[RochdalePioneers]

I'm glad I ticked the option for a space saver spare wheel - the can of goo inflation kit is no solution! So leaving the office this morning when the tyre monitor graphic told me I had a flat I thought "that's OK, I'm equipped!"

But what a pain it is to actually use. For those of you without one let me elaborate. Empty the boot and pull back the floor. Remove the tool kit from the well - it's a very snug fit so give it a wiggle. Remove wheel brace from kit. Unscrew the metal nut from the bolt in the floor. Remove the metal panel beneath. Screw the long end of the brace onto the bolt and tighten. Use the spanner sculpted end of the panel you just removed to twist the nut beneath the bolt. This holds the spare wheel tray so has a fair bit of weight behind it. Spanner tool thing not an exact fit, a bugger to turn. Tray then unceremoniously drops to the floor under the car.

Then change the wheel for the space saver - the easy bit. User manual then helpfully tells you to "stow the wheel and tray inside the car". Except that the wheel and the tray won't both fit in the boot. So the tray - which is wet and muddy - needs to go in the back. What do you do if carrying luggage or passengers.

Then manual also helpfully advises that my local mini service centre will refit the space saver and the tray - I hope my local tyre shack can do it as the tyre is repairable.

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[daydotz]

Are you saying the wheel is it covered / protected from the elements I've not really looked In much detail

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Yes the space saver sits under the car in a plastic tray. If you look underneath you can only see the tray not the wheel. So it's a good arrangement until you need to use it - then it's a faff.

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[Davyboy]

I remember my sons old car had a similar arrangement, also remember cursing a lot and then trying to refit, I think it was worse than having tyre goo....

 

[Desert Rat]

Sounds like a similar set up to my R50. I didn't know the spare was under there, once I found it the run flats came off. To protect the boot from a dirty flat tire I bought a tire bag. It's a zippered, round canvas bag that the flat fits in. Used it once and it worked great. BMW makes one but I got mine on Amazon for 20 bucks or so. As far as the tray I just threw it in the bag with with flat. Google emergency tire tote, there are many different kinds.

 

[jeremybingham]

Glad i went for the goo; trouble is goo is useless if like i did once you hit something metallic in the road a t night (disloged cats eye-for those not in the uk a metal box sunk into the middle of the road with reflectors in that show up at night) that shreds the tyre and destroys the wheel too! i'd just have to call out recovery. Got winter tyres at home so would then do a swap to get me to the tyre dealer! Or get recovered to a tyre dealer!

 

[RochdalePioneers]

My car was booked into my local main dealer today anyway for a software update, so they have patched the wheel and refitted it for £20. I was loaned an F55 Cooper for the day - it's reinforced my dislike of the 5 door car. And when I picked my car up it had been valeted - clean inside and out so I can't fault them.

I then took 10 minutes to play with a few cars I'm thinking about for the future. First up was a Clubman which I like a lot - when eventually I have to get a sensibly sized car it may well be one of them. Then next door to sit in an i3 as an option to replace our Nissan Leaf. It's got plenty of space up front but high floor and cramped rear makes it feel similar to a Mini!

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[johnan]

Not a good idea to specify the space saver and not do a dummy run to see what is involved in using it, without actually taking it fully out and fitting it.

Nothing worse than trying to use the goo and finding it won't work, or if it does work, just, and then the tyre fitter won't touch the wheel because of it even if the tyre is in good condition.

I carry three cans of tyre sealant/inflater, reasoning at least one will work, but only for use in a real emergency and if the tyre has a simple puncture.

Nothing beats a spare wheel as long as you have room for the punctured one after removal.

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Don't get me wrong - I'd rather have the space saver than goo or run flats. Now I've done it once I know how to do it and where the problem is. I need to put a proper spanner in the car for the nut that holds the tray in place - the spanner head tool on the holding plate isn't fit for purpose

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[Evlkarl]

Too bad that Mini only offers the "Rally Package" on there Pick Up Trucks.