Go Kart Spares

You have taken the plunge and decided to buy a Mini Cooper. Congratulations! You'll love it. The only question is which model did you go? If you must choose between the basic model and the "S" version, you must understand that there is a problem with the spare tire.

The base Mini Cooper is a naturally aspirated engine. The car handles like a kart, but does not have much get up and go. Those of us looking for more pep in our car will be the version with "S" or the John Cooper Works upgrade. The "S" is more popular because it operates a bit larger and offers turbo power. The John Cooper Works offer up much more pep, but the cost is prohibitive. Most people choose between the basic model and "S" because of it.

The Mini is known for its unique character. One aspect you need to be aware of involves the spare tire. The basic model was in the back of the car. The "S" version, however, does not have a spare tire. None. Nada. Instead, it operates on a set of run flat. As its name suggests, these tires "Run Flat" for 50 miles or more, giving you enough time to find a tire shop. Why the difference between car models? Mini was apparently trying to save weight. The less weight, faster car.

Drivers tend to love or hate the run flat tires. I fall firmly in the department of hatred. Driving a Mini is all about speed in the turns. The run-flat tires feel like you're riding on something unstable, which is often described as balls. Worse, these babies cost a pretty penny. You can easily end up spending $ 1,000 to $ 1,300 in a tire shop are replacements. That's a lot of Mulla for a car of $ 25 000.

Those of us who hate run-flat tires Mini drivers often replace them with "real". It's a better race, but also comes with its own set of problems. The first is that you do not have a spare, so what do you do if you get a flat? You can buy a rim and tire emergency relief for more than $ 200, but then you have a second problem. The powers that be in the Mini designed the exhaust on the "S" down the center of the car instead of on the side as the base model. This in effect means there is nowhere to mount the spare under the rear of the car as the base model!

So what do you do? Some people simply create a mount for the spare wheel behind the rear seats. Others, like me, buy a box of instant fix flat is sprayed into the tire through the air nozzle. This tends to ruin the tire, but get a completely new is still cheaper than buying the replacement part or a temporary run-flat tire.

So if you buy the base model or the "S"? Well the most part, feel the power that comes with the improved "S" worth every penny. If you go in that direction, just make sure you think about the tires.