Newbie..wanting to say hello and looking for some info
 

Hello All,
Just located your forum! I just purchased a 2003 MINI Cooper, with 48,000 miles. 1 owner, all records, looks lovely, RED! still smells new!(bonus). I have read a lot of posts concerning the tires! I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and was told to get snows...they are on order through tire rack,
Continentals. I have 16" tires. But, was also told the tires that are on it will need to be replaced after the snows come off!!! Is there a brand that anyone suggests over another? Run/flat as opposed to regular? any insight would be greatly appreciated!..Also, is there anything else I can expect with the 03, as far as service goes?
Thanks much in Advance!:)

Stewie 1
03 RED 48,000k

RE: Newbie..wanting to say hello and looking for some info
 

Howdy , I'm in Akron ...
IMO ditch the runflats, and get regular tires , just get a tire mobility kit from Wal-mart ($20) and a paid up AAA membership incase of a flat ... The handling and ride improvement is well worth the flat risk as well as the $$$ savings over the runflats ...
Standard or auto trans ???

RE: Newbie..wanting to say hello and looking for some info
 

Thanks Bad Venge..for the advise, I will definately check out regular tires, already have the AAA(last car was a 91 Volvo 240)and a mobility kit! My mini is a Standard. Let me ask you, do you have snows on yours? and what regular tires IYO do you suggest? Thanks again!

RE: Newbie..wanting to say hello and looking for some info
 

I'm running these for snows on 17" rims
http://www.toyo.com/docs/tires/tires.asp?lpid=27621&name=Observe™%20G-02%20Plus&category=winter(205/40/17)

I'm running Yokohamas on my summer 18" rims (215/35/18)

I've run Kuhmos , and nittos on my 17's

The early 02/03's had allot of auto tranny troubles , not heard of any standard tranny troubles

RE: Newbie..wanting to say hello and looking for some info
 

Thanks, I will definately look into those..I have 16" alloy. I have been looking on Tire Rack, My mechanic suggested Continentals for the winter. Is there somewhere where you can get rims at a decent price so I don't have to change them out every time? The previous owner accidentaly put windshield washer fluid in the transmission! needless to say....new tranny! so I'm hoping that it should be ok for a long time...lol

RE: Newbie..wanting to say hello and looking for some info
 

You can look on Craigslist ebay for rims ... The mini takes the same 4 bolt pattern as the Honda's

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/pts/931103173.html

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/pts/922012313.html

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/pts/902891010.html

Or you can get 17's ect for "summer" wheels and get snows for the stock 16's

RE: Newbie..wanting to say hello and looking for some info
 

Bad Venge....YOU ROCK! thanks so much!...I will check all this out, and keep you posted!
Thanks again!