looks great, I just put on 215/45/17 pilot super sports.
they are excellent but they look a little big.

 

Would you mind posting some pics as well? I am considering to so the same thing as well.

 

Not the OEM wheel but a pic of my 215/40 18... I love the stance it has and it drives and handles incredible. They are Hankook evo V12, I had the same setup on my 09 FJCW and that’s why i did these again... Hankook don't make a 215/45 17 for the stock GP wheels or I would put a set on them too.. nm Eng said I could have done a 225/35 on these wheels (they tested it with both 215/40 and 225/35) but i wanted a little more side wall so went with the 215/40.....

 

looks great! where did you buy those wheels?
heres a pic with my 215 pilot SS tires.

 

Yes - approx $575 in parts + 2 hrs labor

Still not sure why the 2nd glove box wasn't installed @ the factory. All Mini's have them and I can't believe it was a weight issue. Either way, I'm glad to have it again, and the dealership techs at Mini of Baltimore did an excellent job installing it. It wasn't an easy retrofit but they did it and it came out great.

 

The dealer sourced them locally directly from Michelin warehouse for a slightly better then Tirerack $. I was glad they had them in stock!

 

Tires look great - did you use spacers or do they clear all the suspension bits? Any rubbing on turns?

 

SS look great,

Thanks, they are nm Engineering RSe12 18"x7.5 (+45) offset

They fit and clear the BBK on the GP2 perfect. No spacers and use OEM bolts and locks......

I think they look pretty good and a great color match.
IMO it handles and drives better than the 17s with Kumhos.

 

Fit perfect right out the box, they are made for the MINI and will clear all or most BBK's... no spacers, no rubbing, handles great and rides awesome too......

 

I think they figured that if we were willing to spend 40k on the GP then we would be willing to spend another 5k after that buying all the cool accsesories that didn't come with it, lol..... I'm adding the steering wheel controls in a month or so....

 

akng: Actually, the Michelin's are 205/45/17's, which makes them about 1/4" narrower than the OEM Kumho's. However the overall diameter of the tire is slightly taller (23.8" on the Kumho's vs. 24.3" on the Michelins). That's 1/2" more in sidewall, which results in a slightly more comfortable, less noisy ride.

As a track tire, I would definitely opt for the Kumho's. However, real life daily driving (12 months out of the year), the Michelins give you the best of both worlds -- a "ultra high" performance handling tire that you can use year round.

OEM vs. Michelin & other tire comparison:

 

Bill3571 - That's the tire that I initially ordered but was concerned about the overall diameter of the tire - thought it might be a problem (about 7/8" taller). The tech and I looked at both and while both were fine, I opted for the one Mini recommended as an OEM "alternate". You should get excellent ride quality from the slightly taller tire.

 

Where did that tire comparison come from anyways? They sound about right from standard manufacturer specs. But here's a catch, they may be measured on wheels with different widths.

I know what you are talking about. But the MINI Odometers are designed for tire diameter of about 24.5 inches. So with both of those tires, you are still losing out on the mileages. For the Michelins, you are most likely not getting as much diameter as you think since the tire is on the narrower side for a 7.5 inches wheel. So you lost part of the diameter from the side walls stretching to stay mounted onto the rim.

 

StuRat -- Good to know. Fitment looks great! Good luck with your GP.

 

BTW, very nice rims & tires combo!

 

Not all Minis have them, just 2nd Gen.

 

I have the same tire and I don't think they look big at all. If anything, I thought the 215/40-17 looked a little thin. But, then again, I like meatier tires.

 

Would you have part numbers on what was installed? I am considering doing this.
Cheers!

 

Wow thanks man! It looks great. I think I am going to do it. Seems like there's still plenty of clearance. Are you on stock height? Any problems with rubbing when you turn your steering wheel to the max?

 

I just ordered all the parts from the dealer for approx. $260 (LIST) I get a discount of about 30% off that since I know people... lol
I also ordered the Carbon Fiber dash kit which will go with the secret compartment and I have the GP emblem on order form Germany too... I think his cost $500 and something because he had to get another piano blk dash piece to go with the hinge part of the compartment, that’s why I ordered the Carbon Fiber dash (since I would have needed that part anyway and still have my old Secret compartment piano blk dash piece from my old FJCW)... worked out really good. Here is a snap shot of the pieces/part numbers… not including the new dash front cover you will need for the door to open. GP emblem/badge part number is 51459280149 takes about a month to get from Germany

 

All my parts should be here today for the secret compartment. BUT: the GP badge is on back order from Germany and won't be here for about a month or so... did you get yours yet???
Thanks

 

The GP badge could easily be peeled of and reapplied on new panel.... pretty sticky on the back.

 

Stock height and no rubbing at all. They're really comfortable, grippy, and arguably better looking than the Kumhos. I'm really happy with them.

 

This is true but for $65 i would rather have it to go one my new Carbon Fiber dash with the secret compartment. I still have the secret compartment piano black dash face plate left over from my old FJCW that i can put the old GP badge on if I wanted... this way I can go back to the all black if I get tired of the Carbon Fiber and still have the secret compartment.

 

Hi StuRat: I'm also still waiting for the trim GP badge. It was supposed to be shipped last week but dealership has still not been invoiced for the part, which means Mini/BMW has not released the part yet. There's also no definite availability date at this point...