Hi there.

I purchased a used 2008 MC at the start of winter and replaced the 16" run-flats with a set of winter tires. We're creeping back into spring temperature here in Toronto so I am planning to switch into summer tires soon.

I feel overwhelmed though, in trying to pick out a combination of wheels and tires. I know just enough to decide that I'm better off with a separate set of wheels just for my summer tires but that's about all I know.

How do I get started? I drive the MINI maybe 80Km a week at most through stop and go traffic on roads with few, if any, potholes. Price, durability and noise are my main considerations.

If I order a set of wheels & tires that come pre-fitted and balance, how realistic is it for me to take install the tires on the MINI myself with the car kit that comes with the car?

(First post since registering but that's because other posters' threads have already answered my questions so far.)

 

Hi from Riverdale!

If you want to swap the wheels, come and we'll do it together...

I did a few times with my ex. R50. Now, I am in Clubman S (winters on) and I will be mounting another set of rims/tires as soon as temperature gets above 0 C at night...

My "summer" set is ready, I only have to buy rubbers and still debating between 205 and 215 on 17"... I will make a decision once I go to my tire shop and see what prices they can get. When talking to them over the phone, first hand prices were very compatible to TireRack in US, taking in the consideration shipping/duties to get them to Toronto...

Keep in touch and join "local" forum here: http://www.somc.on.ca/

I got plenty of valuable info. and used items in last year.

Good luck.

 

You can use the tire kit that comes with the Mini to swap tires. All the bits are there.

It will be a lot less hassle and way easier if you buy yourself a 4-way tire wrench. It looks like a big plus-sign ("+") with a different size socket on each end. Make sure you get one that fits your lugs. Wrap some electrical tape around the end that you use so you can find it easily. They are widely available and not very expensive.

The 4-way will provide more leverage and with a little practice, you can spin it to speed the process along. You can slip a pipe over one end if you need more leverage (use a buddy for this part, 1 person supports the wrench keeping it squarely on the lug nut, the other person is on the pipe end applying steady, even pressure and keeping the pipe from scraping the car). Or you can just use your foot. Either way, it's best as a 2-person job, with one person always on the wrench.

A low-profile hydraulic floor jack (less than $100 US) makes the raising and lower of the car a lot less tedious than the screw-jack that comes with the car.

Be sure and chock the opposite corner wheel with something (wood block, brick or plastic wheel chock) and never (NEVER!) put a body part under any part of the car that is held up with a jack. If you want to get underneath, jack stands or wheel ramps!

 

Welcome.

Rims are completely up to your taste, especially if just DDing them all summer. One aspect you may look at is just quality and durability, like with my summer rims. They are cheap but I clean them constanly, thanks to our huge brake dust problem. I could see, however, if somone let them go, the finish would most definately start to deteriorate, and clear will flake....again these things are cheap @ 100/ea. for example.

Tires can be Searched to death on here.... Most may say Bridgestone G019s though from what i see

As far as changing them w the stock kit, no problem at all. just sucks to do w/ a screw jack, but ive done it many many times on many cars that way. I would also recommend just going and getting one of the little Craftsman 1 or 1.5 ton (dont remember which) hydraulic floor jacks and 4 stands...sometimes they come in a kit. Youll need em to rotate your wheels anyway. If you go this route its simple to get all 4 corners in the air by jacking between the jack points on a 2X4 placed on the rocker panel, then you can throw a jack stand under each point and change/rotate all of em with ease.

 

+1
It makes it so much easier to switch out wheels. But you can use the kit just more of a hassle and time consumming.

Falken ZE 912 or Nitto NeoGens with some 16x7 Rota or Konig wheels for summer another cheap option is to buy a set of used OEM wheels for $150-$350 in Marketplace here on NAM.

 

If you are just doing daily driving, and no track or Autocross stick with a Standard tire, You dont need all season if you have winters already.
Go to the Tirerack website and read some reviews, you can also call or email Alex at Tirerack and he will point you in the right direction. I have used them for well over 20 years and have never had a problem.

 

Thanks for the replies and information guys. It was 15C when I got off work so it's definitely time for the winter tires to come off.

How does wheel weight, backspacing and hub-centric-ness fit in all this? If I choose a rim that's 4x100 and within 35 to 52mm offset, is there anything else I should be aware of?

And yeah, it does sound like my life will be easier if I get a hydraulic jack and a tire wrench. Thanks for the tip.

 

Help?

 

One tip...I have Ultra Hi performance all seasons...they are not as good as a all season in the snow...pretty useless...but if you get some super early or late snow flurries, or cold temps, you are ok driving...with a true summer tire...if the temps are below 40 ish, they get as hard as frozen hockey pucks....and can send you into a ditch they harden so fast!!
Just one thing to consider!!
As to answer you question on offsets, hubcentric rings, etc...this is when a local tire/rim shop is worth the $$ for the inital purchase....tire rack is fine too, but I have seen some Internet places just have plain wrong info on the mini.
All other things beaing equal, buy lighter wheels...the car will have a nicer feel...it will be more nimble, and less truck like...nothing ruins the car more than heavy rims....but it comes down to $$$. My rule is the larger the rim, the more for looks it is, unless the owner has paid extra $$ to get 2 or 3 piece lightweight rims.
When it comes to tire size...stick to stock, or within a few 2-3% of stock...slightly wider is fine....there are many discussions of alternate sizes here, just make sure the rims you pick are the right width...lol...another thing to consider....
Good luck....it sounds like you still need more info, but IMO if you are a normal driver, stick to stock offsets (the rim guys know) don't get rims that need spacers ( $$, and can place stress on the wheel bearings) and don't let a shop tell you you don't need hubcentric rings...get them unless the centers match oem. Trust me...I have know.

 

Would you recommend those for spirited summer driving?
I really like the koning feather wheels. But all together that's like $1,000 (wheels+tires). Good mod though.

 

I forgot to mention but thanks for the follow up and information! For cost reason and for knowing for certain that the wheels fit, I've been hunting MINI forums for private sells. The OEM wheels do look nicer to me as well.