Mini Convertable on 17" run flats!

poopcoupe · 07-02-10, 10:31 AM

Morning just after a bit of advice and before you all say "why have you bought one of those crappy things" its the wife money her choice! Right picked up a 07 plate Cooper Convertable yesterday. Its running on 17" Bullet wheels with 205 55 17's run flats! Apart from the body scuttle and the back breaking ride, are you supposed to feel like the car is unstable like it gets caught in imaginary tracks and goes where it likes. Had it up on ramp nothing bent or broken, just doesnt feel safe!!! Any Ideas Please. Dom

David Small · 07-02-10, 10:40 AM

Sounds like the wheel & tyre combo are just too big for the car although 205's aint that wide same as My 80 Sport. Are the bullet wheels original Mini options or aftermarket. Is the ET correct for the car.

poopcoupe · 07-02-10, 10:46 AM

Hi Mate, they are original mini wheels and the car was a mini lease plan car. It just feels like its all wrong. Example when I changed Poop to the Porsche wheels the offset was different and she wanders slightly, but nothing like the mini?????

David Small · 07-02-10, 10:53 AM

Not a nice feeling is it I drove loads of cars that felt like than in my garage days but it was usually caused by aftermarket wheels. I have heard or read somewhere that run flat tyres make the car feel different, more harsh and rigid than a conventional tyre.

poopcoupe · 07-02-10, 10:57 AM

Just spoke to a mini dealer, its a combination off everything, Scuttle, run flats over sized wheels and he says it sounds like the tracking and alinement is out... More money. Why couldnt she just have a 25 year old Audi, you know what you get with them!!lol

dubmeister · 07-02-10, 11:30 AM

Oh dear...........

Had a few of these in for MOT and the front wishbone bushes have caused a problem, not really visible when jacked up but when on the wheels with the weight on them, rock the steering from side to side and check for play.
get the tracking checked as they are normally driven by kerb huggers.......
and next time its due tyres dont let them palm you off with run flats, certain normal tyres can be fitted to these wheels-ask at your local tyre place, cant remember off the top of my head which ones but they can be fitted and save a fortune.

Had an s works in the other day that had a fortune chucked at it and it had extra bracing fitted to top and lower struts/subframes- the owner said it made a hell of a difference.

Remember the old trick with mk1 golfs was to fit the lower strut brace that was fitted to the later mk1 cabs to stiffen the shell.Different car,especially if bigger wheels were fitted.

If she likes the mini tell her to get a hatch one, convertibles are for the pose not the driving!!
If shes a hairdresser then she has to have a 'vert by law!!!!(preferably in orange!!)

Emjay · 07-02-10, 11:33 AM

had BMW 5 series a couple of years agon on runflats. The ride was absolutely shocking. Just about the worst tyres ever made.

Photo's please Dom theres a good chappy

dest · 07-02-10, 12:22 PM

My mum has got a Cooper with original 17" wheels and that drives and handles like a dream!
Id love a Cooper S for that reason, but they are slow as hell

I had a lad flash me to move over in one yesterday..... big mistake!

Left him for dead flondering in the outside lane after I moved back in and floored it

07-02-10, 10:40 AM	#2
David Small David Small - Mr 80k Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 7,210	Sounds like the wheel & tyre combo are just too big for the car although 205's aint that wide same as My 80 Sport. Are the bullet wheels original Mini options or aftermarket. Is the ET correct for the car. __________________ David Small - Member 283 - 1994 Audi C4 A6 2.0 - Tornado Red 1971 NSU 1200C Automatik - Iberian Red 1995 Audi B4 80 2.6SE Automatic - Laser Red

07-02-10, 10:46 AM	#3
poopcoupe 21 + 19 = OLD! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Saafend! Posts: 1,738	Hi Mate, they are original mini wheels and the car was a mini lease plan car. It just feels like its all wrong. Example when I changed Poop to the Porsche wheels the offset was different and she wanders slightly, but nothing like the mini????? __________________ audiless...........

07-02-10, 10:53 AM	#4
David Small David Small - Mr 80k Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 7,210	Not a nice feeling is it I drove loads of cars that felt like than in my garage days but it was usually caused by aftermarket wheels. I have heard or read somewhere that run flat tyres make the car feel different, more harsh and rigid than a conventional tyre. __________________ David Small - Member 283 - 1994 Audi C4 A6 2.0 - Tornado Red 1971 NSU 1200C Automatik - Iberian Red 1995 Audi B4 80 2.6SE Automatic - Laser Red

07-02-10, 10:57 AM	#5
poopcoupe 21 + 19 = OLD! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Saafend! Posts: 1,738	Just spoke to a mini dealer, its a combination off everything, Scuttle, run flats over sized wheels and he says it sounds like the tracking and alinement is out... More money. Why couldnt she just have a 25 year old Audi, you know what you get with them!!lol __________________ audiless...........

07-02-10, 11:30 AM	#6
dubmeister Grown up member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: swansea Posts: 218	Oh dear........... Had a few of these in for MOT and the front wishbone bushes have caused a problem, not really visible when jacked up but when on the wheels with the weight on them, rock the steering from side to side and check for play. get the tracking checked as they are normally driven by kerb huggers....... and next time its due tyres dont let them palm you off with run flats, certain normal tyres can be fitted to these wheels-ask at your local tyre place, cant remember off the top of my head which ones but they can be fitted and save a fortune. Had an s works in the other day that had a fortune chucked at it and it had extra bracing fitted to top and lower struts/subframes- the owner said it made a hell of a difference. Remember the old trick with mk1 golfs was to fit the lower strut brace that was fitted to the later mk1 cabs to stiffen the shell.Different car,especially if bigger wheels were fitted. If she likes the mini tell her to get a hatch one, convertibles are for the pose not the driving!! If shes a hairdresser then she has to have a 'vert by law!!!!(preferably in orange!!)

07-02-10, 11:33 AM	#7
Emjay Man Fettler Extraodinaire Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up my own arse blowing smoke Posts: 7,417	had BMW 5 series a couple of years agon on runflats. The ride was absolutely shocking. Just about the worst tyres ever made. Photo's please Dom theres a good chappy

07-02-10, 12:22 PM	#8
dest In the darkside Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Thrapston Posts: 740	My mum has got a Cooper with original 17" wheels and that drives and handles like a dream! Id love a Cooper S for that reason, but they are slow as hell I had a lad flash me to move over in one yesterday..... big mistake! Left him for dead flondering in the outside lane after I moved back in and floored it