| You've taken the plunge and decided to buy a Mini | | | | speeding up when going around corners. The run flat |
| Cooper. Congratulations! You’ll love it. The only | | | | tires feel like you are driving on something unstable that |
| question is what model do you go with? If you are | | | | is often described as marbles. Even worse, these |
| choosing between the basic model and the "S" version, | | | | babies cost a pretty penny. You can easily end up |
| you should understand there is an issue with the spare | | | | spending $1,000 to $1,300 at a tire store getting |
| tire. | | | | replacements. That's a lot of mulla for a $25,000 car. |
| The basic Mini Cooper is a normally aspirated engine. | | | | Those of us Mini drivers that hate the run flat tires |
| The car handles like a go kart, but doesn’t have a | | | | usually replace them with "real" ones. This makes for a |
| lot of get up and go. Those of us looking for more pep | | | | better ride, but also comes with its own set of |
| in our car will go with either the "S" version or the John | | | | problems. The first is you don't have a spare, so what |
| Cooper Works upgrade. The "S" is most popular | | | | do you do if you get a flat? You can buy a spare rim |
| because it runs a few grand more and provides turbo | | | | and emergency tire for well over $200, but then you |
| power. The John Cooper Works upgrade provide a lot | | | | have a second problem. The powers that be at Mini |
| more pep, but the cost is prohibitive. Most people | | | | designed the exhaust on the "S" to run down the |
| choose between the base model and "S" because of | | | | center of the car instead of off to the side as with the |
| this. | | | | base model. This effectively means there is nowhere |
| The Mini is known for its unique character. One aspect | | | | to mount the spare under the rear of the car as with |
| you need to be aware of involves the spare tire. The | | | | the base model! |
| base model has one up under the rear of the car. The | | | | So, what do you do? Some people simply create a |
| "S" version, however, does not have a spare tire. | | | | mount for the spare behind the rear seats. Others, like |
| None. Nada. Instead, it runs on a set of run flat tires. As | | | | me, just buy a can of instant flat fix that is sprayed |
| the name suggests, these tires will "run flat" for 50 | | | | into the tire through the air nozzle. This tends to ruin the |
| miles or so, which gives you plenty of time to find a tire | | | | tire, but getting an entirely new one is still cheaper than |
| store. Why the difference between the car models? | | | | buying the temporary spare or a run flat tire. |
| Mini was apparently trying to save weight. The less | | | | So, should you buy the base model or the "S"? Well, |
| weight, the faster the car. | | | | most feel the improved power that comes with the |
| Drivers tend to love or hate the run flat tires. I fall firmly | | | | "S" is worth every penny. If you go this direction, just |
| in the hate department. Driving a Mini is all about | | | | make sure you give some thought to the tire issue. |