a Clubman and a Cabrio, both bought earl;ier this year and both fitted with identical 16" OEM wheels. The Clubby came with Run-Flats, the Cabrio with conventionals.......

[davyboy]

I think I read somewhere that 2010 spec MINI's will be fitted as standard with NON runflats and if you want runflats it will be £75 extra

I could be wrong won't be the first time or maybe I was dreaming or is that wishing

[TDLC]

Originally Posted by Dalboyne

Since when did it become impossible to fit conventional tyres to Run-Flat rims? That's totally false! We have a Clubman and a Cabrio, both bought earl;ier this year and both fitted with identical 16" OEM wheels. The Clubby came with Run-Flats, the Cabrio with conventionals.......

If the rim supports a Self Supporting Run-Flat tyre, my layman common sense tells me that it should also support a conventional tyre. Reliable sources have reported that MINI drops Run-Flats as standard for the 2010 line up, but continues offering them as a £75 option on 17" rims. If we all accept that producing additional versions of MINI OEM rims just to be able to fit conventional tyres makes as much sense for BMW economically as Kojak featuring in a Bryllcream ad, it may be at least less of an issue as claimed by the salesmen. Unfortunately people often don't challenge statements by dealers, often to avoid looking stupid.

One thing to bear in mind, is that some insurance companies have priced their premiums based on MINIs running on run-flats and charge an increase for running on conventional tyres (for claims of safety). So, the £75 saved by not ticking the run-flat tyre option may at some point have a knock-on effect on your premium.

Originally Posted by davyboy

Fully agree with Humph, they can be repaired

Saying that, it's best to find someone who will repair a tyre before you get a punture or else you left searching for a repairer and nothing to drive

I had a punctured run-flat tyre (puncture was in the centre) in Spain last year. We went to a BMW/MINI dealership and asked for a new tyre (only because we heard that these are un-repairable). The BMM/MINI dealer simply repaired the tyre and we were done for just 20 Euros. The point here is, that if BMW/MINI dealers in Spain can repair run-flats (subject to where the puncture is located), it's even more curious why dealerships in the UK flatly refuse to repair them.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by TDLC

I had a punctured run-flat tyre (puncture was in the centre) in Spain last year. We went to a BMW/MINI dealership and asked for a new tyre (only because we heard that these are un-repairable). The BMM/MINI dealer simply repaired the tyre and we were done for just 20 Euros. The point here is, that if BMW/MINI dealers in Spain can repair run-flats (subject to where the puncture is located), it's even more curious why dealerships in the UK flatly refuse to repair them.

I wonder would they make more profit on a tyre

When I had a punture the dealer quoted me nearly £200, I kicked up a fuss and moaned and said to get the service manager to re quote me - it dropped to just over £150 and I know for a fact they have a mobile company come in to change tyres

[Shaun]

From Paul's Switchback

"There has been some confusion of late as to what MINI is doing with their tyre choices. Cars have been arriving with customers with runflat and regular tyres in disconcertingly unclear fashion. From September this should be much more clear cut. MINI is discontinuing standard run-flat tyres for all models. Instead, all new MINIs will come with the “MINI Mobility System” (air compressor and goo kit in layman’s terms). Run flat tyres will still be an option, but only for vehicles with 16″ wheels and above, and at a cost of £75."

MINI drops hi-fi, yellow, a string and a ball for 2010 | theSwitchback

I am running 17"s with non runflats nobody at BMW said anything they are not even regular sizes either.
I have put non runflats on 15"s and 16"s in the past too without any issues.
I have had punctures replaced in runflats and conventional tyres (not a big fan of this long term mind) The bosses Bentley (runflats) hoovers up screws and nails like a dyson it has more plugs in it than Comet. Last time I went he had run the tyre flat for a weekend the inner wall was a mess and should have been replaced the car is still on that tyre

[Shaun]

Forgot to add when i was at BMW recently waiting for my manager to drop his 3 series off I saw an Oak tyres van they also supply my cheap and cheerful Oldham tyre and exhaust wonder who puts the bigger margin on the tyre though?

[caskin]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Fully agree with Humph, they can be repaired

Saying that, it's best to find someone who will repair a tyre before you get a punture or else you left searching for a repairer and nothing to drive

Originally Posted by Dalboyne

Since when did it become impossible to fit conventional tyres to Run-Flat rims? That's totally false! We have a Clubman and a Cabrio, both bought earl;ier this year and both fitted with identical 16" OEM wheels. The Clubby came with Run-Flats, the Cabrio with conventionals.......

Originally Posted by Shaun

From Paul's Switchback

"There has been some confusion of late as to what MINI is doing with their tyre choices. Cars have been arriving with customers with runflat and regular tyres in disconcertingly unclear fashion. From September this should be much more clear cut. MINI is discontinuing standard run-flat tyres for all models. Instead, all new MINIs will come with the “MINI Mobility System” (air compressor and goo kit in layman’s terms). Run flat tyres will still be an option, but only for vehicles with 16″ wheels and above, and at a cost of £75."

MINI drops hi-fi, yellow, a string and a ball for 2010 | theSwitchback

I am running 17"s with non runflats nobody at BMW said anything they are not even regular sizes either.
I have put non runflats on 15"s and 16"s in the past too without any issues.
I have had punctures replaced in runflats and conventional tyres (not a big fan of this long term mind) The bosses Bentley (runflats) hoovers up screws and nails like a dyson it has more plugs in it than Comet. Last time I went he had run the tyre flat for a weekend the inner wall was a mess and should have been replaced the car is still on that tyre

Originally Posted by humph

Good to see you made it over to TM with your thread Caskin. Your list of dislikes seems to have got longer since your thread on the other forum, that's a shame Let's take these a step at a time.

PROBLEMS:

road noise intrusion.. - The harder walls on the runflats can make road noise a problem. Try a set of non runflat tyres on the car. In the Clubman you do get a tiny bit of extra road noise through the joint between the front door and the club door. Not much you can do about that though.

Heat exchanger/cooler runs red hot when using air con making footwell unbearable???? - Can't say that this has been an issue on mine, although I prefer to use the sunroof to aircon. When I have used the aircon it's worked fine. Get it checked out there may be a blockage.

Wipers do not stay in contact with windscreen,failing to clear rain and reducing vis? - This I can sympathise with, the MINI OEM smearers are useless. They are on hopeless on both our cars, and a number of close friends. I'm looking for a decent set of replacements at the moment. Mine is fitted with Bosch blades at present.

vehicle takes off on bumps. - Do you mean litterally leaves the ground Dukes of Hazzard stylee? If so then that is unusal, unless you're nailing it everywhere Do you mean that if you hit a rough patch of road with a broken up surface the front wheels jump around and fight for grip? If so then this isn't unusual I'm afraid. Mine does this, but my old Cooper did too. On my Cooper I fitted a £22 OMP lower strut brace which stiffened the whole set up. It is also a symptom of the runflats again with their hard walls, so again try a normal set.

Originally Posted by Shaun

Forgot to add when i was at BMW recently waiting for my manager to drop his 3 series off I saw an Oak tyres van they also supply my cheap and cheerful Oldham tyre and exhaust wonder who puts the bigger margin on the tyre though?

The point of my starting this thread was to discuss problems associated with purchase of my new MINI cooper clubman,and to obtain other members opinions.It was not to start a discussion on the merits of tyre fitting etc.

Points raised were poor wiper clearance,hot heater matrix when run on cold,and the general discomfort of run flat tyres.

But just to clear the point on RUN flat tyres:
As promised I rang three major companies all based here in Plymouth. Freefit,Rapidfit and Victor Barry tyres.First to discover would they repair a Run Flat,and the availabilty of tyres.
All said without hesitation they would NOT repair a run flat tyre.Whatever the mnaufacture state both tyre fitters and BMW state they would NOT repair a run flat tyre.telephone numbers of managers can be provided if you wish to check your self.Only one garage who I deal with personally said they would repair but ONLY if I signed a disclaimer!All stated the same reason: tyre wall damage was impossible to assess irrespective of distance covered.Now argue among yourselves by all means but that is straight from the horses mouth.

Yes you can fit standard tyres to run flat rims,but unless you inform your insurance company,in the likehood of an accident you will NOT be covered as in the words of the "Insurer" you have compromised the inbuilt safety of the vehicle.Equally your warrantry becomes invalid unless BMW are informed and alter accordingly.(check with BMW as I did)

Availablity of tyres was on a 24hr basis,no stock was carried.

Worse tyres(Incidentally fitted to my car)"Goodyear excellence",it has lowest break out loading on corners,it is damaged more easily in a Run Flat situation,and its stopping distance is the longest.Best tyres "Continental"

Replacement cost of Goodyear £110.....expensive puncture!

Run Flat discomfit,yes but you get used to it!

To get back on track so to speak,other members complained of poor wiper performance,has anyone else had the improved performance that I obtained by changing to 16 inch on both sides???Or is there a better solution?

Hot heater matrix,other members also stated this was the case when running unit on cold or air con?Is this the case,is it a design fault,as for automatic drivers like myself, the left foot rest is placed exactly were the most heat is generated.On a recent run to London the footwell became unbearably hot....heat generated is dependant upon distance covered, as with local runs box just gets warm.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by caskin

Hot heater matrix,other members also stated this was the case when running unit on cold or air con?Is this the case,is it a design fault,as for automatic drivers like myself, the left foot rest is placed exactly were the most heat is generated.On a recent run to London the footwell became unbearably hot....heat generated is dependant upon distance covered, as with local runs box just gets warm.

I have no problem in this area, least I've not noticed anything on the drivers side & my wife's not said anything

I see you have an auto, could it be related to the problem, maybe the oil cooler for the gearbox I'm not sure of the setup so my be talking ****, just a thought

[davyboy]

I have OEM wipers and the only grumble I have is if it's only spotting with rain/drizzle then I sometimes get a bit of jumping on the drivers side, proberly as the screen isn't wet enough