Mini Problems

They are not dangerous or a fraud and are quite legal. The problem is using them in Australian conditions or not following the instructions on their correct use once you have a puncture.

If she has fallen for the looks of the Mini it's probably game over. But you should still test drive the Fiat 500 for style and the Audi A1 as a driving alternative.

What he bought is in effect a used car, not a new one, so it might vary from the specifications of a new car. In this case it seems that for some reason the run-flat tyres have been switched for regular tyres. I might speculate that as it was a demo vehicle the salespeople demonstrating it might have wanted a softer ride to impress potential buyers than the ride it would have if it were on the run-flats. But that’s me being cynical. Your son should go back to the dealer personally and talk to them face-to-face about his issue and request that they either replace the damaged tyre and provide him with a spare, or fit run-flat tyres as he believes it would have had. The alternative is to carry a can of pump-up foam in the car, which would get him out of trouble in the case of a puncture.

You could ask BMW to cover part of the cost of the repairs, given your car is relatively new, or you could take it to an independent BMW specialist who I would expect would charge much less than the dealer.

I have been in touch with BMW Group and am told all repairs are being done under warranty.

Sorry, but the Superleggera remains only a great-looking concept for now. Even if it makes production, which would take about four years, there would be significant body changes including — not surprisingly — a roof of some sort.