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MINI Cooper

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Comments

  • eashleyeashley Member Posts: 8
    Can't they be removed? That's what I did with my 2003....
  • ltqltq Member Posts: 28
    Hi eashley,

    Yeah, that's what andys120 and I wrote. We removed the headrests. In my case, no problem since my booster seat went there, but if you want to carry an adult in that position, one really ought to put the headrest back.

    I forgot which car, but I've seen a MESH headrest one can see through, which would have been a good idea. Or a donut-shaped one like the old Volvos.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    The ultimate would be power-retractible rear headrests! How cool would that be, eh? :shades:
  • bufnitabufnita Member Posts: 6
    Try a C class Mercedes...all 3 rear headrests fold down at the touch of a button on the dash...very nice...
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Mini has formally launched the U.S. edition of its redesigned 2009 convertible. It features a host of improvements, from all-new sheet metal to a revised cockpit. The standard Mini Cooper convertible is priced starting at $24,550, including a $650 handling charge, while the Mini Cooper S convertible lists for $27,450.

    http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=136748
  • maddydmaddyd Member Posts: 1
    i'm considering buying a cooper convertible(2006) with 23k miles , its an automatic. i absolutley love to drive- it's therapeutic and relaxing for me. getting rid of a trusty and practical japanese car -for something fun and sporty. i'm abit hesitant however, because this car has had 2 previous owners.
    have you had any major issues or complaints re: your cooper? what can i expect down the road as far a costs and repairs?
    thanks! :blush:
  • wazjanewazjane Member Posts: 7
    I have a 2003 mini-s. Replaced 2 of the runflats a couple yrs. ago. Dealer had to keep my mini several days re: newly installed tires would not maintain air pressure. got my mini back; still had same prob. w/ 1 tire. took it back to dealer; tire again replaced. I continue to have prob. w/ the replaced tires maintaining air & frequently get the flat tire indicator. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this prob. after having runflats replaced.
    Should I switch to reg. tires ? Do I need to replace all 4 at the same time ?
    I am a single female mini owner & will appreciate any suggestions !
  • joem5joem5 Member Posts: 201
    Well, maybe your alloy wheel is leaking.They do, I just found that out that alloys wear out. Put some soapy water in your plant sprayer shake it up and spray all around your tire rim and see if it starts to bubble.If it does you rim is screwed up.
    Also, below zero weather will cause that stupid TPMS to come on because you have lost tire air pressure due to cold. I don't care for run flats to stiff of a ride. Get a cell phone and join AAA.they will tow your car a hundred miles or more for free,and get some good all season tires. My wife had run flats on her BMW and I asked her to take them off,because you never tell her to do something.She is happy as a clam with less road noise and the smooth ride.
    If your car is new Mini will pay to come get you.Oppps your car is an 03, well,if you have steel rims they are alot cheaper. You don't have to buy tires from Mini unless you have money to burn. Go to tirerack.com and type in your mini's decription and they will come up wth a bunch of tires for your car. Then go shopping for the tires from a dealer w/ the best price for an all sesason tire recommended by tire rack. when the put them on have them check for leaks. The best way is to submerse the tire and rotated under water. I had new michelins put on my Acura that way. :shades:
  • wazjanewazjane Member Posts: 7
    Thx for the info. Do I need to replace all 4 tires if I switch to non runflat ?
    Are original wheels ok to replace w/ reg tires vs runflat ?
    Should I purchase a mini spare or just get a kit to reseal a flat ?
    THX
  • wazjanewazjane Member Posts: 7
    joem5, can I contact you via your email for additional help/ info ?
    THX
  • joem5joem5 Member Posts: 201
    You have to buy 4 new tires if you switch from run flats.Your original wheels will be fine. I'd get a kit. The only time you can't fix a tire most of the time is ,if the itegrity of the sidewall is compromised. So don't hit a curb. I don't give out E mail. My wife thinks I fool around enough on the mtn givin' lessons. Day off to day. Look for Shipo or Axteria on the Mazda 3 forums they are quite knowlegeable. :shades:
  • wazjanewazjane Member Posts: 7
    THX
  • ltqltq Member Posts: 28
    I have a Clubman S, which means runflats. Since I had a completely empty spare wheel well, I bought a spare from Mini Mania. This is in preparation for switching to non-runflats, and also because I didn't want to wait around while the shop fixed my current runflat (this actually happened). HOWEVER, be aware of the following:
    1) The spare wheel fits on the BACK ONLY for the "S" models. The front brakes are too big. If you have 15" wheels now, you are OK. If you have 16" or bigger, then this post applies to you.
    2) So if I have a front leak, I have to move the rear wheel to the front, then put the spare on the rear.
    3) The spare wheel makes a great charcoal grill anywhere you go! :P
  • wazjanewazjane Member Posts: 7
    Itq, thx for your info. I am now beginning to regret having purchased my mini cooper s !! Instead of getting easier, replacing tires is now proving to be very complicated !
    My brother has suggested not buying the spare, but just a tire seal kit for flats if I decide to switch to reg. tires. Not to mention there is no room in my mini s for the spare !!
    Any thoughts ?????????????
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,669
    Not to mention there is no room in my mini s for the spare !!
    Any thoughts ?????????????


    If you fold down the rear seats, you'll have plenty of room for a spare. Surely you aren't planning to carry people back there. ;)

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • wilemakeitwilemakeit Member Posts: 17
    My question for all is how many flat tire have you had? I am almost 50 and never had a flat tire or has my wife. I would say you need to make sure your tire are in good shape and keep air in them. What about AAA to get a tow.
    I can tell you I LOVE the Mini and its been a great car.
  • joem5joem5 Member Posts: 201
    yup,put the rear seat down. Did you buy the all season tires.If you bend the rear seats a spare won't stand upright? I really think a Mini is a toy ,in other words not a daily driver.Hey, I've coupe and no one has ever sat in the back seat and why put a back seat in.
    It's a car that wants to run through the gears and challenge twisty roads and hills. Rough ride with sports suspension. The car isn't practical and wasn't built to go the grocery store,but to be driven.(with a six speed)
    Also, the realiability is a concern to me especially the tranny.Yup, to me it's a 50k miler. Then buy a new one. My wife wants one because it's cute. Yester -day I got her a IS lexus to shut her up. She still has a picture of her Mini S on the fridge.
    Also, you should buy AAA plus they will tow you a hundred miles IMAO
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Actually our experience with our Mini has been quite the opposite. We use ours daily. To us, it's a perfect grocery-getter (as long as you don't have a haul half a side of beef home, or have to buy bulk at Costco). And it has been as reliable as our Acura TL.

    As for flat tires, between our 2 cars, I couldn't remember the last time we had a flat, until last year when we had one on the Mini. Cost me over $200 for a new one. Then a couple of months after that one, I thought I spotted another nail in a second tire. So I though, "crap"! I could almost visualize the smug "I told you so" look on the Mini business manager's face since I turned down her offer to sell me ridiculously expensive tire insurance. But the tire pressure didn't drop and I decided just to keep driving on it. Now, about 4 months later, I can't seem to find that nail anymore! We don't go out of town with the Mini, so as long as the pressure doesn't drop, I don't care if there is a nail in there.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,669
    as long as the pressure doesn't drop, I don't care if there is a nail in there.

    The nail has probably fallen out or broken off. If it's still in there the whole isn't going to get any smaller and will manifest itself as a leak, watch your pressures.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • joem5joem5 Member Posts: 201
    Well, I run performance tires and all seasons rather than run flats and I haven't had a flat tie since I don't no when.
    Also, When I spend 31 K for a car it goes out of town with me especially in the summer.So in the winter I store it with a custom CA cover.Thanksgiving untill April.' However I'd like to see how the S will do going up and down the Continental Divide. It's a hairy ride especially for the passenger. Happy Motoring.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Yes, I figure either the head of the nail has broken off, or it was a very short nail that didn't penetrate completely and had fallen off. But good advice nonetheless. Thanks!
  • wazjanewazjane Member Posts: 7
    My mini S is my ONLY vehicle. my older bro had an original mini & loved it. I was residing in S. CA. when I decided to purchase a mini. In california, I was put on a waiting list & would have to take whatever was avail. So, I asked my nephew in ohio to check it out. I was not only able to purchase my mini @ sticker ( all CA dealers wanted $6000. or > over sticker !! ), but was able to order it, tracked its progress, incl. when prod. was completed & it was put on the ship to the US !
    So, I have bonded & drive it everywhere, incl. two coast to coast trips.
    The tires I have are the original ( 2 were replaced in ' 05 w/ much diff. the rt. front would not hold air & had to AGAIN be replaced ). The dealer had my car over a week total for replacement of 2 tires !
    I paid over $ 275.00 / per tire for run flats.
    My mini ( 2003 ) has . 50, 000 mi.
    My inquirey is simple : Can I replace these runflats w/ reg. tires w/ the original wheels ??? I refuse to pay the high prices for runflat replacements.
    Thx bodble2 & joem5 for your input !
  • wilemakeitwilemakeit Member Posts: 17
    Yes you can run many differant tires on your stock rims. I can't wait to wear out my run flat on my 06 S. I have several freinds who have done this and the ride of the car is so much better. I can hit a bump and not worry about loosing a filling!
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Nevermind a filing, hitting a bump with a full bladder in a Mini can lead to embarassing consequences! :blush: :P
  • wazjanewazjane Member Posts: 7
    Thanks for your replies/ info. I love my mini s, just don't like the dealer fees after included maintenace has expired ! As long as I don't need to replace my original wheels for my 2003 mini s, I will go w/ reg. tires.
    Anyone up for a roadtrip ??????????????????
    My mini has >50,000 mi. & is still going strong !
    An aside : I am a RN, who was working in southern california when I purchased my mini. I assisted in the treatment of a stuntman who injured his spine during a stunt for the most recent movie featuring minis ! Just an FYI !
    I am a dedicated mini fan !!
  • wilemakeitwilemakeit Member Posts: 17
    Keep in mind you can find small air compressors to help you home if you have a flat. PS: my Freinds 03 Mini S has 128k miles on and still is going strong!!!
    No problem yet!!!
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Was he doing stunts for the movie "The Italian Job"?
This discussion has been closed.