Cooper S tyre rating

[Roadster25]

All,

Apologies if this had already been covered and I've missed it.

Mrs Roadster25 has just picked up an R57 Cooper S convertible, which we are both very pleased with.

Giving it a proper clean yesterday I noticed that one of the tyres has an H rating, whereas the other three are V rated. Is this a problem in itself?

The tyre spec sticker suggests that H is OK, but does this hold for just one tyre? Is it likely to cause problems with the handling?

I really must pay more attention when buying cars

[NormanD]

I'm sure they should be all V ratings
Also not only the max speed, but for a car you are likely to start throwing arround

Looks like the prevoiuse owner has been cutting corners, thats not on the road
I wonder where else he hasn't put his hand deep into his pockets

[Roadster25]

Thanks, I suspected as much.

The one tyre H rated tyre is pretty much new, so I suspect it was just a cheapy the previous owner bought to hand the car with plenty of tread.

We bought through Mini Cherished and the tlc pack is still valid, so I don't have any concerns over servicing etc. Also we have a year's warranty, which past experience has taught us is pretty comprehensive.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Take it back to the dealer then. They shouldn't be selling a car with mixed rated tyres. They should sort it out for you.

[Roadster25]

Already emailed them this morning...

Love the car, but thoroughly disappointed by the dealer.

[CarsOrBikes]

H is no problem on one tyre, it is rated to 130, there is a number next to it which is the load rating, which if still close to the other is no issue. If the tyre is rft they're sturdy anyway. Normal or spirited use I wouldn't worry if they don't swap it. It is a cost cutting exercise though by someone.

[DavidLScott]

It's still mixed tyres though and your insurance company might not be too happy in the event of an accident.
I got written approval to de-rate my TVR tyres when V rated 16"ers were discontinued - all owners had the same problem.
Their opinion was that as long as I didn't sit at 160 on an autobahn for half an hour or more, the extremes of the tyre were unlikely to be exceeded.

I'd insist they supplied a car with tyres to specification - they would do that to you with a warranty claim so fair's fair.
They wouldn't have wanted to pay for a new tyre but it's not one of those 'faults' they can swing back to a warranty.
I doubt they knew about it but should replace it IMO.

[Roadster25]

Thanks for the thoughts chaps.

The OE spec for that model is actually an H rating, so there has been no downgrading as such, effectively three tyres have been upgraded. Presumably OK with the insurance, but worth checking perhaps.

I don't believe we have run flats either, there appears to be nothing on the tyres to suggest they are. The ride is also much more compliant than I remember our old Clubby having with the same wheels and (matching) Conti runflats.

Suspect you are correct about cost saving measures. We asked why we had four different tyres (one Conti with 4mm, one Michelin with 7mm and two mismatched ditch finders with 7mm), and were told that they will have come from a pool of tyres when the wheels were refurbed. So mismathched second hand budget tyres are OK on a Mini Cherished car, apprently, as long as they meet OE spec and have more than 3mm tread.

In fairness to the dealer they have been very good sorting other niggles, but they won't move on this.

[MX-5 Lazza]

When we bought our Cooper S Conv from a dealer in Maidenhead I pointed out the mismatched tyres so the guy swapped the wheels with those from the car next to it that did have a matching set (same wheels). He didn't argue at all, just had it done before we picked the car up.