You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
I changed something on my R53 and the difference it made was astounding.
When I bought this car it came with black 18" rims and continental contactextreme 215/35ZR18 tires. It looked pretty sweet but the ride was rough. I happened to have some 15" Racing Hart rims that weigh in around 8lbs each. I knew they would be a bit lighter than the 18's but I wasn't sure how much. The 15's have falken ziex 205/50R15 tires.
When I finally got one of the 18" rims off I was disgusted by how much it weighed. I didn't have a scale but judging with a set of weights I have it was almost 40 POUNDS! My Racing Harts with the tires weigh in around 20.
So I put on the 15's and took her for a spin.
OH...MY...GAWD. WTF? I couldn't believe how different it felt. So smooth. So easy to turn at low speed. And acceleration from a start was ridiculously improved. I expected to feel a slight difference perhaps but this is amazing.
The difference in size between the two wheels (w/ tires) is about 3/4". Soooo my low mini sits even lower now.
I'm selling the 18's to somebody who just cares for looks.
I don't know what the stock wheels weigh but I HIGHLY recommend getting lightweight wheels. I had a big jump down so I guess I noticed a lot more than most people would. 80lbs of unsprung weight lost. That's just golden.
I think that unless you are willing to pay big $$$$ for 2 piece rims, anything bigger than 16's are for looks only on a gen1 with out a big break kit.
IMO the car feels so much better with 16's or even 15's. Performance also seems to be better overall, and so is the ride!!
My regular rims are 16's, and my winters are 15's.
__________________
l 2005 MCS l 11-04 Production l owned since new l RMW Tuned l Craven -17% Pulley l Craven Speed STD l Dinan CAI l JCW 380's l H&R 19 MM Swaybar l MSD Ignition l Power Steering Fan Duct l LightInSight l "EURO" MINI Armrest l Euro Parcel Shelf l Brake Light PULSAR(gen2)l Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop l Blitzsafe/xmradio l Cobra 19IV CB l 4.5' Francis CB25 CB Antenna, mounted on the rear tow rig!!
The tires on the 15"s are also smaller, by about 3.6%, so acceleration is going to be improved from the size alone. The 15"s sound a bit undersized.
__________________
Serial MINI owners (keep 2), Shawn: 08 Cooper-S (DS/B with red cloth/leather interior). Tristan: 07 Cooper (LB/W with blue cloth/leather interior). Quentin: 05 Cooper-S (PH/W). Our first: 04 Cooper (Indi Blue/White)
Not only that but I bet the wheels look alot better too. I love the 15' rims with the thick tires look. It makes the car look like its a pure track car.
__________________
06 BRG MCS: black stripes&roof, black&tan leather, all blacked out, stubby antenna, S-Lites, LSD, Alta CAI, BavAuto lowering springs, M7 strut brace, One ball mod.
As long as you stick to the correct diameter....I have...the 15's can be pretty good...gives the car a playfull feel, I can see why auto-crossers love 15's. They are lighter, cheaper, and CAN look pretty cool...they are great for winter IMO, and the 16's have noticably less sidewall flex, so during the summer they are a great size....
__________________
l 2005 MCS l 11-04 Production l owned since new l RMW Tuned l Craven -17% Pulley l Craven Speed STD l Dinan CAI l JCW 380's l H&R 19 MM Swaybar l MSD Ignition l Power Steering Fan Duct l LightInSight l "EURO" MINI Armrest l Euro Parcel Shelf l Brake Light PULSAR(gen2)l Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop l Blitzsafe/xmradio l Cobra 19IV CB l 4.5' Francis CB25 CB Antenna, mounted on the rear tow rig!!
I love the look of it. The only downside is that these tires lower the car about 1.5" because the sidewalls actually flex (unlike the 18" tires).
I've found myself scraping on a lot more things. I actually played street hockey with a plastic 20oz bottle. I think I might trim the piece that keeps scraping.
Sounds like you 15's might need to be a bit bigger....bet your spedo is way off now.....but you do have a lot more tourque when starting from a stop!!
All that counts is that you are happy, and the car does look nice!!
__________________
l 2005 MCS l 11-04 Production l owned since new l RMW Tuned l Craven -17% Pulley l Craven Speed STD l Dinan CAI l JCW 380's l H&R 19 MM Swaybar l MSD Ignition l Power Steering Fan Duct l LightInSight l "EURO" MINI Armrest l Euro Parcel Shelf l Brake Light PULSAR(gen2)l Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop l Blitzsafe/xmradio l Cobra 19IV CB l 4.5' Francis CB25 CB Antenna, mounted on the rear tow rig!!
I wish I could at least get 16's on my R55 JCW, but can't with those Brembo's. So I'll be stuck with 17's if I go that route. Can't go wrong with a lighter wheel!
I love that look too, keep it up!
__________________ Installed: m7 Super AGS - m7 T/IC boost tube - ALTA FMIC - AccessPORT -reso delete - H&R RSS coil overs - ALTA rear lower control arms - m7 oil catch can - m7 heat shield - m7 CF Vortex 2 hood scoop - 17x7 gold Konig Feathers w/ 205/40-17's Waiting to be installed: ALTA s/shifter
Ok, perhaps somebody can answer this for me here so I don't have to start a new thread.
My clearance is TOO LOW! I have about 1.5" of clearance in the front. If I brake hard on smooth pavement I'll hear a good scrape. I was riding to work on a gravel road that is a tad bumpy and I could hear it scrape every now and then. It’s getting pretty aggravating.
The problem is with the bottom piece of the bumper. It is a piece that sticks straight down about 2”+ all the way along. There was another piece behind it that was lower but it broke off from scraping soon after I got the car. My question is will I somehow void my warranty if I remove this 2” piece? I have ext warranty until 2012 and I sure don’t want to lose that over stupid crap. I don’t know how picky they are with things like that. I’m pretty sure it will crack and break off sooner or later.
As you can see the center part of of it has already broken off.
Last edited by welcha13; 10-27-2009 at 07:59 AM.
Reason: added photo
A good tire shop will help you get the correct diameter tire, even if you want to go wider as you have. Don't overlook the load range of the tires you buy...they should at least match the oem.
If you scrape during hard breaking, I would have serious worries about potholes and raised manhole covers during construction doing SERIOUS dammage......or totaling your car. Watch out and be careful till you get the new tires!!!!
__________________
l 2005 MCS l 11-04 Production l owned since new l RMW Tuned l Craven -17% Pulley l Craven Speed STD l Dinan CAI l JCW 380's l H&R 19 MM Swaybar l MSD Ignition l Power Steering Fan Duct l LightInSight l "EURO" MINI Armrest l Euro Parcel Shelf l Brake Light PULSAR(gen2)l Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop l Blitzsafe/xmradio l Cobra 19IV CB l 4.5' Francis CB25 CB Antenna, mounted on the rear tow rig!!
I think the white wheels look better than the black anyway.
Hey Welcha I noticed some red on the front, are those JCW brakes fitted over those RH wheels? If so let us/me know which RH models wheels they are. I know Motegi TrakLites 15's fit over JCW brakes but they are hard to find now. They look sweet Mine scrape with 18s, I'm gonna be dragging with 15s.
__________________ 2006 MINI Cooper JCW GP0019
RMW tune & cams*17% pulley*ITG filter*Brisk plugs*H-Sport Comp RSB*KMac camber plates*resonator delete*TSW studs/jack pads*H&R 5mm spacer*CT AX6 pads*Motul RBF600*RedLine*15x7 Motegi TrakLites2*Nitto NT01 205/50-15 BRG/W 2003 MINI Cooper S R.I.P. Sheila
Hey Welcha I noticed some red on the front, are those JCW brakes fitted over those RH wheels? If so let us/me know which RH models wheels they are. I know Motegi TrakLites 15's fit over JCW brakes but they are hard to find now. They look sweet Mine scrape with 18s, I'm gonna be dragging with 15s.
I don't think they are JCW brakes. I believe they are just painted red. (the red paint is coming off in some areas)
But the wheels are CP-035.
I'm going to try to mess with the bumper on Friday and get that lower piece off or at least out of the way. I noticed I can push up on it and raise it a few inches. Perhaps I can strap it up from underneath and avoid scraping on bumpy roads.
__________________
Chili Red '06 MCSm M7 pulley, H-Sport springs, Alta CAI... is that all? Maybe...
If anyone has answer to resolve bump noises from the rear hatch area PLEASE PM ME... it's getting ridiculous.
15's are the ticket!! Especially with the gearing in the 05-06 models years. I never understood (other than possibly looks) going to big wheels. Unless they are super light or bbk, there is no real advantage.
I scrape that little lip under the car sometimes, you will become aware of situations where it may scrape and try to avoid best you can. The part is easily replaceable.
I scrape that little lip under the car sometimes, you will become aware of situations where it may scrape and try to avoid best you can. The part is easily replaceable.
Not the part I'm scraping. It's a molded piece of the bumper. You can see it in the picture. I think something is disconnected under there. I need to jack it up and take a look. I need to get a low-profile floor jack.
__________________
Chili Red '06 MCSm M7 pulley, H-Sport springs, Alta CAI... is that all? Maybe...
If anyone has answer to resolve bump noises from the rear hatch area PLEASE PM ME... it's getting ridiculous.
I don't think they are JCW brakes. I believe they are just painted red. (the red paint is coming off in some areas)
But the wheels are CP-035.
I'm going to try to mess with the bumper on Friday and get that lower piece off or at least out of the way. I noticed I can push up on it and raise it a few inches. Perhaps I can strap it up from underneath and avoid scraping on bumpy roads.
CP-035!!! Oh goodness these might be even harder to find than TrakLites 2's in 15, RH CP-035 are super lightweight wheels too
Quote:
Originally Posted by go_mini_go
15's are the ticket!! Especially with the gearing in the 05-06 models years. I never understood (other than possibly looks) going to big wheels. Unless they are super light or bbk, there is no real advantage. I scrape that little lip under the car sometimes, you will become aware of situations where it may scrape and try to avoid best you can. The part is easily replaceable.
I believe your JCW lip sits lower than the normal MCS front bumper's lip, so does the GP bumper, I even scrap that lower lip with 18 inch wheels on EVERY driveway. Maybe lifting the car and dremeling the lower lip.
__________________ 2006 MINI Cooper JCW GP0019
RMW tune & cams*17% pulley*ITG filter*Brisk plugs*H-Sport Comp RSB*KMac camber plates*resonator delete*TSW studs/jack pads*H&R 5mm spacer*CT AX6 pads*Motul RBF600*RedLine*15x7 Motegi TrakLites2*Nitto NT01 205/50-15 BRG/W 2003 MINI Cooper S R.I.P. Sheila
Ok, perhaps somebody can answer this for me here so I don't have to start a new thread.
My clearance is TOO LOW! I have about 1.5" of clearance in the front. If I brake hard on smooth pavement I'll hear a good scrape. I was riding to work on a gravel road that is a tad bumpy and I could hear it scrape every now and then. It’s getting pretty aggravating.
The problem is with the bottom piece of the bumper. It is a piece that sticks straight down about 2”+ all the way along. There was another piece behind it that was lower but it broke off from scraping soon after I got the car. My question is will I somehow void my warranty if I remove this 2” piece? I have ext warranty until 2012 and I sure don’t want to lose that over stupid crap. I don’t know how picky they are with things like that. I’m pretty sure it will crack and break off sooner or later.
As you can see the center part of of it has already broken off.
]
Why don't you get yourself a nice set of coilovers and just raise your ride height a bit! You like your car now, imagine what a good suspension setup would feel like!!
I don't think they are JCW brakes. I believe they are just painted red. (the red paint is coming off in some areas)
But the wheels are CP-035.
I'm going to try to mess with the bumper on Friday and get that lower piece off or at least out of the way. I noticed I can push up on it and raise it a few inches. Perhaps I can strap it up from underneath and avoid scraping on bumpy roads.
Your missing some parts on that lower aero kit friend.....your better off just putting on the correct size tire for proper ground clearance. Also, right now you are racking up more about 5% more mileage than actually travelled so you will reach oil changing mileage before it's time to do so.....
2006 CR/B MCS JCW, RMW (Newman) Cam and RMW Street Header, JCW Suspension, H&R 19mm rear anti-sway bar, IE fixed camber plates, Mason Engineering lower strut brace, Continental ExtremeContact DW Tires, Red interior, Chrome, HK, RMW Tune, 223 WHP / 200 WTQ
