I'm Tina and I am new!

Couple things Tina, 

First, It looks like those rims have rubber valve stems which means that I believe you don't have to worry about TPMS, is that right Greg and Larry?

Second, my guess is when you tried to up upload your pictures your pictures the files were to big. I had to redo the resolution of your picture to get it to load. Picture files can only be 300kb or they won't load

Boomer wrote: Tina, there is a small get together at a donut shop in Mill Creek on Sat, tomorrow at 11:00 AM: here the link   http://www.psmini.org/forum/frost-doughnuts-in-mill-creek-mini-friendly_topic6431.html   There will be several PS Mini people there and you can meet some people and we can all see your wheels and tires. I'm sure there will be no shortage of advice!   See if you can make it!   Cheers!

Edited by Tina2009 - March/12/10 at 11:31am

Edited by Tina2009 - March/12/10 at 11:26am

Good evening all,

Thank you for all the suggestions and comments.  I just picked up the car from Mini Service. As I understand, this car has been sitting in the garage for at least 6 months; I wished Northwest Mini changed the oil for the car, but they didn't. I think it's about the timing.

I want to take pictures of the wheels so bad, but I don't have my camera, and it's too dark outside. I will try to do that tomorrow, so everyone can see the wheels.  Then...you can suggest if you were me, what I should do such as: keep the wheels, buy 17" or 16" wheels.

I had a Dodge Neon before this. So you can tell that I have no experience about car.  For example, when I drove the Mini home Tues for about 15-20 miles, I didn't even know the strange feeling come from the tires. I thought "hm...maybe that's how I suppose to feel on the run flat" (I am so so...bad).  And the next morning, when I drove to work, when the driver wheel (or however it's called) started to shak real bad, I started to feel nervous.  I was like "Oh, please, please make it to my work" b/c I couldn't control the car at all.  That's when I know something was abnormal, it's not the "cool" feeling from the run flat anymore. :)

I am being too detail because I would like you to know that I am a type of person who just sit in the car and drive. I don't know if something goes wrong unless the car has big problem or the engine is died, then I would know.  I hope this might be helpful for you to suggest what types of wheels and tires that I should purchase for all year around. I don't have anyone helping switching or rotate tires, everything that I want to do, it will need to be done at the shop.  So buying summer and winter tires are not a very good idea with my circumstances. 

Anyhow, I have read everyone's suggestion, I was about to write some notes. I will do the homework, and keep you posted.  I am very glad and very appreciated that everyone is helping me a lot.

Thank you all, I will try not to think about this too much now.  I will leave issue there tonight, and I am going to learn how to play table tennis now, and I will try to have a nice night. Then, I take care of my "homework" tomorrow or this weekend. How does that sound?

Again, thank you very much, and good night all.

Thanks,

Tina


Edited by Tina2009 - March/11/10 at 6:20pm

Something that should have been talked about is run flat tire. Don't feel bad that you didn't know it was flat the tire is designed to hold the weight of the car and you won't see your rims sitting on the ground when there is no air in them.

Tina, just start looking at the Tire Rack web site or better yet just call them. Ask them to explain the differences in the various tires and talk to them about run flats. Run flats are very good tires for everyday use if you don't mind a little harsher ride. They are more expensive, but don't worry you don't have to spend $2K.

Tina, Searocko is correct. Don't know the cut off date for the switch but it's easy to tell from looking at the valve stem on the tire. If it's a metal stem, it's the newer version (unless they put aftermarket stems on). Brenda maybe you can take a look or NW Mini can tell her.

Edited by searocko - March/11/10 at 2:53pm

 I almost forgot , I think her rims have the TMPS sensors which she will need for her run flat system.

John

Tina told me that she doesn't have internet at home, so she most likely won't be able to reply until tomorrow morning. 

 

I think the best bet for her would be to find some smaller wheels with tires to replace what she has.  Although, maybe she should just replace the tires with the same size she has on there now?   Surely Discount Tire or another tire store would be more reasonably priced?  Then again, I paid almost $800 (mounted and balanced) for the Yokohama tires I have on my MINI currently.  I imagine the tires for the 18" wheels would even be more expensive?  I'm gonna have to check on the fitment now that johnf36 jogged my memory on that.  I wish I would've thought of that when I saw her MINI earlier today.  The wear pattern on the current tires she has on there are uneven.  It was recommended that she get an alignment (which I agree as well).

 

John - I did notice that her car doesn't have the upgraded JCW brakes.  It's just the JCW wheels that look like this:

 

Cogrates Brenda, need to give you a Mini First Responder Badge.

Good to see your getting things worked out Tina. Just a couple of things I believe you car has 14mm bolt holes not 12mm like the gen1 cars do so that is some thing to find out if you come accross used rims. Second you my ask NW Mini what is the smallest rim you can go to so that they will still clear the brakes.

John

Tina2009 wrote: Hi Brenda and everyon,   Thank you very much for all the helps and supports again.  As Brenda mentioned, all the troubles that the car has, Northwest will do it for me under warranty. Now, the next step to worry is to get new tires or get new wheels and new tires, if someone is interested to get these 18" wheels from me.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions.   Thanks! Tina

You're welcome! It was my pleasure. We want to make sure you get the most out of your MINI and want to be sure you save money too. Please don't hesitate to ask for advice or post any questions you may have. That's what we're here for.

Edited by Hapa Haole - March/10/10 at 7:06pm

Way to go Brenda - I knew you would be right on top of things.  I can possibly come up with some tires by switching over to my summer tires a little early - they would be 17" runflats on S-lite wheelswith lots of miles left.  She should really go to 16" or 17" wheels and tires and sell the 18" wheels.

Tina, if your MINI didn't come with a manual make sure you get one, because it will explain all the different lights that can come on on the dash.  If NW MINI doesn't have one, I'm sure you can get one on line.