Looking for a little more rubber, anyone try going a little bigger on the height of the tire. My guess is that there wouldnt be rubbing but who knows. Tire rack not recommending it due to speedo calibration..

 

Check out the Kumho 4x thread. The last few posts in there GeoffreyM posted a pic of his CM with 22\50\18.

 

Also check out Post #11 on this thread:

"Anybody tried 235/45/18 on stock 18" sport rims yet?"

Looks to work just great!

 

225-50/R18 tires should bring your speedo to near right on the money. The 255-45/R18's make my speedo read 2 MPH too high.

My next set will be Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. Have good tread ware and are quiet. I have my plugs and compressor.

If anyone knows something bad about them please let me know.

 

I went with the Kumho 4x in 225 50 18. What a huge difference! I no longer cringe when i see bumpy roads or potholes. the ride is alot smoother now as well. Why they put these low profile tires on the 18s I dont really understand, the wheels are going to get destroyed. you will notice a huge difference in ride quality!

 

How has your mileage changed? better, worse, same? I want better mileage, low noise, high comfort and decent handling

Also looks like these 4X's will have another rebate starting April 1. Tempting...

 

Mines a little better, quieter ride, sits just slightly higher, MUCH SMOOTHER. I will admit to a bit more body roll, but the positives FAR outweigh the negatives.

 

With my Blizzak WS 70's in a 215/55-17 I'm used to the body roll...I'm also used to the pillowy comfort So transitioning now to 225/50-18 should be easier than going straight from my run-flat 18's.

I don't need any type of snow performance (I run a different as above) but I DO want to be able to go off-road lightly on occasion. My main picks are:

1. Michelin Primacy MXM4 (leaning towards W rated, cheaper and better handling, rebate over)
2. Kumho Ecsta 4x ($50 rebate through August)
3. Bridgestone Potenza RE 970AS Pole Position

 

I will never put Goodyear Assurance tires on again. P205/55R-16 Had them on for 2 yrs/20k miles and they are terribly load! Sound like off road truck tires. It's deafening. Looking now to get them replaced ASAP. Wouldn't recommend.

 

With your 215/55/17's was there much room left? I want a much bigger profile tire on my 17's when I get it. I am getting tired of road hazards destroying tires and the Countryman seems like it looks good with beefier tires.

 

Just took delivery of our CMSA4 with 18" summer tires, and am looking ahead to what winter tires we may be using. I'd like to go with 225/50-18's to get the extra sidewall to protect the rims (and I like the way the bigger tires fill up the wheel wells, too). I see that the tires installed by both Coopers111 (Super Sport) and GeoffreyM (Kumho 4X) have cross sections of 9.2 on 7.0 width wheels, but the tires I'm looking at (Hankook I*cept Evo) have cross sections of 9.7 on 7.0 width wheels. Someone (it may have been Coopers111) mentioned that there was only about 5MM between the tire and his front struts. Are the tires I'm contemplating going to rub? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

anyone w/ pics of 225-50/R18 mounted on a CM?
also if the car is lowered?
TIA

 

In the Kumho 4x thread GeoffreyM has a pic of his CM with 225\50\18.

 

I just mounted my BMW wheels today 235/50/18's (wheels are 18x8 et46). I think the 50 series tire looks tough. Forgive the picture - it was a quick iPhone pic after I test fit the wheels before I decide whether or not to powder coat them. The only thing I'm worried about now is lowering it - maybe I won't...




GeoffreyM also has a pic of 225/50/18's:

 

Nice! Curious about price and source for these wheels.

 

I actually found them on craigslist about 250 miles from where I live - had them delivered to me for $600 including the new tires. Thought it was worth the gamble to see if I like them. Powder coating will run me another $200-$300 if I decide to go that route.

 

Wow, the wheels look great! I'd leave them that color I think. That is some great outside the box thinking on your part to use those wheels. Most people think about aftermarket wheels but never consider using an OEM wheel from a different car. You could sell your stock MINI wheels and actually make some money on the deal too. Good job.

 

Wow, no rubbing? What kind of tires are they?

 

Thanks, MG - they have some light curb rash so I think I'm going to powder coat them - or possibly start out with plasti-dip.
I haven't actually got out and driven it yet - but I don't think it'll rub...at least I hope not!

 

What kind of tires are they? What's really surprising is that they don't appear to fill up the wheel wells as much as GeoffreyM's tires that are one size smaller. Compare the photos and I think you will see what I mean. Perhaps because your wheels are a different offset?

 

shark - the tires are Cooper's of course I didn't pick them out, nor do I really know anything about them...they just came with the wheels so I figured what the heck! Cooper Zeon RS3 is the full name.

GeoffreyM's wheel gap does appear to be smaller, but my guess would be that it has something to do with a combination of:
- the angle the pictures were taken
- the black wheels vs silver wheels
- the offset and wheel width: mine are 8" with a +46 offset vs his 7.5" with a +52 offset (I think) making his set in slightly and creating a little shadow
- mine may be stretched ever-so-slightly making the side walls a little shorter (I think 245 is standard over an 8" wide wheel, mine are 235's)
- possibly my springs haven't settled back in yet after jacking the car up to swap out the wheels

Here are a couple more pics after a late night bath. It looks a little 4x4ish, but I'm OK with that for now. I'm definitely leaning towards powder coating them black.






And one quick pic of my CARBONMINI carbon fiber mirrors and door handles just for fun - I need to take some time to take some better pics

 

Love the wheels. Did you have to do anything to get them to fit? Spacers, any new hardware? I am thinking of getting BMW wheels and having them powder coated black for the the CM. I had found a great set of wheels froma 135 and did not pull the trigger...

 

Nothing needed for me - you just need to make sure they have the right offset, (probably somewhere between 30 - 55 depending on the width) a 5x120 bolt pattern, and check the tire size if you're not buying new tires. The only thing I'm not 100% sure on is the lugs - I may look into getting some that are slightly longer because they didn't seem to thread in quite as far. Good luck with the search - there are tons of helpful people here so never be afraid to post up a question if you get stuck.

 

Livestrong, have you driven much on the 235/50-18's? yet?
any rubbing issues?
..and have you lowered it yet? if so.. any rubbing issues?

Thx.
I will be lowered on a 19" & considering a 225/45-19 which has an overall diameter just .3" smaller than yours.

 

Would like to know the answers to those questions, too.

Those are some of the best looking wheels I've seen on a MINI yet.

Good job