Need your feedback, as my grand plan has had a wrench thrown in it and I just want to hear what people say. Im looking for a wheel tire setup that will aloow me to run 15+ track days a year. Not racing, just HPDE's and open track events. Maybe some autocross. I dont care about points, just like getting out and getting fast. I decided that my 06 MCS JCW with JCW suspension is eating my street tires too quickly, so I need a dedicated set. I called Alex at TR and DAMN HE IS GOOD! He spent a ton of time helping me and he really got me to consider all of my options..

He now has got me thinking about running 15 inch wheels instead of my stock 17. I get TONS more options with the sizing of rubber, and he guarntees that I will have no fitment issues with the JCW brakes.

Im considering the Motegi Tracklite in 15" with Michelen Pilot Sport Cup. I love that rubber, have run it on other cars, so its no reason to second guess that, but the sizing...

anyone got any reason NOT to take advantge of more choice, less weight and easy fitment? I guess the only thing I can think of is that if I go BBK in the future, I have to sell this setup. But I dont think I will go BBK for a while considering Im not racing...

thanks in advance...

 

Alex will sell you what he deals in, not what's the best setup available. I'm not saying that this isn't a good combination as I don't know the specifics of the wheels and tires. Tire rack doesn't list weights or tire dimensions on their website. Do you know the weight of this combo?

I personally would recommend the Toyo RA1, shaved 4/32, 205-40-17. I'd put them on the Rota Subzero 17x7.5" I would bet that this is a lighter combo then the 15s. You will also be able to use any BBK out there and if it's a TCE BBK you will even save more weight.

The RA1s are known throughout the race community as one of the best buys in R compound tires. They will last you your 17 DEs and more. This is the way to go.

Now, if you are eating up tires then this is another issue. If you do this much tracking and are not using aftermarket camber plates and rear control arms, then you are indeed killing your tires. I imagine that your outside tread on the fronts is gone way before the rest of the tire even looks used.

 

Nope, I don't see any reason not to use 15 inch on an MCS. Its what I've used the last 3 years on mine.

I run 15 x 6.5 Flik Blast with 205/50/15 Hankook RS2s. Previously fitted with Falken Azenis. Not sure I got 12 track days out of the Falkens, but pretty close. The combination saves me over 10 pounds at each corner and lowers the car by a little more then half an inch. Also gears the car down about 5%. All good things.

Alan

 

What's the diameter of your tires?
Also curious what the weight is.
Thanks

 

I hear what your saying...thanks for the feedback.

 

I ordered the 15's (montegi tracklites with Pilot Sport Cups) after being realistic about when and how why I would get to a BBK. I need seat time, and a good set of rubber and thats about it to enjoy the MINI. The 205/50/15 has the most options when it comes to rubber, so there you have it. Ive been assured that I will have no fitment issues on my JCW brakes (much debate on motoringfile)...should have them in a few weeks (back ordered)

 

Just curious here, what are the specs on these things?
Wheel weight?
Tire weight?
Tire diameter?
Tread width?

Thanks

 

wheel weight is a little less that 12 lbs

not sure on tire weight but this should have all you need to know...

http://www.michelinman.com/assets/pd...otsportcup.pdf

 

Specs for the Dunlop runflats are here:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...045VR79000DSST
The stock 205/15/17s weigh 21 lbs each

Specs for the Hankook RS2s are here:
http://www.hankooktireusa.com/pdf/up...RS2%20Z212.pdf
These are about 19 lbs each.

My Flik Blast wheels weight 11.9 lbs each:
http://www.edgeracing.com/2003/Mini/...ll)/wheels/15/

I think the stock 17 inch wheels are over 20 lbs each.

Your homework assignment is to check me on the lowering and gearing change.

Alan

 

I know that there are vendors that offer aftermarket brake calipers and disks that will fit the 15" rims. I saw some a couple of days ago. The problem is to remember what vendor I saw them on.

A friend, Blalor, has put 15" on his MCS and he loves them. Caused me to think about summer tires and rims for MIB.

 

Im happy with my choice. I really thought about it last night and said "BBK, are you racing for points? Answer is no, so this is what made sense to me. The PS Cups are very very nice, I have driven them before on non MINI rides.

Im dropping 1/2 inch from my 17' street setup. SHould be no issue, as this is my track day setup..

 

Interesting that you are going with the 15" with the JCW brakes. We had the same dilema on what to do with my friend's JCW and we ended up going for a 17x7 with 205/40/17s as we were worried about clearance issues. Since you are running a 15" I would recommend a 225/50/15 tire though. That's what I've been running and the grip out of the corners is way better than my buddies 205s. Car is lowered on H-Sports with +37mm offset 15x7 OZ Superleggeras. Check my post on a JCW vs Modded MCS Here

good luck

Amit

 

Thanks for the compliments, DrDiff. :-)

I'm running 15" Konig Rewind wheels with 225/50/15 Yoko ES100s. I can relate to the camber issues; I destroyed my front tires at Gateway this weekend. The outside edge of the right front tire was nearly bald, the inside edge looked brand new. Part of this was due to not keeping a good enough eye on tire pressure, however.

I think the selection of 225/50/15 rubber's pretty slim; it's better if you go with 205/55/15, I think.

I'm skeptical of 15" wheels fitting with the JCW rims; hope that works out for you. I'm going to be adding the Wilwood brake kit in the next couple of weeks; I'm told those will fit, with the 11.75" rotors, inside my wheels. I'm going to test-fit my wheels on another car with the calipers and rotors before committing, however.

 

I love my Pilot Sport Cups, too... IMHO, the RA1's don't have quite the same feel, but are nearly as good. Of course, the PSC's oughta be awesome for the price!

 

Not sure if this will post correctly, but here a try.
This is my research sheet for track/street rubber. I chose 16" because they fit (barely) over my Wilwood BBK. Diameter was key for me as I wanted a gearing gain. I chose the Toyo's (green) but I have been tearing them up pretty bad at Road Atl. I will try the Azenis or Goddyears next (soon).
Hope this helps (and is legible).
Wes

 

What suspension mods are you running?

 

I believe the TCE 11.75 kit will fit most 15" wheels. You can opt for two pad choices; the BP20s are turning out be a pretty good street pad...buy a track dedicated pad for your events. Changing pads is literally about 7-8 minutes a wheel including wheel removal and re-installation.

 

Onasled - Last time I was at the track I had just a 22mm rear bar on firm, and engine and brake mods. Now I have Ireland fixed camber plates in front, IE lower rear control arms and poly bushing in all relevant locations. I alkso just added Koni FSD all around. So I should be able to use the tires better. I certainly was mostly killing the outer edge. I tore them up badly after just 4 sessions. I was sqwirming the tread and tearing the edges off of the blocks. Should have been shaved I guess.

Meb - I am running the Wilwood 12.2" kit under 16: wheels. Todd fixed me up a "race" version of 12.2 with mcomp rotors and ss pistons. I run "B" compound on the track and BP10 on street. Yes - the 11.75 will fit under SOME 15" wheels as the 12.2 will fit under SOME 16" wheels. I run Rota Slipstreams. 16x7 hub centric at 56.1 12 pounds and $140 each. Great deal.
Wes

 

My computer shows size and weights:

http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_gara...&autoYear=2003

Earl